One rule for good employee relations

‘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.”’ Photograph: Mark Makela/Reuters

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