After this morning’s gloomy news that the private sector only generated 5,000 new jobs in the last quarter, Morrisons’ announcement couldn’t be more timely.
The hiring extravaganza is scheduled to take place throughout 2012 as Morrisons (runner up in our Most Admired Companies ranking for retail this year, no less) launches a raft of new stores. Most of the roles will either be in-store or in its logistics arm, moving groceries and goods from warehouse to store.
At least half of the jobs will go to the already unemployed, says Morrisons, and three-quarters will be hired from the local area, regenerating nearby communities.
While Morrisons hires, Thomas Cook fires. The travel giant is closing 200 stores over the next two years with a loss of 661 jobs. The nation’s oldest travel agent just reported a £398m loss for the year to September 2011.
The redundancies form the lynchpin in the firm’s turnaround plan. This may be good for investors, who want to see the firm in profit again next year, but its bad news for Thomas Cook’s people, waiting to hear who stays and who goes as we speak.
Perhaps, to add even more sparkle to its good news, Morrisons could send a few of its new jobs their way?
