// Boots puts 60 jobs at risk as it plans to move IT help desk overseas
// The news follows Boots’ plans to shut down around 200 stores in the next 18 months
Boots has said up to 60 jobs are at risk as the health and beauty retailer looks to transfer its IT help desk overseas.
The retailer said the move would “help reduce decision-making time and complexity, as well as improve efficiency”.
“Boots has today informed colleagues in the IT function of its intention to restructure parts of IT service desk,” a Boots spokesperson said.
“This transformation will consolidate our service desk activities which will help reduce decision-making time and complexity, as well as improve efficiency.
“These changes include creating one service desk and a new Service Operations team and will create 18 full-time roles into Boots IT.
“These roles will ensure local, dedicated support services for Boots IT and our stores.
“Today, we are also announcing a renewed, five-year contract with our strategic partner NCR which will include service desk, field services, Belgrade support services and onsite desktop support.
“The transition of the service desk to NCR will have an impact on some Boots colleagues within the Boots IT function, who will transfer under TUPE to NCR.
“The roles currently performed by the affected Boots employees in the UK will not be carried out by NCR in the UK.
“This means the employment of the transferring employees will be at risk of redundancy, and a consultation process with affected colleagues will begin immediately.”
The news follows Boots’ plans to shut down around 200 stores in the next 18 months, placing thousands of jobs at risk.
Managing director Seb James said the store closure scheme will primarily focus on local pharmacy branches in locations where it had other stores near by.
The health and beauty retailer currently has almost 2500 stores in its estate and employs 56,000.
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