News
Published on 25 - November - 2009
Redundancy threat for B&Q staff
B&Q staff across the UK face possible redundancy, despite the home improvement retailer reporting a 66% jump in first half profits.
It has become apparent that B&Q is making redundancies in a number of its UK stores, including Torquay, St Helens, Bristol and Lincoln.
According to reports, around a dozen members of staff could face redundancy at the Torquay branch. Further reports of staff cuts have emerged, including 14 potential redundancies at a B&Q store in Longwell Green, Bristol, while comments on diyweek.net suggest further job losses at B&Q's St Helens store and a warehouse branch in Lincoln.
Details are unclear as, in a conversation with DIY Week yesterday, B&Q spokesperson Jackie Hoyte denied rumours of job losses at Torquay.
However, a report on local news website thisissouthdevon.co.uk stated that 12 'customer advisors' could face redundancy as "management makes changes to the way the store is staffed".
A B&Q spokeswoman also told the paper that the store is "currently overstaffed for the number of customers it serves" and that the company will do its "utmost to find an alternative role for those affected " by the change but that there "could be a risk of redundancies". She added that the store is currently in a period of consultation and was therefore unable to comment further.
However, when DIY Week contacted B&Q, Ms Hoyte explained that redundancies "were unlikely" and that there was simply a "reshuffle of shifts" taking place at the store in Newton Road.
The move follows the DIY giant's first half results in September, which reported sales of £2.2bn and a profit jump of 66% in the 26 weeks to August 1.
In a DIY Week feature about staff retention earlier this month, B&Q human resources manager Liz Bell said: "In a tough year we want to be investing in our people." She was also quoted as saying, "it will be about retention rather than recruitment."
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By Anonymous
It was unfortunate that people lost their jogs and got shorter hours, but in our store the replen time was not efficient enough, even though they sometimes got 100% put away, they did not alway succeed and other tasks were not completed. Now with people on 20hr are getting the stock worked much quicker and are able to perform other tasks. (and thats even with short staff)
By Who
We where forced to accept a 20H Contact or accept redundancy Or find a shift in store with suitable hours. Left many of us with out jobs trying to find with. harder to get employed when not employed.. Our team was hard working and a real benefit to the store. and they just brushed us off without a word
By Me
This artical Didnt explane that we had to accept the new 20 Hour contact or would be made redundent. some of us had no choice but to take redudency.
SO Thanks B&Q
By anon
615 redundencies at preston brook runcorn distribution center starting in jan 2011
By Brian
Liz Bell, Head of HR B&Q, should be looking towards how some managers treat their staff. Do not embarrass your staff, staff retention and being a good employer. They are some of the comments in the HR review which praised B&Q for it's treatment of staff issues. Liz you should be looking at the Gloucester branch because they appear to have a different agenda to you.
By ex-nightowl
B&Q Grimsby also got rid of nightcrew. What happened to "the core of our business is our workforce".Years of experience disposed of without so much as a thank you. One colleague had given 25 years service. I suppose something has to be sacrificed to pay for those annoying adverts on TV and the loyal and hardworking people of night crew were it . We were always taught that one of the B&Q values was "Respect for people". Its a shame the company doesn't practice what it preaches!
By anon
installations is getting hit next most of the field teams are being axed the ic teams are next to go....so much for customer service
By Anonymous
This is also happening on the south coast. Bournemouth store has lost its night crew and its all going to rack and ruin as they cant get the stock away in the reduced time available. I know they have had to have a few full night crew again to clear the backlog!! Cant believe B&Q can treat people like this,
By anonymous
It is extremely sad that in these difficult times a business like B&Q starts sacking hardworking dedicated workers for minor offences leaving these people feeling like criminals and unable to replace their jobs because they have been dismissed. I heard this week of 1 store having recently dismissed 6 workers.
By Anonymous
It happened to us in Sheffield too. We got offered either 20 hour contracts or 17.5 hour contracts.
Neither of those are any good when you need a full time 39 hour wage to live on.
All but three people have left.
What a nice way to treat hard working and loyal people.
By anon
Similar situation in Swansea. Night crew axed. Full timers offered 20 hour contracts on 8pm - midnight contracts.
By northern-soul
16 people in bolton b&q are being axed
By mrdee
12 of us at our store in the NW
are all redundant next tuesday...
just in time for xmas
By Aziz
Romford,Peckham as well
By Anonymous
20 have been made redundant at Oldham 14 at Ashton-under-lyne and also at other northwest stores 1 week before Christmas!
By Anonymous
I know business is business, but in this current climate a company like B&Q who are making huge profits, and going from strengh to strengh. Sacking loyal, hardworking staff who probably have familys and morgages to pay, just before Christmas is morally wrong
By Ramsey's people skills
Torquay is a relatively new store and was always over deployed with staff from the start. When opening a new store extra staff are employed in preperation for natural fall out which usually occurs when people decide that the job does not suit. This is an extraordinary situation as fewer people have left than first forecast.
By Also Anon
The B&Q Lincoln warehouse on Tritton Road is also making redundancies.
Staff were informed that the existing replenishment night-shift would be ending just before Xmas. There is currently a 30 day 'consultation process' under way. All full time staff are being offered either redundancy or a part time position on a new twilight shift. I understand that B&Q are also performing this slight-of-hand exercise at another half dozen stores in the UK with others planned in the near future.
Sadly, the minimal part time hours and shift patterns being offered are unsuitable for many and its expected that most of those who have worked for B&Q for a number of years will choose to leave the company.
