Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - IT'S NOT PERSONAL, BUT......

A few weeks ago, the company made the decision to take quite a few full-time employees and make them part-time employees  - hence, the 40-60 ratio.  With this decision each employee, that had their status changed, was given the opportunity to either accept the position or take a package deal which consisted of so many weeks of paid vacation.  I don't know how many stayed or left, I only know the one employee from our store that decided to leave.

I am sure that those that were given the grim news of their positions felt like the bottom had just dropped out of their immediate futures.  I mean, go to work one day and bam - guess what. 

As is the norm around here, the real devastating news is kept secret until the ball is dropped.  And although we have tried to undermine any future changes, we sometimes miss the real big changes - two to be exact.

So for the weeks leading up to the date of August 4th, the date given for all those departing, this one employee's co-workers tried to convince them that it was a mistake to leave.  "Part-time is better then no job at all." the employee was told.  Comments such as this, and others, became the typical conversation during these lingering weeks.

But the employee was firm in their decision.  So, I just had to ask what brought them to this decision and did they really feel that it was the best for their immediate future.  Their answer was a resounding, "Yes."

After having worked, I believe, nine years with no black marks against them this decision of eliminating their full-time position was like a 'slap in the face.'  And to be honest, they felt that there was no way that they would be able to come in and give 100% to their job anymore and that would not be right to do to their co-workers.

In knowing this employee, I know that they are going through quite a bit of anguish right now with a close family member fighting a debilitating illness.  And now, this latest action at work has just added more stress in their life. 

As for their immediate future, who knows what may come around.  But this employee is positive in the decision that they have made.

This latest decision does not affect me.  Back in February, I made the decision to retire.

There has been a couple of times since, that I have been asked if I had had an inside tip as to what would happen in the future.  My response was, no.  The decision that I made was due to common sense.  I had lost five hours, sales continued to drop, we had lost most of our benefits and the decisions that were being made had not helped to turn business around - it just kept declining.

Had I not made that decision, when I did, I have no doubt that I would have been dropped to part-time as well.  At which time I am sure that I would have stroked out and could only hope that I would have done it on company time.

Since this latest decision, we now seem to be faced with an ever ending parade of new faces coming into the store to replace those hours saved with this latest company move.  The time saved is replaced with minimum wage/part-time.

There is no doubt in anyone's mind - there will be more changes.  And when you take into consideration the morale, I'm not so sure that we care anymore. 

All of these changes that so many companies have incorporated into their business operations does not seem to be improving sales/profit.  There's a reason for that;

They have cut the spending power.

Talk at ya later!

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - TIMES GONE BYE

When I was clocking out last night, an employee said that they had been on my Blog but noticed that I hadn't published anything new lately - thought that maybe I was taking a break.  I assured the employee that I hadn't taken a break but instead had not seen anything around the store to write about.  Unless of course I would write about what the employees had been going through.

Not too long ago, a manager told me that they found it hard to look into the faces of the employees.  "The morale", they said, "is gone."  And that it is.

All of the hard work, the customer service, loyalty etc., somehow seems like it was a waste.  As one person put it, "It's a slap in the face." 

So many employees are now faced with finding healthcare and at the same time trying to make ends meet on their new found Part-time positions.  Not an easy task.  Especially if they cannot find another Part-time job with hours that can be coordinated with their positions at the store. 

New people are being hired, what seems to be, constantly - Part-time/minimum wage.

The store has truly lost that wonderful 'vibe' and so many of our local customers; patrons of the store since it opened almost 20 years ago.

We could talk this out and what went wrong and first one thing and then another.  But, that would not provide us with any solution only make us feel more miserable.  We, the employees, know what brought us to this point but there is not now or ever has been anything that we could do to avoid the problems.  It was out of our hands.

But thinking back on a published interview with the CEO of this company, I recall a statement made by the CEO that he never asks employees to do anything that he, himself, would not do.

Guess it's time for him to take a pay cut, too.

Talk at ya later!

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - TALK THE TALK - WALK THE WALK

I don't know the origin of the phrase, which I have cited for the title of this post, but I find it to definitely define what is currently taking place in the job market. 

