I feel awful for those let go today. I've felt awful for store associates dealing with the brunt of the customers questions and attitudes for things that are out of their control. I've worked in a store before HE and I will say that we feel as restricted and frustrated as even the cleaning crews per store. It's not a good environment for anyone except the chosen few at the top. I feel awful being happy to survive one more day, knowing tomorrow my fate may change. I've put 15+ years into this company and feel an awful but elated survivors guilt at still being employed knowing my workload is going to double. I've absorbed 8 full time positions since the spring of last year, without signs of the absorption waning. I truly wish everyone huge luck and to reach out to each other. We're all suffering unless you're an exec and know you have all your employees squirming on whether they can eat the next day. This is not how a company should be run and its a disgrace that many have not been able to escape to greener pastures for whatever the reason. My heart hurts today for those we've lost, and for the ones we will tomorrow. Be kind, take care of each other.
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i’m the OP. i survived today as well, but survive is relative. i watched as my boss who was there for me personally and professionally was told his 23+ years meant nothing. i walked him out and let my tears fall openly walking back in as i said goodbye. he took an interest and true compassion to a new mother and enjoyed feeling a sense of surrogate grandfather-ism by watching and enjoying and participating as my daughter grew. instead of continuing, we have a person who is unfamiliar with the business and doesn’t have the balls to run a section of business left, but he was paid less for fewer years of service. we lost MANY good people at HE and in the stores. we are officially becoming extinct and many are and will be impacted by a trickle down version of either duties, responsibility and pressure. none of this is fair, none of us deserve the fear we live with day in and day out. i hope and wish you all success in escaping the death spiral the idea of a smaller footprint means and that you find something that is fulfilling to you. sadly it will not be located at sears. reach out as many of the superiors and managers are more than happy to be a reference to you, use them on resumes to escape. you owe it to yourself to have an upcoming holiday season that is memorial and meaningful. don’t waste it at sears. be kind, help each other; be present with yourself.
EVEN IF Sears survives, this is NOT a company i want to shop with. EVER. I can't imagine shoppers having any confidence purchasing ANYTHING from there. I was in HE for 12 years. Loved my job and the people. I was let go last Sept, and it was the BEST thing that ever happened to me. Working now for a company that is making money and is good to their employees, with REAL benefits and perks. I feel for the ones who are left after layoffs to pick up the pieces and after the last two days - additional work.
The few left are just there to keep a shallow pulse beating until the giant heart attack. I don't get why spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to another "transformation" company makes any sense or will pull them out of this black hole. Peace and luck be with all of you left. I feel like i am making a big difference that's appreciated in my new job, with budgets and perks, contests, free lunches and more. I don't have to wonder if I'm next on the chopping block. YOU CAN DO IT. The time to look and apply is NOW.
25% of the stores are supposed to be notified of closing at Noon ET today. Thats about 100. No merch in the remaining stores.......I'm guess after the 4th qtr is a S@#$t Show, the end won't be too far behind.
I’m sure the office of the CEO will figure it out.
Well said, OP.