UK video game retailer GAME has lowered its workers' wages until the end of April due to the outbreak of violence but will not say for sure if they will get jobs by that point.
GAME was forced to close all 247 of its stores on March 24 when the UK government issued a call for all closets to be closed. The Frasers Group – the name of GAME's business owner Mike Ashley – released an email on March 31 seen by Eurogamer, and notify linked employees that the average pay will continue from March 26 to April 30, 2020. The pay rate is determined by the average monthly wage rather than the contracted hours.
However, the email also states that fees and duties will not be confirmed after the end of April. After that point, employees who still have jobs in the group will be paid 80 percent of their wages up to $ 2500 a month, according to the state's Coronavirus Job retention Scheme, which the Fraser Group takes advantage of.
GAME's store in Basingstoke continues to work to fulfill orders online.
Here are some of the best edits from the email, as posted by Eurogamer:
We work at unprecedented times. Every day our lives and our economy see great changes. COVID-19 affects every aspect of what we do. We are all affected, as individuals, businesses and society as a whole. Our economy is fighting for survival. Sales remains one of the most difficult sectors. We will continue to do everything possible to ensure that our business remains as strong as possible for the benefit of all of us.
We have to make tough decisions to ensure that as we move out of the current situation our business is in the best possible place. Former employment has decreased; our business, like many others, is small. We must respond to these situations, including job reductions.
As you know, in light of the recent UK Government lead and recent storms in the approved workforce, we had no choice but to close all our stores as soon as the sale neared on 23 March 2020. Because our stores are closed and because your work is related to trading in our stores, from this point on. day, or shortly after, you couldn't and you were unemployed – this is because you are not your job.
Beyond business, there are many exciting stories of what our people have done to support us, our colleagues and their communities, nationally and locally – thank you.
However, the email adds that "… we and you have to plan for a few difficult months to be difficult with our business," and "… we will not decide if it is possible to take drastic measures; we are in difficult situations."
GAME has endured a history of turmoil over the past few years, and it will be interesting to see what the only UK video marketer takes when the coronavirus is over.
