Question：In the context of 'best practice' employment protection law (using UK legislation as a basis), in which of the following circumstances is dismissal of an employee automatically considered unfair?

　　A. Selection for redundancy on the basis of age

　　B. Misconduct

　　C. Marriage to a key competitor

　　D. Incompetence

　　The correct answer is: A

　　Rationale: This constitutes unfair selection for redundancy (on the basis of recent age discrimination legislation): redundancy is potentially fair grounds for dismissal as long as the basis of selection is fair.

　　Options B and D are potentially fair grounds: there should be a reasonable attempt at performance or disciplinary management (warnings, training etc).

　　You may have hesitated over C, but this is an example of 'substantial reasons' that would be considered by a tribunal.

　　Ways in: You could narrow the options by considering that there must be some way for companies to dismiss incompetent or deliberately obstructive employees.