Name and address withheld
Name and address withheld
Sir; I have read the recent correspondence regarding ageism in our industry with growing despair (March 6, p30 and February 28, p27). Sadly ageism is not the only problem. I have found that the supplier side of the grocery industry is behind the times in many aspects of employment practice.
For example The Grocer salary survey focuses mainly on salary, bonuses and pay rises, even though it has been repeatedly shown that salary while being of prime importance in the decision to take a particular job, is just one of several factors influencing satisfaction and generating loyalty. Where are the surveys on training, career development, flexible benefits, working hours, and non-financial recognition?
My own case is just one example. I am a NAM with a good degree, 17 years experience, two promotions in three years, reference letters from my buyers and good sales figures. I have just had a baby and do not want to hand her over to a carer 10 hours a day five days a week for those all-important early years.
I would like to take advantage of the government’s work life balance initiative and the supposed right to work flexibly, but cannot find a company wishing to employ me on a part time or job share basis. I have encountered an ingrained opinion that part-time means low commitment, when in fact quite the reverse would be true.
Is it any wonder that we have trouble recruiting and retaining quality people in our industry?
Sir; I have had the same problem as Mike Taylor for the last 14 months (Letters, The Grocer, February 28, p27). I have been out so long I have now taken up a job as a bus driver! Not bad for a chartered marketer with 20 years of manufacturing sales export experience and two years management consultancy experience.
Name and address withheld
Sir; I have read the recent correspondence regarding ageism in our industry with growing despair (March 6, p30 and February 28, p27). Sadly ageism is not the only problem. I have found that the supplier side of the grocery industry is behind the times in many aspects of employment practice.
For example The Grocer salary survey focuses mainly on salary, bonuses and pay rises, even though it has been repeatedly shown that salary while being of prime importance in the decision to take a particular job, is just one of several factors influencing satisfaction and generating loyalty. Where are the surveys on training, career development, flexible benefits, working hours, and non-financial recognition?
My own case is just one example. I am a NAM with a good degree, 17 years experience, two promotions in three years, reference letters from my buyers and good sales figures. I have just had a baby and do not want to hand her over to a carer 10 hours a day five days a week for those all-important early years.
I would like to take advantage of the government’s work life balance initiative and the supposed right to work flexibly, but cannot find a company wishing to employ me on a part time or job share basis. I have encountered an ingrained opinion that part-time means low commitment, when in fact quite the reverse would be true.
Is it any wonder that we have trouble recruiting and retaining quality people in our industry?
Sir; I have had the same problem as Mike Taylor for the last 14 months (Letters, The Grocer, February 28, p27). I have been out so long I have now taken up a job as a bus driver! Not bad for a chartered marketer with 20 years of manufacturing sales export experience and two years management consultancy experience.
No comments yet