A British trade union on Wednesday criticized as “callous” a decision by the monarchy to issue redundancy notices this week to some staff at King Charles III’s former official residence. It has drawn criticism from a labor union that called the move “heartless” before Queen Elizabeth is even buried.
Up to 100 employees who work at Clarence House including some there for decades, reportedly received the notifications on Monday during a prayer service in Edinburgh for the late Queen Elizabeth II.
“Our staff have given long and loyal service and while some redundancies will be unavoidable”: King Charles
A Clarence House spokesman said operations there had ceased and a consultation process with staff over redundancies had begun.
“Our staff has given long and loyal service and while some redundancies will be unavoidable, we are working urgently to identify alternative roles for the greatest possible number of staff,” the spokesman said.
The Clarence House spokesman said the law required staff to be made aware of the situation at the earliest opportunity. “Despite every effort to delay until after the funeral the advice remained the same,” he said. “Any staff being made redundant will be offered enhanced redundancy payments.” No staff would be affected for at least three months, he added.
Criticism
“The decision of Clarence House to announce redundancies during a period of mourning is nothing short of heartless,” Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union stated.
“While some changes across the households were to be expected, as roles across the royal family change, the scale, and speed at which this has been announced is callous in the extreme.”