STAFF at Zurich could be facing an uncertain future after the company announced a number of redundancies due to restructuring – but the exact figure is being disputed.
And in a double-blow to the town’s economy, Opus Trust Marketing, based in South Marston, are set to relocate to Leicester.
In March, Zurich made 30 jobs redundant as part of a restructuring of the sales and marketing team.
One worker, who asked to remain anonymous, has told the Adver he has seen figures that reveal up to 70 jobs in total could be under threat of redundancy, but Zurich claim they have no plans for any more cuts.
Phil Wood, human resources director at the company, said: “Zurich UK Life can confirm that it made some organisational changes earlier this year to its Life business which resulted in a restructuring of its sales and marketing teams with circa 30 redundancies in Swindon.
“These changes have enabled us to deliver greater operational efficiencies and effectiveness for the Life business whilst ensuring that we remain competitive in a challenging market.
“We have no plans to make any further redundancies and remain committed to servicing our customers from our offices based in Swindon.”
One temporary worker who has lost his job at the company said: “We were told that our temporary posts would not be renewed which was surprising as I thought they would.
“I think there are big changes afoot there because of this restructuring.
“There are different bands at the company and cuts are being made at all levels, including the top ones.
“I suppose I am a temporary member of staff so it would be worse if that was my permanent job.”
The Adver has also been made aware that Opus Trust Marketing is set to move from its Swindon site after investment needed to develop the grounds was found to be unjustifiable.
In a letter sent to employees, Opus Marketing said: “You will be aware of the decline in the client base in Swindon in recent years and in particular non-transactional services.
“As a result of a strategic review of the business we have decided to focus our efforts on the provision of transactional mail and electronic services.
“The investment required in retaining and developing the ability to serve our clients in these markets is significant.
“Unfortunately the investment that would be required to bring the Swindon site up to this standard is not justifiable.
“Therefore, we have decided to concentrate on the provision of these services from a single site in Leicester.
“As a result we have taken the difficult decision to close the Swindon site and we are now beginning the process of immediate consultation with our staff.”
