Thread regarding Sears layoffs

Was there a layoff in April? I don't remember the exact dates anymore.

Then explain how the WARN report posted Feb 28 that gave a future date for 120 people to be laid off and that is exactly what happened and when they said. It was not for a past event.

@3bdb No one is making anything up. That is how we have been explained the warn notices from our HR departments. We have been explained that what happens is the day the associates are laid off, then it is filed as the associates at HE basically have 8-10 weeks of pay left before any additional severance could potentially kick in. That would bring the "lay off" date to the day in August. It sounds like we have just been given two different explanations of how the warn dates work. Now I personally am not saying there will not be any other layoffs at HE as in my gut I know there will be. I just have been explained that this particular warn notice relates to the layoffs in June....doesn't mean that this month or August there might not be more layoffs.

Some of you are just unbelievable. These are not from the June layoff. Quit making things up to support your demented view of things. Either way, we are about to find out the real story and will see who is correct. Place your bets now. What's the spread on this?

I had no warn notice and did get 10 weeks severance. I'm glad I got the severance for the summer, I'm collecting UE as well so I've got income while also having time for jobs searches and interviews.

I was told my position was eliminated but I did see it show up on Indeed...I'm guessing this was a compliance thing where they have to show the position still exists for a certain length of time...even though they're not going to hire for it. On the other hand maybe they're outsourcing it. Don't know, don't care....time to move on.

These are the 375 jobs that were eliminated in June, but SHC is playing the system to say that they gave advance notice.

Technically, those 375 positions still exist in the payroll system and haven't been "eliminated" yet and won't be until Aug to adhere with the WARN rules. That's why those fired were confused by the wording on their "severance" agreements. From an HR perspective, they're still being paid as if they're active employees (wink, wink) as far as the state of Illinois is concerned. On paper, these positions will officially be eliminated in August. But, of course, the reality is they were eliminated with zero notice in June.

Want to know how to confirm this? Go to Outlook and search for names of the departed and you'll see they're still in the address book. In a typical layoff, names will be purged within a couple of days. It's July and the names are still there. But check back in August and you'll see the names disappear after we pass the WARN notification window.

This is creating havoc for the remaining associates that inherited the workload. There was no master list sent out to let teams know who was let go. Messages are still being sent to these "ghost" associates, and others may not realize that their response isn't being answered because the person is overwhelmed (like the rest of the survivors). It's because they're no longer here.

@O9cndYT

No, they won't be 'replaced' by call center jobs. SHC was moving call center jobs from other locations in the US (Atlanta, and others) into the Hoffman HQ so they could buoy their numbers and try not to lose the Illinois tax credits (they're losing them anyway, I have read). The jobs being lost are people they judge as being redundant in departments across the company. IT, compliance, engineering, development, retail purchasing, marketing, etc etc. And then there's people leaving on their own accord because they were a senior person and didn't want the stress of not having any backup.

It wouldn't surprise me in the least if hundreds of corporate jobs going away were announced in the coming months. Anyone who is still an employee of SHC Hoffman had better get their resumes together and start the wheels turning to look for a new job. Once they file the paperwork, employees who are then let go will not get any severance or payouts. Anyone who can take advantage of early retirement should also do so as your pension may end up in limbo if you try to leave after (and they may end up suspending payments once the bankruptcy happens anyway).

Yes. The 375 was the number from the last layoff.

17 hours ago by Anonymous | Post ID: @O9cndYT-1uga

There were 400 laid off in HE in June, I was one of them. My HR contact confirms this number so 375 isn't accurate for that layoff.

I dont think what is being said is accurate with the 375 number again, but we will find out. Once again not disputing future layoffs at HE, but I have been told differently on the Warn notices.

Ha! They are just trolling you to get a response, or are from corporate trying to do damage control. Nobody is that clueless about a WARN Act filing. At least, I hope not.

Understand warn act law.. The last round they did not warn and as a result required to pay 10 weeks severance. This round they informed 10 weeks in advance and would not be required to pay severance.

Yep. Those laid off in June got minimally 60 days of severance pay so they are essentially laid off as of August as they are still getting paid until then. Yes there will be other layoffs, but this particular warn notice refers to the June HE layoff of approximately 375 associates.

"Not bright enough to work at SHC?!" Too funny.

I agree that this is for August exactly as stated in the notice. Notices are filed 60 days before the mass layoff. And it was the same for previous notices and the future dates they listed came true. Others must be in denial, or not bright enough to work at SHC.

Guess you cannot read or comprehend. It clearly says STARTING on or about, nothing about in the past.

As a Sears in store associate,I would love to know what some of the people who work at Hoffman Estates actually do in their high paying positions. Most have probably never been in a real store waiting on customers,if they had most of the ridulous things they made us do would be gone.

Nope. There was nothing in the warn notices for the 375 in June, so what is listed out there right now for August basically says notified the day the layoffs occurred in June. It is one and the same. I am not saying there wont be more layoffs in HE as we know there will be as we xontinue to shrink to a smaller company.

I think the OP meant to say the number of employees at Hoffman is dropping to levels below the agreement for tax incentives and that the numbers will be boosted by the call centers they are building.

The 375 is for August just as the notice states, not past layoff. You can't twist the data to meet your narrative. That is what a Democrat would do. SHC filed for the 120 let go in Feb, but didn't file for the 400 let go in June. Now they filed a notice for August. There was a rumor of an August layoff, but now it is no longer rumor.

Hoffman also has a smaller layoff coming for Tuesday that was not filed for.

They've just about completed the mini cubicles for the call center people at Hoffman. There areally a bunch ofor them so a lot of people are coming overy or being hired soon. This was as of yesterday when in the office.

I dont think anyone should feel bad about continuing to work for Sears and being concerned about layoffs. Some of us generally like our jobs and feel we get paid okay. Some of us arent ready for a change. Dont let some nasty poster get to you. There are always nasty people no matter where you go who try to belittle you and tell you you should have quit earlier and on and on.

While these numbers look likely to be from the last round thank you to the OP for sharing. Early warning of layoffs help us prepare ourselves, help us leave with dignity and help us protect our families (yes,yes why don't you just leave the company then?! It's not always as easy as that before someone inevitably asks) thank you OP for looking out for us

I think you are right. This is the number for the last layoffs.

1wqx- I remember seeing that and I think you're right about it including Oakbrook. May also include those affected by the Bloomingdale Kmart closing as well.

Yes. The 375 was the number from the last layoff.

108 sears employees getting a lay off

The 108 is for the store in Oakbrook that is undergoing a downsizing / remodel to re-open in 2018

The 375 is for Hoffman Estates employees

Come on. No we have more people than that. It sounds like the posting for the layoffs that were just done. I think you technically are paid for at least 60 days, so the August 14th date makes sense.

isn't 375 close to everyone left?

Date received 6/14/17

LWIA 7; Northeast 4

Sears Holdings Management Corporation

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Approx. 375 layoffs starting on or about

8/12/17

page 3

actually if you read that link its only 108 sears employees getting a lay off ... not that is any better but still false to say 375

Thumbs up to OP. Source: https://www.illinoisworknet.com/DownloadPrint/June%202017%20Monthly%20WARN%20Report.pdf

Good luck to everyone in HE (including myself) ! This is a real transformation in action and I hope we all want our company to survive and thrive.

lol us1. and would run better

https://www.illinoisworknet.com/DownloadPrint/June%202017%20Monthly%20WARN%20Report.pdf

All directors and above will be replaced by cashiers and call center associates. The company will restore to profitability once again.

what corporate job could they be talking about that is considered to be fill by a call center employee