News
Waterstone's to cut hundreds of jobs
04.05.09 | Graeme Neill
Waterstone's could lose as many as 650 positions, following its move to a new distribution centre at Burton on Trent and a decision to use more part-time staff throughout the chain. The jobs cuts, which are equivalent to 450 full-time roles, could affect up to a third of Waterstone's 300 branches.
Waterstone's said it had made "considerable efforts to minimise the effects of the changes" and the final number of redundancies, adding that the "business will be doing everything [it] can to support those affected". Three hundred full-time staff will be hired by Unipart to work at Waterstone's new distribution hub at Burton-on-Trent, which will be fully operational from June.
Waterstone's launched a national consultation process in January with its 4,500 employees, which formally ends today [Friday, 1st May]. Staff are now in consultation on a store level about their futures, with this process expected to be completed within the next four weeks. Goods-in and returns staff are likely to be those most affected by the cuts: options open include working in other departments, other branches, or accepting reduced hours.
A third of stores will face no changes and the remaining third will change their rotas. Part-time roles have been given more weight in store rotas, with branches asked to operate on a 60/40 split between full-time and part-time staff. Footfall counters were placed in all stores to measure the peak times customers visited branches and rotas were changed accordingly.
Gerry Johnson, Waterstone's managing director, said: "We have stressed to everybody that this figure is not a target. What's more important is matching the rotas to what is needed in store. So if that means an 80/20 split then fine. We have stressed time and time again that 60/40 was merely a guideline."
Johnson dismissed suggestions that a greater reliance on part-time staff would lead to fewer experienced booksellers on the shop floor. He said: "There's absolutely no evidence of that. Being full-time or part-time does not change your passion and enthusiasm for books. It simply changes the number of hours you work in store. We have some absolutely brilliant full-timers and some absolutely brilliant part-timers. What matters to us is the enthusiasm and passion for books and the service they can give to customers."
The implementation of the hub marks the end of a two-year overhaul of Waterstone’s supply chain. Johnson said: "After Christmas we knew roughly what our timetable would be and we knew that quite a lot of work that was going on in our stores was going to change. The need to receive deliveries, unpack boxes and sort stock into specific areas of the store is all going to be done in the hub facility."
However, although Waterstone's has won praise among publishers for the way it has handled the move to the hub, the job cuts are certain to be controversial not least among its employees; speculation has been rife over the past week about the size of the job losses with staff being informed of redundancies at their stores this week. There had been suggestions that as many as 800 jobs could be at risk. Twenty national representatives were elected to hold four meetings with senior management. Among the issues raised was the size of the redundancy package, which Johnson said has been increased.
Earlier this week the book chain reported a sales drop over the past year of 3.8%, in what Johnson described as a "difficult" market. But he added: "The business is in a strong place. Books are not immune from the recession but they are safer than other areas. The market will return to growth and when it does, we will be well placed to take advantage."
Comments on this article
By Ray Hollingsworth
The term 'booksellers' may have to be redefined in the future to 'barcode swipers'...( who will of course show great passion during those deft hand movements ). Then of course, beyond that, even barcode swipers will become something of the past when microchips are built into books ( Ref. A certain supermarket chain who are planning to change the world even more by 2014 ).01 May 09 08:57
By SPY
What will the top brass at Waterstones get paid in bonus for this?01 May 09 09:01
By ross bradshaw
Awful for Waterstone's staff, but great news for the independents.01 May 09 09:12
By Erik Johanssen
Branches will steel need a dedicated Goods-In "champion" - huge single drop deliveries won't shift themselves. Books still need to be unpacked, shelved off-floor, etc. And then, books still need to be returned too. I fear some branch managers will be V angry at this news, esp those who already feel understaffed01 May 09 09:19
By unknown
Why so disparaging about booksellers Ray Hollingsworth? "The term 'booksellers' may have to be redefined in the future to 'barcode swipers'...( who will of course show great passion during those deft hand movements )." How rude of you. And insensitive on a thread set up to discuss significant job losses and cut hours. My part time position certainly demands a great deal more than bar code zapping. And I am every bit as passionate as full time colleagues. The worst I have heard so far is one branch has 2 full time positions available, and 3 full time booksellers. The 3 of them have all worked for W's for longer than 5 years, and are now being interviewed to determine which 2 get the full time gig. The unlucky third will reduce hours by 2 1/2 over the week. Sounds like they won't be losing out much until you realise that working half an hour less each day loses them their entitlement to a lunch hour, and instead of two 20 minute breaks a day they will have 1. Therefore they will be working more hours on their reduced contract than they are now, and will be paid less.01 May 09 10:04
By Ray Hollingsworth
Hello 'Unknown'...having drunk coffee in your staff rooms I am fully aware of what you guys do. And I'm fully aware how many of you feel. Maybe it's easier to see the bigger picture on the outside...certainly no offence intended to Waterstone's staff. Security will become a bigger player in the future as bookselling goes through even more radical changes.01 May 09 10:25
By Anon
Unknown - Ray wasn't being rude about Waterstone's booksellers. He was being rude about what the Waterstone's management is trying to turn them into.01 May 09 10:35
By Ex - Waterstones
We all knew about this 2 years ago! If you are angry that your jobs may be taken away from you then you should have left when you had the chance ! I left over a year ago after I attended a managers meeting (I was assistant manager at the time) where it became very clear that 'The Hub' was going to take away a lot of jobs. Waterstones - soon to be the Tescos of the book world Good Customer Service - R.I.P01 May 09 11:26
By None
I do wonder if "Ray Hollingsworth" actually exists in real life, or if he/it is in fact a troll posting on here to try and get a rise out of people whilst simultaneously promoting whatever it is he writes and attempts to sell (a note on that - alienating people is not the way to build a customer base, but of course you know that being the obvious business genius that you are...) I think the point is in the current climate, whether or not you've "drunk coffee in our staff rooms", we staff/soon to be ex staff aren't that interested in your particular brand of negativity and doomsaying. We have bigger fish to fry, thanks.01 May 09 11:59
By Ray Hollingsworth
I see a future when you will buy books from a machine, much like a cashpoint...the intelligence and software / micro chips were in place to do this 2 years ago. This system may have certain limits in terms of range but I know for a fact that this model is being pursued. Are Waterstone's up to pace on this...24 hour sales? Maybe it won't happen....just like the BT fibre optic plans for meter reading ( 1998 ) that were superceeded by something much more exciting in the last 12 months. One thing for sure, technology will take out more and more jobs in the future. People are far too conditioned to their surroundings. I speak to people at the Research & Development at BT Labs. We live in an amazing and ever-changing world that will effect far more aspects of our lives than many of us envisage. Mainstream bookselling has to condense in its current form.01 May 09 11:59
By Harold Bishop
None - Ray does indeed exist, and he likes to post on here as it's the only chance he has of widening his readership.01 May 09 12:09
By SPY
In all this the only people that can make true subjective comments on this whole thing are those who work for Waterstones. Any body on the outside don't know what the hell your talking about. We in the company are the one that have to live through it do the work, work hard and the have to be made redundant. So if your not in the company go and learn some facts.01 May 09 12:41
By SPY
The trouble is that the Managment has bent and twisted its way through this. LIES LIES AND MOOR LIES01 May 09 13:07
By Ex - Waterstones
To 'By SPY' All waterstones staff knew about this threat two years ago... before the credit crunch! you only have yourslef to blame if you decieded to try and play it safe and remain on the waterstones ship01 May 09 13:49
By SPY
Oi EX WATERSTONES. We all have a different game to play. Don't make comments on me if you don't know my personal reasons for staying on till I get the redudencey letter.01 May 09 14:04
By anonymous
Ex-Waterstones: Whilst management might have known about the redundancies for 2 years, the rest of us haven't and we've been given mixed messages throughout the whole process. So whilst you may think we shouldn't be angry and it's our own fault for not leaving earlier, it's insulting to say that to people who weren't let in on it. When the whole of my branches full time staff are at the moment being re-interviewed for their jobs (with over a third of them to be let go), we have part timers being forced out by rota changes that the manager knows they won't be able to accept, which will then be offered to those up for redundancy to reduce the amount they have to pay out, I'm pretty sure we are allowed to be angry, if that's OK with you?01 May 09 14:15
By a W's Customer
