A Message To Chains

October 5, 2018January 14, 2021 I Survived Pret A MangerLeave a comment

For my people in the shops and on the streets, being loud and clear to say that we care for more than just peanuts and we deserve better than the disrespect we encounter for too long…

I miss my colleagues, working with them shoulder to shoulder, so I march with them shoulder to shoulder…. This is for them… more to come ………

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A Message to Chains

One of those mornings

when I enter the shop

waiting for my colleagues to arrive

I am extremely down that day

but I keep going

Setting up the coffee machine

putting the frozen croissants into the oven

answering the phone to a colleague calling sick

putting down the phone

picking up my heart

I keep going

My team’s starting to trickle in

one by one, tired but Pret A Faire

I’m glad to see them

we all disperse to our jobs

and later the boss arrives

but I keep going

Noon-time

I want to press the snooze button

No! I want to smash it!

So exhausted!

Rude and ungrateful customers

boss having a go at us

colleagues fatigued

but I keep going

Hours missing from my pay

getting told off for nothing

rota changed without notice

and I keep going

Made a mistake

nothing much

but a catastrophe for my boss

so I keep crawling

Feeling low after life’s blow

going to work without pay

without help, with no meaning…

being bullied…

I keep going

and I strike

I strike

I strike back!

Fast-food Workers Strike, Leicester Square, London, nationwide and in other countries 4th October 2018.

Unless otherwise stated or linked to, this website and all writings within this site are the property of poetrasblok.com, LateNightGirl.org and are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. Reproduction and distribution of my writings without written permission are prohibited.

Before they mute my response to Pret’s CEO regarding Death…

September 28, 2018October 30, 2018 I Survived Pret A MangerLeave a comment

Not good enough, Pret!! Not good enough!

Some of my tweets have been muted lately since the news broke of the girl who died (in 2016 already) from a Pret baguette due to allergy.

Before my response is deleted or muted again, here it is again.

Pret has absolutely NO excuse for this!

What I wrote in the tweet regarding “going the extra mile”, “striving for perfection”, “doing the right thing naturally”….

These are slogans, suggestions, requests and demands Pret has in place for staff. These always bothered me because Pret is not living up to their own demands.

Shortly after my brother’s death and mistreatment in the middle of grief, my suggestions since May 2015 to Pret’s HR department regarding staff treatment, especially of the bereaved have not only been ignored, but I have been bullied on top of it. Only when I involved Clive Schlee, CEO (who later labeled me his “late night girl”) did some support start, but a lot of it was to cover Pret’s own back. A lot was “Pret-entious”!

The bullying which became more subtle later on in the middle of my already traumatic bereavement have made me mentally ill with my emailing, which I extensively explain in other blog entries and how my ordeal started.

I still may be too naïve to have hopes that Pret TRULY can change direction if they put their priorities right. But I firmly believe Pret’s toxic and corrupt HR department needs a serious re-vamping in new leadership, as well as a new CEO who doesn’t just sweet-talk their way out of a disaster or tragedy when Pret gets caught “doing the wrong thing naturally”!

My response to Pret’s CEO as it may be deleted or muted like it was done with some of the other tweets:

2018-09-28 MY Response 2 Clive BBC2

Link to Tweet

Dear Clive Schlee and Pret,

I still have hopes that you change direction regarding work conditions, true customer care, quality of training staff to assist customers… away from your well oiled PR(et) machine and truly live up to your slogans. Not just for customers, but also for staff, as we all are human beings, sir, not staff as work-machines and robots or customers as piggy banks for your millions.

For the sake of many who suffered to the point of even becoming suicidal, as well as for the public, that is becoming aware of the negligence in Pret which is not an isolated incidence.

Selected Quotes from staff complaints.

Sincerely,

Your Late Night Girl

I am Tired

August 5, 2018July 10, 2020 I Survived Pret A Manger1 Comment

Tired to convince even close friends

who hide under a protective blanket

of indifference to suffering

that some things are just

plainly wrong and unacceptable

Since January 2015

my life is nothing but loss

The last 3+ years my life

is like sand running through my fingers

I have become like an outcast

I am not a desired guest at

Christmas dinners

or birthday parties

or walks in the park

On 12. January 2015 I learned

via a cold email

that my brother was found dead

in his flat

on 15. December 2014

I learned in one email

that they couldn’t find next of kin

that they cremated him

that his flat has been emptied

that he had debt

that his belongings that had no value

were destroyed

We received a box with paperwork

photos, ID cards, letters…

memories

A Box

An Urn

A Hell

Everything else,

every fibre of my brother

Gone

I went to work

to the funeral

to my family

on my shock

on my anger

on my loss

on trying to understand

how an efficient German system

can mess up like this?

I worked hard to find answers

I went to work in Pret A Manger

that worked hard in return

to get rid of me

tricking and trapping me

from beginning to end

I became an inconvenience

that needed to be discarded

like a broken machine

Since January 2015

I lost my brother in December

I lost friends

I lost my mind

I lost my job

I buried my dad

I am losing my mum to dementia

I have lost my mental health

I have lost trust in systems

any system

I have lost faith in workplaces

with their slick slogans and PR

mistreating their workers

for gain

fooling the public

for gain

again

I have lost faith in words

that are not backed with deeds

I have lost confidence in leadership

that should not be called “leadership”

but mis-leadership!

