Over half of industry's employers will cut jobs in wake of pandemic, poll reveals

More than half of employers in the transport industry think they will have to make redundancies once the Coronavirus pandemic is over, according to a poll.

The snap survey showed that 56% of companies envisage making redundancies when the lockdown rules end and the economy begins to crank up again.

The grim figure emerged during a webinar hosted by solicitors Backhouse Jones for companies in the haulage and passenger transport sectors.

Director Jonathan Backhouse described the poll as “sobering” but said: “It doesn’t surprise me.

“I don’t think it’s properly understood yet the impact this is having on businesses.”

Kate Palmer, director at employment law consultancy Peninsula, said it was experiencing a “surge” in calls from businesses seeking guidance on how to prepare their workforce for returning to the workplace.

She said: “With many organisations facing business downturn as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak, we have also witnessed an increase in calls regarding redundancies despite the furlough scheme.”