Council hit with judicial review threat after reducing staff hours

Staff at Worcestershire County Council have threatened a judicial review over the council's decision to 'fire and rehire' staff in order to make 'workforce savings' in its 2024/25 budget.

A letter before claim was issued against the council on behalf of around 30 staff members who claim the decision was unlawful, in bad faith and procedurally unfair, according to a report from the BBC.

Worcestershire dismissed up to 143 staff members from their 37-hour contract on Friday last week.

For those members who return to the council, their contracts will be reduced to 35 hours per week, cutting their overall pay.

The council said it launched a consultation on the move in December 2023 as part of a range of 'workforce savings' proposals which were approved by full council in the 2024/25 budget.

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: "We have been in dialogue with staff affected by the change and the council's recognised trade unions before and throughout the process.

"The process followed has been in accordance with ACAS best practice for 'dismissal and re-engagement' as a way of enacting change.

"Following the completion of the consultation, the Chief Executive authorised the proposals to be implemented. The council remains committed to full and meaningful consultation and always aims to achieve agreement to any proposals it makes."

Worcestershire confirmed it had received and responded to the legal letter.

Adam Carey