CBRE Better Workplace Team review puts 48 ‘at risk’ of redundancy

Telecoms & Financial Services March 3 2023

 

Assurances and clarity are being sought for members of CBRE’s BT Better Workplace Team following the company’s unexpected announcement last week of a major shake-up of outsourced facilities services cover at five of BT’s key sites.

Some 48 roles, including 31 conducted by CWU-represented grade employees, have been placed ‘at risk’ in proposals that were revealed to understandably shaken impacted staff last Thursday.

Despite the creation of 32 new roles – many of which have expanded remits, with some requiring an element of multi-skilling – it is anticipated that up to 16  of CBRE’s current Better Workplace Team will face redundancy or redeployment when the new operating model comes into force in April.

BT’s ‘One Braham’ headquarters in central London and the massive Snowhill site in Birmingham bear the brunt of the reductions – with 26 individuals placed ‘at risk’ at those sites alone.

Three more have been placed ‘at risk’ at BT’s Deansgate offices in Manchester, with one team member also earmarked for possible redundancy at the BT Bristol Assembly building and another at the Project Mobilisation Office.

Reasons given for the downsizing of the Better Workplace Team include lower building occupancy levels post-Covid, resulting in a need for fewer Hosts at some sites,  and the removal of the Events Leads and Events Coordinator roles.

A detailed breakdown of where the proposed resourcing reductions fall was issued to members in CBRE’s Better Workplace Team last Thursday (see CBRE Members’ Bulletin No.39/2023) – and a formal consultation period commenced the same day.

In line with normal collective consultation protocols a window has been opened for counter-proposals and management has also committed to regular meetings with the CWU throughout the application and selection process – with interviews for the remaining roles expected to have concluded by the end of March.

CWU national officer with responsibility for members in CBRE, Tracey Fussey, told CWU News: “Clearly this is an extremely challenging time for members who’ve been placed ‘at risk’.

“The CWU’s CBRE National Team is forcefully pressing the company to mitigate against redundancies by all means available and will steadfastly support all members throughout the consultation process.

“CBRE management has already given a welcome commitment that ‘at risk’ members will be able to apply for any additional CBRE BT account roles, or indeed roles within the wider CBRE organisation, with immediate effect.

“That said, we recognise that last week’s announcement will have been extremely unsettling for all those in CBRE’s Better Workplace Team – and I’d advise impacted members to make contact with their local CWU branch for advice and support without delay.”