Surely this means less time spent unpacking and stacking .. and more time being a "bookseller"? How does this de-skill the staff and move them to being supermarket staff? Even if W's could get Scotty to beam the books directly onto the shelves without any intervention it doesn't stop staff selling to me and giving me the service I normally get from them!!!!01 May 09 14:22
By Ex - Waterstones
To ‘Spy’ It just surprises me that a few of my old co workers saw this and acted upon it… but some just sat there thinking head office were going to keep everyone on, with the same hours. I know that’s what head office were telling all of its workers for a long time but it would be Madness if you were to believe them. I am not saying that you were one of the staff members that waited round to see what was going to happen. I’m just a little surprised at the amount of staff that seem surprised by all this. A lot of us have had to make very tough decisions (life changing ones). But there was no point what so ever in having faith in waterstones head office. This has been a long time coming and staff should not have listened to the spin they were throwing out at us before a few weeks ago. Just found out that a friend (6 Years service Ottakers included) has been offered half his hours…less break time and he has a family to support… his old hours have been shared out amongst two PART TIME 18 year olds (no kids, living with family, one goes to college part time!) Hats off to Gerry xXx01 May 09 14:24
By a W's Customer
Don't get me wrong .. I am really sorry for those losing their jobs but if it means W's continues to survive (and thrive if there is ever an economic upturn) then sadly it is a price that has to be paid.01 May 09 14:25
By Ex - Waterstones
p.s. to 'anonymous' We ALL knew about 'The Hub' and what it was going to mean staff cuts.01 May 09 14:28
By SPY
Ex Waterstones READ MY WORDS WE ALL HAVE A DIFFERENT GAME TO PLAY01 May 09 14:36
By Ex - Waterstones
To 'SPY' I understand ! It just seems some people have been playing Waterstones Head offices' little game for a while now and i just don't like how they seem shocked and surprised at the final End Game !01 May 09 14:49
By David R N Livesley - Woodstock Vermont
I for one believe Ray exists and think he has an interesting take on publishing/retailing that is refreshing, if a little controversial at times. I also think that Waterstones handling of the staff redeployment has been not only badly managed, but also it is appaling that so many workers feel there is 'a head office management v us' situation. This really should not have been allowed to develop into such a negative slanging match, other retail businesses that have had to redeploy staff seem to have handled it better. When W H Smith cut out a whole layer of staff about 7 years ago the staff left didn't appear to be so disillusioned and thus the business soon adapted to the new conditions. One would hope that the Directors could at least show their faces in branches, but one thinks a recent incident in France where an MD was kidnapped, could soon arise if they were to do so. A sad day...Tim Waterstone must be amazed at what has happened to his empire. Mind you he's active against the new 50% tax level, so has bigger personal fish to fry.01 May 09 15:04
By SPY
OK Ex Waterstones..... Yes it seems some have had there head in sand....................... Not me I'v played and I'v won.......... But this don't let them of the hook for all the ducking and diving they don'e up at there Ivory towers aka Waterstones head office01 May 09 15:05
By HUB NUB
The whole reason waterstones have gone down this avenue is to take autonomy away from staff and managers. We all know that when this course of action is taken the cream of the staff move on to better pastures and take their years of experience with them. This is of no benefit to W/s or to their customers. Its to benefit the shareholders and the purse string holders. Whoever heard of a business that discounted new products. Wouldnt happen in any other business model, thats why they are loosing money, staff and eventually customers.01 May 09 15:18
By A B Seller
I went into Waterstone's the other day and asked for "Don Quixote" and, after I was made to repeat the title three times, saw the bookseller typing in "Donkey Oaty" into the computer. I guess, if HQ wants branch managers to redeploy staff funds to hiring more part timers at the expense of experienced full timers, then I fear they will lose many a customer.01 May 09 15:27
By Waterstaff
Staff in more store are very upset but not entirely surprised. Manager had let it be known off the record to expect redundancies above and beyond goods-in. We now have to reinterview for our own jobs - only been there 2 yrs, other FT staff have 5yrs + service. Do not expect to be there long. However if the hub continues to fail as it has so far, they will try and keep us for as long as possible. No dates yet but still want us to help with hub launch in branch as we all know it will collapse. Time to work to rule (no extra hours for campaign change etc) and show them just how much experience they are allowing to leave.01 May 09 15:43
By anonstones
So who is going to shelve stock once this hub launches? Granted the unpacking is removed but the books still need to go onto the shelves. Cannot do this in the morning or late afternoon as no staff in then (my store just 2 people between open and 11am). Will have to do all tasks during lunchtime when we are allowed staff - cash office, shelving. Cannot wait to see decline in mystery shop score in June onwards. We know times are hard but sales will not improve by having no books on the shelves.01 May 09 15:48
By unknown
To David R N Livesley - the reason that this has become so negative has been the underhand and sly way that senior management have gone about this process. Recent information (April 2009) said that only goods-in and returns staff would be made redundant based on hub launch. However when questioned about this we were told via consultation rep that the latest redundancies were not directly due to hub but to branch restructure. This shows the lack of RESPECT that is shown to front line staff. if they were honest from the start the staff woukld still be unhappy but not feel as though we have been lied to. Have been told by branch manager that we should not contact senior management directly. Think we might because they need to know how the staff feel - hope they all enjoy there 2 days in Brighton next week whilst the staff in the stores contemplate finding work duringa recession.01 May 09 15:57
By Che Guevara
Here's an idea. We organise a RETURN A BOOK TO WATERSTONE'S DAY. Booksellers start a Facebook group outlining their plight and ask for customers to come in on a given day (one Saturday in May perhaps) and return a recently purchased item for a refund. If, and I accept it is a big if, we can get a few thousand people to do it then it will make a massive dent in Waterstone's takings for the day and would be a remarkable protest against the way the company are dumping on staff from on high. Could be great fun too!01 May 09 16:34
By Bommi Baumann
Unless one has worked for the new 'W' in it's present form, one has NO idea of the current situation. Staff are treated with disdain and contempt. Most RM's and DM's are oafish and dim in the extreme. Consultation is farcical and run by a HR Department who could not organise the proverbial PUIAB. Emails discussing redundancy have been sent to branches with no password protection - this happens continuously and demonstrates an amazing incompetence or arrogance. Individual staff have read 'confidential' emails that mention their future redundancy. Amazon must be clapping their hands with glee and ditto the independents. The way the W staff are being treated is disgraceful but no suprise to those of us who have met the nabobs concerned. I can only imagine that most staff will now withdraw any remaining 'goodwill' and start looking for new jobs. Good luck to all of them and I personally found that anything was better than continuing to work for Waterstones and Gerry Johnson.01 May 09 16:45
By A. Realist
Lose 600 people now and survive a recession. Or keep everyone on in their current roles (despite the roll out of a massive companywide change in bookseller role due to Hub implementation) and continue to see a sales decline due to worsening High Street Footfall and difficult times and end up having to make 4500 people redundant in 4 years time when the business model folds in on itself? I'v (sic.) seen the future and it's Hub Shaped. Roll on book 'selling'. I'm looking forward to the cultural shift in the company when we finally lose these so called booksellers who are 'playing different games' (paraphrased) and are left with a dedicated staff who want to be there in the first place.01 May 09 17:49
By Waterstone's Worker
Dear Realist, I'd love to be able to spend my days at work book 'selling', unfortunately I have to spend my days at work changing stickers on books (incorrectly stickered at the Hub), explaining to customers why the book we ordered them a month ago hasn't arrived yet (continuing delays at the Hub) and covering for my assistant manager/lead bookseller (same person in our store due to covering another branch) while he does figures (on the Hub) for our RM (who puts his name to them and sends them on upwards). I love bookselling, I hate all the politics and crap that unfortunately come along with the job. I know that selling yet another Jade book pays my wages, but I much prefer to help the customer who wants something for their 10 year old son who is a reluctant reader. If the rotas are being biased towards footfall then that is all well and good, but the books still need to go out on the shelves and if the rest of the time there is only one member of staff then how is this going to be done. Our Hub deliveries also take place during 'peak trading hours' as they are referred to by Head Office. Does this mean we should not accept them as at that time we are supposed to be serving? For the commenter who was after Don Quixote, that one can catch people out, maybe you should have tried spelling it. The last time I got asked for it the customer asked for "the story about that Spanish giant who lived in a windmill", after I said Don Quixote they replied that it wasn't "donkey anything, I think it was Quick-zote".01 May 09 18:40
By Possibly Redundant...
