verylittlehelps

Very Little Helps => Other Retailers => Topic started by: The Mrs on 26-11-20, 05:09PM

Title: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: The Mrs on 26-11-20, 05:09PM
The CEO of Mark's & Spencer has sent a message to all stores today. Because of the Covid restrictions and the limited period of less restrictions over Christmas the M&S CEO has decided it would not be fair to expect staff to work on Boxing Day and so all stores will be closed.

Perhaps this information should be fed to HO so that Tesco CEO might consider doing the same.

Worth a try?
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: T.C.1 on 26-11-20, 05:55PM
If that happened then I would believe in Father Christmas 😂
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: VladPutin on 26-11-20, 06:01PM
 :D ;D

The same head office who won't even give staff a hot breakfast on winter mornings? The same head office that decided that cleaning up broken bottles etc was too dangerous for cleaning staff and thus should be done by CA's instead? The same head office that made thousands of counter staff redundant? The same head office that came up with the brilliant idea of centralising stock control, which hasn't worked correctly since day one and leads to stores either running out of stock or drowning in lines they can't possible shift? The same head office that, in the 20 years I've worked for the company, hasn't implemented a single new policy that made my job easier to do or more efficient?

Yeah, good luck with that. 8-)
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: expressman77 on 26-11-20, 08:10PM
The cleaning company was going to increase their charge in case their staff got cut dealing with broken glass,
Counters closed due to lack of sales as are other supermarkes are doing and so many routines and jobs  are easier compared to years ago , sometimes they may not get but right but most times they do
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: Paupers wage on 26-11-20, 08:55PM
Any truth in Tesco’s returning to 24 hour opening in stores between 15th to 23rd December
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: NightAndDay on 26-11-20, 09:05PM
That will be dependent on the laws around the tiered lockdoen system, if the government forbids it then they won't if they don't they will.
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: notsofunny on 26-11-20, 09:06PM
Well if Marks is closed then all it will mean is that Tesco will expect a bit more in sales on the Food side at least , So not much chance on you all having a extra day off ,,
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: penguin on 26-11-20, 09:53PM
A couple of years ago a customer posted on Tesco Instagram saying shut all the stores Boxing Day let staff have it off, reply from Tesco was something along the lines of don’t worry our staff want to be in on Boxing Day to ensure all our customers can get anything they need to enjoy Boxing Day.

Also according to a previous S.D Tesco can’t close on Boxing Day as customers might be so disappointed at finding a closed store they might never return, so while it would be nice I can’t see Tesco closing all the shops on Boxing Day.
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: Katarn2000 on 26-11-20, 10:35PM
I'm like working boxing Day. Don't take that away from me. It's an excuse to escape the family.
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: whatajoke2019 on 26-11-20, 10:35PM
I try not to listen to rumours at work but several people have mentioned to me that they've "heard" we're going to be open 24 hours from 15th to 23rd December.

As for Boxing Day I suspect they wouldn't even toy with the idea of closing due to Aldi/Lidl usually being closed.
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: lackofinterest on 26-11-20, 10:42PM
so why doesn't everyone take the day off. after all it's a bank holiday and you get paid for it. let's see the greedy f*****s open then >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: lackofinterest on 26-11-20, 10:49PM
 let head office staff work the stores that day!! >:D >:D
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: VladPutin on 26-11-20, 10:51PM
Quote from: expressman77 on 26-11-20, 08:10PM
The cleaning company was going to increase their charge in case their staff got cut dealing with broken glass,
Counters closed due to lack of sales as are other supermarkes are doing and so many routines and jobs  are easier compared to years ago , sometimes they may not get but right but most times they do

1)So in other words, head office are perfectly happy to put staff in a potentially dangerous situation as long as it saves them some money.

2)At least one other major supermarket increased the number of counter staff they had as soon as Tesco decided to close theirs.

