20 July 2006

For immediate release

Bank customer service will be hurt by 90 Day bill

Customer service in banks will be eroded if staff turnover increases as a result of the National Party’s 90 Day Probationary Period Bill says Finsec, the finance sector union.

“Ultimately the Bill will hurt customer service. The bill creates a perverse incentive for employers not to invest in training and development for new staff,” said National Bank worker Michelle Carter.

“Customers want workers that are new to a job to be well supported and to learn the skills and processes of their job as quickly as possible. That means that the new employees need support, training and development – all things that a company is unlikely to invest in if it can simply get rid of people after 90 days,” said Carter.

“Bank workers have fought over the years for improved training and skill development to ensure that customers are well looked after. We are concerned that this Bill will take the pressure off the banks to meaningfully train new staff,” said Finsec President, Sue Boraston.

Finsec workers will be joining rallies around the country this week calling for the bill to be scrapped.

ENDS

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