To "A Realist". You don't seem to have grasped the reason we are angry about these job cuts. Let me give you a concrete example based on my own working environment. I work in a large branch on a floor that has a second branch entrance. Our current staffing works out at three and a half (one lead bookseller who covers us and another floor) staff spread over two shifts during the week and, when the wind is right, four staff over two shifts on a Saturday. Traditionally we would have two staff on a Sunday - one would help cover breaks. Recently we have been running on one staff member on a Sunday which is a nightmare as it is impossible to get away from the till long enough to even tidy the floor at the end of the day. With the new rota a) every single member of staff will be working approximately four and a half hours less and b) our standard weekly staffing will be two staff over two shifts. We are finding it hard to complete all the tasks we need to do at our present complement. The hub has not reduced my workload in any way. The stickering is inaccurate enough that I still have to check everything and frequently desticker things that have been sent in incorrectly labelled. Our branch is large enough that we had dedicated goods in staff so checking in and unpacking was never part of shop floor staff's role. As has been pointed out those totes won't sort themselves and deliver themselves to the shopfloor! So we have to take on that task, do all the jobs we did before with seven less staff members and the rest working four and a half hours fewer that before this. I accept the company must be economic but I don't see that this level of restructuring will achieve that. What I see is the "extras" that stores do - events, other than huge ones where sales are guaranteed, our book group, story times etc (so much for the "zone of affection", eh?) and basic things like accurate stickering, tidy, organised, sections and knowledgeable section ownership - you know, the stuff that used to set Waterstones apart from, say, WH Smiths - will be significantly adversely affected. Yes, we need to be economic but we also need to have enough staff to provide an appropriate shopping environment with the level of service our customers deserve. This will not achieve that and even makes me wonder whether HMV group wish to run the company in to the ground in order to concentrate on the more lucrative HMV.01 May 09 18:48
By David Tyler
Personally, I find the reinterviewing business an insult. I've worked for the company for 8 years and yet have to defend my position against people who've done half that. I hear the interview itself is an "appraisal system" and not based on any personal merit, experience, loyalty or ability. Rather, points go to whoever makes the best job of toeing the company line, probably with lots of PASSION and RESPECT. This means that the best suited people who are good at their jobs may lose out simply by being worse at BS'ing! The manager's generally KNOW who the most talented staff are and yet are not allowed a say in who stays and who goes. It's a bit farcical really. As is Head Office's approach to the whole matter, I agree with many other's that they have been underhand in offering false hope when they will have known full well all along the implications of the Hub. Worse still, they haven't actually given a date for when the interview results will be returned. Not a happy time for anyone at Waterstone's at the moment. Plus, the rotaing system makes actually getting any work done (particularly shelving and returns) nigh on impossible for most of the day. Can't stop it now though. Will just have to wait for the whole thing to collapse due to lack of staff. Then, maybe, they will listen...01 May 09 18:55
By A. Realist
I completely understand why you are angry at job cuts. I'll be angry if I am made redundant. I work in a one floor store that trades over longer than normal hours. We are losing 1Ft Goods In, 2 FT (One of whom could be me) and some PT (weekend/evening) roles and I will have to work more Saturdays & Sundays & later shifts as a result. I realise that the Hub doesn't work perfectly - YET. But I have worked in other retailers where similar changes have been implemented and the overall outcome was a reduction in task. Books wont miraculously make there own way to the shelves - but if we work smarter & harder (I'm sure you all think you work hard now - but compared to any other retail environment this job is a doddle) the task will be easily achieved. Putting books in the right order on a shelf is not hard! My manager has been transparent throughout this whole process, answering questions where appropriate and being realistic. The consultation process has been equally transparent and the wording of the announcements has been clear. Task based redundancy was mentioned months ago! I am as much at risk as the next bookseller or senior bookseller - but my approach to the whole thing is that it is now up to me to prove I am the 'right person' for the job. The handout that was given to me today outlined what I can expect and I will prepare accordingly. I love my job, I hate the politics that go with it. I just want to work with a product that I love, helping customers find what they want, and the fewer negative influences in store, the better. Yes, it will take a while to settle down, but this company has been open, honest and offered support throughout - which is more than can be said for a lot of the other companies making redundancies at the moment.01 May 09 19:11
By just a number
A. Realist you must be one of the lucky few with a decent manager and, dare I say it, a half-way decent regional manager. Our branch has been told a different thing every day, our manager either doesn't know what's happening or just can't be arsed to find out. I have no issue with the company needing to 'restructure' and I accept redundancies to be a part of this, but I do have issue with the appalling, underhand and damn well deceitful way HO has gone about it. I'm staggered to see you describe it as "open and honest". Fair play to your RM, shame the rest aren't as forthcoming.01 May 09 19:37
By Dr Spaceman
What I think it boils down to is that Head Office have been completely dishonest and underhand throughout this whole 'Consultation Period'. I, for one, am no wiser now than I was at the beginning of the 90 days. Apart from the fact that I may ('may' because I still don't know for sure) have to cut my hours by ten a week and somehow exist on 23 hours. It's all a bit of a rum do, and no mistake.01 May 09 19:56
By Big Jack
Regradless of the economic arguments over the staffing cuts, restructuring and the Hub- no current Watersones staff, if that is indeed what some posters on here are, can justify the deceit and the insulting attitude of Johnson and his cronies. FACT - Johnson has lied right from the beginning, FACT- RM's and HR have instructed branch managers to take the opportunity to get rid of staff they really don't like. Some BM's have actively done this or have created impossible rota patterns to effectively demoralise their staff members to push them out the door. FACT- Booksellers who didn't sign the new contract are being targetted despite solemn promises that this would not be the case.... Almost all of my colleagues will leave at the first opportunity whan a suitable postion elsewhere becomes available- not easy in the present climate. To think tthat over 300 BM's and their RMs will be applauding that despicable lot next week in Brighton makes my stomach turn.............. Core Values- Deception, Self Interest, Bullying and Incompetence. Go on Gerry, Wendy and co -have a great conference !01 May 09 20:18
By David Tyler
A. Realist. What's this handout you speak of? Is it a prep for the "reinterview"? I have very little idea what to expect and would like to get my hands on one of these!01 May 09 20:26
By Bookmonkey
David Tyler- it's not a crib sheet: I've had the 'interview' this week. It's really just like an appraisal, except they are asking you to give examples from your own experience. It broke down into sections like bookselling, enthusiasm, customer service etc. 45 minutes long and it wasn't too bad! Mind you, I'm now waiting two weeks for the result...01 May 09 21:37
By David Tyler
Cheers Bookmonkey! Thought we may have missed out on something! I have mine on Tues. It's going to be surreal as we are all so close in the shop and yet have to be serious! Well, I have lots of experience to draw on so should be okay. Yep, the wait's going to be a killer. The whole thing kinda stinks really...01 May 09 21:45
By L Wilson
