Re new hires:
I have seen many businesses that have been permitted to hire immediately following a period of redundancies. There is no compulsion to maintain a hiring ban if no compulsory redundancies take place; SOSR are not compulsory redundancies as such.
SOSR Case Studies:
I-resign.com - Community - Dismissal for SOSR - Some Other Substatial Reason
Unfair Dismissal - Some Other Substantial Reason: Employment Law: Michelmores Solicitors