Phil answers your questions

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Published 2 Dec 2022 in Phil's blog

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An exclusive for colleagues each month, this week Phil is answering your questions!

With questions sent in via colleague council, why not submit your questions for next month via your local colleague council representative?

Have a watch of this month's session below with Sophie Heath from HR Support Services:

Click below to jump to the chapters in the video:

00:00 - Intro

00:34 - It is fantastic that the Little Pioneers estate is growing, are there any plans in the near future to open any more Nurseries in the Southern (coastal) region?

01:54 - There is a rumour going around that Central England is buying some of our stores, with Oxley, Codsall and Tenbury mentioned among them. Is there any truth in this?

02:09 - In Support Services, I feel that promotion opportunities are very rare and the turnover of the staff is very high as a result. The “career framework” hasn’t helped the situation and in some areas, it prevents a person from growing within their role. To get promoted it appears individuals need to leave their roles and look at other teams or leave the business. What are your thoughts?

05:45 - Are there any plans in place for our loyal and long-term users of our childcare services to benefit from the enhanced discount offered beyond the 3-year period?

07:40 - Are the prices of our products within Midcounties stores across our regions all the same or do they differ from region to region/store to store/size of the store to size of the store? As I had heard there were some variations. If this is the case, why and by roughly how much and how does this fit with the Co-operative values for all members/customers?

10:02 – How is the Society going to give the cost of living pay rise in line with the rate of inflation at 11.1%? There are many companies offering staff a cost-of-living payment due to the rising cost in cost of living, as a company has this been considered?

12:16 - Phil asks a question to the host

If you enjoyed this week's video blog, why not give it a 'Heart' above or leave a comment below.

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Donna Timmons (FOODRETAIL) 10 Dec 2022 16:35

I'm so happy for all the stores that are having renovation works carried out. I've worked at Haslucks Green store ( I hear you all saying where is that?) for nearly 12 years. For nearly 12 years we have been earmarked for a refit. The shop is dilapidated. The chillers and fridges are outdated, inefficient and grimey. We have to give shelf space to lines that don't sell then end up being drastically reduced or wasted. Bungling incompetence if you ask me.

Phil Ponsonby (CEGOVSEC) 12 Dec 2022 11:13

@Donna Timmons (FOODRETAIL) Donna, thanks for raising this and I will check to see where the store is on the plan and let your manager know accordingly. Getting the right range isn't necessarily dependent on replacing fridges and that can be something looked at straight away. Best wishes Phil

Donna Timmons (FOODRETAIL) 10 Dec 2022 16:23

We advertised for donations to a food bank but the donations were never collected because they didn't know where we are. Therefore we don't collect donations anymore.

Phil Ponsonby (CEGOVSEC) 12 Dec 2022 11:10

@Donna Timmons (FOODRETAIL) Hi Donna, I have asked our community team to look into this. Thanks Phil

Susan Barguss (HR) 5 Dec 2022 13:25

Great questions! We are really pleased that Sophie applied for the ER Advisor secondment opportunity in the HR team, which was not the obvious next step from Executive PA. Sophie has demonstrated the motivation, skills and behaviour that Phil referred to and ability to learn the technical elements which are are teaching as part of her development. I'm excited to see what's next for Sophie as she continues her career in Midcounties.

Jayne Palmer (HR) 5 Dec 2022 09:33

Well done Sophie

Samantha Aldridge (FOODRETAIL) 3 Dec 2022 07:31

I loved that last question - especially on the grounds that we too are in the middle of an extension Sophie !! Lights on the scaffolding this year !!! And with the change to opening hours there's definitely no Co-op Christmas Grinch this year

Ian Whitmarsh (TRAVEL) 2 Dec 2022 14:10

Why do we still have no heating in our branch, it has now been over 4 years and it’s freezing? We now only have one small fan heater on the shop floor since the plug melted on our second small heater last week! Many thanks. Lydney Travel.