Pandemic brings BYM staff changes
Over the autumn, Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) which brings together the Quaker Church, charity and organisation, has been working to meet the financial challenges of the pandemic. BYM's income will be down £3.5m and the cost of maintaining support for Quaker faith and witness will have reduced reserves by £2m.
The majority of BYM's expenditure is on staffing costs, and addressing these challenges has involved consultation with staff over significant savings, including an offer of voluntary redundancy. Thirty one staff have taken up this option, twenty six on the Hospitality team and five on the charity side.
Paul Parker, Recording Clerk, said, “We value all our staff, and are sad to be saying goodbye to so many valued colleagues. We acknowledge with deep gratitude their many years of service to Britain Yearly Meeting and the trading company. The organisation would not be what it is without their contributions.
“We are grateful also for their generosity in leaving voluntarily, this gift has enabled us to protect other colleagues from compulsory redundancy at this point. We are glad that this will mean there are no compulsory redundancies in 2020.
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We acknowledge with deep gratitude their many years of service to Britain Yearly Meeting and the trading company.
- Paul Parker, Recording Clerk
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“In the year ahead, we will need to build back our income and identify further savings to steer us towards a balanced budget in 2023.
“Britain Yearly Meeting remains committed to supporting Quaker communities to thrive and to working with Friends across Britain for a sustainable and peaceful world. It is hoped these savings will enable BYM's charitable work to continue."