EE results solid, now to tackle employee stress

Mobile firm Everything Everywhere (EE) issued its preliminary results today (Tuesday) showing service revenue growth, continuing savings from the merger and strong customer retention. CWU commented on the results saying they were "solid" but that the company should focus on its employees to build stronger performance.

Andy Kerr, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "Today's EE financial results are solid enough but there is an air of disappointment around the lack of growth on the back of the company's high-profile 4G launch.

"With the merger and re-branding exercise it has been a tumultuous time for staff. The company's results show that cost cutting, in particular in duplicate functions such as back-office support, has brought savings but this has taken a toll not only on jobs but also workloads and worry" Andy added.

Results of a recent stress survey carried out by the union suggest that workplace stress is a serious problem in EE call centres. Based on independent Health and Safety Executive criteria, the results rate EE as 'urgent action needed' in all seven areas identified by the HSE as the main risk factors for workplace stress.

Commenting on employee stress in relation to EE's results, Andy continued: "The company seems keen to point to lower customer churn, and successful retention and upgrades as contributing to success. However, there's little credit given to the employees who have delivered this success and even less interest in staff turnover created by stress and performance pressure.

"While it's encouraging to see the company performing well, we would now like to see real positive action taken to tackle the issues of stress in the workplace and to improve the wellbeing and reward of all staff."

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Source: CWU