“leaders” who don’t understand what

it means to lead,

but who follow their own

selfish gain

Leaders who are captains

of ships but jump ship

first when it sinks

leaving a multitude

of passengers to

fend for themselves

I have lost confidence in the police

who don’t care to investigate properly

I have lost hope in “charity”

that is just big business

using poor people

and little children

to raise money

And politicians?

Don’t get me started!

I am tired of people

being overwhelmed with

my story

I am tired of those

blaming me for not

copying well

I am tired of excuses

that this society

can’t handle grief

and loss

I am tired that professionals

can’t deal with ONE person

right in front of them

I lost the sun

but I know it shines

I lost my taste for life

but I know I live

I lost the fear of my

friends’ anger

whose silent appeal,

that I lost my way

my person,

deafens me

I may be mentally out-of-sync

but I have a voice

that needs to be heard

I may have postponed

my ability to quickly

forgive

but I have a message

that is still not known

And if no one else speaks out

I still have a beating heart

willing to volunteer

I have lost fear

of bullying

by a company who prides

itself in smiles and

customer service

on the backs of hardworking

people of integrity

I am not paralyzed anymore

under fear management

I am not intimidated

by powerful people

whose only “courage” it is

to step on those

who are already broken

on the ground

I am tired

but I will never be silent again

nor give up

nor believe the voices of

indifference and complacency

that this is just the norm

This is NOT the norm

this is WRONG!

— Late Night Girl

In memory of my brother, Thomas whose death I was robbed to grieve in peace and timely manner.

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Unless otherwise stated or linked to, this website and all writings within this site are the property of poetrasblok.com, LateNightGirl.org and are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. Reproduction and distribution of my writings without written permission are prohibited.

THE Song for Times Like These

August 3, 2018September 30, 2018 I Survived Pret A MangerLeave a comment

Chapman

Timeless as history keeps repeating itself.

Talkin’ ’bout a Revolution

Don’t you know
They’re talkin’ ’bout a revolution
It sounds like a whisper
Don’t you know
They’re talkin’ about a revolution
It sounds like a whisper

While they’re standing in the welfare lines
Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation
Wasting time in the unemployment lines
Sitting around waiting for a promotion

Don’t you know
Talkin’ ’bout a revolution
It sounds like a whisper
Poor people gonna rise up
And get their share
Poor people gonna rise up
And take what’s theirs

Don’t you know
You better run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run
Oh I said you better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run

‘Cause finally the tables are starting to turn
Talkin’ bout a revolution
Yes, finally the tables are starting to turn
Talkin’ bout a revolution, going on
Talkin’ bout a revolution, going on

While they’re standing in the welfare lines
Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation
Wasting time in the unemployment lines
Sitting around waiting for a promotion

— Tracy Chapman

When I nailed my Voice to the Air

July 29, 2018January 2, 2019 I Survived Pret A MangerLeave a comment

was when their voice
became silent

But

“I don’t believe in silence”
Because, tonight —
however I try — I cannot get downstairs
without waking my daughter
I do not believe in silence.
because of the Worboys enquiry,
because of the one hundred-plus women he raped —
because of the policeman defending the findings
unable to utter the word —
‘this (herrrrm) crime, this (ahem)
assault, this category (cough)
category of offence’ —
I do not believe in silence
because of the stairs and the banister’s crack;
the sound of the lock
and my hand on the door — the fifty-tone creak —
the magnificent echo of light-switch and click —
I do not believe in silence.
Because of Neda — and everyone’s sister —
and the man who said `Don’t be afraid’;
for the sake of my daughter, because of the burka,
because of the patter of rain;
because of two hundred thousand years of human history,
thirty-seven of them my own —
I do not believe in silence
for the sake of my arms, the wrists especially.
With respect to my legs
and my belly and chest
and the comfort long due to my throat
Because of nightclubs at one a.m.
and shouts in the street and feet in pursuit
and shops that don’t shut;
because of sirens and the dealers downstairs;
because of Levi and Akhmatova;
because of the blue-lipped prisoner;
the itch and the scratch of my pen;
I believe in the word.
I believe in the scrabble of claws
on uncarpeted floors.
I believe in my daughter’s complaints.
I believe in the violin, the E-string,
the see-sawing bow; the cello
straining its throat.
I believe in the heart and its beat
and its beep and the dance of the trace
on the screen, I believe in the volume
of colour turned up, and my blood
which was always too loud.
Because of the nights, and the sweats,
and the same rowdy thoughts;
because that one afternoon
when I nailed my own voice to the air
and because there was nobody listening and through it all
birdsong
and the sound of cars passing —
I do not believe in silence.”
— Clare Shaw

Because of all the mistreatment

and bullying hard working people

especially those

who already suffer in bereavement

I do not believe in silence

Dear Pret,
I want to say to your leadership that your silence will not serve as a distraction to avoid being made responsible for your actions.
I do not believe in silence any longer.

