Thomas Cook methods alienate employees

Thomas Cook methods alienate employees

I feel compelled to write to you having just read the story about Thomas Cook’s senior management in Cutting Edge and the letter sent in by a branch manager (Travel Weekly October 23).

I have recently left the company, after 12 years service, four of which were as branch manager.

During the past 18 months and after the merger with Carlson, the companies values and principles have changed enormously.

I remember when a branch manager was made to feel very special. I was given full autonomy of running the branch as my own business and whatever creative ideas, marketing ventures or recruitment solutions I had, my regional manager listened, gave advice and authorised.

I was allocated a company car allowance which was an extra £3,000 per annum and was not required to wear the standard uniform.

In March last year, the company merged with Carlson and the first thing to go was the car allowance, this had a major impact on my personal circumstances as I am a single parent with no other source of income. This was covered up by targeting all the managers to achieve a level of profit that would pay a bonus at the year end. The issue was that a new pay structure was launched alongside this change and we were promised targets would be promptly launched to us.

Nearly six months into the trading year we were given the targets. This was not acceptable. At the same time, a major reshuffle of regions took place and many vacancies were created for regional sales managers. Unfortunately, the company decided to give these very important roles to candidates that, frankly, should never have been put in these positions.

My regional sales manager was patronising, didn’t listen, didn’t recognise good performance and shouldn’t have been in that job.

I had a three branch visits in a whole year. How can a regional sales manager show enthusiasm in such a short space of time?

It was frustrating to learn that two weeks after I handed in my notice, my regional sales manager recruited a customer service manager without a travel background on £900 less than I was on.

Name and address withheld