@expretDOTorg wrote:

Yes, I expected a cold response, but your reply is one of THE most heartless comments I have ever read.

I understand how the MS works and that they are employed by an outside company on behalf of Pret & other firms.

But the micromanagement I experienced from most Myster Shopper which I re-named as "Misery" Shopper is where they comment on the smallest things, a few tea spots on the table, finger prints on the window. I've read the most ridiculous reports and got the impression that many MS's are getting a kick out of hurting hard working employees.

The power an MS must feel to decide if a shop gets the bonus or if their butt is kissed enough to give the extra £50 or £100 to that one Pret staff for bending backwards.

The former employee who was fired for starting a union rightly addressed Clive Schlee, CEO of Pret to "dismantle the humiliating Mystery Shopper" because that's what it is: humiliating.

After working for 8 hours in excruciating conditions, noise, heat, dehydrated, bullying managers etc AND traumatic bereavement or other physical and mental strain staff go through, they are still expected to smile and pretend to be happy, all on low wage while the top gets their millions.

I was told off for having COUGHED while sick and having served the MS, as Pret does not pay sick-leave the first 2-3 days even if you have a sick-note. Mystery Shoppers live in LaLa Land at best and are arrogant at worst, not understanding that after a ridiculous report and micromanagement a staff member, especially when bereaved can be tipped over the edge.

I confront Pret openely on a suicide of an Assistant Manager in 2017.

Your cold, calloused and plainly ignorant comment, quote:

"

@MFJohnston wrote:

A good employee will be able to know when/how to grieve - and when/how to do a job when needed.

"

This is the coldest thing I've ever heard and shows that you have no idea what trauma is, no matter if you say now you have lost people etc. You have no idea what devastating trauma and loss is.

You would change your mind in heartbeat if you were to work in Pret under these conditions.

And I am very proud to have made the Unions, the Press and other important people aware of Pret.

A journalist even went undercover into Pret after I urged her to go into Pret. She describes the stress, and I am proud that more press reports are coming out and I'm addressing Pret directly.

Amy Sharpe's account in her undercover work --->>> [expret.org] <<<

But you Mystery Shoppers are making it too easy on yourself but just saying that you follow what is given to you. The last time I heard that was from ex-soldiers in Nazi Germany.

"We just followed orders".

A very typical thing people say who have no courage to look deeper and make a difference.

If Pret could hide TWO customer deaths, a third nearly fatal, several in hospital and one staff suicide that I know of, with myself almost having gone over the edge as well, how many more are there.

So, keep following orders and be that "good" employee and Mystery Shopper and excercise your "power" if that is what makes you feel superior or better in yourself.

Even in years to come, my story will be spoken about and the Pret staff I help even now as I write this will have a positive, maybe even life changing affect.

Your job is just to "follow orders". I won't read about you in years to come.

expret.org

Maybe try Mystery Shopping then?


.

@expretDOTorg wrote:

That's a misconception, because many MS's are micromanaging, like I explained somewhere where we lost bonus because I gave the wrong receipt, or I coughed and the MS mentioned this without ANY empathy whatsoever, or a little tea stain on the table where the rest of the shop incl hte toilets were spotless! Or some finger prints on the window from a child, where the rest of the large windows also were spotless as there are daily window cleaners etc. etc. etc.


Thanks, that's exactly the point I'm making. I am NOT against Mystery Shoppers, I am against micromanagement and unreasonable expectations and misuse of "power". And in Pret the MS reports are used as a bullying tool because so much money in managers' bonuses depend on the MS reports.

Thank you. Yes, I'm sure if Mystery Shopper would have know about my trauma, they would have been more empathetic, but like the MS who demanded that staff should smile and not work while ill has no idea how staff struggle financially because they are not paid. And even when I stayed home sick, my managers always pressured me with manipulating comments because I was sick and having been the Team Leader they had to pick up the work (ordering etc.) I usually did.

@expretDOTorg wrote:

Yeah, your sarcasm says a lot about yourself. And that's why you are an MS because you like to exercise power over low-paid employee's weekly pay, hey. And the MS reports I still have with compliments on my service and team speak for itself.

@bgriffin wrote:

Ok either Shoptastic has returned after a stint in the food service industry or this is some serious next level trolling.

@expretDOTorg wrote:

@SteveSoCal wrote:

None of these issues are related to the mystery shopper themselves, however.

That's a misconception, because many MS's are micromanaging, like I explained somewhere where we lost bonus because I gave the wrong receipt, or I coughed and the MS mentioned this without ANY empathy whatsoever, or a little tea stain on the table where the rest of the shop incl hte toilets were spotless! Or some finger prints on the window from a child, where the rest of the large windows also were spotless as there are daily window cleaners etc. etc. etc.