Johannesburg - Hundreds of former Standard Bank Group [JSE:SBK] employees who have allegedly already been dismissed as a result of the banking giant's controversial retrenchment process could possibly lodge cases of unfair dismissal because formal consultations with all the trade unions representing staff has not yet been completed, the trade union Solidarity said on Wednesday.
This comes after Solidarity received several complaints from Standard Bank staff members about employees being forced to go home during the retrenchment process.
According to Solidarity spokesperson Marius Croucamp, no employee may be retrenched before the prescribed statutory consultation process has been completed.
"Employees who have already been informed of their retrenchment have a very strong case of unfair dismissal against the bank, and must report unfair practices of this nature immediately," said Croucamp.
Following threats of court action by Solidarity, Standard Bank agreed to consult with Solidarity regarding the planned retrenchments.
The first consultation meeting took place on Tuesday.
Despite several complaints by Standard Bank employees, the bank has denied that any employees were forced to go home and said that the managers who had wrongfully sent employees home could expect disciplinary action.
"We would like to make an urgent appeal to Solidarity members at Standard Bank who have been on the receiving end of such unfair practices to lodge their complaints with Solidarity," Croucamp said.
The next consultation meeting will take place on November 10.
This comes after Solidarity received several complaints from Standard Bank staff members about employees being forced to go home during the retrenchment process.
According to Solidarity spokesperson Marius Croucamp, no employee may be retrenched before the prescribed statutory consultation process has been completed.
"Employees who have already been informed of their retrenchment have a very strong case of unfair dismissal against the bank, and must report unfair practices of this nature immediately," said Croucamp.
Following threats of court action by Solidarity, Standard Bank agreed to consult with Solidarity regarding the planned retrenchments.
The first consultation meeting took place on Tuesday.
Despite several complaints by Standard Bank employees, the bank has denied that any employees were forced to go home and said that the managers who had wrongfully sent employees home could expect disciplinary action.
"We would like to make an urgent appeal to Solidarity members at Standard Bank who have been on the receiving end of such unfair practices to lodge their complaints with Solidarity," Croucamp said.
The next consultation meeting will take place on November 10.