Currys PC World to axe 800 jobs in store management shake-up
CURRYS PC World plans to cut 800 jobs as part of a shake-up of its store management structure.
Its parent company, Dixons Carphone, says it has started to consult with some of its staff as it removes roles from its stores.
As part of the changes, Currys PC World will remove roles such as retail managers, assistant managers and team leaders.
It'll also axe business advisor roles in stores without a business hub, and instead add a sales manager, customer experience manager and operational excellence manager.
Axed staff will be able to apply for new positions, which Dixons says will “create a flatter management structure” and make it easier for customers to shop in its stores.
The job cuts affect roughly 3 per cent of Dixons' total workforce in the UK and Ireland.
What are my redundancy rights?
BEFORE making you unemployed, your employer should still carry out a fair redundancy process.
You are entitled to be consulted on the redundancy lay-off first and to receive a statutory redundancy payment, as long as you've been working somewhere for at least two years.
How much you're entitled to depends on your age and length of service, although this is capped at 20 years. You'll get:
- Half a week’s pay for each full year you were under 22,
- One week’s pay for each full year you were 22 or older, but under 41,
- One and half week’s pay for each full year you were 41 or older.
Sadly, you won't be entitled to a payout if you've been working for your employer for fewer than two years.
There should be a period of collective consultation as well as time for individual ones if your employer wants to make 20 or more employees redundant within 90 days or each other.
You are also entitled to appeal the decision by claiming unfair dismissal within three months of being let go.
A spokesperson for the group told The Sun a total of 1,800 workers will enter a 30-day consultation, but 1,000 of those will be kept on in new roles.
The spokesperson added that the move is part of a long-term strategy to streamline the business, but added that the coronavirus crisis has accelerated those plans as more customers shop online.
Mark Allsop, Dixons Carphone's chief operating officer, said: "Sadly, this proposal means we have now entered into consultation with some of our store colleagues.
"This was not an easy decision and we’ll do everything possible to look after those colleagues we can’t find new roles for, financially and otherwise."
The announcement comes as Carphone Warehouse, which is also owned by Dixons Carphone, permanently closed all 531 standalone stores in April, as more and more customers shop online.
The move resulted in 2,900 job losses, although 1,800 staff were expected to find new jobs within the business.
In January this year, Dixons Carphone was fined £500,000 after hackers targeted 14million customers following a data breach.
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Around 250,000 high street jobs could be axed as more Brits shop online during the coronavirus crisis.
It comes as Boots plans to slash 4,000 jobs and close 48 opticians branches.
While John Lewis is shutting eight stores, putting 1,300 jobs at risk.