3)I've worked for the company for 20 years. Nothing head office has done has made my job any easier. In most cases, the reverse is true.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, "work" at head office. 8-)
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: VladPutin on 26-11-20, 10:53PM
Quote from: lackofinterest on 26-11-20, 10:49PM
let head office staff work the stores that day!! >:D >:D

Oh, dear God - can you imagine the carnage we'd come into the next day if those lazy idiots had tried to do a real day's work for the first time in their lives?!  :o :D ;D
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: lackofinterest on 26-11-20, 10:55PM
Quote from: VladPutin on 26-11-20, 10:51PM
Quote from: expressman77 on 26-11-20, 08:10PM
The cleaning company was going to increase their charge in case their staff got cut dealing with broken glass,
Counters closed due to lack of sales as are other supermarkes are doing and so many routines and jobs  are easier compared to years ago , sometimes they may not get but right but most times they do

1)So in other words, head office are perfectly happy to put staff in a potentially dangerous situation as long as it saves them some money.

2)At least one other major supermarket increased the number of counter staff they had as soon as Tesco decided to close theirs.

3)I've worked for the company for 20 years. Nothing head office has done has made my job any easier. In most cases, the reverse is true.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, "work" at head office. 8-)
:D :D :D :thumbup:
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: lackofinterest on 26-11-20, 10:56PM
Quote from: VladPutin on 26-11-20, 10:53PM
Quote from: lackofinterest on 26-11-20, 10:49PM
let head office staff work the stores that day!! >:D >:D

Oh, dear God - can you imagine the carnage we'd come into the next day if those lazy idiots had tried to do a real day's work for the first time in their lives?!  :o :D ;D
the next day?? sunday?? no thanks!!
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: Katarn2000 on 27-11-20, 03:00AM
Quote from: whatajoke2019 on 26-11-20, 10:35PM
I try not to listen to rumours at work but several people have mentioned to me that they've "heard" we're going to be open 24 hours from 15th to 23rd December.


Our store manager announced that it's happening definitely but details not confirmed yet.. Source is the staff Facebook page. More than a rumour I'm afraid.
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: oldfashionedplayer on 27-11-20, 03:17AM
if it's mainly opening over christmas then it's not a rumour, the zoom meeting stores did on the 16th confirmed they are doing 2 weeks opening for christmas for 24 hours in order to thin numbers so customers can have access to everything in the run up to christmas rather than all pile in, plenty of details on yammer and communications hub has the listing, they are adding extra hours for colleagues to be stationed near BWS/Milk/Produce/Meat  to stop people from going down the aisles if it's too crowded etc, 7.5 hours morning, 7.5 afternoon, 4.5 evening, we've got 7 till operators for the night shift (so that'll be twiddling thumbs)

Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: Bubbles12 on 27-11-20, 03:19AM
Our Store is one 5 currently open 24 hours and has been for a while now.
The Store Manager has said that other stores WILL go back to being open 24 hours in the run up to Christmas.
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: Redshoes on 27-11-20, 06:34AM
We have been briefed that we go 24/7 for two weeks but we are closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Even the PFS is not open Boxing Day. We are told to expect 24/7 between Christmas and new year but that's not confirmed yet.
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: VladPutin on 27-11-20, 08:29AM
Quote from: lackofinterest on 26-11-20, 10:56PM
Quote from: VladPutin on 26-11-20, 10:53PM
Quote from: lackofinterest on 26-11-20, 10:49PM
let head office staff work the stores that day!! >:D >:D

Oh, dear God - can you imagine the carnage we'd come into the next day if those lazy idiots had tried to do a real day's work for the first time in their lives?!  :o :D ;D
the next day?? sunday?? no thanks!!

I should have clarified: next contracted working day, in other words Monday.

