On the recent conference call the Team Lead raises were mentioned as the first of three change phases, which actually pulled Team Lead compensation more in line with assistant managers. Does anyone have any idea what is to come with phase two and three? Is phase two the layoff of pharmacist? Has anyone heard anything? Moral is at an all time low, we need good news, we need to hear the words we will be full staffed tomorrow. Even overtime is approved and no one wants to work - Home Office are you listening?
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History should teach us everything we need to know.
10 Years ago:
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Regional Management Team
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- RM, FRM, Membership RM, HR RM
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Divisional Management Team
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Market Management Team
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- Fresh, Membership, HR,
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Club Manager
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- APM, Grocery Manager, Hardlines Manager, Fresh Manager, Night Manager, Front End Manager, Membership Manager
Then we had project pretzel. Alignment was now:
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Regional Team
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- RM, FRM, HR RM
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Division Team dissolved
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Club Management
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- CM, APM, GPAM, MOM, FAM, Nights, MEM, Membership
Then we decided that didn't work either.
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Regional Team
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- RM, FRM
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- HR positions eliminated
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Market Team
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- Tech, HR eliminated
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- MM, FMM, OTCMM
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Club Management
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- CM, GAPM, Hardlines, Nights, FAM1, FAM2, Front End Manager
Then they suddenly dropped Fresh Market Managers. Now, with this new alignment and block scheduling, we have:
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Regional
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- RM, FRM
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Market
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- MM, OTC MM
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Club
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- CM, Morning Merch, Morning Front, Evening Merch, Evening Front, FAM1, FAM2
So it is simple to assume the next round will be:
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Regional
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- RM
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- RFM (Regional Fresh Manager) eliminated
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Market
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- MM (OTC Manager eliminated)
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Club
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- CM, Morning Merch, Evening Merch, Front End, Fresh (one FAM and one MERCH eliminated)
Essentially, the direction of the company in a dwindling retail business model is to eliminate overhead. You will never see raises for current associates (aside from raising the minimum pay) because the thought is NOT to invest in associates who are not seen as capable or willing to grow in to leadership positions - essentially if you wanted to be the best you could be, you would strive to rise up through the ranks, and if you don't want to, then you're a financial drain. You will not be rewarded for being a 20 year sales floor associate aside from accruing PTO at a higher rate than the new hires. FT is discouraged for new hires due to the cost of paying for benefits.
This post is not an endorsement to the direction of the company - quite the opposite, actually. But I see post after post about people upset that they've been with the company xx amount of years and feel disrespected. If you've been with the company 10 years or more and are not in a leadership position you are seen as a financial liability and keeping you happy is NOT on their list of priorities.
The company wanted to focus on Fresh and it is paying off - Produce is up throughout the company and Meat sales are up after some nifty shifts to items in various categories (must be nice to have Meat department claim all sales of frozen meat in the Freezer now). Bakery's longterm goal is to reduce wages (check your Fresh Sales Home office is watching and smiling. Everything is going according to plan.
I just hope they cut us before Christmas as long as they offer us a severance. Ready to move on and pass the torch off to the next generation. Our leads like to miss work and lots of it so it will be interesting to see how that goes when they start opening at 4am and everyone is waiting to get in the building and they call in sick.
2 managers gone the digital is a joke. All members not on board with digital we are drowning and no one gives a sh--.
Phase 2 get rid of assistant managers .... look at all the money they will save.
I've seen a 12 year assistant managers pay, after the raise I'll make half of that....