Online survey conducted by woolworthsreunited.com reveals 64.7% have started in new jobs but around 35% are still looking for work, six months after the closure of the last Woolworths stores.
The poll of 951 former Woolworths staff revealed that senior members of staff have fared slightly better with 77.6% of store managers and 74% of area managers having already found new jobs..

However, only 51% of office and distribution workers and 50% of store staff have found work so far.

The findings follow news that the UK unemployment rate has risen to 7.2% with 2.26m people out of work in the three months to April 2009.

Woolworths went into administration in November last year when talks broke down to save the retailer. More than 27,000 workers lost their jobs, including 4,000 seasonal contract employees hired for the Christmas period.

According to woolworthsreunited.com, former Woolies workers in the South East have found it hardest to find jobs, with only 57.1% back to work.

Those looking for part-time work are also struggling, with only 55.8% in new roles, compared with 68.4% of people who were seeking full-time positions.

Former senior manager at Woolworths, Paul Seaton set up woolworthsreunited.com to help ex-staff find work, within days of being made redundant himself. Commenting on the figures, he told DIY Week: "I am delighted that almost two thirds of colleagues have found a new job but concerned for the 7,000 people still looking for work after six months.

"The response from retailers has been fantastic - particularly from the DIY sector, with HOmebase, Focus, Wickes and Screwfix all actively helping Woolies staff get back to work."

He added: "The survey shows that full-timers are finding it much easier to find work than part-timers. This is a worry given that more than 20,000 Woolworths staff were part-time."