On one side of the spectrum there is the 'fast food workers', that are rallying for a wage increase.   And while the workers step up the for their cause, the employers argue of what that would do to business.  Yep, less profit.  And in order to fill the gap between cost and profit, the employers would have to pass the increase of their expense on to the consumer.  Which definitely gives the consumer a thought on the matter.  Like 'you want more money, get a better job', or 'get a real job', or 'these jobs are not meant to be permanent.'  Anything to save the cost of a burger.

The wage increase that is being sought by this workforce is basically due to increased living expense; utilities, food, home.  The very same things that everyone is being hit with.  And the part about finding another job well, you might just be surprised as to how many are working two jobs in order to make it.  And finding the higher paying jobs is not as easy as it is made out to be; with or without a degree.

I would think that the public might be a little more supportive since they seem to criticize these very workers for collecting government assistance in order to make it.

Now on the other side, there is a grocery store chain, approximately 71 stores, in Connecticut and neighboring states that is going through change.  A change that is being brought on by it's very own employees.  This company is family run, non-union and it is nothing for employees to be there up to 32 years or more.  Let's just say, the employees who work for this grocery chain really do love their stores and customers.

But, for quite a few years, there has been a struggle between two of the family members which ultimately ended up with one family member gaining control and firing the other family member.  Now this is a corporate struggle and it seems that the one CEO that got fired was the one that the employees are devoted to.  Meaning they refuse to work for the other family member.  They are so strong in their feelings on this matter that they took a stand - strike.  And here's the best part, the customers are backing them and boycotting.

When the company asked the employees to return, they refused to negotiate until the former CEO is reinstated.  They feel that should they be under a different management, then their futures would be jeopardized.  And the thoughts are the same for the customers.

And, they are right.  We have witnessed it first-hand.

So to all of these people, who have taken a stand, whether they win or lose they will have gained something - attention.  And it is the attention that sooner, or later, brings change. 

Personally, I wish them all the best and hope that  they are successful.  Because it takes a lot of guts to take a stand.

Keep walking,

Talk at ya later!
 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - BREAKING TRADITION!

Well, another manager has come and gone.  Not only gone, but has left the company. That was Saturday. And three days later, we're still missing her.

I would say that when she came to our store, it was a little bit of a culture shock.  The building is somewhat in need of repair and outdated,  the coolers are most generally going down on a regular basis and as if that were not enough well, let's just say that the place didn't seem very appealing.  Until she got in the door and met us.

Word for word, action to action - she fit right in. 

But here is the clincher - she brought back memories of what we use to be.  She added incentive and hard work to the store.  Just like we use to do.  And her outgoing personality and down to earth nature was exactly what our customers were accustomed to.

So in sending her off, we had to be different.  A cake?  Please, she's the Bakery Manager for goodness sakes.

I decided that we should get her a six pack of beer.  So, Glenn and I hunted through the beer aisle and he picked out what he thought she would like.  Me, I'm an Import girl myself.

 I got a big bow and put it on top while the employees got out their Sharpies and pens and wrote their names and farewell messages on the beer carton.  Then we put it on her desk.

Well, we were a success.   And of course some employees shed some tears.

Although we will miss her, very much, we like her enough to want her to be happy.  And, we think this move will make her happy.

So Gaby, from all of us,

'te deseamos lo mejor'

Talk at ya later!
 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - THE RATIO EFFECT

Recently I read a statement, by Peter Schultz, that reminded me of the people that I work with - "Hire character.  Train skill."

Most of the employees that I work with, now and in the past, were hired years ago.  It was a time when an employee's worth depended on the way they performed their job;  dependability, honesty, work ethic, personality.  In other words, their character.  And then they were trained in the skills needed to work these jobs.  Everything from running a cash register to ordering, from pricing to the legalities of Moneygrams, alcohol and tobacco sales and all of the different programs attached to each department.  And let us not forget - Customer Service.

Through the years, some made it and some did not. 

But for those who did make it, it was evident that it was their character that made them the ideal candidate for these jobs.  They demonstrated one important factor - they cared.

But now, much has changed in the retail job market and all of the 'old school' factors have become a thing of the past.

Businesses aim for just one thing, that bottom line; profit. And while this battle goes on, the workforce strives to survive.

The retail workforce now contends with more part-time jobs then full-time positions.  This is accomplished with a higher percentage of part-time as in comparison to the percentage of full-time.  My understanding it is called, the '40-60 ratio'. 

