Thomas Cook staff may be entitled to compensation, according to a specialist employment law firm.
“When a company goes into compulsory liquidation, it’s often a surprise to employees and there are no consultation meetings leading up to this event. Where 20 or more employees are made redundant at a single place of work and there hasn’t been a consultation process to inform employees about their rights and the reasons for the redundancies, the employer has failed to undertake its legal duty to inform and consult,” said the firm. Where an employer does not follow the correct redundancy policy, staff could be entitled to make ‘protective award’ claims, for amounts of up to ninety days pay.
Simpson Millar Solicitors claim to have helped Monarch and BHS staffs to make claims previously. The payout would come from HM Government Insolvency Service and would be capped at eight weeks pay ( capped at£525 per week).
“We successfully represented employees at Monarch Airlines after its collapse in 2017, and we’re offering a free initial consultation to former employees of Thomas Cook,” said Simpson Millar. This option is only available to staff in a workplace with 20 or more staff. Thomas Cook’s head office in Peterborough could therefore be eligible for claims as would their larger stores and also staff in Manchester, Gatwick and Leeds Bradford airports.
Claims will be approached on a no win, no fee basis and must be issued within three months less one day from the date of staff redundancy.
