Stunned and emotional staff blast BC Partners for the way it has managed the retailer’s entrance into administration
Phones 4u staff have slammed its owners BC Partners over their handling of the firm’s sudden and unexpected demise.
The surprise news of the firm going into administration broke on Sunday evening (September 14) – with many of the 5,600 staff only learning of the firm’s demise via social media and news reports on their way to work the following morning.
Store staff were instructed via email not to open – and to dial into a 9am conference call hosted by their area manager, who confirmed the news.
Information of statutory redundancy pay was also touched on, with those with less than two years of employment unlikely to qualify (see page 4).
‘A shambles’
A number of stunned and emotional staff contacted Mobile News within hours of being sent home, claiming there had been no suggestion of the events about to unfold just 24 hours earlier.
One store manager, a parent of one who requested to remain anonymous, said: “It was nothing but a complete shambles. I found out from the TV. All we were hearing was how successful we were and then suddenly you have no job. There’s been no real helpful correspondence.”
Another store manager got in touch pointing the finger at Phones 4u owners BC Partners, which had earlier released a statement stating its “overriding concern” was for all its “dedicated, hard-working employees”.
The manager, who also requested to remain anonymous, said: “They don’t care. At the end of the day they’re multi-millionaires and can still pay their mortgage.”
Others took to Twitter, with one staff member from Leeds labelling it “the worst day I’ve ever had in work,” whilst others expressed fears for their immediate futures – particularly with Christmas just three months away.
