Pixabay/limorcohen
19 May 2020
Specsavers has advised that 450 support office jobs are at risk of redundancy across its Guernsey, Nottingham and Southampton offices, as a result of a “dramatic downturn” in business due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Colleagues employed in the 900 UK Specsavers stores will not be affected by the announcement.
“We have done everything we possibly could to avoid making people redundant,” commented CEO, John Perkins, highlighting that the company has implemented salary cuts for senior leaders, introduced part-time working arrangements, and has also utilised the government’s furlough scheme.
“My heart goes out to each and every one of our people who could lose their jobs,” Mr Perkins added.
The potential redundancies will affect support colleagues at all levels of seniority and across all business functions. Approximately 20% of Specsavers staff in support office roles could be affected.
Mr Perkins explained that Specsavers had “suffered a dramatic downturn because of the pandemic.” He continued: “Coupled with a challenging outlook for the economy, we sadly have no option but to stop many of our major programmes, halt significant capital investment initiatives, and streamline our organisational structure.”
“Moving forward, our single-minded focus is on rebuilding the business to protect the interests of our joint venture partners and their store teams – giving them the opportunity to grow and thrive as they serve our customers and local communities across the country,” Mr Perkins concluded.
Colleagues employed in the 900 UK Specsavers stores will not be affected by the announcement.
“We have done everything we possibly could to avoid making people redundant,” commented CEO, John Perkins, highlighting that the company has implemented salary cuts for senior leaders, introduced part-time working arrangements, and has also utilised the government’s furlough scheme.
“My heart goes out to each and every one of our people who could lose their jobs,” Mr Perkins added.
The potential redundancies will affect support colleagues at all levels of seniority and across all business functions. Approximately 20% of Specsavers staff in support office roles could be affected.
Mr Perkins explained that Specsavers had “suffered a dramatic downturn because of the pandemic.” He continued: “Coupled with a challenging outlook for the economy, we sadly have no option but to stop many of our major programmes, halt significant capital investment initiatives, and streamline our organisational structure.”
“Moving forward, our single-minded focus is on rebuilding the business to protect the interests of our joint venture partners and their store teams – giving them the opportunity to grow and thrive as they serve our customers and local communities across the country,” Mr Perkins concluded.
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