Telecoms union Prospect claims that it was told this morning by Vodafone employee relations manager David Dunwoody that over 500 jobs would go at the Newbury-based operator.
However Vodafone CEO Guy Laurence wrote to employees today stating that 'around 375' back office jobs were set to go at the firm.
A Vodafone press statement followed which said: 'Vodafone UK will reduce its total number of employees by 375 roles from March 2010.'
A Prospect spokesman said: 'We are getting three contradictory stories from Vodafone and we want clarification on what the real figure is. As it is HR that makes the decision on the head count those are the figures we are going on, until we are told otherwise.'
The spokesman added: 'It is important for Vodafone to be clear in these situations when jobs are at stake. What we need are precise figures but at the moment we dont know how many people are going, where they are going from and when they are going.'
Asked if the figure exceeded 500 jobs, a Vodafone spokeswoman said that '375 people are to leave' and 170 new roles created as well as 50 graduates joining in September.
She added: 'If you are looking for a new figure which could include leavers and new roles it would be 205. If you put the grads in the mix is it 50 lower still. However, bearing in mind the time frames as above, this is not realistic. 545 makes no sense to us here.'
In response to Prospect's claim, she added: 'The figure we are using is 375. I would dispute Prospect were told 500 as this is not correct.'
A Prospect spokesman said: 'As far as we are concerned it is 500 plus and until HR tell us otherwise that is the figure we are going on. Obviously it would be better if it is 375 but we need confirmation.'
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