Being made redundant by Brewdog. 15 minute call. No questions
38 Brewdog bars were shut with immediate effect on 2nd March and 484 workers were made redundant.
Below is an account from STV of what happened on the call.
Unite the Union which represents Brewdog workers have rightly said that it is reminiscent of the notorious P&O sackings.
As a union officer I deal frequently with redundancies which are invariably voluntary not compulsory as with Brewdog.
However the employment law process is very similar. There is a requirement to consult (not just inform) and to allow for counter proposals. Clearly this was not done. Since Sky Business has revealed that James Watt’s rejected bid would have saved more jobs and the investments of EFP shareholders the failure to consider alternative proposals with impacted workers seem particularly poor.
Those with over two year’s service (likely a minority in bar work) will be eligible for a statutory redundancy payment- again not mentioned- and of course payment of notice which will again in the industry be brief.
Unite the Union have revealed that since Brewdog was declared insolvent, any money due sacked workers, unpaid wages, redundancy will be publicly funded via the Insolvency Service.
The whole thing has a strong element of contempt for bar workers who kept Brewdog going. Hopefully they won’t get away with it
Staff heard the news on the call, hosted by chief executive James Taylor and Ian Partidge of restructuring specialists AlixPartners.
“There is no viable interest in these bars”, staff told in the Teams meeting, heard by STV News.
“These will close immediately.
“Your role is no longer required. Your position has formally been made redundant. Clearly, we recognise how difficult this news is to hear, and we are truly sorry for that, the impact that this will have.
“We recommend you contact your local job centre as soon as you receive your redundancy letter to ensure your statutory entitlements are not affected.
“We are not opening this call for questions today.”
A staff member, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “All but 11 bars were made redundant.
“We were made to wait until 3.45pm, then given a 15-minute call, telling us we had no job anymore.
“The staff were in bits, upset, worried, panicked about paying rent. Hundreds of staff on a Teams call, no microphones or chance to reply.”
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[…] †s I’ve had to add to the list above), and several hundred bar staff being made redundant in the messiest way possible. (What was always one of the high spots of a BrewDog bar? The enthusiasm of the people working […]