M&S Whistleblower Represented By GMB Sacked Today

Marks & Spencer today summarily dismissed, for gross misconduct, a GMB member employed by the company for putting into the public domain last month details to cuts in redundancy term that became effective on 1^st September 2008.

Maria Ludkin, GMB Legal Officer who represented the GMB members at the disciplinary hearing said, “The disappointing part of today’s decision is that M&S Head of Global HR John Wareham stated that the 25 year long service of this employee is totally irrelevant to the decision to sack him. M&S have shown that they are more concerned about maintaining a repressive regime for their staff than about promoting open discussion about the direction of the company and the way that the staff are treated. Make no mistake this is a gross act of corporate bullying. GMB will be appealing against this decision in the internal procedures and will launch a public campaign to secure justice for this M&S worker inside and outside the company.”

Ends

Contact: Maria Ludkin, GMB Legal officer on 07809 583014or GMB Press Office: Steve Pryle on 07921 289880.

Notes to Editors: This story about the cuts in redundancies appeared on the Press Association last Wednesday 27^th August 2008 saying:

A worker at Marks & Spencer who "blew the whistle" on plans to cut redundancy pay for the firm's 70,000 staff has been suspended and is facing a disciplinary hearing, it was revealed today. The employee, based at the retail giant's London head office, contacted the media last week over proposals to reduce redundancy payouts by up to 25%. The firm confirmed it was consulting with staff representatives on its Business Involvement Group over the move, which would limit maximum payouts from 70 weeks to 52 weeks depending on length of service. The man has been suspended from duty and will face a disciplinary hearing next Monday. The GMB union said it will represent the worker at the hearing. A spokeswoman for M&S said: "This is an internal matter and we are not commenting any further." GMB said it feared the company was preparing to make job cuts because of the changes to redundancy pay, which it wants to introduce from next month. General Secretary Paul Kenny said: "We are fearful that job cuts are on the way at M&S. Why else would they cut their existing policy if they did not intend to use it?

"Why do people at the bottom get the sack on the cheap while the top bosses get large payouts even when they leave having messed up?" M&S, which issued a shock profit warning in June, said it had not reviewed redundancy benefits since 2006, adding that its new terms would still be more generous than most competitors. The move heightened fears over job cuts as the group feels the brunt of a consumer spending squeeze, although the company did not comment on possible redundancies. According to a report last week in the Times, which has seen an internal memo outlining the proposed changes, a typical 49-year-old employee with 30 years of service would see their possible pay-off fall from £35,000 to £26,000. Those aged over 41 would get three weeks pay per year worked instead of the current 3.75, while staff aged between 22 and 40 would receive two weeks instead of 2.5. GMB union contrasted the proposed changes with the £500,000 handed to Steven Esom, M&S's former director of food, who left in July.