Of course there are reasons as to why this has been happening; recession, lack of sales, healthcare cost.  And yet, even though businesses continue to make these adjustments their sales continue to drop.  Which isn't surprising when you consider that  these adjustments affect the very customers that support these businesses; the employees.  Thus eliminating the spending power

And now our store has taken the very step that other companies have made.

Needless to say, it has been hard to witness.

So many full-time employees being cut to part-time and full-time hours changing.  Some employees are single parents, while others have health issues and some are the sole income for their households. 

And yet, along with the changes comes more hires - part-time.

One of the employees told me that they were feeling rather sad that they had kept their full - time position while so many had not, even though these other employees were just as good at their jobs.

You can see the change taking place and sense the mood.  I don't think that many are thinking of the future, only dealing with the day to day.  Much has been lost in the pride of a job along with the sense of purpose.

With all the changes that have been made, in this job market, it will be interesting to see if profit will play out over survival for these companies.

And when all is said and done, it will be what has been lost that will be remembered the most.

Talk at ya later!





 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - GONE ......... AGAIN!

This week, there was another transfer from our store; a manager.  Now this manager hadn't even been back, in our store, for a year before he was transferred out.   Needless to say, the employees are disappointed.

When this manager returned to the store we were happy.  He brought with him a much needed lift.  With a strong work ethic, good customer service, a great personality and just being an all round good guy well, it was definitely a welcome change.  Not only did we need this but so did the store itself.  And let me tell you, he really worked hard for the store.

So Saturday we gathered together for cake, some laughs and a few funny stories about the past.

It was a little over four years ago, we were doing the same thing with this very same manager.  Except, instead of a cake it was a big cookie with the inscription that read, 'TO THE BEST BOSS EVER.'

Glad to see that some things never change.

Thanks Chris.

Talk at ya later!

 

Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - IT'S JUST A JOB

The title of this post, I do believe, is becoming a reality.   Not only at our store but, almost every store I go in.

My cousin and I hit the road Wednesday and decided to do some shopping.  We traveled to one of the shopping malls, on the north side of town, and found the place to be rather empty.  Had no trouble finding a good parking spot and, there was absolutely no rush of shoppers to contend with.  Kind of reminded me of where I work.

In total, we visited four stores during our shopping spree.

Out of the four stores, there was only one that had great service.  This store is a very popular, national company, if not international, and the service and personality of the employees was top notch.  I found out that these employees are trained and they genuinely like their job.

This reminded me of how we use to be.

Now on to the other three stores.

At one of these stores I made a purchase and as I was being checked out, I got a little behind the scenes dialog.  The clerk that was checking out my order, had the cell phone in her left hand, used the cash register with her right hand and when a co-worker came by she was able to start a conversation with her; multi-tasking.

Now granted the actions of the clerk was not, what would be considered, good customer service - but hey, I kind of envied the clerk's ability to do all three things at one time.  But, what more caught my attention was the conversation that ensued;

Clerk #2 - "Hey, have ya seen the schedule?"
Clerk #1 - "No." (as she removes the cell phone from her ear)
Clerk #1 - "I had 32 hours last week and 28 hours this week." ( as she turns to Clerk #2 while     bagging my purchase.)
Clerk #2 - "Well, you got 0 hours next week."

For a second, or two, Clerk #1 just stood there staring at Clerk #2 while holding my bag.  Finally, Clerk #1 took my money and handed over my purchase.

So, as a customer, would I go back?  Yes I would - I like the fashions at this store.

Would I send an email to the corporate headquarters about the type of customer service I witnessed?  Not at all.

I look at it this way, the company  is to blame for the type of service the employees display.  These clerks had probably not been trained, except for the business end, and the actions they displayed will probably be how they act at future jobs which, sooner or later, could cause a problem for them.

And, just guessing, I would say that they have nothing to look forward to with this job except a minimum wage paycheck.

As a consumer, I feel the companies are at the root of customer service.  How employees act all depends on how they are treated by the employers.

I'm glad that I was able to work during a different time.  A time when employers provided their employees with incentive and good working conditions.  When the pay you received enabled you to dream and provided a stable life.  It was when employees were valued for their strong support.

Coming back to work, I see so much of what I have witnessed at other stores.  But, that is to be expected when there are employees who are just passing through and making low pay.

Like one employee told me, "Hey, it's just a job."

Talk at ya later!