Forcing staff to buy your products

[thebigIAM]

According to Timesonline this morning, Panasonic are going to put pressure on their staff to buy £1500 worth of equipment they might not need/want before July. They are being asked to buy from their employer.

It's a bit different from offering them a staff discount, isn't it?

[wevet]

According to Timesonline this morning, Panasonic are going to put pressure on their staff to buy £1500 worth of equipment they might not need/want before July. They are being asked to buy from their employer.

It's a bit different from offering them a staff discount, isn't it?

I would also question the legality. If sanctions are imposed on staff who don't buy I would suggest they run a danger in constructive dismissal or other employment law transgressions

[FAB Enterprises]

I bet workers at the Thames sewage works are reading this story and looking a bit worried. :D

[Steve2507]

Could you imagine us doing this?:D

You will buy these 250g nipple clamps AND you will wear them!:eek:

[vvaannmmaann]

This goes back to the old day's of mine and factory owners,"paying" their workers with tokens that the workers had to spend in the owners' shops!

[fred1222]

According to Timesonline this morning, Panasonic are going to put pressure on their staff to buy £1500 worth of equipment they might not need/want before July. They are being asked to buy from their employer.

It's a bit different from offering them a staff discount, isn't it?

It's more a case of them encouraging staff (management) to buy the product not forcing them to do so which obviously would be illegal. I see the reasoning behind it. It's similar to a director of a PLC buying shares to inspire public confidence in the company.

It's also a better option than a pay cut

[Rob Holmes]

well it's one way of getting sales up I suppose!

As for the legal side, I can't see how they could force them to buy anything they weren't contracted to buy.

Got a link to look at?

Rob

[Steve2507]

Here'sa the link:

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/japan/article5728781.ece

This is the main quoteBut, in desperation, Panasonic has hit on an idea to counter-attack the consumer slump: it has ordered each member of its staff to go out and buy £1,000 worth of Panasonic products
It is for Japanese staff and employment laws are not as harsh over there as they are over here (unless you count hari-kari)

[fred1222]

I think these things tend to get distorted in the press. Even with lax labour laws I very much doubt they would have the ability to order staff to make purchases.

Reuters has another take on the issue http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssAutoTruckManufacturers/idUST763620090213

Urged instead of ordered

[FireFleur]

Wasn't this tactic used on the plantations, and also used in South America lumber camps.

It is one of the elements of slave labour, to control the spending of the workers, back into their system.

With that said, whilst this should NOT be enforced or given any legality, it would make sense if people bought the items their company is selling, it does increase their knowledge of the products and creates a tighter cycle. Though the discount should be the mechanism, not just buy a bunch of stuff or you lose your job.

[crossdaz]

It's a bit different from offering them a staff discount, isn't it?

I guess it's a novel approach but a company the size of panasonic are unlikely to benefit very much?
Maybe it was a local manager's idea to get his monthly bonus?