I've been with this company for years in different stores, in different regions, in different positions on different teams but I don't trust them any more. These layoffs, or restructuring as it's being called, did not just materialize over night. This is a decision that was thought out and put into action without a discussion within the store. I understand the business aspect and their reasons for doing so, but their decision to not be open and share the information with the stores, with the team members, was a huge mistake. If global had come forward, if regional had come forward, to discuss with each region the necessity for eliminating certain positions and redistributing the responsibilities then maybe there wouldn't be this panic. That's what this is - fear. Will I lose my job? My health insurance? My financial security? How will I pay my bills? Support my family? My mortgage? My student loans?
And do you know what happens when workers get scare about their job security? They start a union.
And I don't blame them. If someone had come to me several years ago and said, "We should unionize." I would have told them we didn't need one. That Whole Foods was a transparent company that valued its team member. We had health insurance, PWA cards, and paid next to nothing for it. We had PTO that was earned and rolled over, becoming more valuable the longer you stayed with the company. We had a structure of leadership that assured that your voice was heard, and your opinion mattered. This was the culture we used to have. We trusted this company to protect us, to look out for our best interest, to make sure we were taken care but that trust has been broken.
I worked at a store, an older store, and my foundation was shook when a TL was fired for "stealing" a cup of coffee before open but it was later revealed that they just wanted to get rid of her because she made too much money. As the years rolled on I have seen more and more frightening examples of this company I was so invested in, one I had defended and believed in, become yet another corporation that puts money first and its workers last. They stopped hiring full time so they didn't have to offer benefits. They pushed long time TMs harder and offered less compensation. When a TM would leave, they wouldn't replace they would simply redistribute the work load. They keep the same expectations but offer no solutions or assistance. How can they not see this as wrong? What investment does someone have when they come in twice a week? How can you have a cohesive team when they never see each other due to scarce scheduling?
The point that I'm trying to make is that even though I don't believe my job is in immediate danger, that doesn't mean I'm safe. No one is. I think we would all be a lot less scared if we have known change was coming.If they had kept us informed about the real issues within the company, whether it is just structural or financial or both. Instead they told us it was all going to be ok - That we're still opening stores! That moving up is the goal! Watch this wonderful video about our Core Values! WE are compassionate! WE care about more than ourselves! WE believe in bettering our community! But... what about your community of TMs? What about our value? Where is the compassion?
I'm sad and I'm scared. And if someone came to me and said I could make a little less money but I'd have job protection? I'd just ask where to sign.