I never usually come on this forum, but I have to wonder as a long time associate at Sam's, I ask myself where has the work ethic gone too? And why are long time associates being leaned on so heavy to a point where they are about to break? Especially when there are other workers who are in the same area and don't seem to have to do much. They are never held to any sort of accountability for their lack of effort in their area. Where is a long time associates motivation to keep putting forth an honest days work for $15.00 and hour (which is insulting by the way), when someone who works in the same area alongside you is making more, and is chatting with their friends, or playing on their phone, or just plain passing time in the day by just pulling boxes. Just because someone has more years on them, does not mean that they should do everything all day everyday. Should I just stop caring? Stoop to the level of "I don't care" anymore? Because it seems like it honestly doesn't matter anymore. I grew up in a time when work mattered, and doing it right matter. That you had to work to get things in this life, and earn it everyday. So what has changed? The mindset has totally changed. I am surrounded everyday at work with people who don't care, and problems that are constantly swept under the rug like they don't exist. When in fact it couldn't be more evident when it's staring you dead in the face. I know that writing this will not change anything at all, I am aware of that. What Sam's should realize is that you are losing great people who work for you, who actually took it serious and did it right everyday. This company will be left with those up and comers who give you zero effort everyday in the future. Yes there are some who have work ethic and have been taught it, so I am not grouping everyone in that same boat. But many do not. Bring back raises that actually matter, and yearly evaluations and reward those who deserve it. Sam's you are losing good people daily, and sadly you will not see what you had until it's gone. I can't change the Sam's Club mindset, or culture. I worked at my store when things were fun, and it was a joy to come in everyday. People laughed and enjoyed the time there, alongside the expectations of doing your job. I have realized that the only person I can change is myself now. I have to ability to change my surroundings, way of thinking, and how much effort I put in each day for a company that does not seem to listen to it's workers, or care about real issues. Change for me honestly starts right now. I am sorry this was long.
5 replies (most recent on top)
After watching a co-worker do nothing for six months without consequences, I decided I was on his team. I don't care anymore either.
Why should someone in this company work hard when everyone gets a 2% raise every year. There is no incentive to work hard. If you are a hard worker then management or team leads take advantage of that so they can slack off and pawn their work off to you.
I've gotta admit. The company beats it out of you with all the doublespeak and outright lies. You can only watch so many people lose there job for no reason other than how much PTO they have before you you look at doing your best job as futile.
I was a Sam's associate for nearly 30 years. What a joke it became. You are correct that it used to be fun, exciting and most of all, fair. I resigned last year because i could see the writing on the wall. The management and team leads did everything possible to give you a reason to quit! It was their goal to do this, because many of us made too much money, as far as they were concerned...Or you weren't "their type" and they wanted or want you gone. There are many opportunities outside of Walmart or Sam's. Better pay, benefits and old fashioned kindness. Grab one!
I also had a strong work ethic growing up. I received it through my mom. After a stint in the military, I went back to school while working in retail. The more I did (at a WM competitor), the more I was given to do. I eventually realized I was taken advantage of. If I was going to do the jobs of 3 people and not going to be rewarded properly for it, then why continue doing the work of 3 people? (I chose a career in IT and did work at the WM HO for 10 years.)
I believe it comes down to reward vs. effort. The days have been long over where companies cared about their employees/associates and where you could spend your entire career at one company. Companies provide as few incentives as possible and still expect to get top talent. Thus, if an employee is receiving the bare minimum, they in turn also give the bare minimum.
While working in Bentonville at the Home Office, we were on a mandatory 45 hour work week. 5 hours * 52 = 260 extra hours a year (assuming 2 weeks vacation). This is an extra 6.5 weeks a year you work for free being on salary. So for every 8 years you are at WM you actually work 9 years.
Another thing at WM is promotions. You need to work at the level above your job for at least a year (if not more) if you wanted to move into that role. This means that you are working at that salary difference for free until you actually get that promotion.
These are just 2 examples (at WM) in which they take advantage of their associates. And we wonder where the work ethic has gone? Loyalty is a 2-way street, a give and take. It is not an all take situation that companies embrace.
My work ethic remains strong but not strong as it was 20 years ago.