Forum Topic

WAITROSE and SOCIAL DISTANCING

Am I alone in finding West Ealing Waitrose falling sadly short of government requirements re social distancing during the Covid 19 crisis?Customers, for the most part, are not at fault. They keep two metres apart while waiting for the store to open but staff seem to think they are immune from the virus and the need to observe social distancing. I was waiting in the queue this morning at 7.15. A member of staff came bustling up to me and I had to put my hand out to tell her to 'Back off, please, and observe the 2 metre rule.' Her reply? 'Don't talk to me like that'.Once inside the shop, customers and shelf-stackers get in each other's way and the 2 metre rule goes out of the window. Shelf-stacking when the store is open early for more vulnerable customers is not a good idea. This morning, as I left the store, I looked in at the window and could hardly believe my eyes. The manager was holding a meeting in the cafeteria area (currently out of use qua cafeteria) with some 12 or so members of his staff where, if anything, there was less than one metre between persons. I felt grateful that there was a plate-glass window between me and that aberrancy.I sympathise with shop-keepers. Social distancing is not easy to enforce, but, currently, Waitrose is setting a poor example and, since Covid 19 is likely to be with us for a long time, it needs to scrutinise current practice and make changes. Let's start with a  wipe of trolley-handles (90% isopropyl, please). Tesco does it. Why not Waitrose? After that, better instore practice needs to follow. Customers and staff don't want to be exposed to unnecessary transmission risks nor do they want, potentially, to add to the massive burden already on NHS shoulders.

vincent paul wrigley ● 1831d10 Comments

Waitrose is better than most other supermarkets I've been in since the lockdown started. They had someone wiping down the trolley handles, but now there's a trolley with a solution and wipes so you can do it yourself (I use my own sanitiser). But the staff don't observe distancing between themselves; really, they should always be wearing face masks. But on this,  Waitrose - like most of the country - is late to the party.

Vlod Barchuk ● 1830d

Yep. and I smiled.
Perhaps it will be a salutary lesson, although I doubt it. She has probably already sent a diatribe to Waitrose HQ.

N V Brooks ● 1830d

It's called "comeuppance."  👍

Rosco White ● 1830d

Waitrose was fine this morning with everyone observing adequate social distancing and simply waiting while others took their selection from the popular shelves.
I say fine all apart from one utterly, utterly stupid woman who acted as if it were her right to get to everything first and started to physically barge trollies out of the way.
When she put her hand towards me to grab a pack of beetroot (there were plenty) I lost it and asked her what (expletive deleted) part of social distancing was too difficult for her to understand. She then shouted in an accent that would cut glass "you have no right to talk to me like that I am going to fetch a member of staff".
A member of staff approached, bade me good morning and asked if there was a problem. Yes indeed, this 'lady' is pushing past other customers and I admit that I swore at her. Comedy ensued. She shouted, nay screamed, that she had done no such thing, only to be berated by other customers that she had done exactly the same to them.
As I continued my shopping a member of the security team was escorting her from the store.
Well done Waitrose.

N V Brooks ● 1830d

I've heard that the staff get too close to each other when stacking shelves.  I can't imagine it is easy though.

Philippa Bond ● 1831d

I have come to the conclusion that it's almost impossible to maintain a two-metre distance inside any shop. I do my best and get in and out as quickly as possible.

Susan Kelly ● 1831d

It must be very difficult for the staff in the middle of it all day. I have found most staff to be concentrating and vigilent.

Nicholas Beard ● 1831d

Mr Wrigley makes a very valid point.The supermarkets all ensure strict adherence to the two metre rule when outside their stores, but once you enter it's a freeforall.  Staff are often the worst offenders, with them bruching by/against you etc.I am very aware it is difficult for staff to do their jobs properly when the store is full of people but the whole thing is a mockery if the two metres is not observed instore.One solution, albeit very tedious, is to have a single direction "snake" file throughout the store as you shop.  Bit tough of course if you're only buying two or three items !I understand some supermarkets do implement this common sense approach but haven't seen it myself.The current system though IS a shambles.

Rosco White ● 1831d

Never found an issue there and when the marshall have had to ask those queuing to observe the 2m distance it has been instantly complied with.

N V Brooks ● 1831d

I find the store well organised and have no concerns about it.

Susan Kelly ● 1831d