Thread regarding Whole Foods Market Inc. layoffs

GroBo....are you kidding me?

So many Whole Body Team Leaders were let go because their department is combining with Grocery. Only smaller stores were affected (for what I know and in my region SW).

So what's the future of Whole Body team members and specialist?

Grocery can't handle whole body, they can't handle clothes, shoes and socks! less to say the merchandising of these items.

Can anyone imagine the grocery team leader stocking soap? or ordering makeup? or even better, answering questions like: what can i take to stop my cramps :( and providing with the guest service all these needy "guests" require. At least at my store I saw four customers walk away when they couldn't find anyone on the floor. Where was I?? At the register paying for my last purchase....(off the clock of course and with separation papers already singed!)

Whole Body Team Leaders (and TM's) are the most knowledgeable people in the store. There is a reason why many TM's and even STL's are intimidated by this department.

Who ever made this decision is going to regret it when they see their sales decrease. After all, even the small wholebody teams were bringing in $25,000 a week. Which other team can make up for this money?

BAD MOVE IN MY OPINION.

We lost a great TL at my store today and she will be missed.

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Post ID: @OP+DLQ3nOx

16 replies (most recent on top)

Meat cutting is pretty much like that now it's not what is was years ago. I don't even think of it as a trade anymore. We have people that been doing it for 30 years ask them they will tell you. All we really have to do is open boxes and make straight cuts. Meat cutters are really as valuable as they once were. To me a good sausage maker and someone that does the ready to cook stuff is more important. Times have changed and the company needs to change with it.

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Post ID: @22zO+DLQ3nOx

@-meat tl--those accountant and ssi positions were replaced by technology upgrades that allowed recievers to do the accounting and ssi now is done by regional and global..buyers gonna get the shaft with the auto-order system coming soon..but the nitty gritty TL work and vendor meetings cant be done with a tech upgrade..this will be a lot on their plate..just think some day that meat cutting bandsaw will be operated by a computer program and laser sites much like auto sheet metal is fabricated or how certain fabric factories operate..so count yer chickens now...

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Post ID: @2TWz+DLQ3nOx

Meat TL....hopefully you are not next.

I was cut and I am happy it happened. I've been stressed and not liking what I was doing. So this for me was the best thing that could have ever happened.

I'm enjoying my family, my time and the gorgeous weather!!! And best of all, I don't need to worry about the upcoming holidays.

I was a long term team member (20+ years) and though the severance doesn't pay off for all those years, I'm happy I walked out

Wish you and everyone else left behind the best.

My brother in law works at NYSE along side with some very important business people and they all believe 1) layoffs are not over. These were just the beginning. 2) the company is going to be sold soon. They can't explain why so many layoffs other than Wfm is ready to sell.

So with that said: good luck to all TL's and ATL's that think they are untouchable.

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Post ID: @1Fu0+DLQ3nOx

As you can see everyone thinks some teams or positions just stand around. That is why this shake up was needed. There is a lot of money standing or sitting around. Everyone is willing to point the finger at someone but not at themselves. Every accountant said "a store can't function with out an Account" but they did. Every SSI Said the same and they were wrong. 3 months for now this will blow over and it won't be the same but it will be business as usual. The team leader meeting will have just 5 instead of 12.

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Post ID: @1c12+DLQ3nOx

It's going to be fun watching one TL run Grocery, Whole Body and in many areas, Specialty! LOL get real. The combined TL will have to try to run a skeleton crew of part-timers who can offer nutrition advice (compliant with DSHEA), hair care advice, work with 75 or more vendors large and small in nutrition and body care, have expertise in wine and beer and deal with all those vendors, prepare food properly in Specialty, be experts in hundreds of cheeses, run the wine bar, comply with all the merchandising madness, inaccuracies and changes and the list goes on and on. This is going to be HILARIOUS. What a farce.

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Post ID: @1yap+DLQ3nOx

Glad to think wholebody team members just stand around. I thought those were guest services Tm's....whatever.

I'm just saying that if some one has no

Desire to be in wholebody it ain't going to work. There is so much to learn.

First, making sure all grocery Tm take DSHEA!

I will mis my team leader that's for sure.

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Post ID: @1Ai4+DLQ3nOx

I'm a grocery ATL that came from Whole Body, it can be done and stop thinking Whole Body tms are better than the rest. More time is spent standing around in that dept than any other dept.

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Post ID: @Jlk+DLQ3nOx

GroBo will be a different entity, completely. Probably 1/2 the skus will be discoed and the basics will have multiple facings. I can't see a future for lifestyle being in the mix, besides some housewares. It's a ghost town on the grocery floor after the morning crew is done as it is! It will no longer be a knowledged based staff to help with supps/bc. And the TMs that will be available will have too much shit to do to give that kind of attention to customers.

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Post ID: @SD7+DLQ3nOx

the three stores here in Dallas Metro had no ATL's! Just one had specialists!

HLV (which is one of the newer stores) had no ATL and NO specialist. The TL was doing it all. Her TM's are all PT ( i guess not her TM's anymore).

Im not saying they can't do it a at every store, I'm just saying, at MY store I know it will be a challenge as she was THE wholebody Team member.

I wish nothing but the best to everyone.

Us, that stay behind are the ones that will "pay" the consequences...poor guest service and no guest service in Whole bOdy!!!

Good luck all!

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Post ID: @7uR+DLQ3nOx

We combined grocery, whole body, and specialty and we are doing just fine! Whole bodywere a team of 2. They were more than happy to be absorbed by grocery and get more help.

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Post ID: @IU5+DLQ3nOx

Tls got ride of the grocery tl and the whole body tl took over

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Post ID: @8BZ+DLQ3nOx

I don't agree with you, I run dairy and I have worked other sub teams in Grocery , we order way more items than WB, with the right amount of TM'S helping and stocking product , so it's Doable . We changed End caps every 2 weeks, merchandise product everywhere and have a vision for it. I'm not trying to say WB team is less work but if necessary my grocery can be ready for anything.

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Post ID: @3Ow+DLQ3nOx

So, how does this work- do the ATL's for each team basically stay in place? So, like, the whole body ATL's are basically gonna be TL's now, but paid less?

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Post ID: @k8Y+DLQ3nOx

3 Dallas Metro TL's and several around the SW. (10 i think).

They were offered the opportunity to apply for the GroBO TL position. But they were SMART and decided to take the money and avoid the madness that will be.

The Grocery TL's were also presented with layoff papers but since the WBTL opted for Option #1 they get to keep their job and run GroBo.

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Post ID: @seO+DLQ3nOx

How many Dallas metro WBTL's have been let go?

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Post ID: @iEO+DLQ3nOx

They cut her automatically? Did they not cut the Grocery TL too? Or did she decided to walk away and not enter the Thunderdome?

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Post ID: @yKf+DLQ3nOx

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