Mahna Mahna
Workers Not Amused by 'Mahna Mahna' Edict
By Mark McGivern
Source: Scottish Daily Record
DIY store workers are threatening to quit after bosses told them to sing a Muppets song to greet each other.
Managers at a new B&Q superstore came up with the idea - which featured in the hit sitcom The Office - at a training day.
They said workers should greet colleagues with 'Mahna,Mahna' and be answered with 'Doo doo be-doo-doo'.
But horrified staff had a blunt answer for the bosses they say are acting just like the comedy's wacky character David Brent.
One said:'This is vintage David Brent-but it's not funny.This scene was featured inThe Office but it was meant to be sarcastic.
'You would have thought the bosses would have avoided making themselves look like Brent - maybe they didn't watch the show.
'There is no way I will be joining in. Managers claim it will help morale and team-building but if people talk to me like this, I'll be more liable to tell them to p *** off.'
The plans were devised by management of the DIY chain's new East Kilbride store - which will open in December - at the 'B&Q University' - a learning centre in Cambuslang, near Glasgow, run by training chief Graeme McCreath.
But they might now be shelved because of the workers' resistance. The firm need 300 staff for the new store.
Another staff member said: 'The managers were all really excited about it and spent the rest of the day running about singing the song as if it was some kind of ritualistic chant or company song.
'They were all getting high on the idea and it wasas if they were all on drugs.
'It was later announced staff in the East Kilbride store would be asked to say 'mahna mahna' instead of 'good morning' when the shop opens.'
B&Q are known to have a progressive attitude to training. A management insider said: 'Atthe Braehead store, near Glasgow, managers get staff to perform some sort of bizarre chanting ritual before work.
'The new East Kilbride store is not due to open for a few months and the managers want to get one over the other shops.
'They seem to think that they are all really crazy and wacky,but noone else does.
'Some staff in other stores are refusing to transfer to East Kilbride if this is the sort of thing they are expected to do.'
Training boss McCreath said he was unaware of being referred to as David Brent.
He said: 'I haven't witnessed any feedback like that.
'Last week, we did have managers from East Kilbride in and they focused on how to work as a team.
'They developed various kinds of sing-songs designed to build a team spirit.'
A B & Q spokesman said: 'An ice-breaker, such as a different way to say good morning, is a great way to energise staff first thing and get everyone working together as a team.'
By Mark McGivern
Source: Scottish Daily Record
DIY store workers are threatening to quit after bosses told them to sing a Muppets song to greet each other.
Managers at a new B&Q superstore came up with the idea - which featured in the hit sitcom The Office - at a training day.
They said workers should greet colleagues with 'Mahna,Mahna' and be answered with 'Doo doo be-doo-doo'.
But horrified staff had a blunt answer for the bosses they say are acting just like the comedy's wacky character David Brent.
One said:'This is vintage David Brent-but it's not funny.This scene was featured inThe Office but it was meant to be sarcastic.
'You would have thought the bosses would have avoided making themselves look like Brent - maybe they didn't watch the show.
'There is no way I will be joining in. Managers claim it will help morale and team-building but if people talk to me like this, I'll be more liable to tell them to p *** off.'
The plans were devised by management of the DIY chain's new East Kilbride store - which will open in December - at the 'B&Q University' - a learning centre in Cambuslang, near Glasgow, run by training chief Graeme McCreath.
But they might now be shelved because of the workers' resistance. The firm need 300 staff for the new store.
Another staff member said: 'The managers were all really excited about it and spent the rest of the day running about singing the song as if it was some kind of ritualistic chant or company song.
'They were all getting high on the idea and it wasas if they were all on drugs.
'It was later announced staff in the East Kilbride store would be asked to say 'mahna mahna' instead of 'good morning' when the shop opens.'
B&Q are known to have a progressive attitude to training. A management insider said: 'Atthe Braehead store, near Glasgow, managers get staff to perform some sort of bizarre chanting ritual before work.
'The new East Kilbride store is not due to open for a few months and the managers want to get one over the other shops.
'They seem to think that they are all really crazy and wacky,but noone else does.
'Some staff in other stores are refusing to transfer to East Kilbride if this is the sort of thing they are expected to do.'
Training boss McCreath said he was unaware of being referred to as David Brent.
He said: 'I haven't witnessed any feedback like that.
'Last week, we did have managers from East Kilbride in and they focused on how to work as a team.
'They developed various kinds of sing-songs designed to build a team spirit.'
A B & Q spokesman said: 'An ice-breaker, such as a different way to say good morning, is a great way to energise staff first thing and get everyone working together as a team.'
