By MICHAEL FOREMAN
Ihug managing director Nick Wood has invited angry technical and helpdesk staff to give their "free and frank input" at a workshop on Saturday to address the internet service provider's problems.
Up to 60 staff are being made redundant as the internet service provider comes under pressure from Telecom's
price reductions for similar services.
"What you have to understand is we are at war, one we are currently losing. We need to change a lot about ihug to regain our position," Mr Wood warned in a leaked e-mail sent to all staff.
"I would hate to see Telecom win this war. It would not do New Zealand any favours. But to win, we need to work together as a team.
"Obviously morale is low and people are unhappy with the fact that some of us have to leave. I have had many sleepless nights and stress relating to this issue, but it had to be done.
"Our company was under immense pressure from Telecom's price tactics."
Last week, ihug technical support staff said they would seek advice from the Services and Foodworkers Union.
They claimed that some employees had been made redundant and then immediately rehired on a casual basis.
Staff have also complained that they were informed by e-mail of shift changes without consultation.
"It's an amazingly bad way of communicating," said one helpdesk worker, who did not wish to be named. "There's been no negotiation and morale in the company is at an all-time low."
Mr Wood told the Business Herald: "Obviously we've got someone in the call centre who doesn't like the situation.
"Basically we are just rearranging things to better support our customers."
Mr Wood agreed that some call centre staff had been made redundant and had later been offered work with ihug's "casual action team." The team provides cover for staff sickness and holidays.
"We weren't redefining their role as employees. Rather than offer them nothing we said, 'Here's something, if you want it'."
