Phil's Video Update

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Published 15 May 2020 in Phil's blog

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Ahead of Your AGM 2020 tomorrow, today's update is from our Group CEO Phil Ponsonby, please see his video update below to all colleagues:

As Phil has said in the video, many thanks for your continued hard work and support. This is genuinely appreciated. As always, we welcome your thoughts and feedback, which can be left at the bottom of the page as a comment.

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April Brannen (FOODRETAIL) 17 May 2020 20:00

With all the staff that has worked really hard the past 8 weeks and a lot of staff I work with who have only had 1 day off since this started think it's unfair that the closing time has gone to 10pm already. At least when we close at 8 staff could still enjoy some of there evening. And Sales are still high even closing 2 hours earlier. Thanks April

John Street (CEGOVSEC) 18 May 2020 17:08

@April Brannen (FOODRETAIL) April, Thanks for your comments, I have asked your District Manager to contact you to address the issues that your store is experiencing and how we can best support. Regards, John

Karen Whatling (FOODRETAIL) 17 May 2020 11:29

Bit disappointed that the extra discount has now been stopped, and only given on pay day weekend, I feel as employees we should receive this all the time , at the moment we get the same discount as students, and also the elderly on diamond discount day, I feel that we deserve it all the time

Phil Ponsonby (CEGOVSEC) 17 May 2020 12:47

@Karen Whatling (FOODRETAIL) Hi Karen, thanks for your thoughts. Clare Moore is looking at benefits as part of a wider review. 3000 colleagues have completed the survey. I expect Clare will come up with some new recommendations soon. Best wishes Phil

Jess Buckmore (CHILDNURSE) 18 May 2020 17:35

@Phil Ponsonby (CEGOVSEC) some staff members are still waiting for collegue cards so havnt even had the opportunity to use any discount during this time .

John Street (CEGOVSEC) 19 May 2020 18:22

@Jess Buckmore (CHILDNURSE) Jess, This is being investigated and will be resolved as soon as possible. Regards, John

Lindsay Pearce (FOODRETAIL) 16 May 2020 21:53

Colleagues are very grateful for the increased pay and its extension. All of us at Tamworth Food want to say a huge thank you for all of the measures that have been put in place to keep us safe (PPE, floor stickers, plastic units around the till area...) we know a lot of money has been spent on these and we want you to know they are greatly received. Finally thank you to our local suppliers who have helped fill some of our availability issues during this uncertain time.

Lisa (FOODRETAIL) 16 May 2020 16:47

Thanks for keeping us updated Phil! I really appreciate the pay increase until the end of May. HUGE well done everyone for keeping us safe and in work!

D Smith (PERSONNEL) 16 May 2020 12:17

Phil, Great Blog, great update as always. It is always good to be updated. We are a great BIG team all coming together! By the way if I may say the beard looks good!! ha ha AGM was great and informative this morning. Stay safe everyone x

Jenny Shorthouse (FOODRETAIL) 15 May 2020 23:58

Hi Phil Thank you for the update ,very informative Colleagues will really appreciated the extended pay increase until the end of May. Thanks to everyone who has got PPE out to our stores All the extra measures that have been put in place Has made a huge difference Thanks again Stay safe

Nicola Wildin (FOODRETAIL) 15 May 2020 20:08

Good Luck for AGM tomorrow & thank you for an informative update. Hugely proud to be working for a society choosing to support furloughed colleagues with 100% salary. My husband is furloughed from his role working for a major brewer 100% & therefore appreciate the furlough experience 1st hand & can relate to Mercedes feelings. Thank you to everyone in particular frontline colleagues & all the central teams working collaboratively to keep our business & everyone in it SAFE,

Tina Young (CEGOVSEC) 15 May 2020 19:43

Currently having to stay off for 12 weeks to shield but would do anything to be back at work counting the days till I’m back Wish the 12 weeks was not compulsory Great Video !!!!

Kelly Jewels (FOODRETAIL) 15 May 2020 19:16

I’m glad I listened to this in it’s entirety, I wasn’t aware that furloughed staff had been paid 100% of there wage. I work in food in a small store, I’ve had things thrown at me, sworn at on numerous occasions just for trying to do my job. You have know idea how low moral is & how we feel let down & I think the general public would be surprised to. I think the people commenting that everything is great are either furloughed or not customer facing.

John Street (CEGOVSEC) 16 May 2020 12:03

@Kelly Jewels (FOODRETAIL) Kelly, Thank you for your feedback, I have asked your District Manager to contact you and your store team to understand what additional support we can provide for you. Regards, John

Lorna Bishop (CHILDNURSE) 15 May 2020 18:21

Great video Phil. Thank you for keeping us informed and up to date. Thank you for everyone’s hard work and support.

Kathy Davies (CEGOVSEC) 15 May 2020 18:00

I am so glad I looked at this, a great blog, thank you for the update!

Alistair Johnson (CHILDNURSE) 15 May 2020 17:26

My issue is that the benefits we are receiving haven't been enough. I was told to be thankful for the food we have been provided and the childcare discount I'm entitled to. However our chef was making sure we were fed before this all happened and i don't have children.

John Street (CEGOVSEC) 15 May 2020 18:03

@Alistair Johnson (CHILDNURSE) Alistair, Thank you for your comments. We fully appreciate the efforts that all our colleagues are making, but must remain conscious of the affordability and potential impact on the long-term future of the Society. Regards, John

Alistair Johnson (CHILDNURSE) 15 May 2020 21:22

@John Street (CEGOVSEC) thank you for your reply, I fully appreciate the financial constraints of the current situation. And i would never want the 100% furlough to be taken away. I dont even want more money. I just want some sort of recognition for what weve had to go though.

Alistair Johnson (CHILDNURSE) 15 May 2020 17:26

@Alistair Johnson (CHILDNURSE) Staff who are furloughed are telling me that they are glad they're not in my position and that if they had the choice to be off for 100% or in for an extra 10% they would take furlough, That isn't the case for everyone i understand.. But personally i don't feel valued and the 10% barely affects my payslip in the way it might for some, in say in management roles.

Alistair Johnson (CHILDNURSE) 15 May 2020 17:24

Thank you for the Update, I'm incredibly proud to have been able to support Key workers at this time by looking after their Children so they can get back to work. This hasn't been easy and it has been difficult to know what steps to take to be safe when being in such close proximity to children for over 8 hours a day. I'm Glad that staff have been supported with the 100% furlough,

Clive Dudley (CEGOVSEC) 15 May 2020 16:13

A great blog, thankyou once again for the update...

Chris Wheeler (PERSONNEL) 15 May 2020 15:24

Another great blog and update Phil, thank you. Looking forward to the virtual AGM tomorrow. See you there!