// Debenhams ex-staff win legal battle after employment tribunal ruled in favour of workers
// A legal battle formed after Debenhams failed to inform staff that their jobs were at risk
Debenhams former staff have won a £350,000 legal battle after the department store chain failed to inform them that their jobs were at risk.
Last year, Debenhams collapsed into administration and shut all of its stores after fashion retailer Boohoo purchased the business.
This led to 18,500 job losses, where employees at the time complained they were told their careers were ending over text massages and Zoom calls on the same day the business stopped trading.
READ MORE: Former Harrogate Debenhams store faces objection from council to demolish site
Employees said they were informed of their redundancies via a “a scripted phone call from the store manager” or video call.
Law firm Thompsons began legal proceedings after Debenhams failed to give workers 30 days’ notice.
An employment tribunal has now ruled in the workers’ favour and instructed that the award goes to former staff members, which amounts to around eight weeks’ work.
The large bill will be funded by taxpayers’ money, due to Debenhams no longer trading.
“The Debenhams case is a typical, and sadly too common, example of a company failing in its duty to consult collectively with employees before making them redundant,” Thompsons employment team solicitor, Paul Kissen said.
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