The offsite specialist went into administration last Friday announcing most of the 1,100 staff would be made redundant with immediate effect.

A small number were retained to assist the administrators AlixPartners with the winding up process.

More than 80 former staff  have already instructed specialist employment lawyers at Aticus Law to investigate concerns around how the redundancy process was managed.

More than 60 workers were employed at the Flaxby factory in North Yorkshire.

The staff involved say they were sent home around two weeks ago with pay but were made aware that the company was in trouble and that it was looking for a new investor.

Last week, they were called to a meeting during which they were advised that they were being let go.

As part of the legal process, Aticus Law will determine whether ex-staff are eligible to claim for a Protective Award claim against ilke Homes.

Aticus said that if their clients were able to pursue a claim and were successful, those involved in the legal challenge will receive up to eight weeks’ worth of pay in compensation, with a cap of £571 per week.

Edward Judge from Aticus law said: “Further to the collapse of Ilke Homes, we have been instructed by more than 80 former employees who have lost their jobs and who are now looking to pursue a Protective Award against the company.

“While there are reports to suggest that the business will be bought out of administration, this does not prevent people who have already been made redundant from pursuing a claim even if they are offered their jobs back in due course.

“Of course, for many of our clients that would be the ideal outcome, but the Protective Award is claimed because the redundancy process was not followed correctly, which of course has a short term impact on a person’s financial wellbeing.”