Hundreds volunteer to quit Honda (From This Is Wiltshire)

A VOLUNTARY redundancy scheme at Honda aimed at reducing the number of compulsory redundancies has received a positive response.

More than 300 people have expressed an interest in taking up the voluntary package since it was offered by the car company.

Letters went out to all direct associates, those who work on the car manufacturing side of the business, on February 18, giving full details of the plans and what they could stand to receive if they opted to leave the company voluntarily.

Letters also went out to in-direct associates, those who do not work on the factory floor, last Tuesday with the uptake considerably less compared to the direct associates at the current time.

Direct associates have until March 13 to get their applications in, with indirect employees having a week longer. Honda will reserve the right to either accept or refuse the offer.

The company said that despite the good response, it does not mean that anybody is safe from compulsory redundancy at this stage.

“The response has been pretty positive considering the circumstances,” said a spokesman.“More than 300 have expressed an interest in taking up the package.

“It is hoped that by taking this step, HUM can minimise the requirement for compulsory redundancies.

“Until we get to the end of the process the consultation is ongoing and everybody is still at risk.

“We are still committed to retaining our best staff.”

There will be no dismissals before April 22, and Honda has said that those accepted for voluntary redundancy will be put on gardening leave until that date.

Those people accepted will have the chance to speak to the task force that has been set up to help people leaving the company find alternative employment.

It is made up of Job Centre Plus, Swindon’s two MPs, Justin Tomlinson and Robert Buckland, Forward Swindon, Swindon Council, the Skills Funding Agency, the department for Business Innovation And Skills and Business West.

“That relationship with the task force is going really well with representatives coming in for a weekly meeting,” said the spokesman.

“The associates meet with the representatives of the task force so they are aware of the support that is available to them.

“For some people it has given the opportunity to go and do something they wanted to do.”