Capita IT Services staff waiting to hear if they have a future at the integrator-cum-reseller have been invited to attend a photo shoot to be used in marketing material.

As exclusively revealed, Capita ITS put 1,000 workers at risk of redundancy on 30 March, giving back office employees 30 days notice and 90 days to programmers whose roles may be outsourced to India.

The 90-day period ends today and the beleaguered workforce based in Ruddington and Notthingham were contacted to participate in the photo session.

In a mail sent to staffers, seen by The Channel, Capita said it was "excited" to notify them that a photographer and team will be visiting the Ruddington office on 4 July to take "professional shots of IT Services people".

"We feel that using images of real, IT Services people can express our identity, image and business much better than using stock images that anyone can use. It helps us stand out, be unique," stated the mail.

"To do this we really would like you to get involved and help us create some really amazing pictures," it added.

Presumably management will heed the advice of employees that recently claimed Prozac should be dished out to the hard pressed workforce as a legal requirement. At least there may ensure a sea of happy faces confronting the photographer next week.

The photos will be used in promo material, the web site, social media and additional uses "as Capita deems necessary".

Adding insult to injury, those that do not want to participate need to complete an 'opt out' form.

The response was fury with one source claiming Capita wants to take photos of "a room full of staff showing [the] English service desk before it goes offshore and they lose the opportunity".

He claimed Capita ITS wants to "promote the business and earn more money for the shareholders whilst the workers suffer with no salary increases and making people redundant".

A Capita mouthpiece said it could provide no update on the job cuts and said it was "inappropriate to comment" on the photo shoot. ®