16 June,2009 08:37 AM IST | | Agencies
A boss took Sir Alan Sugar's "You're fired" catchphrase literally by brandishing a rifle at his staff. He aimed the unloaded hunting gun over their heads as a bizarre motivational tactic.
The scene at a London-based charity was revealed in a survey of how bosses are trying to gee-up workers during the recession.
One ordered anyone making a mistake to clean toilets for a day.
Another tried to get employees to bond by singing repetitive rhymes.
The poll of more than 1,600 companies conducted by campaign group Keep Britain Working found that one in three managers have increased their criticism of workers and blame other members of staff, and a similar number 'hid themselves away'.
Most workers said productivity suffered if managers failed to motivate staff and a third said it made company failures more likely.
Overall, 52 per cent of workers said motivation had dipped.
