Potential Redundancies at Wilko
High Street homewares retailer Wilko could be on the brink of collapse with up to 12,000 potential jobs at risk.
Notice of intention to appoint administrators
The company has filed a "notice of intention" to appoint administrators, but no formal appointment has yet been announced to employees.
Wilko is known for its affordable homeware and garden range and has around 400 stores nationwide.
Pearson Solicitor are now hoping to help staff with advice should they be made redundant as a result of the administration. In particular, if large numbers of employees are ultimately made redundant it is likely that many will be eligible to pursue a protective award claim if the correct redundancy procedures are not followed.
Protective Award Claims
If successful staff may be able to claim the little known legal award, a Protective Award, which is compensation of up to 90 days’ gross pay. This is in addition to, and does not affect, any claims for statutory redundancy, arrears of pay, notice pay and holiday pay.
“If employers did not consult with the appropriate representatives, then any staff made redundant may potentially make a claim. If you lose your job through administration every penny counts,” said Partner and Employment Law Solicitor, Alan Lewis, who specialises in Protective Award Claims and works with employees all over the country.
“The employment department at Pearson are currently supporting hundreds employees who have been made redundant or are at risk of redundancy from other companies following administration.”
“Staff who are made redundant from Wilko without adequate prior consultation will be able to make a claim for a protective award.”
“More and more we are seeing companies across all sectors struggling and sadly some of them are having to shut up shop. This of course has a major impact on the workforce and if employees are told they are losing their jobs with immediate effect they can make a claim. Provided 20 or more employees are made redundant at the same establishment (which usually means a head office, warehouse or individual store), all affected employees can pursue a claim for a protective award, regardless of how long they have been employed by the business for,” added Alan Lewis.
If your employer cannot pay your award then the UK Government steps in and guarantees 8 weeks' pay, capped at £643 per week less any arrears of pay you may have received from the Redundancy Payments Office, so employees really have nothing to lose.
How can we help?
Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers specialise in helping redundant employees make claims. For legal advice on employee rights or making a protective award claim contact our employment law solicitors on 0161 785 3500 or email enquiries@pearsonlegal.co.uk
Subscribe to our newsletterPlease note that the information and opinions contained in this article are not intended to be comprehensive, nor to provide legal advice. No responsibility for its accuracy or correctness is assumed by Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd or any of its members or employees. Professional legal advice should be obtained before taking, or refraining from taking, any action as a result of this article.
