The only real changes and layoffs seem to be most marketers and some grocery buying positions based on sales in individual stores. I think the MW region runs pretty tight for the most part so we were able to escape the shit show going on in other regions, but all metro area marketers are gone and will now battle royale for consolidated metro marketing positions if they dont want to take severance. Two regional design positions gone today too and some store opening support that I know of. I want to think this it for us but I feel like it's only the beginning. It's only a matter of time before the SGA role is "streamlined" and more preprinted materials make their way into stores. I don't know about you guys but I'll be updating my resume and portfolio. I love what I do and I want to believe this company still cares but I think it's time to explore other options before I'm called into the STL office and told to kick rocks. How about you guys?
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NA SGAs are fine this time around. Was told by another SGA that it's been rumored that Laura Derba said there's not going to be any more cuts this fiscal year.
Last year they cut the big stores who had back up sign makers, and third sign makers, which makes sense.
I noticed that about 5 regions either cut sign hours from 80 to 40 (and now they're having to apply against each other) or that most regions already only had one signmaker for more stores. I don't think I could ever get put in a position where I'd have to apply against the other sign maker in my store! If given the option, I think I'd take the severance.
Anyway, our type of job is dying. The best thing to do is: improve you resume, get a website portfolio, do freelance whatever you do, and be prepared. Good luck, fellow artists, it's really hard trying to find a creative job out there.
If you're losing buyers in the MW, they are being consolidated into one. Grocery team's below a certain number of sales will have a perishable buyer and a non perishable buyer and that's it.
I heard more prepackaged signs from regional/global to help "ease" the new workload for the lone, possibly pt sga's . can't see the sga position lasting too much longer.
How has the MW dealt with loss of bulk and frozen buyers. We are about to lose ours but we haven't gotten very much info about how we will deal with the loss.
MW Checkin in-When did Bashaw say this? I haven't seen a statement from him yet. Only Walter and John.
I think the Midwest has been ahead of the curve in eliminating the admin positions being eliminated in other regions. A couple years ago consolidated the pbs and ise positions. They did not have a lot of HSE, demo people or concierges either. I think that's why this is not hitting the MW as hard
Yeah we have not heard much yet; it is all pretty hush hush.
Don't say that out loud. They might come after you in the MW
Back Up GA in the RM region. My position hasn't been entirely eliminated (cut down to one day a week) and I'm being offered hours elsewhere at my same rate of pay, but I have a feeling that won't last long since I doubt the new department can budget for my higher payrate. I have a problem continuing to work for a company that treats its employees this poorly while showboating the core value that it cars more for its suppliers/employees than any other grocery store. By the logic of its values, WFM should NEVER perform layoffs. OP, you should look into working at Trader Joe's.
That really is it for the MW, at least for 2016. Straight from Bashaw's mouth.
To the SGA in the SW- I was specifically speaking about the MW region. A lot of other regions have more than one artist per store so they are cutting them all and consolidating to one per store. Very few stores have more than one full time artist in the MW.
I was let go today
I'm prepared to take the money and run.