Employees – Helpful Links, Information And Opportunities


Following the appointments over various entities in the Thomas Cook group, a significant number of redundancies had to be made.


As a result, a number of resources were made available to redundant employees to assist in securing new employment.


The majority of the links have since expired however, should you require any assistance please contact the Job Centre Plus (https://www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus).


Support for new employment opportunities


Jobcentre Plus, through its Rapid Response Service, has stood ready to support any employee affected by the Thomas Cook situation. The National Careers Service provides free, up to date and impartial information, advice and guidance on careers, skills and the labour market in England. You will be able to call a professional careers adviser on 0800 100 900 (8am to 10pm daily).


For Scottish Employees


The Scottish government operates a Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) initiative which responds to redundancy situations.


For any former Thomas Cook employees based in Scotland you can access the PACE website at https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/what-we-do/employability-skills/partnership-action-for-continuing-employment-pace/ or view the PACE guide here.


Mental health and well-being

The Special Managers understand that this is has been an extremely difficult time for ex-employees and wish to support those experiencing any issues as a result of this insolvency process. Immediately following redundancy, ex-employees were provided access to a variety of resources in order to assist with any mental health concerns, help in securing new employment and other general queries.

The Samaritans offer a free 24 hour helpline where you can speak to someone who has professional experience in dealing with mental health issues. This service offers a safe place for you to talk and which is free from judgment. Please see the following link for further information: https://www.samaritans.org/


Smart works

Smart Works is a women's organisation that offers free interview clothing and coaching before an upcoming job interview, helping you to feel calm, confident and empowered.

At a Smart Works appointment, each client is dressed in a beautiful interview outfit, which is free and hers to keep, followed by a one-to-one interview coaching session, so that each woman has the clothes, the coaching and the confidence they need to succeed. To speak to Smart Works about how they can support you before a job interview, please call 020 7288 1770 and mention that you have seen this post.


ABTA – Lifeline Charity


ABTA operates a Lifeline Charity which can be used to support travel agents, Tour Operators and accessed by employees for a variety of reasons including redundancy. To read and find out more please access the following link: https://www.abtalifeline.org.uk.


Pensions


A microsite has been set up by the various Thomas Cook Pension Trustees to assist scheme members. To read and find out more please access the following link: https://microsite.ehr.com/thomascookpensions


The Redundancy Payments Service has processed the Special Managers’ application for payment of unpaid pension contributions due to have been paid over to Thomas Cook UK DC Pension Scheme by Thomas Cook Group Plc. Members should check their pension savings and contact the Trustees using the contact details available on the microsite, should they have any queries. Pension update: Please note that the Trustees issued an update regarding the Thomas Cook pension schemes via their microsite in September 2021.


Anyone in the UK concerned about their pension situation can call The Pension Advisory Service (TPAS) on 0300 123 1047 for free and impartial guidance.


Other matters


Should any ex-employee have any queries in respect of matters such as returning Thomas Cook property or their responsibility regarding company data they may hold please do not hesitate to contact TCUKemployees@alixpartners.com.