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Last Updated: Monday, 30 October 2006, 09:16 GMT
Insurer apologises over bonus row
Norwich Union's office in Perth
The company is shedding jobs in Perth and Glasgow
An insurance giant has apologised for a cash bonus offer to staff who recommend a friend for a job, weeks after announcing 450 workers were to be cut.

Norwich Union handed out leaflets at its Perth call centre promising �250 to employees who could put forward someone they knew for recruitment.

The insurer announced last month it would shed 200 posts in Perth and a further 250 in offices around Glasgow.

Aviva, Norwich Union's owner, currently employs 3,700 staff in Scotland.

A Norwich Union spokeswoman said: "The recommend-a-friend scheme has been in place for a number of years,

'National company'

"It is a good way for staff to introduce suitable candidates to the company for specific vacancies where appropriate.

"We're sorry this has caused some sensitivities in this case. But we're a national company and this is just one method we use to aid recruitment when needed."

A total of 4,000 Norwich Union jobs are being cut in a bid to save �250m.

Norwich Union's owner, Aviva, said 1,000 jobs would be moved to India and another 500 information technology staff would be out-sourced.

The firm said more customers were buying policies online.

The redundancies in Glasgow affect 'back-office' posts in administration and processing.

The customer service centre in Pitheavlis, Perth, has been earmarked for the brunt of the Scottish job losses.




SEE ALSO
Insurer axes 450 jobs in Scotland
14 Sep 06 |  Scotland
Disappointment at Aviva jobs blow
14 Sep 06 |  Scotland
Norwich Union cuts 4,000 UK jobs
14 Sep 06 |  Business
Aviva profits up on world demand
09 Aug 06 |  Business
Aviva buys US insurer for �1.6bn
13 Jul 06 |  Business

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