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You’re NEVER too Small to make a Difference!

July 25, 2018June 27, 2020 I Survived Pret A MangerLeave a comment

… just don’t stay alone for too long!

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This is a video tutorial on how true Human Resources in form of Unions organize the little folk to take on the big guns:

Pay attention to the chain they’re creating at the end. Slow motion further in the video.

Don’t eat while you watch this!

(The one the red arrow is pointing at, that’s me! lol)

Little folk like this lady has her own union in student activists and a lot of the world behind her! You go girl!

2018-07-25 Elin Ersson Student Activist2

I worked at Pret A Manger and survived systemic workplace bullying during bereavement that involved HR, the top leadership, HQ and even the now “retired” former CEO Clive Schlee. I declined 4 settlement offers if I am silent about my ordeal. But I rather speak out to help others. For an overview of important blog entries of my experience with Pret, please visit “My Ordeal with Pret A Manger”. The little arrow to the right next to each heading will lead directly to the post.
An incomplete list on what other Pret staff say about Pret’s bullying environment: Caught in the Act Bullying at Pret.
I tell my story for the first time verbally in below audio player interview on a podcast by The Adam Paradox, and wrote two articles in the Scottish Left Review.
Thank you for reading/listening.

Interview:

Unless otherwise stated or linked to, this website and all writings within this site are the property of expret.org, poetrasblok.com, LateNightGirl.org and are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. Reproduction and distribution of my writings without written permission is prohibited.
©2017 – Present: expret.org, poetrasblok.com, LateNightGirl.org unless otherwise stated. All Rights reserved. Disclaimer.

Don’t mess with a Heart that Cares

July 25, 2018June 27, 2020 I Survived Pret A Manger1 Comment

Kindhearted kick-butt lady.

2nd Quote of the Day:
»I’m doing what I can to save a person’s life … I’m trying to change my country’s rules …So, the security is coming, I don’t know what they gonna do with me, but whatever!« — Elin Ersson

2018-07-25 Elin Ersson Student Activist2

Click anywhere on this video to start:

“A Swedish student activist has stopped the deportation of a man to Afghanistan after she mounted a protest onboard a plane. Elin Ersson refused to sit down until the man was removed from the flight. Visibly upset, and facing anger from fellow passengers, she said: ‘I am not going to sit down until the person is off the plane.'”

— From The Guardian’s YouTube video

Amazing how the lame attempt of a man trying to stop this hero lady from standing up, just serves as a “case study” for cowardliness.

1:08 Man to Elin Ersson: “I don’t care what you think … I don’t care… What about all those children that you, YOU are frightening!”

Emphasizing “YOU”. LOL!!! The only “courage” this man had is to rip off Elin’s phone out of her hands! My my, how will he explain his actions to his family and friends!

The man thought he’d off pull the trick using children on a young woman with guts and heart.

Always using children to try and shut down an uncomfortable mirror held up to the face of indifference. What cowardliness! Well, he bit his teeth out on a strong woman! Good on you Elin Ersson for defying cowardliness!

What’s so beautiful as well is, that Elin is not letting go and wants to exit at the back where the man who they wanted to deport is supposed to exit the plane. She says she wants to see him get off the plane!

Amazing determination as a staff member is trying to bull**** Elin when he aims to deter her from exiting at the same door the man will exit.

Staff member from 2:20, quote: “… Both you and that person (that person?) will leave the flight, okay?”

Elin: “Okay, can I go at the back to see him go down? Can I go out that side [where the man is exiting, not the opposite side where she can’t see him leave the plane]?”

If I understand it right the staff member wants her to leave at the “opposite” exit away from the view of the man exiting the plane, as the staff member is supposedly waiting to see what the procedure is. Ha Ha!

Elin persists: “I want to see him go out, can I go back [back exit]?”

Staff member stalling and trying to appeal to reason: “I understand what you want to do, but the important thing is the rules, right?” [Yeah right!]

Elin doesn’t let go: “Can I go out on that side and go down on that side [not the opposite exit as suggested by the staff member]?”

Staff member mumbling…

The Nobel Peace Prize should be taken a good look at again.

A Jewish saying from the film “Schindler’s List” that is debated where exactly this is written, but it fits Elin’s deed perfectly:

“He who saves a single life, saves the world entire.”

Hopefully they look at their plans for this man’s deportation again carefully.

Elin’s Facebook account is either deleted or on private mode. Hope she is okay and the news that she is supposedly facing jail just a media stunt! But you’re never too small or outnumbered to make a difference! You can stand alone if there is no one to back you up, but eventually they will back you up like a Turkish passenger Elin is pointing out and a football team at the back of the plane!

FULL VIDEO:

Weird, I don’t know why this video is dragged vertically so long here, but just click on the above link “FULL VIDEO” to see the normal sized version on YouTube.

»I’m doing what I can to save a person’s life … I’m trying to change my country’s rules …So, the security is coming, I don’t know what they gonna do with me, but whatever!« — Elin Ersson

“You always know the mark of a coward. A coward hides behind freedom. A brave person stands in front of freedom and defends it for others.” — Henry Rollins

Interview:

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