I have to say that the who thing has been very badly handled. It is also a short-sighted move that will ultimately hurt B&Q as their experienced hard working team is broken up.
Naturally the management are playing all this down and presenting it as an opportunity for the staff and a benefit for their customers.... it is neither!
By anonymous
Its not a rumour BNQ in the sthelens branch have made 12 redundancies with myself being one of them, Ive also heard other stores and giving out redundancies
11/07/2011 12:54:00
B&Q Wellingborough Replen BetterBy Anonymous
It was unfortunate that people lost their jogs and got shorter hours, but in our store the replen time was not efficient enough, even though they sometimes got 100% put away, they did not alway succeed and other tasks were not completed. Now with people on 20hr are getting the stock worked much quicker and are able to perform other tasks. (and thats even with short staff)
21/05/2011 06:19:00
WellingboroughBy Who
We where forced to accept a 20H Contact or accept redundancy Or find a shift in store with suitable hours. Left many of us with out jobs trying to find with. harder to get employed when not employed.. Our team was hard working and a real benefit to the store. and they just brushed us off without a word
10/07/2010 15:56:00
WellingboroughBy Me
This artical Didnt explane that we had to accept the new 20 Hour contact or would be made redundent. some of us had no choice but to take redudency.
SO Thanks B&Q
08/06/2010 22:14:00
preston brookBy anon
615 redundencies at preston brook runcorn distribution center starting in jan 2011
11/04/2010 18:58:00
Staff Issues at B&Q GloucesterBy Brian
Liz Bell, Head of HR B&Q, should be looking towards how some managers treat their staff. Do not embarrass your staff, staff retention and being a good employer. They are some of the comments in the HR review which praised B&Q for it's treatment of staff issues. Liz you should be looking at the Gloucester branch because they appear to have a different agenda to you.
21/02/2010 21:31:00
B&Q REMOVALSBy ex-nightowl
B&Q Grimsby also got rid of nightcrew. What happened to "the core of our business is our workforce".Years of experience disposed of without so much as a thank you. One colleague had given 25 years service. I suppose something has to be sacrificed to pay for those annoying adverts on TV and the loyal and hardworking people of night crew were it . We were always taught that one of the B&Q values was "Respect for people". Its a shame the company doesn't practice what it preaches!
17/02/2010 21:51:00
more to comeBy anon
installations is getting hit next most of the field teams are being axed the ic teams are next to go....so much for customer service
11/01/2010 15:07:00
Bournemouth Castlepoint By Anonymous
This is also happening on the south coast. Bournemouth store has lost its night crew and its all going to rack and ruin as they cant get the stock away in the reduced time available. I know they have had to have a few full night crew again to clear the backlog!! Cant believe B&Q can treat people like this,
04/01/2010 20:43:00
B & Q dismissalsBy anonymous
It is extremely sad that in these difficult times a business like B&Q starts sacking hardworking dedicated workers for minor offences leaving these people feeling like criminals and unable to replace their jobs because they have been dismissed. I heard this week of 1 store having recently dismissed 6 workers.
22/12/2009 21:14:00
By Anonymous
It happened to us in Sheffield too. We got offered either 20 hour contracts or 17.5 hour contracts.
Neither of those are any good when you need a full time 39 hour wage to live on.
All but three people have left.
What a nice way to treat hard working and loyal people.
21/12/2009 14:49:00
Redundancies at B&QBy anon
Similar situation in Swansea. Night crew axed. Full timers offered 20 hour contracts on 8pm - midnight contracts.
10/12/2009 00:10:00
job cutsBy northern-soul
16 people in bolton b&q are being axed
09/12/2009 13:55:00
xmasBy mrdee
12 of us at our store in the NW
are all redundant next tuesday...
just in time for xmas
05/12/2009 12:34:00
redundancyBy Aziz
Romford,Peckham as well
01/12/2009 22:24:00
B&Q RedundanciesBy Anonymous
20 have been made redundant at Oldham 14 at Ashton-under-lyne and also at other northwest stores 1 week before Christmas!
28/11/2009 15:44:00
By Anonymous
I know business is business, but in this current climate a company like B&Q who are making huge profits, and going from strengh to strengh. Sacking loyal, hardworking staff who probably have familys and morgages to pay, just before Christmas is morally wrong
26/11/2009 21:30:00
TorquayBy Ramsey's people skills
Torquay is a relatively new store and was always over deployed with staff from the start. When opening a new store extra staff are employed in preperation for natural fall out which usually occurs when people decide that the job does not suit. This is an extraordinary situation as fewer people have left than first forecast.
26/11/2009 08:29:00
Lincoln Warehouse too...By Also Anon
The B&Q Lincoln warehouse on Tritton Road is also making redundancies.
Staff were informed that the existing replenishment night-shift would be ending just before Xmas. There is currently a 30 day 'consultation process' under way. All full time staff are being offered either redundancy or a part time position on a new twilight shift. I understand that B&Q are also performing this slight-of-hand exercise at another half dozen stores in the UK with others planned in the near future.
Sadly, the minimal part time hours and shift patterns being offered are unsuitable for many and its expected that most of those who have worked for B&Q for a number of years will choose to leave the company.
I have to say that the who thing has been very badly handled. It is also a short-sighted move that will ultimately hurt B&Q as their experienced hard working team is broken up.
Naturally the management are playing all this down and presenting it as an opportunity for the staff and a benefit for their customers.... it is neither!
25/11/2009 14:29:00
B&Q redundanciesBy anonymous
Its not a rumour BNQ in the sthelens branch have made 12 redundancies with myself being one of them, Ive also heard other stores and giving out redundancies
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