What bolt. .That is still not exactly compulsary redundancy in the eyes of the law.. .If they were offered a severance package then they signed a declaration to the effect that they left employment "of their own free will".. .IE they volunteered to leave.
By the way, If they had 25 years service then back in those days an uncapped severance would be very nice indeed! . .I would certainly go now if I was offered the same arrangements.
Thanks for the gen anyway!