Thread regarding Whole Foods Market Inc. layoffs

What Amazon will change because WF is too scared to do.

I'll try to keep it simple -

Time Theft - The standing around talking to other TMs, stopping in the middle of work to get a drink or a snack that somehow doesn't count as your break, phones, web surfing, smoking, the " untouchable " bathroom breaks. Your tasks will be timed, your breaks will be logged.

Technology Upgrades - IRMA is a joke, DVO guns save no time, launching countless new business and media platforms that get no attention after launch.

Communication - Not just some newsletter above the time clock, no, remove the faulty middleman of Regional and have Global directly communicate to store level. No more Regional VP asking why a shelf looks a certain way when it's set to POG, they should know and be expecting it. No more whimsical walks where merchandising is changed because of a VPs personal preference, your Regional poured time into those things, so they're just wasted then? OTS is different at every store and all depends on the STLs. No more passing the buck of accountability.

Sociological Issues - TLs stressed into thinking it's passion that makes them work off the clock. You're not an alpha, you're a schmuck and according to the rules, should be terminated, but with labor these days, you'll get a pat on the head. As with the new generation of internet kids joining the work force, finding a way to keep TMs from playing dumb or finding a loophole in interpretating your closing checklist. These kids have been doing this to their parents and teachers for years now, they know better but you can't touch it, and you'll be giving them chance after chance. Which is why giving them a scan gun with a timer on it is the best thing to do, you can't coach these types of part-timers. TMs who are off the clock, hanging out in TL offices distracting on the clock TMs with conversation. Non TL or Orderwriter TMs taking their break in areas and on computers that TL/OW need for work - along with the distraction of conversation. And again, most TMs do stuff like this because they see TLs and OWs not take real 30 minute breaks, only eating while working - and again, this isn't some alpha passion lead thing and it's not cute to say " Pfff, a break, I don't have time " or " I'm soooo busy " - that mantra has to end, you shouldn't burn yourself out for WF and WF should make it mandatory for you to take your break. I get that these OWs have tight schedules and 50 logs to fill out, they feel like they can't stop and walk away to eat for half an hour.

All of the sloppiness that once gave WF it's " culture " and lead to TM happiness due to relaxed rules will need to disappear in order to somewhat maximize efficiency. And that's what Amazon expects, otherwise, I'll come by when it's rebranded as Amazon Fresh with 5 TMs on the floor and the prices are actually competitive.

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| 2021 views | | 11 replies (last September 25, 2019) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+118qqK6i

11 replies (most recent on top)

Only 1? Our whole team does that.

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Post ID: @5ixg+118qqK6i

Yes, it's "Adult Daycare". Yes, it's "...the new generation of internet kids joining the work force, finding a way to keep TMs from playing dumb or finding a loophole" and yes, it's the coming of the way every other grocery store operates except WFM. I do have to add though, FT senior TMs (10+ yrs) are part of the problem as well. There are those whom feel that they should get special accommodations (scheduling, job tasks, time off requests, extra breaks) because of seniority (yes, a coworker actually said this). Some (not all) have chosen to "retire" into WFM which is fine but if after 10+ yrs and all that experience, you can't be the example and just do your job, move on. Whether you've been there 1, 2, 10 or 20yrs, full time is full time. No one's life (personal or work) has more value than the next.

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Post ID: @2irx+118qqK6i

Sounds like you work in a store where leadership is intelligent and professional. That’s good. They aren’t all like that.

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Post ID: @1wzv+118qqK6i

No one in Whole Foods is ever getting fired by a STL for hurting someones feelings. For one, it is super hard to get fired from Whole Foods. You have to do something super dumb like getting caught pissing in a hand washing sink. (This has happened) or being violent. Theft is another easy way to get fired. As we all know, 99% of our tms would get fired for theft if they really want you gone they will just watch you "sampling" product. You can't even get fired for being super drunk on the job without 3 different leadership TMs watching your behavior for at least 45 minutes. 2nd, STL's do not have the actual power to fire anyone. They have to work with HR and regional and jump through tons of hoops to get anyone fired for anything other than pointing out. In one case a STL worked for 4 months documenting things just to get rid of 1 TM. They have to make sure there is tons of documentation and that they have all their bases covered in case of racial, s-xual, religious, or age discrimination. This is why there are so many Tms @ Whole Foods that could never hold down a job anywhere else.

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Post ID: @1nhb+118qqK6i

In my store. Store leadership is cracking down finally on performance. It has gotten extremely bad so now they are encouraging TL's and ATL's to amp up the corrective action. It's good to have the support to do what we need to do.

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Post ID: @1jez+118qqK6i

Hurt a tms feelings and in some WFM the STL will fire you. The minimum will be a write up. When I say hurt their feelings I mean just ask them to work with a sense of urgency ....or increase their speed alittle. I'm not insinuating something offensive. Tl and ATLs can be totally blasted by some store leadership for their teams lack of performannce, but don't ask anyone on the team to increase their productivity because it might make them cry. It's crazy and makes a leader afraid to lead their dept. If you work in a store that has an intelligent, professional store leader then you are very lucky. So many TLs and ATLs don't and the result is overwork, overstress and fear of losing ones job. It's an oppressive environment.

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Post ID: @kkr+118qqK6i

They should start with their lazy specialist.

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Post ID: @toe+118qqK6i

pfff. I'm already timing unproductive tms and giving them coaching or c.s.'s when needed. Sometimes you need to hurt some feelings. I'm not saying being a jerk is the way to go but it seems reasonable that if it is taking 4 or 5 hours to fill the drink box it's okay to say to that team member "This is a 45 minute task tops. If it takes that long again you'll get a c.s." Most of what you guys are saying correct though. It's "mandatory" to take breaks but the worst thing that happens after months of not taking them is an email from store leadership saying not taking breaks is "unplanned labor". Well, then raise the labor budget because we aren't able to finish everything with the labor we have. Adult daycare is probably the most accurate statement I've heard to describe whole foods. We pay these people (not all of them younger) to spin their keys and eat snacks. They would not last a week at any other job. Whole Foods is not strict enough and it is too hard to get rid of the team members that aren't productive. If Amazon changes anything it will be technology. Replacing DVO would massively improve productivity. Shot an order last night and most of my time was spent waiting for the gun to load data. Hopefully the 1st thing Amazon replaces is Kronos. What a sh– show.

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Post ID: @hlw+118qqK6i

Thank goodness Bezo likes a full days work for a full days pay. It is coming now that Amazon realizes what Tim’s actually do during the course of their shift. Can’t wait to see the shock on slackers faces when they have to be productive and are timed. Those that work and produce have nothing to worry about. Those that don’t 😳are going to be crying 😭for a safe space.

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Post ID: @sdo+118qqK6i

What you are talking about is what the older tms (the old school tms) was trying to bring back and we got run off for it. WFM is way too lacks, needs to tighten up. Tms spend more time doing non work, non productive things and get paid for it. No one can say anything to promote productivity because it might hurt their feelings. Love to see Amazon turn WF into a real business and permanently close the adult daycare. Bring back the work ethic of the 1950’s. Most tms have no idea what work means. They mostly get paid to over sample food ( which is actually stealing) laugh with their friends and insult guests so they don’t have to spend much time helping them. It’s all disgusting.

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Post ID: @pfj+118qqK6i

It’s called conventional. Slowly coming. Didn’t need to use so many words.

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Post ID: @ksh+118qqK6i

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