I know someone made one of these threads months back, but I left recently, along with a few other artists I knew, so it's worth bringing back. What are you ex-SGAs up to?
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I left Whole Foods six months ago after working as an SGA in a brand new store for a year. The layoffs last fall and the general attitude of leadership, on top of the expectation for the SGA to be all things to all people, not to mention the crazy-making demands of my insane STL, made me leave. I have never worked so hard for so little money or acknowledgement of my efforts, and with so little hope of anything ever getting better (via raises or any kind of promotion). Let me say that my relationships with my co-workers were great—so many wonderful people work for this company—but with store leadership less so, despite my honest efforts, which seems to reflect the general tenor of most of the comments on this site. I had been a devoted Whole Foods customer before I worked there, and believed the company had a great mission and values. What a disappointment to find out it was a bait-and-switch: the "open door" policy and ability to bring constructive criticism to leadership only worked with store leaders that gave a sh--, or liked you, otherwise you'd be branded a troublemaker or "bad for morale." Such a farce.
I'm very glad I got out: leaving was the best decision I've ever made in my entire life and as long as I live I'll never regret it. There are much better ways to spend your time, people. Get away from the toxic stew that is WFM!
Any other artists bored AF now? Also does anyone else have an inkling we are getting cut rather soon ?
Leaving Whole Foods is like breaking free from a ball and chain and it was so liberating. Scary at first, but your potential is fully realized once you break away from that joke of a company. A lot of people never gave the store GAs the appreciation that they deserved and a lot of us would exhaust ourselves trying to turn out creative work in an environment where creativity is stifled and unappreciated. It is one of the few positions in the store that can provide you a future outside of the grocery business once you move on. I worked very hard for that company for 12+ years and was only a GA the last few. I know what it is like to work on the floor and serve customers all day long and I was good at it and enjoyed it when whole foods was on the right track. In the end I felt used and unappreciated so I started to enjoy finding ways to waste time on the clock. Me and other jaded co-workers would laugh and laugh about it! I have moved on and I'm enjoying working a non-corporate job with like minded people once again. I despise whole foods now and shop at luckys. Sprouts, trader joes, etc. after all, it's who whole foods is trying to become!
I had to take medical leave after I sprained my finger pressing the "print" button. I miss looking busy.
I have little sympathy for the SGAs at this point. They have been given plenty of warning that their positions are being consolidated (by now, years), and anyone who decides to stay is an idiot. Having to deal with the buffoons from regional sent me walking a few years ago, I can't imagine what it must be like now with so many people saying how horrible it is.
Sorry but the graphics/marketing teams had a pretty sweet deal up until now. Now, they're completely miserable and running around like crazy like the rest of us actual wfm team members.
At least at the two stores I worked at - for whatever that's worth. Glad I just put my two weeks in, it's getting worse and worse. Our poor single marketing/graphics guy is at his wit's end.
Best decision for me as a previous graphic artist was to leave whole foods. Believe me when I say Theres life after whole foods and a bunch of opportunities waiting. Theres a lot of agencies you can work for and even start ups. Dont get behind and take advantage of the tech world out there and get into UX/UI design you will get paid much more. Dont get behind print is dying
Our artist is the bee's knees
SW
SGA does more than just print out pre-print signs. They pick up the slack and help the store out with things that the teams are too lazy to do. Typical WF employee, whine about how easy someone else's job is or how worthless their job is compared to yours. When you should just be focused on yourself. Don't forget to make passive aggressive comments towards people who APPLIED and INTERVIEWED for the position that you could have also applied for.
We have two in our store and it is an absolute joke. They literally unbox/hang pre-made poster and print basic signs.
Sad to say that the patience for creativity does no longer prevail at WFM. In their hey days this company loved the luxury of an artist, but that has since disappeared. My greatest respect lies with artists, but sadly the same cannot be said of WFM. This company (as you be aware) is all about the numbers. Show me the money, that's all that matters!