On smaller issues, arguments have broken out over staff size and access to car phones.

In some cases, that means stores can reduce staff size by implementing automated systems.

Just over a third of the respondents, 35.6 percent, plan to keep staff sizes at current levels, down 2.6 percentage points.

Mr. Cahill said the staff size and effectiveness were different issues.

An additional 31 percent planned to maintain their current staff size.

Nearly 1,000 posts have been cut outright, bringing the staff size below 9,000, and other jobs are being held vacant.

Depending on the topic, questions might pertain to industry, staff size and how long a particular employee has worked for his or her employer.

The company relocated to a new office and increased the staff size significantly.

The growth in staff size is a relatively recent development.

The organization's staff size has varied over the years.