Sadly, this is just yet another business in yet another industry that has fallen foul of "headofficication": namely the ascendency of swathes of expensive management - and even more expensive management consultants - who rightly recognise that the easiest route to cutting costs in any business (thus justifying short-term bonuses/consultancy fees) is to wipe out as many expensive, experienced full-time staff as possible. What they singularly fail to appreciate is that said staff ARE the business: not buildings, not stock, not glib marketing and managementspeak. All successful companies are successful because of the quality of the people they employ at the ground level. Only a dwindling number of business leaders recognise this fact. By the time this becomes clear at Waterstones, those responsible will have skipped away, enriched and ready to destroy yet another company, yet another industry. These changes won't improve efficiency or save money. De-skilling never saves money - in the long term. Employing cheap, unmotivated labour never saves money - in the long term. But in the short term, it can be manipulated to look as though it does... thus justifying head office salaries/bonuses, etc. Ironic really that the current recession is being conveniently blamed, when the architects of that recession are precisely the same short-termist, greedy venture capitalists who propogate such disastrous practices. I suspec t Waterstones as we know it will be gone within a year or two - reduced to such a shambling mess that one of the venture capitalists mentioned above will be able to snap it up for a song. Perhaps that's the idea all along?01 May 09 22:33
By Ray Hollingsworth
I am going to say something nice ( for once ). For all those who will suffer ( what I think will be ) the humilation of being reinterviewed, I wish you all luck. No one would ever get the opportunity to interview me for my own job. It nearly happened at an ad agency some years ago...I was out of the door as soon one of these 90 day consultation things was announced. What kind of employment laws do we have in this country that allow loyal staff to be treated with such utter distain? Waterstone's has been a great retailer. Even I can see that. In truth, the guys at Brentford, despite the bravado and the language that they use are staring down the barrel. I get the impression they are running scared. And with good cause too, for however things unfold in the coming weeks, months and years this once proud company will never be the same again. The scars run too deep now. I have mentioned before on this site how some of W's staff have become demoralised over the last few years and been attacked for it. If the banking system can collapse across the planet everyone should be prepared for dramatic changes in retail that will continue into a long and distant future. Goodnight from Colchester.01 May 09 22:45
By Possibly Redundant...
To A. Realist... You may not be working flat out. We are. And my basis for comparison is working on the front line of the NHS for nearly twenty years. I'm working as smart and as hard as I know how already - why aren't you? And even if the Hub reaches an acceptable accuracy level of stickering that has not saved me much time at all. The time saving is in the Goods In tasks which our shop floor staff didn't take part in. I wish someone would explain to me how the Hub will come to save me a significant amount of time because I just can't see where the time saving occurs even assuming the Hub works perfectly. Oh, and I currently do rather more than just the simple task of shelving books. Don't you?02 May 09 09:19
By Higgins
If Gerry genuinely believes that replacing full timers with more part time staff will have no detrimental impact on the service at Waterstone's then he's mistaken. Part timers are generally hard working and enthusiastic but they simply do not spend enough time in store to have the same depth of knowledge as those that spend five days a week answering questions and maintaining sections. It would have been better for the customers, and the staff, if Waterstone's had not invested in the Hub and so wasn't trying to offset it's £7 million(ish) investment by laying off staff. Zeus! Apollo!02 May 09 13:10
By COMMENTATOR
Of course Waterstones are wrapping up de staffing brought about by poor trading levels , inside de staffing because of Hub productivity improvements . That is why the number affected is higher than announced before .02 May 09 15:53
By Bookslave
I work at a Waterstones, truthfully the thing that bothers me most is the way we have all been presented these redundancies as if it's because the hub is the best thing in all the world and will make our lives so much easier. If they stepped up and said "ok, times are hard, the economy is screwed up we need to make redundancies so that after the recession we will still be here" then at least that would be honest and show us that we were at least credited with a little iintelligence. Sure it's no comfort if your hours are cut or you're made redundant but it's better then "ooo look at the shiney new hub... now let's cut your working hours in half!" Treat us like grown ups we deserve the truth. Having been made redundant once and left another sinking retail job before it got to that... trust me I know how much it sucks but it sucks less when you know where you stand... even if that's in the dole queue! One of our core values is supposed to be respect which few of us fell we have had much of in this matter. To all my Waterstoney Brothers and Sisters out there good luck whatever your situation.02 May 09 19:30
By Disillusioned WSBoy
I loved WS for years before I even worked for them, even more so now that I do. Until a few weeks ago that is, until I saw the proposed rotas and heard about the interviews. Our branch is fortunate enough to not be losing any full-timers, but all the part-timers are looking at pancaked shift patterns, less hours spread over more days. This makes it nigh on impossible to work another job at the same time, they are horrible shift patterns to be asked to work. I can see how they reflect the 'business needs' (how I hate that phrase) mathematically, but I know a lot of people at my branch won't be able to do these shifts, they will leave, new staff will have to be hired, they will be entering an uncomfortable environment because they will be replacing their new colleagues friends, and they will be (mostly) untrained. When the new rotas were calculated did they allow time to train as many newbies as I predict they'll need over the coming months? One of our 'values' is supposed to be respect, and yet I see none of that from HO. With one face Gerry says thank you to us for all the effort we've put in during these difficult trading times and with the other we are asked to bend over backwards for fewer and more awkward hours. Everyone in my branch is unhappy. We have an excellent manager and she has been open and communicative throughout this whole affair, and it's now really upsetting for her to have to put us through this. For those of us who have to go through the interview we feel like we are being made to compete with friends, and for jobs in a company that doesn't seem to care about us. We need the work (try finding a new job at the moment), but our colleagues (and friends) need it too, it's a horrible position to put us in. If I get the position I want (need, financially), my friends lose out- I feel horrible, if they get it I lose- they feel horrible. My prediction: anybody new they take on (more than they think) will also be required to work these awful, unflexible shift patterns, they will no longer be able to pick the cream of applicants because those patterns simply won't suit a lot of people, they will be reduced to employing people simply on the basis of what hours they can work in a week, and so will get less able, less experienced, less passionate staff. The newbies will take the job because these days, you can't always be picky, but they will only take it until they find something more suitable, with a company who understands that the needs of the staff (the front line of a company) should be a big part in the needs of the company. Staff turnover will become a real problem. Customer service levels will drop. The company will find it suffers by as much as it saved and instead of coming out of the recession with a strong team grateful to it's company for sticking by them they will come out of the recession shaky and unstable.02 May 09 23:29
By Ex-bookseller
To Disillusioned WSBoy: You have written the most informed, eloquent and literate response on this thread. I do wish you and your colleagues the very best with the forthcoming interviews, though I feel that you deserve much better and hope you are able to set your sights higher one day.03 May 09 06:56
By WaterstonesStaffer
