Refugee Support, Shopworker Protection & Colleague Pulse Survey
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Published 27 Aug 2021 in Phil's blog
This week I begin with the events rapidly unfolding in Afghanistan.
I’m sure that you, like me, have been watching & reading the news over the last few days and becoming increasingly concerned about the people in Afghanistan, and for so many who have left or are leaving the country and face an uncertain future in a foreign country. The fact that so many of these appear to be those that have stood up for the rights of the more vulnerable in Afghan Society including those that have helped in humanitarian efforts is even more distressing.
We have, as I’m sure you will have expected us to, taken action. We have made contact with both our Oxford and Walsall Local Authority Partners and the Red Cross to offer our support for refugees arriving in the UK with any planned local displacement programmes, with a particular focus on employment opportunities and are already in dialogue with the key personnel in both authorities.
We have, as you know, a strong track record of supporting vulnerable people into employment, including our work with Bright Future Co-operative, a collaborative employment scheme that brings charities and businesses together to create jobs for victims of Modern Slavery. We also work with a range of other partners to support employment for vulnerable members of the community, including Aspire in Oxford in which we are supporting those at risk of homelessness into employment through our Cowley Centre Food Store in Oxford.
Our history and heritage of this type of support, and our understanding of local communities means that we should be well-placed to offer support. I’ll continue to update you as to how we are helping and the support we may need from you.
Travel Traffic Light Update & Covid Test Travel Kits
The latest Travel Covid restrictions were released last night and as part of the traffic light system, we only saw 2 countries (Thailand and Montenegro) go into the red list. Being the peak of the Summer holidays, there are still some fantastic deals on overseas holidays to the most popular destinations where our customers are currently booking – namely the Greek Islands, Spanish Islands and Cyprus. ‘Seacation’ cruises around the UK are also proving popular as well as UK holidays of course. If you are one of those still looking for a safe break away either for this year or 2022, our Travel teams are on hand to help.
Keeping our travel customers safe is a priority and as I mentioned in my blog a few weeks ago, the Covid Test Travel kits have continued to receive record sales levels this Summer. Created between Your Co-op Travel and Your Co-op Pharmacy, I would like to congratulate the whole team at the Walsall Healthcare Hub who have been working hard to serve our members and customers. Our fair and honest approach in the sale of the test kits at cost price to Co-op Travel customers has helped to provide continued reassurance and support with many of our customers, which is great news.
Reporting abuse, threats and violence - Freedom from Fear Summer campaign
Since the pandemic began, violence and abuse against shopworkers have been on the increase, with more than 100 incidents per day which are obviously completely unacceptable. As part of the Freedom from Fear Summer Usdaw campaign, this week, we’ve once again been highlighting the issue of violence against colleagues in store. Having lobbied for legislative change with the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) and Usdaw, last month we were very disappointed to hear that the Police, Crime and Sentencing Courts Bill amendment was unsuccessful. However, it’s very pleasing that just this week the Bill came into force in Scotland, meaning it is now a specific offence in Scotland to assault retail staff at work. Let’s hope this news encourages the Government to take action and implement a similar change in the law to retail staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland when the Bill moves to the House of Lords for a second reading in September.
Every voice matters in the campaign, so it’s great to hear that one of our very own colleagues, Michelle Whitehead from Vine Island Post Office, is continuing to campaign for the cause as an Usdaw representative. Michelle, alongside many other colleagues has done a great job in promoting the campaign over the years and I thank her for her efforts in highlighting the issues further. Following Michelle’s lead, I encourage all colleagues to continue to report every incident of violence or abuse to store management and the police if necessary. This will ensure continued pressure is applied on the topic while legislative changes are being reviewed.
A thumbs up from colleagues (left to right) Michelle Whitehead, Becky Gough (Store Manager), Sue Saunders and Sue Cullen at Fordhouses Post Office and Vine Island Food Store for the Usdaw Freedom from Fear Campaign
Raising more awareness, Michelle (centre) with colleagues, Tracy Ryder, Store Manager at Stubby Lane Food (left) & Martine (right) a rep from Norton Canes Food store
Colleague Pulse Survey
Today we opened the latest Colleague Pulse Survey. You, our colleagues, have responded to us on a range of issues that have helped influence and shape decisions we have taken to help us improve, so thank you.
As mentioned before, these surveys are very important to us, so we need to hear from as many colleagues as possible to receive a true representation of your thoughts and opinions. Please let your fellow colleagues know about the survey and take part to be in with the chance of being entered into a prize draw to win one of five £20 store vouchers.
Plus, this month for our office-based colleagues, it features a few more questions for colleagues that are returning to the office. You won’t be required to answer these if they don’t apply.
If you are not signed into Colleagues Connect already, this link will ask you to do so first.
You can complete this month’s pulse survey here.
Finally, as we head into the bank holiday weekend, there are plenty of deals on for our colleagues during payday here, let’s just hope for a little more Sunshine now! You can also use any remaining colleague thank you vouchers across our trading areas too. Click here for information on eligibility and how to claim.
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