Francs ‘appalled' by Safeway staffing ploy

Safeway has apologised to a Manchester restaurant for sending letters to its staff in an attempt to recruit them for a café set up in the supermarket chain's new branch near Stockport.

The retailer sent the letter to Francs, a 40-seat brasserie in Salford Quays. Francs also runs a 170-seat restaurant in Altrincham, a 140-seat brasserie in Salford Quays, and an events catering service.

Amanda White, personnel manager for the restaurant chain, which employs 70 full- and part-time staff, said she was "appalled" and "horrified" when she saw the letter.

She said: "It was a letter trying to poach our chefs. I am really appalled at the manner in which a large corporation can behave."

She said that none of her staff had left to work for Safeway. Staff turnover was "not an issue" at Francs, she said, but she pointed out: "We do not have large budgets to advertise for new staff, and the costs of recruiting and training bear hard on us."

A spokeswoman for Safeway said that "a handful" of local restaurants had received the letter. The store, at Reddish, opened yesterday (3 April) and she did not know if all the catering vacancies had been filled.

She said: "It's not our standard policy to recruit in this manner and we'll not be using this tactic in the future. We have apologised to those concerned and we are dealing with this matter internally."

by Ben Walker

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 4 April 2002