When high street store Woolworths sadly collapsed in 2008 many of those who were made redundant were part of workforces less than 20 people strong.
In a recent tribunal judgement, former Woolworths staff have been awarded 60 days pay in respect of the failure to consult with them on the impending redundancies. However, not everyone is entitled.
As mentioned, many of the past employees worked in smaller stores. In fact there were 199 stores which employed less than 20 staff. With these stores being so small they are regarded in Employment Law as distinct establishments. For the purposes of redundancy therefore, no consultation is required. This means that those staff were not eligible for the pay-out.
Usdaw, the union representing those working in shops, distribution and allied workers, said that it was bitterly disappointed over the decision. In some cases, just one extra employee at a store would have secured the pay-out. Usdaw's officer John Gorle added that fact that some stores were deemed too small for a duty to consult to arise has led to this situation demonstrates a huge loophole in the redundancy legislation. Put simply, it's not fair. He pointed out that nearly thirty thousand people were made redundant, all at the same time, for the same reason. To then suggest that three thousand of them are not entitled to the same pay-out as the rest is ludicrous.
In its disagreement with the judgement the union is currently seeking legal advice and admits that there is a high likelihood that they will try to appeal the decision. Woolworths has since entered liquidation and it is now up to the governmental liquidation service to distribute the pay-outs. Those currently not eligible for a pay-out, due to working at a smaller store are listed below.
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Abertillery |
Cotteridge |
Knaresborough |
Sandown |
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Addiscombe |
Cowdenbeath |
Lanark |
Seaton |
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Addlestone |
Cowes |
Lee |
Shaftesbury |
|
Alferton |
Crewkerne |
Leek |
Shaw |
|
Alloa |
Crowborough |
Leominster |
Shipley |
|
Ashby De La Zouch |
Dartmouth |
Lewes |
Shirehampton |
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Aveley Estate |
Dawlish |
Loskeard |
Shoreham By Sea |
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Barnard Castle |
Debden Estate |
Lochee |
Sidmouth |
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Barrow In Furness |
Dingwall |
Malton |
Skipton |
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Bathgate |
Dorking |
Maryport |
Southbourne |
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Batley |
Downham |
Mastrick |
Southwark |
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Beaconsville |
Driffield |
Merthyre Tydfil |
Southwick |
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Bedminster |
Earlstown |
Mill Hill |
Spalding |
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Bedworth |
Egham |
Morden |
Spennymoor |
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Bell Green |
Elm Park |
Morpeth |
Stockbridge |
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Bellshill |
Erith |
Multi Channel Retail |
Stone |
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Billingham |
Flamouth |
Nailsea |
St Ives Cornwall |
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Blackheath |
Farnworth |
Nairn |
Stretford |
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Blairgowrie |
Fishponds |
New Addington |
Swanage |
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Blyth |
Fleetwood |
New Ferry |
Tavistock |
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Bodmin |
Flint |
New Milton |
Teddington |
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Boness |
Fort William |
Newhaven |
Teignmouth |
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Boscombe |
Gateshead |
Newpoet Pagnell |
Thorne |
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Bracknell |
Girvan |
Newton Aycliffe |
Thurso |
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Bramhall |
Glastonbury |
North Berwick |
Totnes |
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Brechin |
Glossop |
North Cheam |
Tredegar |
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Brecon |
Goole |
North Shields |
Troon |
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Bridport |
Gosforth |
Northenden |
Ulverston |
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Brierley Hill |
Halesowen |
Oban |
Upper Norwood |
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Brighton (London Road) |
Halstead |
Parkstone |
Urmston |
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Broadstairs |
Haslemere |
Petts Wood |
Uttoxeter |
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Broadwater |
Hawick |
Pinner |
Walton On The Naze |
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Broughty Ferrt |
Heanor |
Pinner (Rayner's Lane) |
Wanstead |
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Burslem |
Heckmondwike |
Plumstead |
Wantage |
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Caernarfon |
Helston |
Pontypool |
Warwick |
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Campbelltown |
Heswall |
Port Glasgow |
Waterlooville |
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Cardiff (Clifton Street) |
Hexham |
Porth |
Wealdstone |
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Castle Douglas |
Holbeach |
Portslade |
Wednesbury |
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Caterham |
Holyhead |
Potters Bar |
Wednesfield |
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Chadwell Heath |
Honiton |
Prestwick |
Welling |
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Chard |
Horncastle |
Radford |
Welshpool |
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Cheetham Hill |
Houghton Le Spring |
Rawtenstall |
West Byfleet |
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Chersey |
Hunstanton |
Ripon |
Whitchurch |
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Christchurch |
Hyde |
Romsey |
Wick |
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Clevedon |
Hythe |
Rose Hill Sutton |
Wimbourne |
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Cliftonville |
Ilkeston |
Rothesay |
Wishaw |
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Colwyn Bay |
Kenton |
Rushden |
Withernesea |
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Congleton |
Kingsbridge |
Rutherglen |
Woolston |
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Consett |
Kingsbury |
Saffron Walden |
Yardley |
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Conwy |
Kingstanding |
Sanderstead |