AXA staff given cutbacks choice

The online vote on cutbacks will close on Tuesday

A healthcare insurance company based in Kent has asked its employees to choose between job losses and cuts to their pay and conditions.

AXA PPP Healthcare gave staff in Tunbridge Wells a vote on its response to the economic downturn.

The options were laid out in an e-mail "getting us through the recession".

They included cutting 300 jobs and a 10% pay cut. Staff were also asked to pick other money-saving options, such as turning off the air conditioning.

Fruity Fridays

The online vote, which closes on Tuesday, was split into two sections.

The first offers a choice of up to 300 job cuts, all staff taking a 10% salary cut, ending bonuses for two to three years, or increasing working hours by 10% without increasing pay.

The second vote asks workers to chose six of 12 reductions to staff perks.

They included cancelling the Christmas party and gift, stopping Fruity Fridays - where staff are given free fruit every two weeks - reducing overtime, reducing car parking allowances, cutting maternity benefits and switching off the air conditioning.

A spokesman said they were trying to find ways to reduce operating costs in the "challenging economic climate".

Earlier this month the company announced plans to build a call centre in Ashford, Kent had been put on hold.