Having worked at my branch for over 4 years the over-riding feeling here is the lack of trust/respect displayed towards staff by both Head Office and senior management. This - to me - is reflected in the numerous changes over the last 18 months or so that include: introduction of uniforms - bag searches each day - no more book loans allowed (until recently when it was revoked) - the clarification that all proofs 'remain the property of Waterstones' and must be signed in and out - a reduction by 5 minutes for breaks, and the idea of half hour lunch breaks 'floated' - the continual flip-flop on who can do staff discount and who can't (I no longer can despite 5 years service) and so on. There is a real feeling that somehow the staff are to blame, that somehow messing all the rotas around, that searching bags for stolen stuff and making us more 'visible' through a WH Smith style uniform will increase sales, and in this store the lack of trust displayed makes it really tough to work. Booksellers are made to feel like they are to blame through all these new initiatives and policies.03 May 09 11:40
By Gerry fan
I'd like to congratulate Gerry and all his other cronies on turning Waterstones from a relaxed, friendly and respected employer into a hated, capitalist mess all within two years. He really is capable of more than I thought ... but yet they still wonder why mystery shopper has plummeted? Bookseller morale will never be the same.03 May 09 14:33
By wonderifbordersarehiring?
Rumours floating about are that, Gerry wanted to do away with more jobs, but was advised it would be a PR disaster and also the company could not afford the pay off's. But again, just rumours!03 May 09 16:03
By Enough is Enough
Can we please draw a line and close this thread - it's now a lonely hearts club band gone mad. If you want to carry on working at Waterstone's that's your choice. If you want to leave it's also your choice. Endless infantile groaning will change nothing, only keep you from making your mind up on what YOU WANT TO DO ABOUT IT. The procrastination is pathetic. Of course times are tough. If you want my advice, get out there and follow your dreams, it works. Those of a more nervous disposition may want to try and keep a steady job. Could it be clearer?03 May 09 17:04
By liz heald
to enough is enough, people have there own opinions on the conduct of the upper managment on how they have handled these redundancies, personally i think its been handles poorly and the people effected are within there rights to express their displeasure, if your tired of hearing about it then please save yourself the trouble of reading this thread and focus your attentions on something more productive!03 May 09 17:31
By Waterstones Bookseller
Headoffice and the managers may have known how badly the hub would affect the staff but not the staff in question. I join the branch I work in as a Christmas Temp on a part-time contract but I have always worked full-time to this day. The branch that I currently work in is already under staffed and we are losing one full-timer and one-part timer. I don't know how we are going to cope. What I'm most piss off about is waiting to find out if I still have a job for another week and having to go through an interview again for the job that I already have for a decision which has probably already being made.03 May 09 17:42
By anon
Correct when you say that redundancies were reigned in - initial guidelines had the stores being very strict on hitting targets sent by HO (PT/FT spilt, shopfloor covers, length of shift). They panicked when they saw the number of redundancies coming and had the managers ease off. Senior management of opinion to take the hit now and reduce numbers rather than have to repeat process in July. Board members etc worried about effect on group share price.03 May 09 19:31
By Jolly Roger
This is very sad. When Gerry too over there was a real hope that things would change for the better Three years on, the company is unhappier than ever. What has gone wrong? The current reinterviewing process has an unpleasant hidden agenda, which is to manage underperforming members of staff out of the business. Gerry likes to talk about passion, but he seems more interested in compliance. Waterstone's have seen their profits nosedive and given their dull, lacklustre campaigns and control-freak attitude to the shops, I can't see a happy ending to this story.03 May 09 21:23
By Anon
I don't think that it's "underperforming" full-timers that are being culled. I'm afraid that it's more likely to be the long serving, once loyal, dedicated staff, the ones who care enough to protest about a once decent company running itself into the ground. If Waterstone's could identify the staff posting on these forums thay'd probably sack us all without any redundancy payment at all or am I just being paranoid? Everyone being made redundant should place a few exception orders for Ray Hollingsworth' s books before we go!03 May 09 22:51
By A. Bookseller
To my fellow Waterstoners: once the initial shock and disruption have worn off I think we'll be in a much better position. I find it very difficult to take issue with any of the changes that have been implemented over the last 18 months, although obviously I'm disapointed that redundancies are necessary. But I still think it's a great job and a good company to work for. It's just a shame that this period of uncertainty has stretched on for so long. It would have been better to have no announcement until the hub was ready for a national roll out, rather than this pointless consultation period, which from the reports I've heard from our forum representative has been hijacked by loudmouths protesting about the job cuts instead of getting us booksellers concrete, useful information about how it will affect our daily jobs ~ ordering, shelving and most importantly SELLING BOOKS!!04 May 09 00:23
By Dr Spaceman
Disillusioned WSBoy - Excellent post. You're my new hero.04 May 09 09:26
By EX-METHVENS
If big W wants to survive with any kind of reputation as a decent bookshop then maybe the way to improve profits is to stop with all the crazy discounting. Sell decent books at full price and leave the celebrity fodder to the supermarkets. Most people who shop in bookshops want choice,service and staff who sound as if they know and care about the product they are selling. The days of volume selling are over. When disposable income is tight people are careful with their spending, but that doesn't mean they necessarily want to buy cheap 3 for 2 deals or the latest celebrity chef offering at less than cost. Give people a wide choice of good books. Sell them at full price, there is no need to de-value your product. Let the supermarkets sell the top 20 bestsellers as loss leaders - in fact don't stock them, don't play the discount game. Return to bookselling as it once was and remind people of the value of a good book, still fantastic value at full price. The best asset of any business has to be good staff, once again it looks like the good ones on the shop floor are bein g lost due to the bad ones at HO. Good luck to you all04 May 09 09:53
By Ex Books Etc Girl
This all must be even worse for the ex-Ottaker's employees who had to got through the whole interview-for-your-own-job drama when they were taken over by Waterstone's. We felt lucky to avoid that in September, it would be awful to have to go through it twice.04 May 09 12:55
By Mr C.Norris
If you ask me, it won't be long before Waterstone's is turned into nothing but a book supermarket, with niche or older titles not sold and a concentration on nothing but the new titles, discounted offers and 'core' fiction titles... Oh, wait... they already are. Well, at least we all know where to get the new Dan Brown and Katie Price novels.04 May 09 19:31
By Marky Mark and his Funky Bunch
From what I've heard, the current HUB stores are having numerous problems and many are getting stock direct from the publishers/vendors to bypass these issues... I have never understood the point of the HUB anyway; surely it takes more time in ordering the books, getting them sent to the HUB and then sent on to stores? I live near an ex-Books Etc that is now a Waterstone's, and the staff look thoroughly depressed every time I go in... and seemingly have nothing else to do but sticker and desticker promotional books.04 May 09 19:35
By realist
