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per cent success at meeting this target. However, over the last 3 months the percentage of
responses within 24 hours on initial problem solving has declined from 67 to 42 per cent.
Why this is occurring is unclear, and the production department is unwilling to resolve the
matter claiming more important matters are taking their time. They say they are currently
understaffed because those dealing with complaints are now involved in the development
of the 'smart' valve.
Item four: Expenses
The current allowances for overnight accommodation and meals are proving to be very
limited. Many individuals are having to spend large amounts of time that should be more
productively spent, phoning around overseas and UK towns to find hotels that are within
the price range allowed for our expenses. When on site, they are also forced to spend time
looking for restaurants because expenses don't stretch to the use of hotel facilities.
Item five: New software and computer systems
Management are buying all types of new software and computer hardware for their
departments. There is no central control over these decisions which management appear
to be taking without any concern for compatibility or future developmental requirements.
Surely it would be more sensible to make all management and staff clear prospective
purchases through a centralised department which would have the responsibility of setting
and maintaining computer standards. Ideally this responsibility should be held by the
department that is involved in the greatest amount of data processing, which is of course
the finance department.
Item six: Sickness and maternity leave
As the only woman staff that the company employs are in administration, and over half are
currently on the generous maternity leave that the company has provided, it is perhaps
worth reconsidering the amount of sickness benefit that the company gives to the rest of
the workforce. Many of the other factories in the area provide health insurance for all
management as Burke Engineering originally did. Should this not be reconsidered as a
major way of reducing the imbalance between the benefits that administration staff receive
compared with the rest of the staff?
Item seven: Canteen choice
The variety of food in the canteen has steadily diminished. Before we had the contract
caterers there was a choice of at least four main hot dishes. Now there is only two and we
have a salad bar. Cannot something be done about it, especially when the cost of meals
has doubled?
Item eight: Profit progress
The last month's figures showed that the annual turnover of the company was likely to
reach €100 million and the profitability around €10.2 million. Though all staff benefit from
the profit sharing scheme that was initially introduced, the change in the company fortunes
has been so rapid and so effective that perhaps an alteration in the scheme should now be
considered. As much of the progress of the company has depended on the commitment of
the small management team, surely their contribution should be more realistically
rewarded with a higher rate than the other staff.
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