Scottish Widows staff tense as firm 'consolidates' jobs

Published on Tuesday 26 September 2006 00:52

HUNDREDS of staff at Scottish Widows faced an uncertain future last night as the life and pensions giant announced it was to consolidate back office jobs in Chatham, Kent.

The Edinburgh-based company did not rule out compulsory redundancies.

Some 200 permanent staff currently undertaking client services functions will be affected by the review, which will see a further 175 positions transferred to parent company Lloyds TSB group operations - also based in Chatham - by the end of the year. The company is considering moving an additional 75 Chatham-based positions to India.

Christian Torkington, managing director of operations, said: "Staff in Chatham have made an important contribution to the Lloyds TSB Group, and Scottish Widows in particular, and we acknowledge the proposed changes will have a significant impact on individuals.

"However, we want to continue to improve the already excellent service we offer to our customers and improve our efficiency."

The firm has started consultation with representatives of the union Amicus on the details of the proposals.

Amicus said many staff face an "uncertain" future. The union has had an assurance that the extension of the company's plan to offshore more work will not lead to any job losses.

However, the plan has led the union to state it does not want to see the organisation disappear in a "death by a thousand cuts".

Amicus national secretary David Fleming said: "We want to send a clear message that the union takes a 'zero tolerance' approach to compulsory redundancies from offshoring."