There are many many good points being made throughout this thread, but nobody has mentioned some obvious points. We are enduring a tough time in the booktrade and like everyone else we have to cut our cloth to reflect this environment. The wider fear is that bricks and mortar booksellers may struggle to recover in our increasingly price/internet driven market. The facts remain that Watersones are a large enough business to make a "Hub" a viable option, and redistribution of payroll spend was always going to be an inevitable part of that change. Retail staffing is determined by setting pay-to-sales targets and for a long time Waterstones (in my experience) has seen considerably higher %'s than other chains - so a redistribution/trim was always likely. None of these things make the current process more palatable, and I make no comment on how it was communicated etc because I just don't know - but the fact remains that businesses have to adjust to the environment - and in our trade we always seem to react to such occurances in the same way..... We assume books are intrinsically different; we blame faceless "management" at Head Office; we bemoan the loss of the Net Book Agreement etc etc... What we really need to be doing is selling more books (and not by Ray Hollingsworth as he doesn't deserve our support).04 May 09 19:39
By anon
At a BM meeting last week we were told to proceed with selection interviews as quickly as possible. Most of the managers in the room knew exactly whom they were going to fire. Several talked about how to proceed through the 'selection'process so that least favourite difficult staff failed to make the cut. Sure that info will come in useful in the huge number of employment tribunals to come. RMs are feeling the pressure to get us to make the cuts as they are all jobsworths whom are impotent in the face of the DMs (uber-jobsworths) and senior team. The bottom line is to remove from the store teams relatively expensive senior staff and replace with cheaper new staff (all on minimum wage) - after all they only want stock monkeys and check out operators. HO have no respect for the skills of experienced staff and believe that the stores will be just as interesting no matter whom is there. Glad my notice runs out in 2 weeks time. Only very sorry to leave staff behind. Hopefully 2 will come with me and will keep their love of bookslelling and not just pondland-style retailing.04 May 09 20:10
By Brentford Worker
And still Gerry 'how many salaries would your bonus cover?' Johnson is hiding behind the supposed consultation process and refusing to comment. If he is that determined to cut costs perhaps he could look at the ridiculous wastage at head office.04 May 09 21:14
By A. Bookseller
From my point of view, anon, I would hope that it is the most "difficult" members of staff that come out bottom of the selection process. As an ex-Ottakar's we are still carrying a fair amount of dead weight, and while this is unfortunate for them as individuals, from the perspective of those of us who have embraced the transition to Waterstone's it's ultimately a good thing04 May 09 23:04
By Gerry's Pot Belly
I hope Gerry -the man, they myth, the legend- is looking at these posts and deducing which staff of his are writing on here; I'm sure they'll be up against the wall and ready for redundancy first! Aren't booksellers always claiming to be intelligent? Stop biting the hand that feeds.05 May 09 12:56
By WstoneLondon
6 FT staff in my store - 3 redundancies and in discussion with RM today it has NOTHING to do with economy......Tell us the truth and we will respect you all much more. Also launched the staff opinion survey at the end of last week - management are bonused on this....... Store teams being ripped to pieces yet can afford to have staff at HO spending time writing nonsense on the company intranet. Forget about the 'Microsites' and invest resources wher they matter - a the front line. If I have to see another weekly news with sarcastic comments from HO about events I will explode. Clear a level of management out of the company (what does an RM do??) and let us just sell books in our stores. That is what we excel at not changing windows and FOS bay plans every day................05 May 09 20:33
By Howard Langston
Why did Waterstone's take-on several more stores towards the end of last year (Books Etc stores in the London region) if they had been planning this HUB thing and knew profits were not looking good and job losses were inevitable? From what I've seen (and I've been a regular Waterstone's customer for many years) the staff are getting more demoralised as every day passes... even I, a mere customer, notice the amount of promotional changes that are made on a monthly and weekly (and sometimes daily!) basis. I think booksellers, in all companies, are a brilliant resource for customers and deserve a little respect. It is rare to find a bookseller who isn't passionate and informed about their work but this whole job losses fiasco will do nothing but send the experienced members of staff running, leaving stores to be populated by nothing more than literate shelf-stackers and barcode swipers. I shall be cutting-up my Waterstone's loyalty card in disgust.06 May 09 13:33
By Another Bookseller
As a former Ottakar's manager I am appalled at the way the re-interview process is applied to hard-working, dedicated staff who have to go for their jobs up against students who joined at xmas as a "stop-gap" and "just stayed on". Similarly, I am astonished that the 2nd branch of Waterstones in my town is just culling it's Goods-in staff and keeping other staff without interviews whereas we at our staff - in the same town - have to re-interview for our jobs and have sleepless nights for the next month or so. Bring back Ottakar's - they may have had their inconsistencies too - but at least the MD knew the names of most of his staff & treated us all with a bit of dignity.07 May 09 12:56
By D J Monkton
Gerry J doesn't need to know the names of his staff... he employs someone to keep them far enough away from him so that he need never be touched or have any contact with someone so lowly as a bookseller...07 May 09 14:06
By SJockey
Why didn't branch managers just all lie when filling in the recent forms about how long it took to do tasks in store? Surely some of the BMs are to blame too?07 May 09 14:12
By MisterBojangles
It's 'their', not 'there' - about a hundred times. And the rest. Jeezlum crow, can't anyone spell anymore?07 May 09 14:14
By Gerry's Acting Coach
Gerry doesn't have the time to learn names, meet or consider the needs of book sellers as he's too busy making his fabulous videos!07 May 09 18:08
By C. Kassam
Gerry doesn't have time to learn the names of all of his staff because he is too busy defeating Mothra and Mecha-Godzilla.08 May 09 06:10
By Dr Spaceman
Gerry doesn't have time to learn the names of all his staff because he's too busy single-handedly saving the economy.08 May 09 08:01
By Gerry's Acting Coach
In Gerry's office us underlings give him a Jerry Springer style chant of "Gerry! Gerry! Gerry!" to signal his glorious arrival08 May 09 12:07
By Godspeedjon77
Employees need to be treated with more respect, and Waterstone's Head Office need to understand who actually makes money for this company. For a few years now we have been gradually squeezed of any autonomy within branches whilst having to kowtow to Head Office initiatives (the patronising "Get Selling", new contracts and McDonald's style t-shirts to name a few). This consultation period has been a joke whilst goods in and returns staff have been left dangling with uncertainty over the future of their jobs. A lot of experienced staff are about to be made redundant (although haven't even been told as of yet), leaving branches with staff having much less knowledge. From the start ALL booksellers in each branch should have been placed in a pool together and graded according to their skills and loyalty etc. not just where the number of redundancies exceeds the number of goods in and returns staff. This would have been much fairer and ensured we kept the best staff for each branch, and ultimately helped the company through this time of change. I feel that the way Waterstone's have handled this situation has damaged irreparably the relationship between staff and head office. How this plays out in the future is something they will all have to contend with and ultimately something that could have been avoided with better management from above. I hope this venture to fluff out Gerry Johnson's CV was worth it when he jumps ship and a once respected company falls down around their feet.08 May 09 13:55
By Dr Spaceman
I think all branches should be issued with a big 'W' spotlight, so we can call on Gerry in any time of crisis.08 May 09 14:09
By An angry 'Getseller'
