Organisation: Mars

Click here for full-size graph

Analysis and commentary by Echo Research.

Mars' announcement that it was axing 700 jobs as part of a European restructuring was almost as smooth as its chocolate. Employees were banned from speaking to the media in a tightly controlled operation that ensured management messages about the voluntary and generous nature of redundancies, the need to remain competitive and a £45 million investment in state-of-the-art facilities were uppermost in coverage. Reassurance was also given that production of the iconic Mars Bar would remain in Slough, to the relief of local newspapers: "Town to keep the Mars Bar"ran the positive headline in thisisslough.com (11/3).

Mars' control did not extend to the unions, who, rankled by the company's policy of non recognition, grabbed the headlines with their claim that the scale of job cuts had come as a surprise. "Mars workers in 'state of shock'"noted The Guardian (11/3) and others, giving significant weight to union claims that management had misled employees, just enjoyed huge pay rises, and cared more about profits than jobs. But despite the noisy union protest, the media fire was over in just a day, leaving management, employees and unions to ponder the consequences of the inevitable headline: "Mars workers given rest and play but no work"(The Journal, 11/3).