Homeworking agency Travel Counsellors has started to consult 320 head office staff about job options including redundancies, because of the coronavirus crisis.
Steve Byrne, chief executive, said: “We have begun a consultation period for our employed support team to explore all options in terms of their roles, including extended unpaid leave, reduced working hours, job-share opportunities and redundancy.
“In doing so we will also take into account any positive measures introduced by the government to support businesses in the coming days and weeks.”
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The full statement from the company head office in Manchester said: “We are currently facing an unprecedented set of circumstances as an industry as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Our thoughts go out to all customers and everyone across the travel sector that has been impacted by this situation.
“Our focus throughout this time has been to support our Travel Counsellors and their valued customers. The company has joined together with an incredible spirit, helping customers to navigate an extremely complex and fast-moving situation.
“We do hope this period will be short-lived, and we remain confident that many customers who are impacted will be traveling with us again later this year. We have an extremely well positioned business model, with a track record of sales and earnings growth, but inevitably this has had an impact on the current running of the company.
“As such, we need to take some extremely difficult but responsible actions to ensure we’re in the best position to help our business owners and their customers in the months to follow.
“We have begun a consultation period for our employed support team to explore all options in terms of their roles, including extended unpaid leave, reduced working hours, job-share opportunities and redundancy.
“In doing so we will also take into account any positive measures introduced by the government to support businesses in the coming days and weeks.”
“Our priority throughout this process is, and will continue to be, ensuring each and every person is treated with the respect and care they deserve.
“We remain dedicated to being available to all of our support team colleagues during this time, both personally and professionally.
“We are confident that these changes will enable the company to emerge from the current situation as strong as possible, and will ensure our community can deliver the personalised service our customers value when the inevitable upturn in business happens.”