Following on from a meeting where Eskleigh flagged the possibility that 83 staff members will potentially have their hours reduced, or, in the worst case, be made redundant, we contacted management immediately.
We asked for clarification on a number of issues and questioned the seemingly arbitrary selection of some workers to be affected over others, despite similarities in their working rosters.
We’ve also expressed our dismay at the fact that private emails have been shared among all 83 affected workers. This has not only breached workers’ privacy but also created unnecessary stress and discomfort for those who are not directly impacted.
Whilst Eskleigh claimed that they need to align rosters with the funding instrument, this mishandled process has been a balls up for many workers.
We understand that redundancy can be worrying for many workers, but you have rights as an employee, and we’re here to support you and hold Eskleigh accountable throughout the process.
Firstly, Eskleigh are obliged to seek expressions of interest for redundancy packages from all employees. They cannot target a single cohort of workers or individuals. So if you are not one of the 83 workers who have been sent an email about the proposed redundancies, you can still apply for redundancy if you wish to do so.
Also, expressing interest in finding out what a redundancy would look like for you does not mean that you have to accept the offer. You have the right to say that the offer is not for you and you wish to remain working at Eskleigh.
You can find details about redundancy pay and your other entitlements in your agreement.
Now, more than ever, it is crucial for us to stand united and push for a fair resolution.
If you know colleagues who are not yet HACSU members, encourage them to
join online to access the support and solidarity they need during this trying time.