Do companies normally tell people they are being made redundant before press releases?

[bonnie654]

I work for one the company's that have announced big job losses, I am very worried about my job- I didn't know anything about the job losses until the press release and haven't heard anything from work (I am on furlough) so do companies normally tell employees which ones are getting made redundant before the press release? This is a big company so I have no idea what is normal practice. Thanks

Sorry you’re in this situation.

No, they v often don’t inform employees before media.

They will need to follow a formal process to notify employees affected: info on ACAS website.

Thanks @Dozer I have never been through this, and no idea how long it takes to hear from management as there are so many job cuts across the business.

No, I worked for a big retailer in 2008 (have a guess) and found out on my drive home from work that the company had gone in to administration and all 30,000 employees were being made redundant.

Unfortunately not. It's usual for people to find out when they read the news that morning.

Sorry to hear that @GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat it's not a nice situation to be in, does anyone know how long it will take for them to tell me either my job is or isn't safe?

Sadly not. I remember a few years back a parcel firm went bust, and the workers found out in the news the day before Christmas eve.

It's awful though, such a worrying time for so many people.

My company told the press at 7am. The first official communication came out via email at 1pm.

Fairly normal in my experience.

Then they go quiet. It's one thing to announce you need to reduce headcount by 5,000 employees. Working out what levels/grades and job families are affected is a bigger task and one they need to get right before they formally begin the consultation process. Even then it can be staggered e.g. senior roles sorted before moving down the chain.

Even if you're on maternity leave they're obliged to inform you if your role is included in the consultation. This doesn't necessarily mean redundancy. It can change mean a change of reporting lines or slight shift to job role.

The last step then is to formally contact employees at risk of redundancy and working through the consultation steps with them.

They cannot leave you out of communications if affected, but they're not obliged to inform you if your role is completely unaffected.

It wouldn't hurt to get in touch with your manager though to ask how they'll keep you in the loop.

Best of luck. I'm facing contractual changes that will cost me at least 10% of my salary every year or losing my job. It's not a good position to be in.

Thanks @KaTetof19 I suffer with anxiety so this is not ideal! I have been there less than year so if it comes down to last one in, that will be me. It does seem like it's gonna affect every job role in the company (probably minus big management) and it is a big company in terms of stores and employees.

Unfortunately not. My husband found out his company had gone bust on Christmas Eve when he turned the news on.

He'd just worked a night shift and nobody knew anything.

Good luck and all the best to you.

They cant tell the employees before the news is public if they are listed on the stock exchange, as that would give you insider knowledge to dump your millions of stocks and shares before they are worthless - like, how many employees would be in that situation.....
The news will filter through. It's a horrible time, but unfortunately the usual way it happens- the whole world finds out the same time as you.

Thanks @RedCatBlueCat I hope I don't have to wait too long. There are so many things against me though, 1 been shielding due to condition, 2 I live 35 mins from store and normally get public transport and 3 I haven't been there very long.