BIG companies in Southampton like British America Tobacco, Ford and Ordnance Survey face possible fines of up to £75,000 if they don't let workers know about any impending redundancies.

The European Union directive on information and consultation will cover, from 2005, all companies with 150 or more staff.

Firms with more than 50 people on its books will also fall under the EU directive from 2008.

Brussels hopes that the penalty threat will bring an end to so-called "Rice Krispie" redundancies, when workers kept in the dark about their futures learn they have been fired by reading newspapers or hearing about it on the radio at breakfast.