Seriously, is ANYONE actually experiencing this supposed collapse of sales that we've had rammed down our throat? In our store, we're pretty much making just as much as we did last year (sometimes more). We've had our new, reduced budget for the financial year, and already we are up 40% on it, and up 30% on last year. The business isn't floundering, as some will have you believe, which makes the reasons for these redundancies all the more sinister (and if you really believe it's to do with the Hub, our time-freeing 'saviour', I laugh you out of the proverbial room). Just like McDonald's staff require no cooking skills (no offence meant), Waterstone's is being stripped of book knowledge. Forget it if you can put a book into the hands of a reluctant reader; you need to shove that Loyalty Card/Linksave book/Quarterly Magazine/Bag into their hands. This is a massive mistake. Although other retailers like McDonald's can work on a system that requires no particular skill or autonomy, because of the very nature of it's factory-line like process, Waterstone's stores can't. Books are all about their content. A customer asking for books similar to, say, Martina Cole, or novels which are comedy family sagas, is like asking a McDonald's staff to recommend a meal with a salty yet chunky texture, and sour tang. A bookseller is equipped to give such detailed assistance, and it's in danger of being lost. I'm not saying all product knowledge is being thrown out the window at once, but as some have pointed out, the introduction of uniforms and the patronising 'Get Selling' are signs of that slippery slope. And what's all this talk of surviving the recession? As if it's going to last for a decade. The Powers That Be may believe they're doing the company a long-term favour by trimming the 'fat', but what happens when things begin to look up, and we can begin employing at sane levels again? All that bookseller knowledge, lost, and most likely never to return. To survive against the competition (especially online), Waterstone's needs to differentiate itself from Amazon, point out it's USPs, show it's customers why they should come into stores as oppose to shop on the web (customer service, real humans to talk to, a knowledgable team, the ability to browse extensive backlists and impulse buy, freindly store ambience, tailored assistance and recommendations). Instead, they're making themselves more and more like a faceless, alienating McBookstore. To close this little rant, a warning: Tim Waterstone set up this bookselling empire after leaving WHSmith angry at the way they ran things. If they keep this up, some knowledgable, skilled and bitter redundant will end up repeating history. Never before has irony been so clearly defined.08 May 09 22:18
By Brighton Rocks
Apparently the Conference was "fantastic" this week and the BM's are all going back to the branches to rally the troops and get Gerrys' message across. I know all the staff in my branch can't wait to watch the DVD. We really are lucky to have such great RM's and Gerry. We love you !09 May 09 17:45
By Loading Boy
I work full-time in Goods In so my redundancy is probably a certainty. Despite what others have said on this thread, job losses were not mentioned in my store until a few months ago. In fact, I naively believed that the Hub would make my job less stressful, particularly at Christmas, and was a bit disappointed that it wasn't introduced in 2008! It never occurred to me that my job would disappear altogether (and me with it) .More fool me. What burns me is that someone with a record of loyalty and dedication like mine (3 days off sick in 6 years, rarely taken all my holiday entitlement, work late and come in on my days off when neccessary) plus years of experience in retail and customer service is going to be elbowed out in favour of ...what? A couple of teenagers doing 10 hours a week? I read in The Bookseller a few months ago that Waterstones had a plan to reduce floorspace by 10% in the next few years. Seems like the company is laying the groundwork for that. Easier to lay off staff in increments than to get rid of a couple of thousand in go.09 May 09 20:52
By AB
With regard to the forthcoming redundancy issue, the way that the information has filtered down has demonstrated how little regard that the staff are viewed by the company. For five months the threat of redundancy has hung over our heads, with no definite date, as to when the affected staff can try and search for alternative employment which, in the current economic climate, is going to be no easy task, and the longer it is left, the more difficult it will be. Despite numerous requests on many occasions requesting this information, we still have not been given any dates that staff can expect to be made redundant, and although I understand that in light of being paid in lieu of notice, that this information will be given to each member of staff at the last legally possible moment, but at this late stage we can't even be given a date that 'should' any redundancies be occurring, we can expect them to be happening? Personally, I feel as if I have been lied to from the start, first of all there were to be 'no redundancies' and any time I brought the question up with our area manager we were told that we had nothing to worry about. Obviously time has shown this to be a complete lie, and highlights how the upper management feels that it can treat it's staff. I can agree with the idea of the hub in principle, but why does no one acknowledge that with the loss of the Goods In and Returns staff, that the remaining booksellers will have LESS time to serve and assist customers? The time spent moving the skips to the relevant department, raising shortage/damages requests, processing the customer order skips etc. These (plus many other) tasks are ones currently handled by the staff they're getting rid of, and will now be the responsibility of the staff on the shop floor. So not only is Waterstone's getting rid of it's experienced loyal, and in most cases, long term staff, it hasn't even got the decency to give them any information as to when they should be trying to look for future employment, once they are of no further use to them? Having been in full time employment for over 20 years, I have NEVER felt more demotivated, demoralised or devalued, and if that is the company's intention, then it should be very proud of itself.11 May 09 12:17
By Loading Boy
Absolutely AB. Exactly how I feel. The company is always blathering on about how good customer service seperates Waterstones from the competition, but what kind of service will customers get when the staff is composed of a couple of full-time managers and a host of underpaid, overworked, inexperienced youngsters earning a bit of pocket money before going to/leaving University? Not that I've got anything against part-timers - many of ours are excellent. But this isn't like working in McDonalds, where anyone can learn virtually any aspect of the job in a day. You need a hard core of experienced, long-term full timers with a stake in the success of the business .11 May 09 18:40
By Gnome
Nonsense... high street book-selling can be learnt in a month. You all think far too much of your 'skills'. Knowing who wrote an obscure book about Cyprus or reading a lot of imported fiction does not make a successful business - Sales People do. A simple grasp of customer service and the ability to ask questions along with a broad, basic general knowledge is all that is required. Get over yourselves.11 May 09 20:18
By Loading Boy
Well, I was talking less about having read a lot of books and more about life experience, commitment and the ability to deal with people. Something you're less likely to get with a bunch of part-timer youngsters. Although surely having knowledge of something would better enable you to sell it? Interesting to see someone posting on the 'Bookseller' forum holds them all in such contempt though.11 May 09 20:49
By jrhartley
@Gnome -- you missed out the bit about being able to recommend books to parents for their children from personal knowledge. Or the bit about being able to identify a book over three years old from being told a garbled version of the title (from personal knowledge.) Or the bit about customers coming into branch complaining about the lack of knowledge of the youngsters working over the road in a Wholly High Street competitor.11 May 09 22:18
By Dr Spaceman
"Having been in full time employment for over 20 years, I have NEVER felt more demotivated, demoralised or devalued, and if that is the company's intention, then it should be very proud of itself." - Spot on AB13 May 09 09:13
By Gerry's Acting Coach
We also don't know how legitimate these 'redundancy selection interviews' are - we're told they're on a point system of some kind but I wouldn't mind betting the store managers have been told to just cut the most experienced and therefore highsest paid booksellers. Will be interesting to see if that does happen, it will show up yet more lies we've been told over a period of months.15 May 09 10:47
