Apprentice hairdresser is told of job loss by text (From The Northern Echo)

Apprentice hairdresser is told of job loss by text

10:56am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Consett News

AN apprentice hairdresser who was told she was losing her job by text message has hit out at her treatment.

The redundancy message popped up on Shannon O’Hanlon’s mobile phone at the weekend, telling her not to come into work on Monday.

The 17-year-old, of Leadgate, Consett, County Durham, had been working at Headquarterz Hair and Beauty, in Durham City, for nearly two years.

The text message came from director and stylist Lynn Errington, who has been forced to close the business due to adverse trading conditions. Most of the other staff were informed by handdelivered letters.

Ms O’Hanlon said: “I have seen it coming for a while, but did not expect her to do what she has done. She should have rang me and been up front. I am disgusted.”

The salon has been operating in Silver Street in the city centre for about 50 years and was known as Hillary’s before Miss Errington took it over about eight years ago.

The text message said Miss Errington was on the way to deliver a letter, but had suffered car problems.

Miss Errington, who lives at Seaham, said in a statement: “I have put all of my personal savings into the business in the hope that trading conditions would improve. Regrettably, they have worsened and no more money can be found to prop up the business.

“Like the rest of the staff, I will be signing on at the Jobcentre. It is a very sad day for me, the staff and all Headquarterz’ clients.”