Print

[spanger]

My 2 penn'orth - sounds like the properties and/or the land are worth more to the owners than the business. Easiest way to realise that without all that boring redundancy stuff for long-termers, is to kill the business whilst protesting that they're doing everything to save it. It one explanation that would hit the business wrecking edicts and criminalisation of long-standing quality staff.

[pammyandfrankie]

Hi I am one of the 'infamous five' from Doncaster, so I should know what I'm talking about. It is becoming quite apparent that we are witnessing the death knell of Samuel Smith's. Despite the fact that everyone promised to stand together, when it came to the crunch only a few of us held our nerve. The brewery is now facing probably its most challenging times ever. If something is not done soon, no-one, not even Humphrey will be able to pull it back from the brink.  After spending years taking pride in our pub and giving 110% we were sacked without a second thought. This could, and probably will, happen to anyone.  The staff hours that Humphrey is wanting people to work with are ridiculous, there will be no standard of service, good managers will not stay, good staff will not be recruited, pubs will be dirty without proper cleaners, customers will go elsewhere when they cannot be served.  
We have watched our pub over the past five weeks (we did not lock our selves in the flat! and we have not been evicted) with growing dismay. The premises are dirty and unkempt, no-one sweeps the outside area anymore, customers are complaining that they can't get served and are waiting up to 15 minutes through lack of staff, no food has been served since we were sacked ( though who would want to eat that crap anyway).
Things can only get worse.
If managers think that these staff cuts are the end then they are very much mistaken. They are only the beginning. Pubs who were cut to 45 hours are now being cut again to 25-30 hours regardless of takings. This trend will continue.
Managers who did not stand with us are now handing in their notice, these are people with a lot of years service. The workers at the brewery itself are fairing no better, long serving members of staff are resigning and asking for their pension figures. One department that had 13 staff now have just 3 staff.
Yes it is correct that 2 area managers have left, I can't blame them, the senior area manager mentioned is on long term sick leave, probably not to return.
It is also now the case that anyone can have a Sam Smith's pub with no experience necessary and a questionable background. Prestigous pubs are handed out to any takers.
At the managers brief that Humphrey foolishly chaired he called us all rats for deserting the sinking ship. We can only hope that as the captain he goes down with it.

[Max]

It now seems certain that the Samuel Smiths Old Brewery (Tadcaster) Ltd., is definitely on a suicide mission!! In yet an another amazing ruling from the top - a new ruling now dictates what food, managers can serve - and customers can choose from.

It seems that Humphrey knows best! And knows exactly what you and I should be eating - whether you like it or not - and if you don't - go eat somewhere else.

From what I can gather at this juncture, Sam Smith's Landlords/Managers will no longer be permitted to sell their currently popular meals - even if 'joe customer' loves them. Oh no - you eat what you are told - or tough cookies!!

If you are a manager, how on earth could you possibly know what your customers likes - lets face it, no one is as intelligent, foreseeing, understating, commercially experienced, and considerate - such as the Smith brothers - are they?

Wouldn't it be something, if you had the grand status of being wealthy, and being able to affect so many lives and livelihoods - just because you inherited it. When you forefathers had worked hard, to keep their customers and staff happy - to keep their business growing. Then you take over - and with your narrow-minded, short-sited, totally-uncaring attitude - you can destroy everything. What power! And how ever so sad!

This follows other brewery directives, which includes a ban on all music, including the singing of 'Happy Birthday'. Managers have also been instructed to make no additional provisions for their smoking clientele. No matter how loyal or long-stand their customer has been. If you smoke, and it's raining outside - hard luck, you're probably going to get wet.

Maybe the Sam Smith brothers, Humphrey Richard Woollcombe Smith and Oliver Geoffrey Woollcombe Smith, don't give a damn.

A further recent reduction in management and staffing hours - has led to five Managers in the Doncaster area - who were in protest over the changes - being dismissed. The Managers had complained that their hourly reductions were unrealistic, and could lead to serious Health & Safety, and European Employee's rights violations. The Managers, at first, locked themselves in their pubs accommodation - before being evicted. It's alleged that Humphrey Smith (who's farther was a High Sheriff and Barrister) dismissed the Managers, for insubordination.

Previous rulings of late have included; Removal of all external 'Samuel Smiths' signage and livery. The banning of Pork Scratchings. The banning of Televisions. The banning of Dogs. The banning of dancing (indirectly through the banning of music). The banning of any non own labeled spirits. The banning of all 'alchopops'.

Just recently, two Area Managers, and one Senior Area Manager have resigned.