By SPY
Vailed warning at work today from higher managment at big W about making comments these Bookseller Pages.... It seems that they are getting abit hot under the collar upthere in there ivory tower.... keep up the comments and make them hot under the collar.... We still have free speech.... so use it....20 May 09 18:25
By AB
..Be interesting to see how they react to the new Opinion Survey then? I'm quite surprised that they went ahead with it, knowing that the (potential) 650 people they start making redundant (myself included) next Friday will all be making sure that they try and have some final say with regard to the way that this once respected company has lost all comprehension of the fact that a happy workforce equals a happy customer. which obviously equals higher profits? (and therefore an even higher bonus for Gerry Johnson?)21 May 09 10:23
By AB
Does anybody know why some Goods In/Returns staff have been included in the 'selection pool' and others haven't? I've spoken to several other GI staff, who insisted, at the start of consultation, that they be included, whereas It wasn't even mentioned to me that this may be an option? So not only are Waterstone's getting rid of long term experienced staff, but they haven't even got the decency or respect to have any sort of consistency in the way that they're doing it?22 May 09 08:19
By Jo
Three are going at my small branch (I'm one of them). Since there seems to be a great deal of difference in how the process has happened at various branches I'll outline how it's happened with us: The ideal rota was confirmed maybe 3 weeks ago. I was told my hours were being cut, or I would be made redundant. There was no one for me to go into a selection pool with, so it was simply down to my choice. It really was no choice at all so I took redundancy. It was my last day yesterday. Two members of full time staff went into a selection pool together: only one full time position would be left, and the 'loser' of the selection process would be offered reduced hours or redundancy. That process lasted far too long (our regional manager was apparently far too busy to work quickly with the BM over it, and let it drag on). The person who 'lost' chose redundancy. Our goods-in person was left hanging during all of this, since his position depended on the outcome of the selection process between the other 2. If the 'loser' had chosen to take the reduced hours, the goods-in person would have automatically faced redundancy. As they chose redundancy instead, the goods-in person was offered those reduced hours, or redundancy. They chose redundancy. The process has been handled very badly in our branch, with immense amounts of secrecy, letting the process drag on with no thought to people's anxiety, and the feeling of BM versus the rest of us has all but ruined morale for those left behind. Staff have felt undervalued for a long time now, and this whole process has done nothing to help heal wounds. I'm glad I'm out of it now. I wouldn't work for them ever again, despite once loving the job.24 May 09 16:51
By David R N Livesley - Woodstock Vermont
To comment on SPY's observation....It's a shame that the folks in Brentford who are so called 'managing' the business, are seemingly unable to hear let alone effect a change in their restructuring objectives for their staff? It really takes a supreme effort to continue to be so inept in reshaping a business. Well I'm sure one or two of Gerry's sidekicks and maybe indeed the main man himself will be tacking these management skills onto the CV for the headhunters. All I question is how these folks live with themselves? It really takes a supreme team effort to piss so many people off for so long! In my new life as an innkeeper I am focused on CUSTOMER CARE....and we are all customers, whether it be internally or externally. If Willy Walsh can fess up to screwing T5 up for BA, cannot Gerry actually make a statement that is not 'presented and marketed by his 'media' gurus?25 May 09 01:51
By Loading Boy
Starting to think that there's definitely something to this theory that the company wants to get rid of the long-stayers. I wasn't even offered the chance to be in any 'selection pool', just told that I would be the one made redundant. Apparently, under the new rota there weren't enough hours for everyone so someone had to be sacrificed. Although, strangely, there was an 18 hour a week position that I was invited to apply for. As that would cover my rent and not much else, I passed.25 May 09 15:53
By Hub Enabled
A few more days and I will be out of this dreadful company. Since the Ottakars takeover things have gone downhill and morale in our shop is so low.The the four of us who are going, feel sorry for those staff who are left behind. I wish all those being made redundant all the best for the future.25 May 09 19:59
By AB
..well, it's Tuesday morning, and even at this late stage my manager can't even confirm whether, after nearly 11 years service, this is going to be my final week? If so, in four days, I will find myself unemployed, through no fault of my own. Hopefully in six months time, I may actually have a job where the bosses doesn't treat it's staff as some nameless, disposable commodity, and look back and actually thank Waterstone's for giving me a nudge in the right direction, but the realist in me is also aware that I may be in the situation where my redundancy money is about to run out, and I'm worrying as to how I'm going to pay the following months rent? Good luck to all of you who are staying with this 'fine' company. Don't get too comfortable though..as soon as you are no longer 'cost effective' you'll realise just how much 'respect' the company has for you...26 May 09 06:38
By Also Redundant
Just some information for any long serving employees being made redundant. If you worked for WH Smith then make sure that your redundancy package includes your service with them. WH Smith have a more generous redundancy package. Good Luck in finding new jobs27 May 09 09:58
By AB
Nice to see that there's absolutely NO mention in 'Gerry's Weekly Message' regarding the large number of staff that he's forcing into unemplyment in two days time? But then again, I don't really know why I expected there to be? Just the last in a long line of insults to the loyal, hard-working dedicated staff that obviously no longer have a place in the 'Get Selling' Empire.... 'Good Trading' indeed...27 May 09 10:39
By look on the bright side
Guys guys.....no need to worry. It's all been sorted out, Head Office have renamed themselves 'The support centre' so everything's going to be ok ! I felt so much better when Bonnie Tyler told us the good news (on the shiny dvd).03 Jun 09 21:04
By SPY
Thank you Gerry..... Looks like I'm going to have a great summer..... All that sun bathing..... BBQs..... Down the beach..... Wallking in the hills.... Watching the world go by.... Reading all the books that I care to..... Layins in the morning.... Out partying till dawn.... etc.... And all on the Tax Payer.... Your just so kind....04 Jun 09 18:39
By ex 'Stoner
"We have spent the past year rigorously testing the system and while any new system has areas that can be improved, we are satisfied with how it is now." So says Gerry Johnson, this week apparently. Well, quite frankly, he's a rabbit in the headlights and it won't be long before the whole hub system falls apart. With recent further "roll-outs" to more stores suspended due to ever-growing problems, this really is one to watch over the next 3 months or so. The "technical" issues are numerous and the man's getting jittery because less than half the stores are up and, well, not even running, as they're mostly still in the trial stage. All i can say is good luck...04 Jun 09 21:06
By Can'O'Worms
As I've mentioned on another article, the brown stuff is well and truely about to hit the fan with this hub nonsense. You know there's a problem when stores on the hub are contacting stores off of it to stock transfer and order items for them, which the so called hub was supposed to sort out. Now I've heard from a friend that still works at the big W that the reason for this was because the hubs computers were down for two weeks and that they also had to fly in an engineer from Norway to fix a conveyer belt. It's not looking too good for the future of W, I wish you guys and girls still working for them all the best, your going to need it.10 Jun 09 15:54
By Daniel O'Regan
Hey I would like to apply for waterstones in burton can anybody please tell me how to?30 Jul 09 09:26
By TJ
Hmmm, You could try going into the store? Don't know the exact procedure but you could try asking if the have any vacancies (like hotels). a good tip is to try to look smart.30 Jul 09 10:29
