7 replies to this topic

[GMO]

I have seen some shocking behaviour in the UK food industry when it comes to staff. There has been bullying, discussions about how much 'hassle' it is to have a pregnant woman in the team, lack of openness to any work / life balance, high prevalence of people with depression etc. It's got GMO a bit downhearted and jaded with the industry to be honest.

This is all anti what the British food industry started off as. Originally, several companies were started by Quakers or forward thinking industrialists who provided housing, schooling, a sense of community etc. That's probably taking it too far but what I want to know is, are there still food industries out there with a genuine caring side who believe that supporting their staff gets the best out of them?

[Charles.C]

Dear GMO,

This is an extremely tempting thread. I am reviewing my history of accumulated daggers.

My off-the-cuff answer to your question is - Yes, but they have all gone to the wall. Or perhaps to Wales. (I can see Cazx reading this thread )

Rgds / Charles.C

[cazyncymru]

Well it ain't the one i currently work for!!

Quakers? mmm mine must be w*****s!

gizusajob someone????????

Edited by cazyncymru, 27 May 2008 - 01:55 PM.

[GMO]

Perhaps I'll start another thread...

[Penard]

To me it's a sociological question; the environment of our factories acts upon the behaviour of our bosses. So old 'quakers' behaviours don't exist anymore - even though you still have some of those quite old bosses.

Something else which can influence these changes : it becomes more and more difficult to hire a regular and good employee - butchers, employees for cleaning and disinfection...More and more managers have big difficulties with employees for a daily work, so I think management aren't as involved as before in relationship with their employees.

Last, we still have the 'chinese threat' : factories, managers try increasingly to become more competitive/ all costs, human costs are the most expensive. But I don'"t think 'chinese threat' is a bad thing for all of us. In France (and I think it's the same thing in all Europ) every worker is worried because they do not see what they will do in 10 years for example.

So human factor and the 'quaker behaviour' disappeared; agree with GMO, I dislike this evolution, unfortunately I'm not sure it will change in the next few years. Hope european agriculture program won't change too much in Europ, otherwise I think we won't have any reliable food industry...and definitely we won't have 'quakers' anymore!!

Regards,

Emmanuel.

[Simon]

Perhaps I'll start another thread...

You did and I think I may have deleted the wrong one, sorry GMO.
I changed the title to try and compensate.

Simon

[GMO]

I think you killed the conversation Simon!

[Simon]

I think you killed the conversation Simon!

I don't have much ability, but in conversation killing I'm World Class!