So I'm in the MA and while there were cuts such as the demo, hsh and marketing, from reading about other regions it seems we were hit way less. The SW looks like it made MASSIVE cuts to even regular team members. Was the labor the big and bloated to begin with down there? Seems crazy. From the looks of it the SW region leadership should be the one to go for letting it get to that point
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Austin stores: Lamar (flagship) lost 67 so far. Domain (newest store) lost about 30. Gateway lost under 20. That's about 10%. I know the Lamar number included TMs with 20-25 years service, including a TM on worker's compensation for an injury. I have not heard any numbers for Arbor Trails or Bee Caves. What about other SW stores? Post the number of your losses.
We got hit real hard. Agreed with opening too many stores in the Dallas Metro too quick. I watched 2 stores open in the last year that had all kinds of TM from other stores transfer to the new stores, only to be shipped away after sales weren't good. Lost some good TM then too, because there was no place to put them, or a very far away store.
I can understand that.
Many are fearful theyll be elimnated without severence in jan tho.like apply for a different job or nothing.
I know some left who are good, and heartbroken, but ive seen their darksides too. They are not above reproach for some of their actions that affected the company, they just had friends in the right places.
There are also some incredibly dedicated and stellar individuals who were NOT laid off. Would be careful about making it seem as if only losers and the inexperienced were untouched as it is not the case. The seasoned people who were not laid off likely feel incredibly ambivalent and torn about it all and pretty dubious about what the future holds for them there. Many are likely envious of those who were handed some nice severance packages and don't have to deal with it anymore.
Sw region pretty much got hit with a nuke.
Those that survive will likely work their long enough for a cancer to develope and end their career with wfm in a much more horrible place than those who were severed first.
I feel somewhat lucky my position was eliminated (yet sad and conflicted overall for my fellow tms who stayed). There were no eal options for me. I was glad to say goodbye. Our community is already foaming. Customers look just as devastated. The majority of people let go here were often longterm and full time. They has exemplary records, experience and service to their location and guests so..its really kind of a dumb fing thing to leave this place incontrol of toddlers..when it came to a team eliminating a ft tm, they did look and files and records, but there are people who have a history of lecherous behavior that remain. People that flat out steal. People who milk the clock for all its worth. And people who does have a fing clue what a hard days work really is.
Yeah SW always didnt things different (understatement). Opening a second store in SA made no sense except to have a position in the rich white suburban northside. I wouldnt be suprised if they shutter the original store due to slumping sales once their lease is up and eventually open a value store closer to downtown.
As for the behavior of people..some tms who had been legitimately harassed by leadership were told things like "theyre transferring to a new store soon, so just hold on and youll be fine". To avoid a third party investigation.
They instead of doing what was right to fox the situation, would sweep it under the rug and hoped we were too lazy to clean...
There were often times where they would purposely go against the global decisions for the benefit of our metro. They were more restrictive with certain aspects of the business. I think they knew sw region was goi ng rogue for its own benefit and would certainly be trouble in realigning the company towards its goal to become more corporate and automated. So they cleaned house.
It wasnt just about money really, it was an excuse to get rid of those that could potentially be a problem.
SW region here- We let go probably close to 40 people at our store
There has been no accountability. Nothing. It's truly been run on a buddy system. I came from the MW years ago, the SW is like a completely different company. They invent positions on a whim, dole out huge raises for TMs and TLs that aren't meeting expectations it's all run on politics and who is personally favored. I've seen STLs drinking wine during inventory because the wine department (not specialty, it was split off to favor a friend of the STL) was done counting while the rest of the store was still counting.
If you try to hold an STL's friend accountable they come after you.
I'm sure no one's friends faced layoffs.
SW has too many stores. There are only so many shoppers in a metroplex. They staffed the stores with the same model,they used 20 years ago when there were only a few stores. Too much expansion, too few shoppers, stores don't have the same million dollar earnings they used to, massive cuts. Some make sense. Many don't. Laying off long term team members because they earn a few bucks more and keeping team members that have been there 3 months is crazy. As a long term team member, I sell more per hour than a new one. I more than make up for the few bucks more that I earn. I am familiar with all the departments and can be utilized anywhere. In one shift I can make coffee, make juice, be a cashier, stock shelves, be a back buyer for an order, sell bulk, sell wine, cut and wrap cheese and the. Sell it, build displays and answer any question any guest has about any product and know where it is in the store. What I earn per hour is made up in efficiency, sales, ability to be utilized in endless capacities and relationships with guests. None of that was taken into consideration.
Payroll may be less, but sales will go down.