Dozens of workers at a Fife firm could have their jobs moved more than 250 miles away.
More than 40 employees at Tullis Russell in Glenrothes are waiting to discover whether their work will be transferred to a site in Glasgow or Manchester.
The upheaval is the result of a takeover from distribution company DSV Roads Ltd, which will take control of the warehouse on October 1.
Another six employees have been told their positions are under review.
A spokesman for Tullis Russell said that the deadline for the decision is November 1.
He added: “Those transferred on October 1 will be working at one of two DSV locations. Those are Eurocentral, off the M8 between Edinburgh and Glasgow, or Wythenshawe, which is another major DSV distribution centre.”
The second option is sited in a part of Manchester, which is 265 miles from Glenrothes.
The spokesman could not comment on what would happen if the 47 employees at the papermaking firm refused to work at one of the new sites.
One Tullis Russell employee claimed that workers at the Southfield Estate building were told they would not receive redundancy pay if they declined to move.
The man said: “If you decide not to transfer, you will not get redundancy pay. I can’t believe they’ve done this there’s guys with 41 years’ service here.”
A statement from the firm read: “Tullis Russell confirms it is to outsource the company’s warehousing and logistics functions, currently operated from their Southfield warehouse in Glenrothes.
“This decision comes after a full internal review as it nears the end of its current warehousing lease arrangements at Southfield, which conclude in October.
“In total 47 current Tullis Russell employees are affected by this move with 41 transferring employment to DSV, while a further six roles are under review.
“Discussions are already ongoing with all those involved.”
Tullis Russell Group CEO Chris Parr said: “Our first thoughts are always with the people affected by any change and we will do all we can to support those involved in this transition.”