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More than 100 Thomas Cook managers at risk of redundancy
More than 100 Thomas Cook shop managers are facing the threat of redundancy today after the retailer announced it is expanding its ‘cluster structure’ to include some large and small standalone stores.
Thomas Cook is consulting with 109 branch and cluster managers and it expects to get rid of around 48 roles by November.
The retailer first started replacing branch managers with cluster managers, who each look after two to six stores, in 2013. Thomas Cook confirmed today that the cluster structure was being expanded to more large and small stores, with 109 colleagues ‘placed at risk’.
It said it was ‘looking at ways to minimise the impact on the affected colleagues as much as possible and explore all options with regards to relocation or redeployment opportunities for those that choose not to relocate’.
Kathryn Darbandi, Thomas Cook’s new retail director, added: "We fully appreciate the impact this decision will have on our retail teams. We are committed to doing everything that we can to support those individuals concerned over the coming weeks further to this proposal. I’d like to thank my colleagues for their professionalism as we now enter a period of consultation."
The expansion of the cluster structure follows a business review aimed at improving profitability, said Cook.
At the same time, the regional business manager field team will be expanded from 21 to 24 in the North, Central and South regions.
Each regional manager will have on average 15 direct reports. Thomas Cook said: "The revised structure and investment into this team will enable the regional managers to place greater emphasis on the coaching, development and support of their teams in order to drive performance, compliance and to deliver exceptional service to our customers."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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