Anger over BBC 'redundancy update' email

The BBC came under fire today after telling staff to make sure they can be contacted over Christmas so they can be updated about plans to axe jobs at the corporation.

Union officials branded the email sent to staff in Bristol as “insensitive” and said it highlighted the way managers treated the workforce.

The email said: “Dear All, If you will be going away for an extended break over Christmas/New Year, please can you let me know your contact details so that we can ensure that you are sent any redundancy update information. Many thanks.”

Paul McLaughlin, broadcasting officer of the National Union of Journalists, said: “It looks as though Christmas is cancelled for BBC staff waiting to hear if they still have a job in the New Year. This is outrageous, especially as we are still campaigning against the job cuts.”

The NUJ and broadcasting workers’ union Bectu are balloting thousands of BBC employees for strikes in protest at the plan to axe around 2,500 jobs. The ballot results will be known in early January.

A BBC spokeswoman said: “At this time of year it’s not unusual for people to take extended breaks. Our intention was to make sure that, at this sensitive time, people could give us their details to make sure that they are kept informed about any developments.

“Of course if the email caused offence then we are sorry, but we know that many of our staff want to be kept up to date with developments, even if they are on leave.”