Hull bathroom manufacturer Ideal Standard has been accused of withdrawing an enhanced redundancy package offered to staff set to lose their jobs.
The historic firm, which has been making bathrooms in Hull since 1936, announced last week it was planning to cease production of baths at its National Avenue facility – a move which put 85 jobs at risk.
Now, a member of staff affected has claimed Ideal Standard told employees they would receive an enhanced redundancy package, but has since gone back on the offer.
An enhanced package can be offered by a business, at its own discretion, to either reward staff for long and loyal service, or if the statutory redundancy payment is small.
Ideal Standard did not comment specifically on the allegation it had made an enhanced redundancy offer at any stage to staff, but pledged those working on zero-hour contracts would be treated the same as all other employees.
A member of staff at Ideal Standard, who did not want to be named, said: “Ideal Standard put out a statement last week about making redundancies and how they are looking after their customers.
“They told the staff that they would get the enhanced redundancy package and all zero-hour contracted people will be treated the same as the contracted.
However this week staff are being told they were not told that they would get the enhanced package. This is a clear lie and staff are left feeling down trodden and set to lose thousands of pounds.
“They feel like they have given so much to the company and get treated like dirt.”
Ideal Standard said the decision to start the consultation process for redundancies “was not taken lightly,” and added it was “not related to the quality of work or skilled people in Hull.”
The company revealed it planned to move its bath manufacturing out to an existing site in Egypt.
Ideal Standard has several household brands in its range, including Armitage Shanks.
Today, the company employs around 800 people across the UK. It said despite the planned manufacturing closure in Hull, Ideal Standard remained committed to the city.
Stephen Ewer, managing director UK & Ireland at Ideal Standard, said: “Ideal Standard shared a proposal with employees and trade unions in Hull which outlined a plan to consolidate its bath manufacturing activities within the company’s existing production facilities in Egypt, and subsequently stop bath production at the site in Hull.
“The decision to start this process was not taken lightly and is the result of a continuous evaluation of our global manufacturing footprint to ensure we operate as efficiently as possible.
“The proposal could impact 85 manufacturing roles and we have now entered a formal 30-day collective consultation period.”
Ideal Standard was approached for a comment on allegations surrounding an enhanced redundancy package.
A spokesperson at the business said: “We can confirm that workers on zero hours contracts are being treated in the same way as all other employees involved in manufacturing at our Hull site. As a formal 30-day collective consultation period is underway we are unable to comment further at this time.”
Consultation with staff in Hull affected by the planned closure is now underway.
The employee told Hull Live: “They (staff) have spent summers working in blistering heat and winters in freezing temperatures just to make Ideal Standard a profit.
“It’s appalling how they are being treated just for profit.”
