Day 169 - 04 Oct 95 - Page 07

     
     1
     2   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Would there be any reason why they should not
     3        ring the restaurant and speak to the Admin Assistant on the
     4        phone?
     5        A.  None at all.
     6
     7   MS. STEEL:   Do many of the people that are taken on as
     8        probationers fail to make the grade?
     9        A.  No, very few.
    10
    11   Q.   Do you know how many, roughly?
    12        A.  In a year, perhaps half a dozen.
    13
    14   Q.   Of how many that are taken on?
    15
    16   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  What is this on, tell me?
    17
    18   MS. STEEL:  It is about probationary reviews.
    19
    20   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  What is that relating to in your
         justification of the leaflet?
    22
    23   MS. STEEL:  It is part of the discipline and the performance
    24        reviews.
    25
    26   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Put your point on it straightaway then, what
    27        allegation you wish to make about that.
    28
    29   MS. STEEL:  How many people are taken on is also relevant to
    30        turnover, of course, as well.
    31
    32   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I know, but the number of probationers who do
    33        not make it through, I find it difficult to see, but anyway
    34        you have your answer about half a dozen a year.  If you
    35        have an allegation about that, put it straight away.
    36
    37   MS. STEEL:   That would be applicable for the last year, would
    38        it?
    39        A.  It should be, yes.
    40
    Q.   Students that are rehired do not go through probationary
    42        periods again, do they?
    43        A.  Yes, they do.  Everybody that is rehired goes through a
    44        probation review again, even if they are rehired on their
    45        previous rate.  For instance, if we had a Floor Manager who
    46        was working for us part-time and they went away for the
    47        summer, they would come back and they would start their
    48        performance reviews again.  They would be rehired.  We may
    49        rehire them on the original rate but we still give them a
    50        probationary review. 
    51 
    52   Q.   Are those probationers formally dismissed or just, kind of, 
    53        you say:  "You basically failed your period"?
    54        A.  I already indicated to Mr. Morris how they are
    55        dismissed, I believe it was the first day I was
    56        questioned.  All dismissals are done by the Store Manager,
    57        and if it is performance related, which would be on the
    58        basis of a probationary review, if they are dismissed, they
    59        are given their performance review and a decision is taken
    60        and the action taken by the Store Manager.