Claims News

USDAW announced on 20 January 2012 that an Employment Tribunal has upheld their claim for a Protective Award for most Woolworths staff in England, Scotland and Wales. A similar case had already been upheld in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately the judgement does not apply to those colleagues who worked in stores employing less than twenty people. USDAW plans to appeal this part of the judgement.

We would like to thank USDAW and UNISON for their tireless work on behalf of Woolworths' staff. We would also like to thank colleagues Justine Merrett, Caroline Higley, David Kennett, Steve Walsh, Sean Marley, John Grewar, Gerry McAloon, Liz Evans and Karen Ritson, and particularly Anthony and June Greenman for the help they gave members in preparing claims. We salute you, one and all.

Important information from The Insolvency Service

(Updated 23 January 2012)

Certain former employees of Woolworths have been awarded a Protective Award Payment by an Employment Tribunal. To find out if you qualify for the award, and how the Redundancy Payments Service (part of the Insolvency Service) proposes to pay the award, please visit Woolworths Tribunal Award on the Insolvency Service website ( www.bis.gov.uk/insolvency ).

You will not be eligible for a payment if you worked in a store with less than 20 employees. The list of these small stores is mirrored here on WoolworthsReunited.com, and will shortly be available via the links above.

Have your details changed?

If you have moved house or changed bank since losing your job at Woolworths, and are eligible for the award, you need to tell the Redundancy Payments Service. Follow the Woolworths Tribunal Award link to find out how to do this.

Other Useful Information

The UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has a large on-line 'Employment Matters' section, with details about redundancy and your rights. http://www.bis.gov.uk/employment

For the fastest access to all government employment advice, Directgov.co.uk aims to provide a one stop shop. You can find their employment section at: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/index.htm

The Insolvency Service , who did a magnificent and highly professional job of handling payments to more than 27,000 employees at the height of the Credit Crunch, has a very informative website at: http://www.bis.gov.uk/insolvency/. This includes details of a helpline and an email address for any enquiries.

Job Centre Plus aim to provide a friendly one-stop shop service. Please ask them for any help you need. For jobs and other information you can also visit them on-line: http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/homepage.aspx