My Wife has just been given a verbal warning for not selling enough shoe care.

She currently works for 4 hours a week in our local Clarkes Shoes. She's had the job for about two years and basically she does it to get out the house for a bit. She enjoys going in each Saturday and doing her 'bit'.

A few weeks ago the staff were told where told they had to improve there shoe care sales and if not then this would happen. They were each given a target to meet which everyone has failed to meet, hence everyone has been given verbal warnings. They have also been told that if there sales do not improve in the next four weeks then they will be getting written warnings !

My query is, are the company able to use the disciplinary procedure in this way ? I assume she will have an appeal procedure ??? I personally am livid and the wife is a little scared they are going to sack her. I cannot believe they can treat a 32 year old wife/mother of two in this way an are able to get away with it !

Oh, it was noted that she was one of the few that had increased her shoe care sales but as she had not reached her target she still got the warning !

Cheers

 

I always refuse the shoe care products when I buy new shoes, as a matter of principle. I feel sorry for your missus fella, that's almost classed as bullying trying to force them to flog the 'extras'.

 

She's just got in an I asked to read her letter but has not been given one. I was also under the impression that a verbal warning had to be confirmed in writing ?

 

Andy, Sounds a load of shit to me mate!!! Its pathetic at just the fact she has got a verbal for not selling enough shoe care!!!! If they are so bothered about flogging more then who ever is incharge should be out there flogging it them selves and then see how many they sell!! In terms of if they can do it or not is a different matter!! Has she got a contract with them? Does it say how much shoe care she had to sell? if not...did they give it to her in writting/amend her contract to say you have to sell X amount more of shoe care? If not mate they havent a leg to stand on!!! Personally I would tell your miss's to stick it right up ther jacksy, and get another job (appreciate its easier said than done) But as a straight forward answer...No they cant. It HAS to be in writting of what they are expecting from her!! If it was then unfortunatly they can do what they want. (doesnt mean to say you cant make there life difficult in the process....just go for bullying in the work placement!!! works a treat!!)

Good luck

 

I would ring Clarks HQ and see if it is company policy or whether it is the muppet of a manager. I agree it sucks and if I was her I would work there but do the bare minimum, and direct people to other shoe shops!

 

If no one meets the target, then written warnings are next?

If still no one meets the target, 2nd writtten?

If still no one meets the target, disciplinary?

If still no one meets the target, DISMISS EVERYONE?

I don't think so.

If the Branch Manager is on a target and the branch fail that target, the Manager will be the first to go.

.

 

For the sake of 4 hours a week, I'd shoe horn an ice cream up the Managers arse!

No pointing getting a headache over it. It can be disciplinary for not meeting company targets, expectations, etc

 

Best bet for her mate is to ring the companys HR department and see what they say, dont bother asking the manager if he's the one who's spilling all this target bullshit!!

Its a bit harsh to say the least to do that, many many years ago when i worked in my cousins shoe shop when i was still at school everyweek they would work out who sold the most accessories/shoe care etc and you would get a perk for doing it!!

If its not actually in her contract to do that then i cant see how they can get away with it but like i say mate 1 call to HR can solve most things

 

Same as others have said, for 4 hours a week what's the worst they can do. I would just ignore it, it aint worth the stress for being there that amount of time.

 

With the best will in the world if people don't want to buy something that's that.
Not through incompetence if the sales figures aren't met.
Would ignore it personally.

 

upsell!!!! its total bollocks!! But if they decide to make an example out of someone you dont want it to be your wife mate.

you could always buy some shoe care products yourself? or sell it to people on here??? or not!!

 

I am sure they are not alowed to do that.

I am sure you can fuck them for that.

 

She'll have to sign to accept the warning otherwise how can they prove she's had one.

I'm currently on my second verbal warning?!? Lol and my boss has told me next is my final written!
I aint signed fuck all therefor i havent had fuck all

 

im with this dude,id be down their giving them a round of fucks and stick their job up there arse swiftly followed by my foot.

 

maybe they going under or trying to get everyone to quit so they can employ 16 year olds on minimum wage.....

 

If they are saying the employess will get a warning for not improving their sales and it will change from the words the employers have had with them then they need to have an updated contract stating this in black and white otherwise no employee can appeal againts it if the rule doesnt apply to a binding and legally written contract.. Wan**s

 

As said, ring up their HR dept head and ask if this is allowed, maybe the manager is just being a prick and trying to put the frighteners up his staff to get them to sell more.

If the manager is trying to be smart then it's time to get a complaint in (and the other staff too) as in effect thats intimidation/bullying.

Dan

 

Im still seething !

But the missus wont have any of it. Her stance is just ignore it an its scare tactics. If anything happens in four weeks time then it'll be a different matter.

 

In a sales role, if you don't sell you get binned. That's just the way it is. Targets and priorities change every year, as do payment plans. If you don't like it you go do something else.

For four hours a week I'd tell them to stick it, but of she really enjoys what she does, she could try to push the shoe care in a more fun way - instead of the boring "Would you like some polish?", she could try opening her conversation with the punters by telling them how she used this really great stuff and it's made her shoes softer/shinier/longer wearing/whatever. It was only Ł3.99 and it's changed her life! Then show the punter the shoes with a wee line like "That stuff I was telling you about would be really good on these".

It might or might not work, but at least she can have a laugh trying.

 

Aint Clark's in the shit?
Possible ploy to put staff on warnings if redunancies are imminent.

 

sounds to me like a way to get rid of people without a pay off. Bit underhand if you ask me. for 4 hours a week I would not get stressed over it.

Contact HQ, if he is in the wrong inform all the staff, laught at the boss and tell him to fekooof.

I am sure there are lots of places she could do a few hours a week, if the money is not the issue, then why not do some voluntary work?

 

Yeah but its blatent lies Some people working in retail still have some morals left.............

 

Was she invited in writing to attend a disiplinary meeting???? If not they haven't followed procedure and she is also allowed to take a witness in there with her and there should be someone taking notes which are to be written up and given to your wife (plus a copy in her record)...... If none of that has heppened/offered they ain't got a leg to stand on.


Steve

 

If the stuff really does make shoes shinier/softer/whatever, where's the lie?

 

That's exactly what I thought ! I haven't been involved in employment disputes for a while so was a little rusty and thought perhaps things ha changed , but obviously not !

They just took her in the office and said shes got a verbal warning, no written anything. Fools !

 

Warnings for consistently failing to meet sales targets is fair enough, but if NOONE is doing it then the problem is obviously elsewhere.

Perhaps your wife could speak to the boss and offer up the idea of a group brainstorming session to figure out why the sales are not happening and/or ask for advice from the management.

 

I got a verbal warning where i used to work of having elvis style hair and sideburns. pmsl

 

where our lass works for british gas its the same if you dont sell you get warning then sack so i would think its right

 

They are fucked then!!!!!