James Timpson makes a powerful case for seeing his employees as “valuable human beings, not expendable units of production”, by asking them to follow only two rules: put the money in the till and look the part (Journal, 5 March). I was reminded of the customer-service-focused Nordstrom stores in the US, whose employee mantra is:“One rule: use good judgment in all situations.” Simple and effective.
Ian Barclay
Angmering, West Sussex
• So the science minister, Michelle Donelan, accuses academics whom she disagrees with of “sharing extremist views”, is sued for libel, and then we taxpayers cover the cost of the damages that she pays them (Report, 5 March)? Hardly a disincentive, is it?
Pam Stanier
Malvern, Worcestershire
• After a recent routine cardiac consultation, I asked my doctor for advice on reducing my expanded waistline. I was expecting information on nutrition, diet sheets, exercise protocols or even medical interventions. What I got instead was a steady gaze and the words: “Eat less, move more.”
Stuart Harrington
Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset
• As a former physics teacher, I was very pleased to see the correct use of the SI unit of force in Marina Hyde’s reference to Geri Halliwell’s “1,000-newton jaw clench” (It’s the Christian Horner paradox: F1 is now hideously dull, but the drama has never been better, 5 March).
Geoff Court
Gilmorton, Leicestershire
• “I can’t think of anything the BBC does nowadays that isn’t done at least as well, if not better, by others,” writes Roderick Stewart (Letters, 4 March). With respect, he appears to have overlooked the treasure trove that is Radio 4.
Prof Estella Baker
Leicester
• Do you have a photograph you’d like to share with Guardian readers? If so, please click here to upload it. A selection will be published in our Readers’ best photographs galleries and in the print edition on Saturdays.
