Trying to make sense of this. Two questions - are they any folks who are laid off and are willing to talk ON the record for a major regional newspaper (Austin). Also, would someone help me understand the position acronyms you are using (e.g., ASTL, etc.)
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@Bby - that's funny
Whole Foods Market = Scientology of grocery stores.
I didn't get laid off but I just quit and I'd love to help if at all possible
That's a union rep.
Wasn't laid off today, but I was laid off in 2008. I no longer work for WFM as of last year, but I will talk on record about anything you want.
@Anonymous164750 - a TM here, joined in June. This helps me too.. :-)
I cannot talk on record. I will answer any question you have. My severance hangs in the balance. That should tell you alot. All of this was a desperate, stupid move by a consulting firm and WFM bought it hook, line and sinker- check out our stock price. Everything happening is not performance based. We have heard every excuse in the book. Our leadership has made horrible decisions regarding purchasing, construction and structure. WFM is a shell of the company it used to be. It has violated it's integrity on so many levels.
One of the conditions of the severance deal is to keep our mouth shout. It'd be foolish to talk while we are still employed (retaliation, hello)...
MrZehr - we cannot legaly talk on record - post if you are interested in an 'off' option
Thanks all - this is perfect - if you'd like to talk direct message @MrZehr
TMSG and PBS are our acronyms for our HR specialists. for some regions this is a metro/regional position with a traveling TMSG who covers multiple stores, some regions have in-store specialists. i think it depends on sales and amount of TMs, but sometimes it just feels random. TMSG = team member services/generalist, PBS is payroll and benefits specialist? i could be wrong about PBS, it's been TMSG in FL for a long time now and i can't remember. someone pls correct me if i'm wrong
No one can talk on record, it's in their severance package and would put their severance at risk.
STL - Store Team Leader (Store manager)
ASTL - Associate Store Team Leader (assistant store manager)
TL - Team Leader (department manager, like Grocery, Produce)
ATL - Associate Team Leader (assistant department manager)
Buyer - self-explainatory
Supervisor - self-explainatory
TM - Team Member (basic level employee)
Others are:
RVP - Regional Vice President
EC - Executive Coordinator (executive in charge of a large division of the company, like Marketing or Operations; responsible to the Regional Vice Presidents.
Coordinator (manager in charge of a department, like Grocery, Marketing, Produce, etc; responsible to the Executive Coordinator
AC - Associate Coordinator (regional level overseer or a department, often spends a good amount of time traveling to stores; responsible to the Coordinator)
There are many other positions that don't fit into this model, but this is the core structure. Forgive me if i left anything out; i'm trying to do this quickly.
TM- team member
Specialist- buyer for a particular team, example- meat
ATL- Assisant team leader
TL- team leader
ASTL- assistant store team leader
STL- store team leader
SSI- store systems integrator- computer tech
TL - team leader (team = department, like "product department," most stores have 9 departments and 9 of these. It appears there might be department consolidation going on.)
ATL - assistance team leader
STL - store team leader (there is one per store)
ASTL - assistanct store team leader (a few per store depending on size)
STL- store team leader (head manager @ location)
ASTL- Assiciate Store Team Leader (assistaint manager @ location)
TL- team leader (head of individual team, ex Grocery)
ATL- Associate Team Leader
STL = store team leader
ASTL = assistant store team leader
TL = team leader
ATL = assistant team leader
TM = team member
what acronyms do you need help with? i'd be happy to clarify. i'm still with the company and will only provide clarifying information for you. ASTL is Associate Store Team Leader, basically the assistant store manager. comment with more questions regarding jargon and i'd be happy to expain.