A major supermarket has banned staff from wearing headphones on the shop floor. According to several reports, Tesco had changed its rules after customer satisfaction ratings started to drop.
A report in the Standard claimed that bosses had made the change relating to customer-facing areas on the shop floor. It had been claimed that the move was done after the Institute of Customer Service revealed that the company’s customer satisfaction score had dropped from 81.7/100 two years ago to 79.4 this year – and although it’s not a huge drop, it was alleged that it had prompted the change.
(Image: Getty Images)
However, the Daily Star has been told that this is not the case and that the company’s own data shows that customer satisfaction improved over the first half of this year. We were also told by a source that the guidelines on wearing headphones at Tesco is not new, but that it has just recently been included in the dress code policy for “easy reference for colleagues”.
They also stated that the dress code policy is there to ensure that “our colleagues are dressed appropriately for their roles”, which includes wearing the correct uniform or any safety wear that is necessary in their role/working environment.
It was also told to us that there are many reasons headphones are not allowed, from colleague satefy to being aware of their surroundings – and to make sure staff hear fire alarms if they go off. We were also told that staff were stopped from wearing them in case wired versions get “snagged” on equipment, and that it also impacts their ability to “interact and respond to customers”.
(Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The Daily Star did reach out to Tesco directly, but no comment was provided.
They did, however, issue a comment earlier today about customers needing to book Christmas delivery slots sooner rather than later.
Tom Denyard, managing director at Tesco Online, said: “As we help customers plan ahead for their Christmas shop this year, we want customers to know that time is running out to sign up for a Delivery Saver Anytime Plan and benefit from festive priority slot bookings which go live tomorrow morning.
“We’re looking forward to helping customers across the UK pick up their family favourites or treat themselves to something special this festive season. We are also excited to be providing increased capacity with thousands of extra slots available in the fortnight leading up to Christmas Day.
“And there is no better time to sign up for a convenient Delivery Saver plan and benefit from festive priority slot bookings. Delivery Saver plans not only give you early access to slots this Christmas, but they can also save you an amazing £176 a year on delivery or collection fees.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.