| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 12/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 2 |
| Copyright: Other |
Retailer accused of failing to communicate with employees over job losses
Managers hit out at Thomas Cook over treatment of staff
Report by JEREMYSKIDMORE
THOMAS Cook managers have attacked the retailer over its treatment of staff following the decision to axe 38 shops (Travel Weekly May 29).Several managers have contacted Travel Weekly claiming Thomas Cook has failed to communicate with them effectively or offer jobs to all those affected by the closures.
“I’ve been offered the statutory redundancy of £4,500, or told I could have a sales staff job as a sort of holding position until something else came up and would I be prepared to travel? To me that is not a choice.”
Another manager told us:”I just don’t know what the position is. I’m waiting for someone to come and talk to me and it’s left a bitter taste. Most of the junior sales staff have already gone.”
But Thomas Cook managing director retail Manny Fontenla-Novoa defended its handling of the situation and said there were still jobs on offer for all staff.
“The staff are the most important people to us and we feel we have dealt with it properly,” he said.
“Legally we have to offer people redundancy but there will be jobs for everyone who wants to stay on. At the moment I have 33 managers and only 10 vacancies but when other vacancies come up they will be given priority.
“Many of the junior staff have moved on but in an industry such as this, there is a high turnover and they have found other jobs. But those who want to stay on with us will be able to.”
All but one of the 38 shops were Carlson shops inherited following the merger of Carlson and Thomas Cook but Fontenla-Novoa said there was no hidden agenda in the closures.
“We reviewed the whole business for a year and then made closures based on trading figures.
“It’s all about location. Some of these shops were too near others or not in prime locations. There are many (former) Carlson shops which are actually performing very well for us.”
Waiting room: some managers have been offered jobs as sales staff until vacancies arise