Equality and Human Rights Commission staff ‘sacked by email’ as they were on strike

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has been accused by a union of targeting disabled and ethnic minority staff after 10 people were sacked by email and given one day to clear their desks.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said dismissal at such short notice was "unprecedented" in the civil service and government agencies. However, the staff had previously been threatened with redundancy.

The union also accused the body of denying employees opportunities of employment elsewhere by forcing them to accept six months' pay in lieu of notice (PILON).

The dismissal, emailed while PCS and United members were striking over cuts to the Commission, said: “I therefore give you notice of the termination of your employment by reason of redundancy…Your last working day will therefore be Friday 10 February 2017.”

EHRC defended the decision to issue PILON claiming it would be "stressful" for employees to work the six-month notice period. However, PCS claimed seven of the sacked staff members were of black or minority ethnic origin, and six were disabled.

“By imposing PILON you are cutting off this option and effectively consigning BME, disabled, women and trade union members to unemployment. There should only be PILON in cases where the individual concerned has agreed to it,” the union said in a letter addressed to EHRC.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka called the decision "reprehensible."

“That this has happened at the government body charged with upholding human rights and fair treatment in our society is an absolute scandal and we will continue to fight it," he said.

The EHCR was established in 2007 to help eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality and protect human rights in the UK.

The dismissals came at the end of five days of industrial action against compulsory redundancies and budget cuts within the Commission.

According to the National Audit Office, the EHRC’s budget has been cut by almost 70 per cent since it was created, and will be cut by a further 25 per cent over the next four years.

PCS Midlands announced it was planning an “emergency protest” outside the EHRC office in Birmingham on Friday.

The Independent contacted the EHRC for comment but none had arrived at time of publication.

An EHRC spokesperson said:

"It is untrue to say staff have been sacked by email. Face to face meetings have taken place over recent weeks to notify them when redundancy letters would be issued. The full notice period is being paid as this will give every person the chance to focus on securing alternative employment, in which they will have our continued and full support to help them.

"Like every public sector organisation we have had cuts imposed on us and it is with great sadness that we have to issue redundancy notices. We regret having to do this but have made sure the process has been fair, robust and transparent.

"The difficult changes we are making will ensure we can still deliver our ambitious programme and we will remain a robust and independent voice to protect people’s rights"