Staff at furniture giant Harveys were handed an inflation-busting pay rise – then lost their jobs the next day.
The chain, which has about 20 stores in Scotland, rewarded workers with a salary increase of more than six per cent, effective from June 29.
But the next day about 240 employees across the UK lost their jobs with immediate effect when the firm went bust.
One worker said: “I know these are strange times but for colleagues to be given this one day and made redundant the next, makes you wonder whether to laugh or cry.”
Although Harveys is still trading, hundreds more jobs at the chain are now at risk.
We can reveal that many employees received a letter on their return from furlough this week outlining the pay rise.
One worker was told in the letter: “From your return date of June 29, 2020, your base salary will increase by £1060.80 to £18,137.60 per annum.
“This increase is to align your base salary with the new national living wage rate of £8.72 per hour.”
Our source said: “Staff have had it as difficult as any workers over the past three months of furlough.
“Seeing this on our return gave everyone all the belief in the world that things were getting back to normal and becoming more positive.
“Then hundreds of people lost their jobs the very next day.”
The Record reported on Wednesday how Harveys owners the Blue Group went bust.
However, in a “pre-pack” deal, management immediately bought back the Bensons for Beds arm of the business.
Under the deal, 1899 Bensons for Beds jobs were saved, though 24 of its 270 stores will close.
Staff were alerted to the administration by a text urging them to check their emails.
Blue Group CEO Mark Jackson told them he was announcing the move with “heartfelt regret”.
Administrator PwC said yesterday it could not comment on any element of the business prior to its appointment on June 30.
