Qantas staff low on corporate spirit
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Door still revolving at QCA!
A director (Eastwood) resigned today but ther's no word of his replacement. Do we see another young turk without any tertiary education but who has the fortune to have a rich dad?
Also, tucked away in the week-end press was the story that Qantas number one spin doctor (Sharpe) is finising up after only four years and is reportedly headed for Brambles as a senior VP of something or other that's not very memorable. Again, no word on his replacement but will he or she come from ACP/PBL or Channel 9?
Great for morale ain't it?
Also, tucked away in the week-end press was the story that Qantas number one spin doctor (Sharpe) is finising up after only four years and is reportedly headed for Brambles as a senior VP of something or other that's not very memorable. Again, no word on his replacement but will he or she come from ACP/PBL or Channel 9?
Great for morale ain't it?
Low morale? I flew LHR to Per via Singapore last month as a 'cattle class' pax. The cabin crew out of LHR didn't give a $h!t about their charges. Worst I've ever experienced! You can't treat customers like that and expect them to come back for more; even the low fare ones. Fortunately this malaise isn't affecting all F/A's at present, but if it spreads..... watch out for a QF slump. Management have to 'wear' the main blame when things get so bad, but staff need to realise that they help the slide into chaos themselves with bad attitudes. If working for QF has become so bad, call the managements bluff and accept the outcome that follows. Don't die by 'a thousand cuts'. If the jobs OK, then get on with it! (I flew three sectors as a pax on domestic last week and the cabin crews were great!)
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Bulletin February 8, 2005 Geoff Dixon:
Hmmm...well I guess they can't really be surprised about the corporate spirit then.
Under the duopoly, the airlines actually didn't make much. They were run for staff. The salary and wage structures were very high
B.S.! Maybe TAA and QF didn't make much but AN was laughing all the way to the bank! GD is just demonstrating his incompetence! What a stupid and pointless attempt to rewrite history!
Of course a lot of AN$ never saw the light of day as profit. I still remember Graeme McM smiling and saying "there is nothing in the world so profitable as a fully depreciated aircraft". I also remember a lot of money going out the back door through the sale of some "old" aircraft.
As for QF and TAA, is Dixon an expert in forensic accounting for Government instrumentalities????? Obviously not! For all I know TAA And QF might still have been grappling with accrual accounting!
As for staff wages and conditions????? Yes they were set, but SO WERE EVERYBODY ELSES in the entire country!
Pilots and cabin crew may have made a lot in comparison with ordinary staff, but compared internationally? I don't think so.
Furthermore, ground staff were stuck in absolute lock step with TAA and QF wages thanks to the arbitration commission, collaborating HR departments and complaisant unions. It was common knowledge that you could not leave AN and be hired by TAA and vice versa (dont know if this applied to flight crew). Ticket prices were set in Mac's.
My first job offer after completing an MBA was higher than a State Managers Salary. There were no company cars unless you were very very very high up. Sure you had staff travel, but with four weeks leave a year how often did it get used?
AN was a great place to work, but the pay was cr@p compared to what I found I could earn outside, and for that reason I left.
What is Dixon smoking?
Of course a lot of AN$ never saw the light of day as profit. I still remember Graeme McM smiling and saying "there is nothing in the world so profitable as a fully depreciated aircraft". I also remember a lot of money going out the back door through the sale of some "old" aircraft.
As for QF and TAA, is Dixon an expert in forensic accounting for Government instrumentalities????? Obviously not! For all I know TAA And QF might still have been grappling with accrual accounting!
As for staff wages and conditions????? Yes they were set, but SO WERE EVERYBODY ELSES in the entire country!
Pilots and cabin crew may have made a lot in comparison with ordinary staff, but compared internationally? I don't think so.
Furthermore, ground staff were stuck in absolute lock step with TAA and QF wages thanks to the arbitration commission, collaborating HR departments and complaisant unions. It was common knowledge that you could not leave AN and be hired by TAA and vice versa (dont know if this applied to flight crew). Ticket prices were set in Mac's.
My first job offer after completing an MBA was higher than a State Managers Salary. There were no company cars unless you were very very very high up. Sure you had staff travel, but with four weeks leave a year how often did it get used?
AN was a great place to work, but the pay was cr@p compared to what I found I could earn outside, and for that reason I left.
What is Dixon smoking?
Last edited by Sunfish; 16th Feb 2005 at 20:58.
