Anyones thoughts on this potential problem for retail?

[Usualsuspect]

I am an independent retailer with a small, close-knit and fairly informal staff. I prefer it this way, but I have worked in retail in the past as an employee as i'm sure many of you have too. I found this blog (http://grimeandreason.blogspot.com) and asked my staff what they thought about it. I have to say I kind of agree with the sentiments given my own experiences in the past (I wont name names here!)

Does anyone think that retail is kind of anachronistic in its practices and how it regards their staff? I'm sure every company would say it looks after it's staff 100%, but I doubt i'm the only one to have experienced the opposite for myself.

Things like wearing ties, not having a stool at the till, enforcing strict and non-negotiable break times, the removal of any autonomy or opportunity for creativity.. these are all things that don't really make sense and my staff agreed.

I think perhaps retail is going to have to accept some change on a lot of these things. The blogger certainly sounds pissed off and to be honest I can remember that feeling. I cant help but feel that retailers themselves are missing a trick by managing their staff in these ways: by not utilising the benefits of autonomy at local levels, making use of the skills and creativity of all staff and the expert local knowledge they provide, you would not be maximising efficiency or quality.

What do you think? Does he have a point?

[m8internet]

So long as you are working within the legal framework, then you actually have a lot of room for negotiation with your staff (probably more than you realise!)

Examples (and I use all of these to get "round the rules", possibly even staff exploitation, but we are all exploited!) :
1
If a worker is on a shift up to 4.5 hours, then they are NOT entitled to a break
However, working that length of time leads to tiredness, so why not offer a 15 minute unpaid break to be taken when the management decide
The employee then feels you are doing them a favour

2
If a worker is on a shift over 4.5 hours, then split the breaks into smaller unpaid breaks at set intervals (such as 20 minutes every 3 hours)
The total break time allowance works out more, but it does mean you are not left without staff at lunchtime and busy times!

3
Create a uniform that is practical and cost effective
I tried three different uniforms
The first was a simple white shirt and tie, however this quickly got dirty and I worked out each member of staff would have to be given enough shirts for six shifts
The second was a sweatshirt worn over their own clothes, however the staff seemed reluctant to wash it!
The third was a shirt and fleece, but this suffered both of the issues above
We all finally agreed on the sweatshirt, to be worn with other specific clothes and shoes, and this was recently expanded to include a black t-shirt and trousers; very smart but informal (and the customer feedback was the best out of all three)

4
You need to be careful over seating and standing arrangements at the work place
If an employee requests a seat, then you MUST supply one
Equally, if there is a visual display then a seat MUST be supplied
I could go on and on about this one, as there are even more restrictions
However, I personally like the one about eye tests, as I use that to get my glasses paid for as a business expense!

There are then the issues over whether you have a small business or work for a company
A company typically enforces stock placement and promotions, some of which don't make sense, and some are just innappropriate for the area
Just a few weeks ago I was working in stores which had Mars bars on an England football promotion
These had to be withdrawn as they could be deemed to be offence to people in Scotland, the following week these had been replaced by Mars bars on a Scotland football promotion; I just had to laugh, what a waste of time and money!

[Usualsuspect]

Thankfully these problems dont apply anymore since i'm independent and the boss! I treat my staff exactly as I would have wanted to be treated, by investing time in them so that they can become as autonomous as possible, a full team member. I ask merely that they dont look scruffy, comfort being the key. I dont try to turn them into promotional material, they can have a sit down and a bit of a drink if they need it anytime, breaks are when its good for them. It all works because they are autonomous enough to know when we need cover (lunches etc) and what needs doing by when. They can do anything small they feel needs doing and anything major they just engage in quick consultation with me and get an ok.

At the last retail job i had i felt like a tool of people who were never there. Micro-management, no seat, old-school exploitation... my way works and it creates a great morale and trust and spirit in the team.