Eight jobs go with no warning

At least eight Mitre 10 Mega staff at its Palmerston North store lost their jobs on Friday with no warning and little explanation.

Michelle Thomson, who has worked at the store since it opened in 2006, was working on the checkout when she was called up to the management office just before lunchtime.

"I had no idea what was happening, I thought I must have made a mistake with a transaction or something."

She was given a letter and told for the sale of the business to go ahead, she had to go.

New owners take over the store on Wednesday.

National retail operations general manager Gary Woodhouse said the new owner had identified some roles that would no longer be required.

"New owners have the right to say what roles they need and what ones are excess to the structure.

"These things are always very difficult, but we will be paying all the required redundancy pay."

Management cleared Miss Thomson's locker for her and told her she could leave right away if she wanted, but definitely had to be gone by Tuesday.

"Why me?" was all she could say.

In her time at Mega she took very little sick leave despite having multiple sclerosis, was always punctual, had never been given disciplinary action and was upskilling by doing courses through the retail institute, courtesy of the company.

Regional manager Dave Christian told her he did not know why she had been selected over other staff employed for less time.

A woman who was with the company for about 30 years was also let go, she said.

Remaining staff are worried there will be more job cuts.

Miss Thomson and the other affected staff will go into the store today to sort out pay with human resources and to demand answers.

"It will be quite hard going back in, but I just want to know why I was picked.

"I can't get my head around it."

Miss Thomson said she would need to find a new job as soon as possible, but said it was more than the money she would miss.

"I like working, I have dreams I want to fulfil.

"I proved someone with a disability can get on with life, nothing has to stop you."

About five managers were let go from Mitre 10 Mega in August 2008 under previous owner Bill Bendall following the decision to use the Auckland support centre more.

- © Fairfax NZ News