Holden workers to get counselling as 'morale drops' at Elizabeth plant Holden employees leave work at the end of their shift at the Holden plant in Elizabeth after the company had announced iot would cut up to 400 jobs from its Elizabeth plant. The company is offering affected employees counselling. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images) Source: adelaidenow HOLDEN says it will offer counselling to workers facing the axe from the Elizabeth plant, as staff struggle to come to terms with the shock announcement. Workers were reluctant to speak out about the decision yesterday but one said the decision to cut 400 jobs came as a complete surprise to her and her colleagues. "The vibe around the factory is very awkward and the morale is dropping," said the worker, who asked to remain anonymous. I will be there until the doors close if I have a choice, but it's pretty much a waiting game. Some people are happy and can't wait to get their packages, while others are stressing and have major decisions to make as they have mortgages and other finances to worry about. Workers will have two weeks off to contemplate their futures as the Elizabeth plant closes down for the school holidays. Car production at the plant will stop on Friday, April 12, and restart on Monday, April 29. Holden corporate affairs manager Sean Poppitt said the planned closure occurred annually and was not directly linked to this week's job cuts announcement. Mr Poppitt said Holden would offer counselling to workers threatened by cuts during the break . "From today we begin the process, with the first round of expressions of interest being sent out," Mr Poppitt said. A number of support services during the transition will be made available (to workers). From next week we will have HR available to go through the voluntary process of what the options are. Australian Manufacturer's Union assistant secretary Scott Batchelor described the mood among workers as "sombre" and said many were considering whether to take voluntary redundancies. "It puts doubt in people's minds that things could get worse," he said. Basically the next few weeks will allow people to consider their options and see what they would receive if they did take a voluntary redundancy package.