Dempster hails team as Hibs defer staff wages
CHIEF executive Leeann Dempster has paid tribute to Hibernian’s staff, including firstteam players and manager Jack Ross, after a salary deferral scheme was agreed and the majority of employees placed on furlough leave.
The Edinburgh outfit announced yesterday that they will utilise the UK Government’s job retention initiative, meaning the majority of Hibs’ workforce will placed on a temporary hiatus with the State paying 80 per cent of their wage.
Only a select few individuals in senior management, sales and communications will continue to work in order to keep the club operational.
However, the government’s contribution to the salaries of furloughed employees is capped at £2,500 per month and, with some at Easter Road earning four times that, it would have left many players and management staff facing substantial losses of earnings.
Hibs were keen to make up as much of the difference as possible but, in light of the continued financial uncertainty, an agreement has been struck to defer between 20 and 50 per cent of what they would have been owed, depending on role.
It is understood some of the club’s most senior, highest-paid players volunteered to be take the largest cuts.
Chairman Ron Gordon has vowed to remunerate staff once the Edinburgh outfit have safely navigated the coronavirus crisis, Dempster has confirmed.
And the Easter Road CEO is adamant these measure will ensure Hibs are not forced to consider redundancies despite a lengthy period without gate
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