General Gossip

Anything you want to say? Let us hear your gossip!

Do the Managers thank us?

Do the managers thank us all for a job well done? Do they understand that sometimes we have more work on than usual so we work harder to achive the targets? Do they apriciate all the overtime we do (regardless to weather we wanted it or not)? Are they greatful that its us, on the shop floor, that are filling their pockets with profits? Do the managers make us feel like we are needed and respected?

Fair deal for temps?

Do seasonal temp staff get a fair deal? Or are they just used, then chucked out with the rubbish? Are the correctly trained? Are they given a good chance to stay on? Are they treated well by other staff members?

Are we treated with respect?

Are we all treated equally? Are our own needs taken into consideration? Are we expected to 'NOT' have lives outside work? Are we allowed to voice our opinion?

Do the managers work hard for their big pay cheques?

Are we treated as 'individuals'?

Which supermarket is the best to work for?

Is ADSA a 'fun' place to work?

Flexibility? Are we given choices? Is it all 'Give and no Take?'

Overtime? No overtime?

Should we be forced to do overtime? Even more so during the run up to Christmas, we are expected to put in all the hours we can. I suppose this will suit quite a lot of people, with Christmas getting more and more costly. But what about people on tax credits and benefits? I myself had to pay back over £200 pounds last month because of an over payment from housing benefit and tax credits. All because a staff shortage on department and being "forced" to do overtime. I use the word "forced" slightly ambitiously as I wasn't held at gun point or anything but, was certainly named and shamed if I asked to leave. I suppose it could be called bullying but to be truthful, a manager needing the work to be done is, in my opinion, a manager doing what he's payed to do. Its just finding that point where the department becomes more important that the individual and hoping the boss doesn't cross it.

Do they set targets too high?

From past experience, the big bosses of these supermarkets always aim higher and higher. Each department is set targets, wether its availability, attendance or items per hour. As soon as the department reaches a target, they set it higher. They can get to a stage where they become almost impossible to reach, and yet its the staff who get blame and not bosses for upping the targets. Is this a way forward for the growth of the business, or just squeezing the staff for all they can?

Is minimum wage a fair deal?

With the credit crunch upon us, the cost of living rises. Even the basic things we need have shot up in price, from fuel, power and mortgages to bread, milk and cheese. The only thing that doesn't seem to go up is the wages. Even more so when you are on, or just above, the national minimum wage. This hourly rate is set by our government, is it realistic amount to be earning?