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I am very interested to know when the results of the JQ 'engagement' survey will be published. It will be interesting to see what the Company do with the info... Middle level managers sacked? Or perhaps more courses to tell us that employees are the ones with the negative feelings and that we choose to see things (being publicly abused by Manager of Cabin Services) in a negative light? Why don't they look at the reasons why a bunch of people known to be overly positive (wasn't uncommon for QF ground staff to call VQ cabin crew 'The Brady Bunch'...) are now so upset?
I can't wait for my next cabin crew brainwash course. This one is entitled "Love Your Work." How about "Love Your Employees"? Or "Love Your Salary"?
Word is many people attached pages to the survey. Hopefully all this information is used constructively and postively rathers than being seen as negativity and ignored.
I agree employee culture does need an overhaul. But to single out the employee group with an attitude that needs fixing as being the main 'problem' is wrong.
Anyone know who the Eastern and Sunnies 'engagement' surveys went? The results of those cannot be far off.
I can't wait for my next cabin crew brainwash course. This one is entitled "Love Your Work." How about "Love Your Employees"? Or "Love Your Salary"?
Word is many people attached pages to the survey. Hopefully all this information is used constructively and postively rathers than being seen as negativity and ignored.
I agree employee culture does need an overhaul. But to single out the employee group with an attitude that needs fixing as being the main 'problem' is wrong.
Anyone know who the Eastern and Sunnies 'engagement' surveys went? The results of those cannot be far off.
The report will be suppressed because it will be critical of management style. There was a similar study at Telstra that reached similar conclusions about seven years ago - they suppressed it.
ALl that will happen is that Dixon will be asked to be softer and kinder - expect to see him kissing babies or some such twaddle.
ALl that will happen is that Dixon will be asked to be softer and kinder - expect to see him kissing babies or some such twaddle.
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news.com.au
Qantas workers not happy
February 18, 2005
QANTAS chief Geoff Dixon is puzzled by an internal survey that showed employees of the flying kangaroo are not happy little vegemites.
A study by Hewitt recruiters found that when quizzed on how happy they were with management and working conditions, Qantas staff recorded some of the lowest scores on the happiness scale.
A perplexed Mr Dixon, who may have thought he was in the running for boss of the year, said the survey made "fascinating" reading.
"The group that had the lowest opinion of management happens to be the long-haul flight attendants, and when I last looked I can't find when someone resigned," he said.
"I'm really going to talk to my psychiatrist and psychologist about this because what you've got is the group who says they're most dissatisfied are the group that has the lowest attrition rate.
==========================================
Qantas workers not happy
February 18, 2005
QANTAS chief Geoff Dixon is puzzled by an internal survey that showed employees of the flying kangaroo are not happy little vegemites.
A study by Hewitt recruiters found that when quizzed on how happy they were with management and working conditions, Qantas staff recorded some of the lowest scores on the happiness scale.
A perplexed Mr Dixon, who may have thought he was in the running for boss of the year, said the survey made "fascinating" reading.
"The group that had the lowest opinion of management happens to be the long-haul flight attendants, and when I last looked I can't find when someone resigned," he said.
"I'm really going to talk to my psychiatrist and psychologist about this because what you've got is the group who says they're most dissatisfied are the group that has the lowest attrition rate.
==========================================
If Dixon has actually said what he is quoted as saying then I'm very sorry for all you Qantas staff, especially long haul flight attendants because that was both a veiled threat and an insult if ever I heard one.
It is perfectly obvious that Dixon is a narcissist as he enjoys using his power to inflict pain. He is also made it quite plain that he is not going to change his management style. The crack about psych says it all. Narcissists are notoriously untreatable anyway.
In the survey, you were supposed to say that the sun shines out of GOD's fundament, and if you had said that, he would have taken it as his right and proper due.
Since you little people didn't say that, then your silly survey will be ignored, except to single out who to punish.
I'm waiting for the next Dixonion pronouncment.
To date I am aware of;
"Legacy airline"
The letter to Hammy Island residents.
References to his behaviour that reek of the sense of entiltlement common to these people.
The usual response to these survey results are "sensitivity" training sessions for managers (I'll bet the proposal is already on someone's desk). The usual twaddle is about making heroes out of your staff celebrating achievments, telling jokes and making work fun.
After seeing the stunned disbelieving silence after the mars bars or the cake are passed out at the staff meeting, the retrained but insincere former fire breathing managers revert to type pretty quickly.
But it looks like you are not even going to get that. The survey will be used to divide and conqer some more. Good luck all of you.
