The Reality of Working for a Supermarket in 2009/Return to Victorian Britain

tesuhoha

abaxas wrote: »

I was a Tesco warehouse worker. Maybe that is the bit you are missing?

So were you treated in exactly the same way?

wageslave

abaxas wrote: »

I was a Tesco warehouse worker. Maybe that is the bit you are missing?

Were you working under these conditions or are they reserved for agency workers?

I am extremely interested in the answer

abaxas

wageslave wrote: »

Were you working under these conditions or are they reserved for agency workers?

I am extremely interested in the answer

Yes, I was agency.

I worked as a large tescos warehouse in the early 90s. I'd probably go as far to say that the conditions were worse than described above. My only job was to fill cages then pass them to someone else who would load onto the lorry. You had to work as fast as the product came to you.

The difference was that I was prepared to graft hard (I was young etc) hence the work found me. Others who couldnt hack it, left or magically didnt get offered the hours.

I'm not saying it's was a nice experience, but when you need money you do what is necessary, as it was never going to be a career.

Saying that, the worse place I ever had the misfortune of working at was a supplier of Nissan. They used to have a knack of finding people who a love of speed (ie amphetamies) as they were always able to work harder! One of the data entry guys had more toilet breaks than he worked, but magically did about twice as much as everyone else!

tesuhoha

abaxas wrote: »

Yes, I was agency.

I worked as a large tescos warehouse in the early 90s. I'd probably go as far to say that the conditions were worse than described above. My only job was to fill cages then pass them to someone else who would load onto the lorry. You had to work as fast as the product came to you.

The difference was that I was prepared to graft hard (I was young etc) hence the work found me. Others who couldnt hack it, left or magically didnt get offered the hours.

I'm not saying it's was a nice experience, but when you need money you do what is necessary, as it was never going to be a career.

Saying that, the worse place I ever had the misfortune of working at was a supplier of Nissan. They used to have a knack of finding people who a love of speed (ie amphetamies) as they were always able to work harder! One of the data entry guys had more toilet breaks than he worked, but magically did about twice as much as everyone else!

Yes, but this person is young and prepared to graft hard. Its not that he can't hack it, its that they are laying off everyone who works there eventually because no one can keep up with the rate of work they expect, no one can manage 200%. its not humanly possible. They are treating people like slaves and sack them without good reason, not because they cant hack the work. Apparently the only people that are holding down jobs there are on steroids. Surely that cant be right?

Afriend_2

tesuhoha wrote: »

its that they are laying off everyone who works there eventually because no one can keep up with the rate of work they expect, no one can manage 200%. its not humanly possible.

In fact, anything over 100% isn't humanly possible.

Davesnave

abaxas wrote: »

But in the past I've worked for BT, a much worse enviroment :P

Strange, I know someone who works for BT. Seems to like it. They, in turn, have accommodated his difficulties, caused through having a particular medical problem.

Tesco and BT are both huge organisations, so it's not possible to know about every job within them. You could work for some organisations and never see their 'Dark Side.'

However, Tesco is so well documented for going close to the edge in its pursuit of profit, many have individually decided to act, by voting with their feet.

http://www.tescopoly.org/

abaxas

Afriend wrote: »

In fact, anything over 100% isn't humanly possible.

Sadly not true becasue it depends on what it is relative too.

Giving 200% is fine, when your working at 25% normally (public sector workers).

Or when there is some kind of time space distortion and your travelling near the speed of light etc.

vivatifosi

I would write to the director responsible for Corporate Social Responsibility at Tesco. If it is Tesco and they are employing an agency, they may be unaware (or turn a blind eye) to the practices of the agency. Tesco commissioned a survey of its shoppers and found that they were highly interested in corporate ethics (ranking them above envrionmental issues). It has already taken steps against contractors that have broken this. It may be worth reminding them of their own CSR report which states:

Suppliers are required to meet our expectations on quality and value – as well as on hygiene, environmental, animal welfare and labour standards.

http://www.investis.com/plc/cr09/crr09.pdf

mewbie_2

Afriend wrote: »

In fact, anything over 100% isn't humanly possible.

Overtime..

wageslave

abaxas wrote: »

Sadly not true becasue it depends on what it is relative too.

Giving 200% is fine, when your working at 25% normally (public sector workers).

Or when there is some kind of time space distortion and your travelling near the speed of light etc.

You are coming across less like a warehouse worker and more like a judge on X Factor. They struggle with percentages too.