M&S revamping plans cause staff concern |
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Mon, 30 May 2005 12:35
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Marks & Spencer has played down the report that chief executive Stuart Rose is planning to lay off 66,000 M&S shop floor staff as a part of his restructuring plan.
A spokeswoman said, "We are absolutely not doing that. We are not scrapping or ripping up any contracts. We are in consultation with the involvement group which we feel is the best way for staff to be represented."
She was speaking about the radical shake-up being planned by Mr. Rose, which seeks to ensure that adequate staff is available during busy periods. Contrary to circulating reports, M&S said the majority of staff should be “better off financially” under the new rules. “It’s more about changing working patterns than anything else,” a spokesman commented.
| On Sunday, the Mail quoted Mr. Rose as saying; “I have nothing but praise for my staff, who have been at the front line of all the finger-wagging complaints from the public during all our troubles. There is overwhelming support among them to make this company great again. The questions we are trying to look at are - do we have the right number of people and do we have the right type of people?”
Basically, there are two issues that are going to be given the greatest attention, besides ensuring that trained staff are available during peak periods, Mr. Rose is also looking at introducing a better career progression for customer assistants. But workers are uneasy at this prospect, one worker says, "This issue is bubbling under the surface and the workers are extremely worried. They want to be sure that everything that's being done is fair and above board. If major changes are needed then there needs to be proper consultation."
Shop workers' union Usdaw says that hundreds of M&S workers have recently joined up seeking help in face of any trouble. M&S does not recognize Usdaw, but union bosses are hoping that this issue will get them due recognition. A union spokesman said, "The workers want an independent voice within the company to make sure any contractual changes are carried out fairly."
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