Glasgow dad with cancer 'found out on Facebook that he lost his job'

Donald Stewart was stunned to discover he was unemployed just three weeks before Christmas while using social media last Thursday.

It comes after Glasgow company Go-Centric suddenly went bust after a refinancing deal reportedly fell through, leaving hundreds of employees without jobs.

The firm told devastated call centre staff through an online meeting, which Mr Stewart could not attend as he was off sick and claims his login details did not work.

Go-Centric said staff "have been kept fully informed at all times throughout this difficult process".

It is understood that as well as the invitation to the online meeting, those on long-term absence or paternity leave were also informed via written communication the same day.

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Mr Stewart, 45, from Glasgow's East End, is battling oesophageal cancer which is sadly inoperable and means he must rely on a feeding tube.

He is now extremely worried about how he will pay his bills and claims he has lost a stone in days from stress.

Mr Stewart told the Glasgow Times: “I’m really worried. I have been sweating, shaking, and struggling to sleep.

“When I saw on Facebook that the company had gone under, I just thought ‘please not my job’. I couldn’t believe it.

“How the company handled it really just isn’t good enough, they have messed up with their shocking behaviour.

“I was loyal to them for years and they never even phoned me to let me know I’m unemployed.

“I'm stressed about Christmas and how I am going to pay my bills. The cost-of-living crisis has put them right up.”

Mr Stewart had worked with the firm since 2016 as an advisor before being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in January this year.

He was relieved that Go-Centric “looked after him” by giving him time off for treatment and promising him his job would be safe.

The dad-of-two was excited to finally return to his work in December or January before finding out he was unemployed.

Now he is fundraising for a car so he can be a delivery driver to support himself and his family.

He said: “I am nervous now because who wants to employ someone with cancer that needs to be off for treatment and hospital appointments all the time.

“When I found out I had cancer my employer said 'don't worry about your job just get better, your job here is safe', but of course it wasn’t.

“I really believed them. I thought we were like a family but that makes me feel sick now.

“I don’t trust employers now, so I am trying to buy a car so I can do delivery driving just to pay my bills.”

Go-Centric earlier stated that more than 250 jobs had been safeguarded so far.

A spokesperson said on Monday: "This is dreadfully sad news for everyone involved in Go-Centric and we share the upset of our dedicated workforce.

"Our priority remains to support our amazing people and save as many jobs as possible.

“Staff have been kept fully informed at all times throughout this difficult process, including being invited to multiple meetings with senior management and via written communication, and we have put in place support measures, including HR, recruitment and mental health advice.”

CCA Recruitment Group is now working to help fill around 500 roles to keep workers employed.

A spokesperson said: "We are a recruitment business and have partnered with Go-Centric over the past two years and we are saddened to hear the news.

"CCA Recruitment will endeavour to support candidates and find other suitable roles across the UK."

You can donate to Mr Stewart's fund here.