Day 199 - 11 Dec 95 - Page 06


     
     1        store.  When the store was operating at the so-called
     2        optimum staffing level, the staff were generally pretty
     3        pushed and the pressure was fairly high".
     4
     5        So did you feel that there were enough staff in the store
     6        at this so-called optimum staffing level?
     7        A.  In my opinion, no, but in the opinion of the
     8        management, yes.
     9
    10   Q.   "If a store was found to be running with staff costs which
    11        were too high, the store Managers would get into trouble
    12        with the Area Manager and also with his superior, the Area
    13        Supervisor."
    14
    15        Why do you say that they would get into trouble with the
    16        Area Manager?
    17        A.  Well, if you had an odd day or so where you were in
    18        theory overstaffed, then that would be all right but if it
    19        went on for two or three days at the end of the week when
    20        the Branch Manager is giving his report, or the report has
    21        gone to Head Office, he would then be basically jumped on.
    22        This is the way it was put to me.  If they were not running
    23        at a profitable store, the Branch Manager would be jumped
    24        on by the Area Supervisors.  If he was jumped on, then he
    25        would jump on the First Assistant Manager who would then
    26        jump on the Second Assistant Manager.
    27
    28   Q.   So it came down through the Manager?
    29        A.  It came down through the management.
    30
    31   Q.   "Each store was given a target for running costs per
    32        week."   Again is that by the same person or by somebody
    33        different?
    34        A.  Well, I believe it was through Head Office.
    35
    36   Q.   That was the same system then, you are saying?
    37        A.  Yes.
    38
    39   Q.   "If there was any increase in this figure without a
    40        proportionate increase in takings, then the Managers would
    41        be in trouble.  There was, therefore, a great deal of
    42        pressure on them to keep expenses within their targets.
    43        There was a specific weekly target ratio relating to staff
    44        salaries as a proportion of takings.
    45
    46        I remember that people were sent home early when the
    47        takings were low.  Often people would volunteer to go home
    48        early".  Did many people volunteer?
    49        A.  It would be about 50-50, I would think.  Some people
    50        would volunteer and others would say:  "Listen" -- if you 
    51        had been sort overmanned for a couple of hours, and it did 
    52        not look as though you were getting any busier, then you 
    53        would, sort of, ask for volunteers to go home.  Some would
    54        volunteer, some quite willingly; others were a bit reticent
    55        about it, you know, and say:  "I was sent home early last
    56        week", sort of thing, "it is not my turn".
    57
    58   Q.   But they were sent home, nevertheless?
    59        A.  They were sent home, nevertheless.
    60

Prev Next Index