WEBHELP has provided assurances to hundreds of workers after a Bradford MP demanded their rights be protected following last week's announcement that Morrisons' contact centre jobs will be transferred to the telecom services firm. 

Employees at Morrisons contacted the T&A last Thursday following the transfer announcement of hundreds of contact centre jobs at Morrisons' HQ on Gain Lane, Bradford, to telecom services firm Webhelp.

The controversial move, which will take effect on July 4, will impact more than 300 members of staff, but Morrisons has confirmed there will be no redundancies.

Morrisons also said in a letter to employees that as part of the transfer "current pay rate and terms and conditions and length of service will be protected" and Webhelp has said it will "fully comply with its legal obligations for the proposed transfer and conditions of employment".

Imran Hussain, MP for Bradford East, said: “This news is of course extremely concerning for the hundreds of Bradford-based staff affected by this decision, and whilst I understand that they will be transferred to a new employer with their existing rights, terms and pay intact, there is understandably a deep apprehension over whether these conditions will be adhered to.

“I will therefore be writing to Morrisons and Webhelp to demand guarantees that the rights of transferred staff won’t be rowed back, only strengthened.”

A Webhelp spokesperson said: "Webhelp will fully comply with all of its legal obligations in relation to the proposed transfer of people and services as the terms and conditions of employment are wholly protected under TUPE regulations, along with continuity of service.

"We will be engaging with elected Employee Representatives throughout the TUPE consultation process, and look forward to positive and meaningful discussions about our exciting new partnership with Morrisons."

Anna Lane, Customer Service Director at Morrisons, said: “After a very thorough selection process, we are very pleased to be going into partnership with Webhelp, who have an excellent reputation for delivering great levels of customer service."

"I'm delighted that there will not be a single redundancy in our customer contact centre associated with this move as all affected Morrisons colleagues are joining Webhelp UK under TUPE regulations.”

Some employees, however, reacted with dismay after the transfer was announced.

"Everybody is shocked and saddened by this announcement," said one employee who wanted to remain anonymous.

"Such uncertainty for us all. 

"The treatment of all the staff has been shocking."

The supermarket giant was bought by private equity giant Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) in 2021.

Mr Hussain added: “After the prospect of Morrisons’s sale was first raised almost two years ago, I warned the sale to a private equity firm could lead to job losses across Morrisons.”

Although the announcement will not result in any redundancies, Mr Hussain remains concerned about Morrisons, a company steeped in the history of Bradford and its residents.

“Morrisons has always been a proud Bradford institution that helps form the heart of so many communities, particularly across the North of England.”