Thread regarding Sears layoffs

@1vtj-- Not saying it makes sense but I have worked in this area for over 30 years and I understand the reasons that companies have for doing and not doing things. As for any dust in the store or on registers or whatever that is considered as "part of the job hazard". Could an employee sue and try to get workmans comp or some sort of compensation for too much dust at work? Sure, but it would be a long drawn out, expensive ordeal and you may win or not. Whereas, if a company allows something out of the ordinary, i.e. a fan, as opposed to an A/C unit. Then the company could be sued for allowing it.

As far as the A/C not filtering properly, you may be correct, but trying to prove that your allergies, or sinus problems or whatever, come from an A/C unit that has been in the building for years would probably not work. But it would be very easy to prove that my allergies, sinus problems started when they allowed the fan on the docks.

It comes down to money. The same reason some companies will settle to make a lawsuit go away. Whether the company is right or wrong, sometimes it is cheaper to just settle than to have a long court case and bad publicity.

@1bfd Well then, I guess anything that has a fan is a potential liability and poses this huge threat to employees! So everything from the entire HVAC system, which are not filtered very well in most stores, to things like vacuum cleaners, computers, registers and even the breakroom microwave and refrigerator are all a liability since those things all have fans and they move air and dust.

Oh no, a dust bunny blew out the back of my register! I'm damaged! I'm gonna sue! Are we going to have HEPA filters on the back of computers now? Is the custodian going to have to have EPA officials around running tests whenever he runs the vacuum cleaner in the morning?

As for the kind of people who stick their fingers (or whatever else) in a fan or any other machinery, I have no comment...

Coming from an insurance/liability background I would say that the reason they would deny a fan or any type of air movement mechanism would be that (in no particular order):

1. People who are allergic could say that dust and alergins are being put into the air.

2. That if the fan blows something into someones eyes, nose, face... they could sue for injury or workmans comp.

3. Someone would put their hand/finger into fan or something could be expelled from the fan and injure someone.

Just like ladders, which need to be corporate approved, it comes down to money. If someone get hurt then they could sue. Even if it is the employees fault, would cost for court cost alone, could be huge. There is a reason that certain equipment is approved by corporate. The lawyers and insurance companies look at what is the safest, strongest, less expensive, whatever. All while balancing cost and safety and the come up with the ladder, fan etc. that is the least cost prohibative And that is the only fan, ladder etc. , that can be insured and the ladder or fan that the legal department can defend against.

It is a big balancing act between legality, cost and worker safety. On this case the worker lost.

@xkx - some peeps are dumber than a box of rocks, its nice to see you are trying your best to surpass them

@lki - LOL, exactly what liability does a simple fan pose? I'm assuming that he wants just a regular household fan to use, like an box fan, and not some belt driven metal mincemeat maker behemoth with a three phase motor. There are tons of equipment and items in that warehouse that are infinitely more of a threat than a simple fan. If the reason is for fire safety, whoosh, that argument goes out the window. All UL listed fans sold new in the US have fuses and thermal overloads and the fan does not need to be running when nobody is working in that area. If anything catches fire, it will be the outdated aluminum wiring that some of the stores are wired with.

All in all, it's a poor excuse because other stores have fans for their employees to use, even at the checkstands. If he passes out or has a heat stroke, Sears may wish that they just bought him a fan to use, especially if the temperatures in the area he is working is the cause. So, by eliminating a safety "hazard", a much more serious one is introduced (heat stroke, fainting, etc.). Not a good idea.

I do, however, agree with you about him needing to find a better job.

Your Store Manager and/or DM controls whether you get a fan or not. 88 sears has nothing to do with it. We were denied a fan in our store by both the DM and the Store Manager. Needless to say, we weren't in a hurry to unload and process the truck.

• "if you buy one or bring one in it costs them nothing. What's their objection"

Objection I'd a liability issue. - if fan were to breakdown and cause injury or damage to property WHO WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE - 'YOU' for placing an unauthorized piece of equipment in service - the mall owner, SHLD, injured person can all come after your a z z and possible criminal charges could come into play - Its easier & more productive TO START LOOKING FOR ANOTHER EMPLOYER

There's no future in working for SHLD whether it be Sears or Kmart

Perhaps a psych evaluation is in order as to why people wanna be slaves to corporate masters??

I used to work for Sears but now I am an assistant manager at a Lowe's store. Our warehouse not only has an industrial swivel fan permanently mounted near each truck bay, it also is air conditioned. We also provide bottled water.

A decent fan is around $20 and uses only a few pennies worth of juice a month. If you buy one or bring one in it costs them nothing. What's their objection?

Get the doctor's note if you can, but be looking for a better job, if not for better working conditions, but for the reason that all jobs at Sears are on borrowed time. I wouldn't count on any resolve from 88Sears, they will most likely just say that it is up to your manager. I've been down that road before when I called about stress leave that my store manager denied, which I needed due to working a consistent 50+ hours with maybe one day off a week and just overall burnout from the job. When I called, the person who answered was sympathetic, but said that she could not do anything or override their decision even though they were at the corporate level.

Depending on how you feel about your district manager, you might want to explain the situation to them by email, or talk with them in private when they visit. Have your doctor's note to corroborate your request. Some district managers are better than others, and if you're lucky to have one that has at least some rapport with the stores and one that checks in often, talk to them.

However, like everyone else who needs a job, you need to get out of there ASAP. The working conditions at a failing company never improve and it looks like Sears is getting taken off of life support if the news of Lampert buying Kenmore is of any indication, since that's just about the last major asset owned by Sears to sell, and Sears is being kept alive for its "organs"...

No fan for you get back to work pu--y