Social care staff received a miserable early Christmas present when they were told they potentially faced redundancy by next week.
Horton Establishments Limited administrators sent a letter to employees which they received on Christmas Eve.
It told them that the company had gone into administration and if nobody swooped in to buy it, staff would be made redundant on December 31, Hull Daily Mail reported.
The letter to staff reads: "If it is not possible to secure a sale at least in principle by 31 December 2021, it is likely that the company will have to cease to trade immediately as without more and as things stand at present, the company is forecast to incur substantial trading losses in the first three months of 2022.
"In the event that the company ceases to trade either of its businesses (the school or the adult care business), then the employees of either or both businesses will have to be made redundant."
The company runs a series of community-based special schools, children’s homes and adult homes.
It is unclear what will happen to those who live in the properties if the company folds.
Horton Establishments Ltd is currently up for sale on Gilbert Baitson Auctioneers and Valuers' site and is seeking offers for just seven days.
Staff claim they knew nothing about the company's dire financial situation and that the notification of their redundancy came "out of the blue."
It is also understood that employees were paid this month's wages on December 24.
Staff members have also been invited by the joint administrators to an initial consultation meeting next week, in which the administration process will be explained.
People have been responding to the shocking news online, calling the timing "disgraceful".
Another said: "Couldn't they have sent the letters out after Christmas? Let people enjoy tomorrow and Boxing Day without stress."
The company has been approached for comment.
