A LEGAL challenge has been launched against a cyber security firm that collapsed last week, leading to more than 100 workers losing their jobs and being left unpaid.
Edinburgh-based cyber security company Adarma had reportedly told its employees it was seeking new ownership but only days later announced that the firm had gone into administration.
Bosses at Adarma had reportedly told staff they would not be paid their monthly salary and any other money owed to them.
Thompsons Solicitors Scotland have confirmed they have now intervened on behalf of more than 100 staff made redundant by Adarma in a bid to secure a payout for staff who have lost their jobs.
Thompsons, who specialise in helping workers dumped in last minute administration events, were approached by staff and agreed to take on their case.
The firm has previously secured payouts for former employees at The Tullis Russell paper mill in Fife, Watt Brothers dept store in Glasgow and warehouse workers in Ayrshire sacked with 15 minutes notice by a company owned by Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley.
Paul Kissen, senior lawyer at Thompsons who runs the firm’s Protective Award Unit, said that Adarma employees have been treated with contempt and has vowed to win them compensation which they are “entitled to”.
He said: “Yet again loyal hard-working employees have been led up the garden path by a company that knew it was in trouble but yet told them nothing.
“The employees have been treated with contempt.
“These workers are entitled to compensation through a protective award and I will make sure they get it.
“The employees who are part of the action will each get several weeks' extra pay for the protective award, even those who only worked there for a very short amount of time.”
Adarma offered a wide range of security services, including threat detection, security operations, bespoke security and managed data analytics.
One former Adarma employee who asked not to be named said that staff were kept “completely in the dark” and have been dumped with no warning.
They said: “We were told the company was looking for new owners but were under strict instructions to tell clients nothing and make sure they continued to pay for services.
“Not long afterwards we were told about the administration and that we wouldn’t get paid.
“We were kept completely in the dark and then dumped without our salaries. As usual the actual workers are just cast aside without a second thought.”
