Staff cuts at Debenhams?

datal · 09-10-2006, 11:32

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned before, but has anyone else noticed the staff cuts in other large retail stores.
I was in Debenhams yesterday....... Down in the mens dept, picked some items to buy & looked for the usual counter to pay......It wasn't there!!! & after getting annoyed & disorientated & had to ask someone to direct me to the one new pay desk..... usual staff gone, although the 'very young' staff behind the counter were reasonably helpful.
Aah well.... 'Sign of the times' Eh?

nick2 · 09-10-2006, 11:36

I think it's because you were in the mens department, there are always plenty of staff in the womens departments.

YakQueudrue · 09-10-2006, 11:55

And it was a Sunday.

nick2 · 09-10-2006, 12:00

I don't know why most of the stores in town bother opening on Sunday, they can't possibly make enough to cover their costs from the odd wandering shopper.

CorpG · 09-10-2006, 12:01

As someone who used to work on the mens department I can confirm the amount of tills available is the same, but instead of being split over two till points they were merged into 1 about 2 years ago, apparently having one large till point is better than 2 smaller ones.

As for staffing, the amount of staff has reduced over the years and due to budget cuts staff were leaving and not being replaced immediately. Some evenings there were only 2 of us running the whole floor, and if someone needed the toilet I was left on my own to man the tills, the fitting rooms, serve customers on formal shirts, sell luggage...

Im glad I dont work there now.

Carmine · 09-10-2006, 12:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorpG

As someone who used to work on the mens department I can confirm the amount of tills available is the same, but instead of being split over two till points they were merged into 1 about 2 years ago, apparently having one large till point is better than 2 smaller ones.

As for staffing, the amount of staff has reduced over the years and due to budget cuts staff were leaving and not being replaced immediately. Some evenings there were only 2 of us running the whole floor, and if someone needed the toilet I was left on my own to man the tills, the fitting rooms, serve customers on formal shirts, sell luggage...

Im glad I dont work there now.

Then you get the chuff in who wants you to pretend to be their personal shopper for the next three hours!

Xmas is the best time for that one...b*stards!

CorpG · 09-10-2006, 12:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carmine

Then you get the chuff in who wants you to pretend to be their personal shopper for the next three hours!

Xmas is the best time for that one...b*stards!

Yep. Which one of these 25 ties looks best with this shirt?

Carmine · 09-10-2006, 12:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorpG

Yep. Which one of these 25 ties looks best with this shirt?

My spleen venting come from time spent working at a major booksellers in town. Place is heaving with aggravated shoppers and staff and I'm being asked to hand-pick twelve books for this woman's grandchildren!

If the place had been quiet it would have been a pleasure.

But as it was the experience was something akin to root-canal surgery without anasthetic on a crowded bus in the rush hour.

datal · 09-10-2006, 13:29

Lolz to all

Elphi 24 · 09-10-2006, 17:21

hiya - i dont think the cuts have been intentional - the long opening hours has meant that a lot of staff have left and they are struggling to recruit and if they do, its young inexperienced staff.

Missdan · 09-10-2006, 17:46

I can never find a paypoint in Debenhams at Meadowhall, and when I finally do, after walking round in circles, there is usually a queue. I avoid that shop if at all possible.

viking · 09-10-2006, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazel 51

I can never find a paypoint in Debenhams at Meadowhall, and when I finally do, after walking round in circles, there is usually a queue.

Just walk out past that Buzzer thing. They will find YOU.

Missdan · 09-10-2006, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by viking

Just walk out past that Buzzer thing. They will find YOU.

Might just try that.......not

viking · 09-10-2006, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazel 51

Might just try that.......not

Stop moaning then.

okka north · 10-10-2006, 19:30

Perhaps people just don't want to work there, just a thought.

If_Only · 24-10-2006, 16:47

I'm working there this Xmas.
Love it aswell

Missdan · 24-10-2006, 17:07

Debenhams is always difficult to find a paypoint. I too get disorientated in there. I have found lately that Marks & Spencers have done the same thing and moved paypoints, then when you find one there's a queue about 20 dep as I found last week, I put dowm my perspective purchase and walked out.

satman2222 · 24-10-2006, 17:31

Try finding a till at Sports World in Meadowhall - they are all about 3 miles away at the back of the store!!

jojostyle · 29-10-2006, 15:23

i worked in debs about 4yrs ago in the lighting dept only on a sunday i was 35 yrs old on less than £5 an hour ( student at the time ) I was the only one in that department brill but when i left they took on a 16 yr old who had just left school no customer skills poor thing had not a clue ( i poped in for a look )but then again they could pay her even less money than paid me if they could employ a 13 yr old they prob would even less money more profit forget the customers they do not count as long as they made profits.

Rich · 29-10-2006, 15:26

I did a work experience placement in Debenhams in Town just over 10 years ago, worked 1 day a week on a Friday in what was then their Toy Department on the third floor, Loxley College careers bloke tried to get me more days working, and they didn't want to know... For god sake I was working for free!

If they don't want someone to work more than one day a week for nowt, I can't imagine how they treat their PAID staff!