I won't even be sober on Sunday, never mind working! :D
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: VladPutin on 27-11-20, 08:40AM
Quote from: oldfashionedplayer on 27-11-20, 03:17AM
if it's mainly opening over christmas then it's not a rumour, the zoom meeting stores did on the 16th confirmed they are doing 2 weeks opening for christmas for 24 hours in order to thin numbers so customers can have access to everything in the run up to christmas rather than all pile in, plenty of details on yammer and communications hub has the listing, they are adding extra hours for colleagues to be stationed near BWS/Milk/Produce/Meat  to stop people from going down the aisles if it's too crowded etc, 7.5 hours morning, 7.5 afternoon, 4.5 evening, we've got 7 till operators for the night shift (so that'll be twiddling thumbs)

We've been told we're going to 24/7 in the run up to Xmas. Bloody stupid idea - no surprise, as it was though up by head office - for two reasons,

1)Nights have a tough enough time filling the store when all they have to contend with is Dot Comedy pickers. Adding customers to that is recipe for carnage.

2)This will have little real effect on the numbers through the doors during the day. Punters will still pile in, just as they do every Xmas. Also, LMFAO at staff trying to limit the number of punters in Fresh aisles at any one time. During the height of the Lockdown, when we had One Way in place, punters simply ignored the 2 Metre Distance Rule and barged past staff to grab stuff off the shelves. I sent one moron flying because he was reaching over me to grab a bag of carrots when I was bending down. Didn't see him and straightened up, knocking the idiot halfway across the asile. >:D
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: lackofinterest on 27-11-20, 08:46AM
Quote from: VladPutin on 27-11-20, 08:29AM
Quote from: lackofinterest on 26-11-20, 10:56PM
Quote from: VladPutin on 26-11-20, 10:53PM
Quote from: lackofinterest on 26-11-20, 10:49PM
let head office staff work the stores that day!! >:D >:D

Oh, dear God - can you imagine the carnage we'd come into the next day if those lazy idiots had tried to do a real day's work for the first time in their lives?!  :o :D ;D
the next day?? sunday?? no thanks!!

I should have clarified: next contracted working day, in other words Monday.

I won't even be sober on Sunday, never mind working! :D
won't be in monday either. official bank holiday :) :D
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: lackofinterest on 27-11-20, 08:49AM
Quote from: VladPutin on 27-11-20, 08:40AM
Quote from: oldfashionedplayer on 27-11-20, 03:17AM
if it's mainly opening over christmas then it's not a rumour, the zoom meeting stores did on the 16th confirmed they are doing 2 weeks opening for christmas for 24 hours in order to thin numbers so customers can have access to everything in the run up to christmas rather than all pile in, plenty of details on yammer and communications hub has the listing, they are adding extra hours for colleagues to be stationed near BWS/Milk/Produce/Meat  to stop people from going down the aisles if it's too crowded etc, 7.5 hours morning, 7.5 afternoon, 4.5 evening, we've got 7 till operators for the night shift (so that'll be twiddling thumbs)

We've been told we're going to 24/7 in the run up to Xmas. Bloody stupid idea - no surprise, as it was though up by head office - for two reasons,

1)Nights have a tough enough time filling the store when all they have to contend with is Dot Comedy pickers. Adding customers to that is recipe for carnage.

2)This will have little real effect on the numbers through the doors during the day. Punters will still pile in, just as they do every Xmas. Also, LMFAO at staff trying to limit the number of punters in Fresh aisles at any one time. During the height of the Lockdown, when we had One Way in place, punters simply ignored the 2 Metre Distance Rule and barged past staff to grab stuff off the shelves. I sent one moron flying because he was reaching over me to grab a bag of carrots when I was bending down. Didn't see him and straightened up, knocking the idiot halfway across the asile. >:D
you did right :D :D :D
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: VladPutin on 27-11-20, 09:00AM
It was a total accident.

The fact I laughed so hard I had to take off my boxer shorts in the staff toilets afterwards, and Go Commando for the rest of the shift, is beside the point! >:D
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: VladPutin on 27-11-20, 09:25AM
Quote from: lackofinterest on 27-11-20, 08:46AM
Quote from: VladPutin on 27-11-20, 08:29AM
Quote from: lackofinterest on 26-11-20, 10:56PM
Quote from: VladPutin on 26-11-20, 10:53PM
Quote from: lackofinterest on 26-11-20, 10:49PM
let head office staff work the stores that day!! >:D >:D

Oh, dear God - can you imagine the carnage we'd come into the next day if those lazy idiots had tried to do a real day's work for the first time in their lives?!  :o :D ;D
the next day?? sunday?? no thanks!!