It is perfectly obvious that Dixon is a narcissist as he enjoys using his power to inflict pain. He is also made it quite plain that he is not going to change his management style. The crack about psych says it all. Narcissists are notoriously untreatable anyway.
In the survey, you were supposed to say that the sun shines out of GOD's fundament, and if you had said that, he would have taken it as his right and proper due.
Since you little people didn't say that, then your silly survey will be ignored, except to single out who to punish.
I'm waiting for the next Dixonion pronouncment.
To date I am aware of;
"Legacy airline"
The letter to Hammy Island residents.
References to his behaviour that reek of the sense of entiltlement common to these people.
The usual response to these survey results are "sensitivity" training sessions for managers (I'll bet the proposal is already on someone's desk). The usual twaddle is about making heroes out of your staff celebrating achievments, telling jokes and making work fun.
After seeing the stunned disbelieving silence after the mars bars or the cake are passed out at the staff meeting, the retrained but insincere former fire breathing managers revert to type pretty quickly.
But it looks like you are not even going to get that. The survey will be used to divide and conqer some more. Good luck all of you.
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
It is perfectly obvious that Dixon is a narcissist
And OBVIOUSLY he doesn't read PPRuNe!!
At the rate he's dismantling QANTAS mainline, there is very soon, going to be little of the original airline that existed even a few years ago.
And after he's destroyed it, he's outta there, leaving behind a legacy of disenchanted employees working for a shell of the airline they once loved
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
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I'm really going to talk to my Psychiatrist...
So WTF is he doing in the position he's in then? Sounds like he should be in a rubber room!!
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Dysfunctional
Both Daniel Goleman (Emotional Intelligence) and
Alistair Mant (Intelligent Leadership)
Reached the same conclusion:to be a CEO or senior executive in any large company you must be basically dysfunctional.You lack remorse,compassion,empathy and introspection.Almost a sociopath.The Australian Financial Review carried an article in a similar vein last year.They went further.Indeed according to their research the psyche profile for most CEOs had more in common with that of a typical serial killer.If you have ever had the pleasure of Geoff Dixon`s company and conversation the parallels that may be drawn are astounding.
Sunfish et al you are absolutely correct with your appraisal of him.
John Borghetti is worse.Short(er than Dixon) and with very little style or taste.You should see what he has done to company`s Series 5 BMW.It ain`t gonna get any better under his management....if possible maybe even worse
Alistair Mant (Intelligent Leadership)
Reached the same conclusion:to be a CEO or senior executive in any large company you must be basically dysfunctional.You lack remorse,compassion,empathy and introspection.Almost a sociopath.The Australian Financial Review carried an article in a similar vein last year.They went further.Indeed according to their research the psyche profile for most CEOs had more in common with that of a typical serial killer.If you have ever had the pleasure of Geoff Dixon`s company and conversation the parallels that may be drawn are astounding.
Sunfish et al you are absolutely correct with your appraisal of him.
John Borghetti is worse.Short(er than Dixon) and with very little style or taste.You should see what he has done to company`s Series 5 BMW.It ain`t gonna get any better under his management....if possible maybe even worse
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Just a comment on JQ engagment survey.From what I have read in the past Impulse/Qantaslink was chosen as the new LCC because of the business model and staff that were there already operating and committed to the success of impulse/Qantaslink.These were a bunch of very company minded loyal people.What has happened to these people?.It appears all the goodwill is gone.Jetstar only started in may!maybe managment would be better off reading pprune then they wouldnt have to waste money on their employee screwing (oops sorry)engagment survey.JQ managment should have a good look at what is going on as it seems the (can do )staff may be running out of steam.What is the difference between jetstar managment and the old impulse managment?It seems you guys were much happier pre jetstar.Tell me it isnt so! 
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"The group that had the lowest opinion of management happens to be the long-haul flight attendants, and when I last looked I can't find when someone resigned," he said.
"I'm really going to talk to my psychiatrist and psychologist about this because what you've got is the group who says they're most dissatisfied are the group that has the lowest attrition rate.
"I'm really going to talk to my psychiatrist and psychologist about this because what you've got is the group who says they're most dissatisfied are the group that has the lowest attrition rate.
as said before, dixon, unlike you, the staff you refer to have mortgages! mouths to feed! kids to school etc etc. hey, i dont Love working either! but it puts a roof over my head, food on thetable and clothes on my back! its called reality! something i find mr dixon is seriously lacking! well the reality within "his" airline!
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"The group that had the lowest opinion of management happens to be the long-haul flight attendants, and when I last looked I can't find when someone resigned," he said.