Bitter blow as jobs set to go at unique Highland organisation
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One of the region’s biggest employers of people with learning disabilities has had to make 15 people redundant.
In a bitter blow to adults in supported jobs in the city, Haven Products Inverness in Harbour Road has issued redundancy notices to 15 of its staff.
Haven’s parent company is Irish-based firm Rehab Group, a social enterprise providing employment and training to people with disabilities.
A spokeswoman for the company said: “Haven Products Ltd, a division of the Rehab Group which provides full and part-time jobs for people with disabilities, has announced it has entered a process of consultation with staff.
“For some time the operation has been facing significant challenges which have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have done everything possible to identify alternative business opportunities and to adapt our business model in Inverness.
“Unfortunately, a solution could not be found.
“We have now reached a stage where the losses are no longer sustainable.”
The firm has been in Inverness for over a decade.
“We’ve now entered into a formal consultation period with staff and are doing everything we can to support the affected individuals. This was not an easy decision and was made only after all other avenues were exhausted. Every effort is being made to support the staff at Inverness.
“One of the options we are currently exploring is to see if other supported employers are in a position to take over our contracts and ultimately provide continued employment for our staff.
“We are working with each person to support their specific needs.”
The parent of one employee, who did not want to be named, said: “My daughter has been with Haven for almost the whole of her working life. This has been devastating news, and we desperately want her to find another job for her own self-esteem. Working at Haven has given her the freedom and stability she needs.
“Companies like Haven do not come along every day, it will be very difficult for some to find other jobs.”
