HOME POWER STORES - PART 2

I was the world's worst salesman in a job where the only statistic that mattered were sales figures. It was only a matter of time before Fiona called me into her office for a "little chat". I Knew what was coming, my sales figures were way below what was expected etc. I did try to argue that I spent more time in the warehouse than anyone else (which was actually true) but she didn't really want to listen.

I was fully expecting to be shown the door but was instead offered an alternative job. I would now be off the shop floor and would spend all the time in the warehouse. This meant everyone else would spend all their time on the shop floor, Instead of splitting up the warehouse work between us. I thought it would be a great idea, mainly because I would be away from the shopfloor backstabbing and free from the pressure of sales targets.

I instantly liked my new role and had a lot more enthusiasm for it. I made the warehouse better than it had ever been before and kept the management off my back. From time to time I was even allowed to go out and help the delivery drivers which I liked. As stated in part 1 home power was in financial trouble, after about a month I was asked to be part of a group who would go round all the stores in the area salvaging old stock with a resale value. I jumped at the chance as I would have more time away from the shop. I was told at the time all my traveling expenses would be paid for.

So for the next 2-3 weeks myself and someone from the Leicester shop went to 3-4 shops a day some as close as Loughborough, some as far away as Grantham. Isolating stock such as partially working computer systems for collection. It was easy enough, only I was having to shell out a lot in bus fare which I didn't like. After doing all the shops it was back to work at Coalville as usual. On payday I was yet to see any of the bus and train fares I had been promised.

Then about 3 weeks later homepower went bust, no warning at all, I famously turned up for work to find the shop closed with a handwritten note on the door. A letter in the post confirmed the news the following day. The problem was that I was still owed about 300 pounds in wages and travel expenses. I had loads of paperwork come through the post in the following months, I sent several letters but nothing came back about the money I was owed. I continued to get post for at least another 6-7 years but still didn't see a penny. I don't look at this any different to if they had broken into my house and stolen it.

This incident seriously affected my future attitude to work as I spent a year of the next 16 months unemployed............