I understand the younger folks that are leaving Sam’s. If I were in their shoes I also wouldn’t think twice about that decision. For us, that have been working here for years it’s a whole different story. It’s nos so much a question of getting another job in retail, It’s a question of our ability to start over. After spending years at this place, it’s hard to move to a new environment, with new people, new rules, new bosses. So, I would appreciate if younger colleagues on this board would spare us the “get out while you can” talk.
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The hardest pill to swallow for those who have managed to stay with the company as long as 20 years or more, is the idea of leaving voluntarily, or at all, for that matter. The fact of the matter is, if you've been with the company for that length of time, you're at a pay level that is considerably higher than you will find if you go anywhere else. So they more or less have you trapped. What really s—s is when they consolidate jobs and you suddenly have a whole new set of responsibilities on your plate in addition to what you already are responsible for....and in spite of the fact that you're now doing more work than before, your pay - 90% of the time - will not increase at all. In some cases, such as if you're a team lead and they demote you because they're getting rid of the position, you have to take a pay cut. Example: Receiving team leads get bumped down and then have to continue handling receiving but now also have the duties of claims because they wiped out the claims positions. The guy I used to work with before I finally left, took a three dollar pay cut but wound up with double the work due to that exact scenario and he was one of those 30 year employees who was trapped because even with the pay cut, he was still making considerably more than he would anywhere else.
You are wrong on one thing on the list of 10 things. There is actually some out there where Sams would remain the most important thing in there life and that my friend is so sad. Ive been with this company for over 25 years and I can honestly say this is the worse decisions they have ever made on how they are running this company. Who comes up with these changes and why are they allowing them to proceed with them.
@1lgj completely agree!
Older workers are in demand. There are still employers that appreciate and seek out our work ethic. They know we will show up on time, when scheduled, and ready to work. They know that we will not be glued to our cell phone all day long. They know that we consider our time at work to be a time where we will give them our best effort. Trust me, I am a lot older than most of you, but I had finally had enough and found another job. I will be leaving the company very soon. It really wasn't all that hard to do once I made my decision to move on.
This was once a great place to work. The company has mostly been good to me over the years and I have done my damndest to be good to it. Times have changed. Retail has changed. And let's face it, the way the company values longer-term associates has changed. The company needs to do what it thinks is best to try to turn a profit for its shareholders. That is the nature of a publicly-owned business. But life is too short to constantly live in stress and fear. And while I'm not going to presume that I know what's best for anybody else, I now know what is best for me.
Make a list of the 10 most important things in your life. Then scratch them out one by one in order of which you would sacrifice next if you had to make the choice. By the time you get to your last thing left on the list that you haven't yet removed, you have found the #1 most important thing in your life. Not a single one of you would have Sam's Club remaining as that last, most important thing.
Now go out do that which would serve to achieve or enjoy that one last most important thing and you will be living a better, happier life.
I wish all of you the best of luck. I wish the company the best of luck. But I, for one, am out of here.
I was at Sam's for 10 years. I hoped the f— out and haven't looked back. It was kinda scary at first but I did what I had to.
I agree but the get out now is also from those who were there for 20+ years who found better employment or decided to take some time off before jumping in somewhere else. There are so many jobs still out there in retail if thats what one decides to do.
Yeah money could change which is a tough decision but if your a go getter and really want to work outside of this place, it's out there. Most times your being taken advantage of here since we have been loyal to a fault. Loyalty, teamwork, hard work and caring doesn't matter anymore.
Oh goodness. Change is no joke (and gets harder as time goes on). People who say "get out while you can" are just trying to be helpful. We're all doing the best we can in a messed-up situation. But yeah, I've been looking at some of our decades-long associates lately. They seem so frustrated and angry but their trying to keep it together. I've wondered why they don't just deuce-out and start to collect SS OR unemployment until they qualify for SS. But then I remember that this is their career I'm talking about and it's not as black and white as all that.
Best of wishes and luck to you guys who have put in serious time with this company. Be strong and do what's best for you in the short and long-term. At least you have compassion for yourself and your situation even IF no one else does. ❤️