I should have clarified: next contracted working day, in other words Monday.

I won't even be sober on Sunday, never mind working! :D
won't be in monday either. official bank holiday :) :D

Noice. :)

I'm just happy to get three days off in a row instead of the usual two.
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: expressman77 on 27-11-20, 12:37PM
Quote from: VladPutin on 26-11-20, 10:53PM
Quote from: lackofinterest on 26-11-20, 10:49PM
let head office staff work the stores that day!! >:D >:D

Oh, dear God - can you imagine the carnage we'd come into the next day if those lazy idiots had tried to do a real day's work for the first time in their lives?!  :o :D ;D
Quote from: lackofinterest on 26-11-20, 10:55PM
Quote from: VladPutin on 26-11-20, 10:51PM
Quote from: expressman77 on 26-11-20, 08:10PM
The cleaning company was going to increase their charge in case their staff got cut dealing with broken glass,
Counters closed due to lack of sales as are other supermarkes are doing and so many routines and jobs  are easier compared to years ago , sometimes they may not get but right but most times they do

1)So in other words, head office are perfectly happy to put staff in a potentially dangerous situation as long as it saves them some money.

2)At least one other major supermarket increased the number of counter staff they had as soon as Tesco decided to close theirs.

3)I've worked for the company for 20 years. Nothing head office has done has made my job any easier. In most cases, the reverse is true.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, "work" at head office. 8-)
:D :D :D :thumbup:



1) tesco staff are covered by insurence
2) if the sales were there they wouldn't close them
3) so all the new ways are working just happen overnight .
Reducing backstick, using capping shelves, delivery being resorted,less price changes
Ready to display packaging, not having to do stick takes,self scan checkouts ,
New payrole systems ,  more accurate routines ,job 14 , tilss than to won till checks
They all made jobs easier
No ones more blind than those who dont want to see
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: expressman77 on 27-11-20, 12:40PM
Quote from: lackofinterest on 26-11-20, 10:42PM
so why doesn't everyone take the day off. after all it's a bank holiday and you get paid for it. let's see the greedy f*****s open then >:( >:( >:(
Isnt monday the bank holiday when boxing day falls at weekend ,
You could have always requested it as one if your bank holidays to be off
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: barafear on 27-11-20, 02:56PM
I've been told in my store than Saturday is the bank holiday - Monday is regarded as a normal working day - if you're contracted Monday, you work. And those that do work will not get BH premium for the Monday.

BH Premium is being paid on the Saturday.

Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: Paupers wage on 27-11-20, 04:54PM
Yes l to was informed bank holiday Monday is not regarded as one according to Tesco management l didn’t realise no premiums were paid if you worked it
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: oldfashionedplayer on 27-11-20, 06:07PM
yes unless a BH falls on Sunday it's classed as normal day, so since it falls on a saturday it's a normal working day for tesco since we are generally a 24 hour business, if it falls on a sunday it's usually moved to the monday or tuesday.
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: lackofinterest on 27-11-20, 08:44PM
Quote from: Paupers wage on 27-11-20, 04:54PM
Yes l to was informed bank holiday Monday is not regarded as one according to Tesco management l didn’t realise no premiums were paid if you worked it
you can have the saturday and the monday off but you will only be paid for one. if you're contracted monday you can take it unpaid or as a bank holiday if you have any left.

Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: lackofinterest on 27-11-20, 08:52PM
Quote from: expressman77 on 27-11-20, 12:40PM
Quote from: lackofinterest on 26-11-20, 10:42PM
so why doesn't everyone take the day off. after all it's a bank holiday and you get paid for it. let's see the greedy f*****s open then >:( >:( >:(
Isnt monday the bank holiday when boxing day falls at weekend ,
You could have always requested it as one if your bank holidays to be off
tescos are treating saturday as the bank holiday so nobody can be forced to work it. monday you can take unpaid if you want as its an official bank holiday
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: VladPutin on 27-11-20, 10:40PM
Quote from: expressman77 on 27-11-20, 12:37PM

1) tesco staff are covered by insurence
2) if the sales were there they wouldn't close them
3) so all the new ways are working just happen overnight .
Reducing backstick, using capping shelves, delivery being resorted,less price changes
Ready to display packaging, not having to do stick takes,self scan checkouts ,
New payrole systems ,  more accurate routines ,job 14 , tilss than to won till checks
They all made jobs easier
No ones more blind than those who dont want to see

1)Yeah, I'm sure that will be a big comfort to a GA who has to get stiches from picking up broken glass. >:(

2)Head office have to keep coming up with new ideas to justify their non-jobs. If I had a tenner for every bright, shiny new way of working that managers claimed was going to revolutionise the business, only for it to disappear without a trace within a few months, I'd be able to retire already. ;D

3)Reducing back-stock? Are you kidding me? We're drowning in the bloody stuff now, and there's still a month to go to Xmas. Just one example from my store: two full dollies of mushrooms, in spite of the fact we have space for a maximum of four cases on the shop floor at any one time. No one expects new ways of working to happen overnight, but head office has had a decade to get centre working properly, and have failed miserably.

4)"Delivery being resorted"? What does that drivel even mean? Is English your first language? 8-)

5)There obviously were enough jobs for one of our competitors to hire over a thousand new counter staff the moment head office announced the cuts. It was nothing to do with running the business better, and everything to do with members of the board, "saving" enough money to justify their bonuses.

Look, I get it: you or someone you care about works - and I use that word in it's loosest possible sense - at head office and you're compelled to defend the place. But the truth is, head office doesn't even qualify as worthless. The people there actually achieve negative worth; they make the world a worse place just by existing in it.
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: expressman77 on 29-11-20, 03:03AM
 20 staff on a counters taking about 20 grand a week isnt good business.
If you dont want  to work with a company thats always trying to make a profit where ever they can leave and go and work for one  that dont and see how long it is before your job goes
Perhaps In the past saving money has kept you in your job that you so obviously enjoy
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: King1999 on 29-11-20, 06:54AM
The company has gone out of its way to make the job unenjoyable,you might believe all the c**p you are fed.Cut everywhere and everywhere suffers and makes the end result unhappy staff.The biggest laugh is some people still think they are cared about,my store set up is a disgrace how people are treated all down to cuts.Oh and yes I’ve challenged a few managers on the if you don’t like it you know what you can do response.Too anti staff and has been for a long time.Theres a lot of we care rubbish........ but we’re going to work you into the ground anyway......with a lot of self help c**p thrown in.Need to look closer to home as a company at what damage it does to people at the justification of profit.Be nice if the bright ideas they come up with actually worked with the couple of minutes your given to do them.
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: VladPutin on 30-11-20, 01:38PM
Quote from: expressman77 on 29-11-20, 03:03AM
20 staff on a counters taking about 20 grand a week isnt good business.
If you dont want  to work with a company thats always trying to make a profit where ever they can leave and go and work for one  that dont and see how long it is before your job goes
Perhaps In the past saving money has kept you in your job that you so obviously enjoy

If the company is really committed to making a profit, they can start by getting rid of a lot of the dead weight at head office. They are parasites; they produce nothing of value and live of the real workers like me.

They can start with the morons who thought it was a good idea to play Tesco radio over the PA system non stop. Only someone who's never done a real day's work in their miserable, worthless, pathetic life would think that's a good idea. >:(
Title: Re: Boxing Day M&S Closed
Post by: Nomad on 30-11-20, 05:13PM
Locked, as this thread no longer concerns M&S.