Workers fear for jobs as firm considers future in Scotland
GLASGOW workers have expressed fears they’ll be out of a job within a year after a specialist house builder announced a consultation into its Scottish future.
Staff at McCarthy & Stone, the firm behind luxury retirement complexes in Pollokshields, Newton Mearns and Milngavie, claim bosses announced plans to withdraw from Scotland by October 2019 during a meeting at its Bellahouston offices yesterday.
A whistleblower told the Evening Times they were informed by bosses that “nonessential” staff would be made redundant with immediate effect while other employees would continue with the company until the last of its Scottish properties are sold.
The man, who asked not to be identified, said: “We were all called into the boardroom and that’s when the announcement was made.
“I’m just in shock. My feeling is I need to find another job immediately because it’s inevitable.
“The mindset around the office is people are going to be looking elsewhere with immediate effect because no one thinks they’ll stay in Scotland after October next year.”
He added: “It’s just such a shock, I don’t think it’s properly sunk in yet.”
However, a spokesman for the company disputed the claims, insisting a “full and fair” consultation would take place over the company’s future in Scotland and no decisions had yet been made.
He said: “We confirm that as part of our strategic review we are consulting with the employees in our Scottish office in respect of a proposed phased withdrawal from our development business in Scotland and will not be seeking new land opportunities in the country.
“We will continue with our sites currently under construction and those where homes are for sale.
“We will also continue with all of our management services provided to customers in our existing open developments in Scotland, and there will be no change in the level of service they receive.
“As we are in a consultation process, we cannot disclose any further details at this stage other than to say we will do everything we can to support those colleagues impacted by this decision.”
The move comes amid
news@ eveningtimes. co.uk national reports the firm’s newly appointed chief executive John Tonkiss plans to spearhead a new strategy to ensure cost savings of more than £40million per year by 2021.
An apparent slowdown in retirement homes sales this year is reported to have signalled the decision, which would see bosses “realign” workflow.
The firm’s most recent Scottish developments in Pollokshields and Newton Mearns are still under construction, while planning permission has been approved for a site in Prestwick.