Tesco job cuts – what does it mean for the future?

1400 jobs have been put at risk at UK supermarket titan Tesco. This is due to the firm axing overnight positions at many its stores. Therefore, hundreds of petrol station and store jobs could be cut in the near future. What does this mean for the employees of Tesco? Allow us to investigate further.

Tesco recently confirmed its plans to close its Jack’s discount supermarket branch, which will result in seven shops closing for good, and the remaining six morphing into more traditional Tesco branded premises. This means in total, roughly 1600 workers could be at risk.

Adding further fuel to the fire, Tesco has now stated that it intends on closing its meat, fish and deli counters, which could affect hundreds more jobs.

This follows a trend of previous closures, which The Telegraph has reported on, “The job cuts come as part of a wider overhaul of operations that will also result in Tesco shutting a further 317 meat, fish and hot deli counters following 90 closures in 2019”.

Tesco confirms 1,600 workers at risk of redundancy

Jason Tarry, the CEO of Tesco UK and republic of Ireland, had this to say on the matter, “We operate in a highly competitive and fast-paced market, and our customers are shopping differently, especially since the start of the pandemic. We are always looking at how we can run our business as simply and efficiently as possible, so that we can reinvest in the things that matter most to customers.”

Tarry continues, “The changes we are announcing today will help us do this. Our priority now is to support our impacted colleagues through these changes and, wherever possible, find them alternative roles within our business”.

This is clearly worrying news for employees of the grocer, which will now be concerned with their immediate futures, in what is already a highly challenging time.

The Guardian have added the information that, “Overnight stock replenishment will now be done during the day in 36 large stores and 49 convenience stores. At 36 stores, petrol stations will be converted to be “pay-at-pump only” overnight”.

Read more: Sainsbury’s to cut 3,500 jobs 

Will affected staff be offered other roles? 

While there is currently a lot of talk of jobs being at risk, the potentially affected staff will be seeking confirmation of what is to come. One possibility outside of staff being made redundant, or losing their jobs in any way, is having them shuffled into other roles within the business.

As Tesco are making these large-scale changes, it is safe to assume that they have run into some form of financial trouble. Therefore, it is likely that they will want to save cash on employee wages, etc. However, they could go easily go down the avenue of repurposing staff members and bolstering other areas of the company.

National World have reported that, “The company plans to “repurpose” the counters across the 317 stores impacted and affected staff will be offered alternative roles”.

What next for those about to lose jobs?

If you’re looking at this article from the viewpoint of someone that has faced recent redundancy, or are suddenly filled with job insecurities, it’s important to assess your options. This doesn’t have to be the end of your career, but merely a turning point. You have different paths you can now travel down, so collect your redundancy pay and contact the relevant recruitment agencies to revitalise your career.

Online recruitment is often a successful way to restart your career. Websites such as Indeed allow you enter keywords of positions you’d like to find and apply for. Having a LinkedIn profile is another way of communicating with potential employers. By using the ‘job search’ feature on LinkedIn, you can view positions relevant to your line of work, allowing you to see what kind of employers there are near your location.

Keeping the focus online, social media can be a useful method of job searching. More job boards than ever before now choose to have a social media presence, allowing them to get a closer insight into the type of candidate they’re looking for. Therefore, it’s important to keep up appearances across your social accounts. Don’t post stuff on their that you wouldn’t want future employers to see.

Always aim to keep your CV up to date and add any new points that will make you stand out amongst others. The experience gained from the position you’re facing redundancy from will likely be key in gaining your next role at a new company. Glassdoor advises, “Remember that a quality CV is succinct and tailored to the precise role. Be selective about which details to include and then ask yourself: Does this highlight the best of my work and what I have to offer?”

Attempt to target recruitment consultancies when looking to restart your work life. These consultants will be tasked with headhunting new workers and finding ideal candidates to fill a void in workplaces. Try to obtain the email addresses of people such as these and give yourself the insider knowledge that may lend you the upper hand when talking to recruiters.

Advice for those made redundant

If you have just recently been made redundant, taking the advice of the Government website, you should try and do the following:

Find work –

• learn about job hunting and interviews on the JobHelp website
• use the Find a job service to search and apply for jobs
• search on other jobs websites and social media
• find out how to become an apprentice
• find out how to set up your own business

Gain new skills –

• careers advice, skills and training
• further education courses and funding
• how to build skills through voluntary work

Apply for benefits to help you financially –

• New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) – if you’re under State Pension age, unemployed or are working less than 16 hours a week on average, and have made enough National Insurance contributions, usually over the last 2 to 3 years – your savings and partner’s income will not affect how much you get 

• New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) – if you’re under State Pension age, have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work, and have made enough National Insurance contributions, usually over the last 2 to 3 years – your savings and partner’s income will not affect how much you get

• Universal Credit – if you or your partner are under State Pension age, and you have £16,000 or less in savings – you might be able to get it at the same time as New Style JSA or New Style ESA
• Pension Credit – if both you and your partner have reached State Pension age or one of you is getting Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age

Read more: GAP make job losses