Mass Exodus From Heinemann Electric Sparks Concerns : Melbourne Indymedia

Since new management took over the headquarters of Heinemann Electric Pty Ltd, located in Mulgrave, Victoria, there have been no less than 11 senior management changes, as well as scores of other employees saying “Enough!”

Heinemann has always boasted a long-serving payroll, with most people serving for almost two decades. However, many of these long-timers have left recently, and not on the best of terms.

Former senior managers tell of their frustration at being stonewalled on every issue. Rather than being heard in their requests for more staff, the company instead placed tighter controls on branch offices, and ignored staffing requests. “It was as if they were deliberately making things difficult for us,” said one previous manager. “They had no idea of how to conduct business in Australia, and they weren’t willing to learn.”

One former employee says it took over a year for the company to hold their first meeting with one department. The Slegers division, a subsidiary of Heinemann Electric, had always been personally managed by the previous owner. “It took over a year for anyone to even ask what I did for the company,” says the former employee. “When they finally did employ a new manager, he proved to be incapable of making any substantial contributions. He’s been with the company now for more than a year, and there’s not yet one new product, he hasn’t dealt with any of the aged machinery issues, but he has changed the colour in the logo to a slightly deeper yellow.”

It is not only staff who are noticing the problems. Says one customer, “It sounds like it no longer is an Australian company. From my dealings with Heinemann over many years, it pains me to say that the management there is treating workers like second-class citizens and slaves… I have dealt with these people for years and they are not to blame. The workmanship has been exemplary and their willingness to help has always been appreciated. Recently, I got the feeling that these people were discouraged from helping customers. Everything required approval and service has gone out the window… As a loyal customer of Heinemann, I felt nervous a month ago when office staff started leaving suddenly. I have since taken my business elsewhere.”

One of the key changes in the attitude of management - to pursue the big projects to the detriment of the smaller customers - may be their greatest undoing. Business is business, whether you’re BHP or Joe Blow, and service should never be meted out on the basis of project size.

The trend doesn’t appear to be about to change though, as Heinemann says goodbye to three more key staffing positions, with talk of more on the way.

If you are in the area, please feel free to show your support by visiting the protest at 821 Springvale Rd, Mulgrave.