While many of us can appreciate your stance on loyalty towards the company, one still needs to approach this troubling situation in a rational manner. Unfortunately, your posts come across as fanaticism based on the denial of reality. This approach almost matches a condition known as the Stockholm Syndrome.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome
@6usl - It makes me happy to read all the "rational" comments on this site.
It makes me sad to read all the "nasty" comments on this site. Each person has the right to do what is right for him/her self. No one should be questioned as to why they stay working with a company or need to defend that or for that matter why they leave. We all are responsible for our own lives and our own jobs. Every experience is different. We aren't "prisoners" of our lives. We make things happen for ourselves as we need them to happen. It isn't delusional to stay working at a company if you enjoy your job. There are many of us that truly enjoy our jobs. There is nothing wrong with that. I don't know why anyone that works at Sears or used to work at Sears assumes that we all dislike our jobs. I love my job and always have and feel I have been treated fairly while at Sears and yes I have worked hard and worked at all levels in the company. I wish Sears was the same company as it was in the 70's and before, but it isn't. And there have been many leaders along the way who have made mistakes. It hasn't been one person or one thing that made Sears struggle. Have pride in what you do no matter what you do because you are only making yourself unhappy if you don't. I don't think anyone is "delusional" in staying working with a company if they enjoy what they are doing. Nothing is guaranteed in life. You can work with a company that has no struggles and be let go tomorrow. Enjoy the moment and do your best in the moment.
Txx-- I totally agree with fighting for your company and any other loyalty you feel. What i want to ask to you any any other is this: When a company has no loyalty to you and they will continually do anything and everything to show that you do not matter or that they even care if you do a good job... why would you continue to follow them or even continue to care? I have given 20 years of my life to this company. I have worked overtime, missing family functions, worked for free, gone over and above my duties. I have done jobs that no one else has wanted, I have been trained to do jobs that I may not ever do, I have gotten awards (employee of month, district employee of month, regional empolyee of quarter) etc.
I have done my training (100% of done of yearly trainign done within two months), PAL trainer, key carrier to open and close store etc. But I was told a few days ago that my hours "Had" to be cut and my benefits "had" to be cut and my cost "had" to increase.
And that all those years, all that sacrifice, made me a valuable as the new hire who makes just as much as I do, and knows 20 years less of what it means to help a customer, 20 years less of what it means to sacrifice for a company you believe in, 20 years less of what it means to have your first credit card, your first appliance, your first tool, your first mattress etc. It is over, they don't care. You can brown nose and Rah, Rah the corporate B.S. all you want but the end game is you and I have been a fool for thinking that SHC cared or really wanted to make a difference. This is the end of SHC and me. 33
For me, I get frustrated with the dedicated, hard working, loyal employees because your good work ethic allows for corporations and companies to treat employees like crap. When people stand together and refuse to tolerate the low pay, no employee discounts, no benefits, no holidays off etc then companies must change because they need employees. Minimum wage will continue to be low because there are enough workers willing to do the job for a few bucks an hour and nothing else. Sears will be open on Thanksgiving Day because enough employees are willing to show up and work it. Eddie will get away with taking away the employee discount because enough workers will shrug their shoulders and carry on with their hard working loyal attitude. It makes it impossible to change things.
For example if employees banded together and decided NO ONE would show up for their Thanksgiving shift then the store would have to adjust it's hours. It's the folks who do show up that make this impossible and for the other employees to be fired or forced to work.
And this is what led to unions. Unions can be very good but they can also become corrupt. Generally I like unions when it is for the private market NOT for government jobs. But that is a whole other issue.
What I hear, people are frustrated with the way things are and want to take a stand against it and make change while the other side is happy to have a job and is willing to do whatever to keep it. It reminds me of an abusive relationship where one person will put up with alot and never leave or demand respect.
Your work ethic is commendable but people are suggesting that it be put to use for a company that will appreciate it and reward you for it. Many would like to stay in their jobs at Sears but can't because they can't afford to. If they could get everyone on board to demand raises, discounts, etc then maybe they could keep their job, that is where the anger comes from.
And if Sears cannot afford to give raises, discounts holiday pay etc. then perhaps it can't afford workers and really should just close up. However, the supply of workers willing to put up with their crap allows them to not have to. The higher ups can bleed the little people dry and keep SHLD on life support so they can continue to extract more and more from it and get wealthier and wealthier. That's what people object to.
Since when is Wikipedia an acceptable source? At the very least use dictionary.com....hehe
Since working at Sears was my first job. I have an attachment to the company on a personal level. Lots of memories that are good and bad. I just want to know what people are feeling as the company goes down the tubes. And sometimes it shakes my head as to how tone deaf and unaware management has been about the store level. That's why I keep visiting and posting on these forums.
@MrKUWWu-cbl Happy for you and your company that is growing. So what are doing here then?
See. His is what happens when people try to use Wikipedia to try to sound smart. Trying to compare this situation to Stockholm Syndrome is a major stretch.
And I'm not even a "sears defender"
@cbl - A very insightful post!
I agree there is nothing wrong with being positive - especially in a bad situation - but there always comes a point when you have to see the big picture and use that positivity to find a better job with a better company. I left in January 2015 on good terms and of my own accord. And now I work for a better company that is growing.
Are some people naive? Ignorant? Delusional? Unaware? Perhaps, but sometimes people have a hard time coping with what's to come. Everybody handles the downfall of a company they've poured their hearts and souls into for so long differently. We need to respect that.
Yeah, how dare you are Sears supporters! :) OP just declared you mentally ill.
OP it is time for you to move on and get a life.
My question to the Sears defenders is how do you define reciprocity? My definition would be that you give your employer loyalty, dedication and great job performance and in return you should receive competitive compensation/benefits and an adequate/supportive work environment. I recognize that the defenders are fulfilling the first half of the definition, however, it is difficult to see how Sears is fulfilling the second half for them; the exception being Eddie and his top echelon. Aside from snarky comments, any insight from the defenders would be welcomed!
Some people, on this website, think they have the right to tell people how they should feel and think.
I can say whatever I want to. I know what is acceptable.
Why don't you "thought police"49 stop trying to control people. It must get tiring.
I completely agree that you should work hard and be positive. However you must do that to find another job, I don't know everyone's situation but if you have a family and you support that family then you are truly doing them a disservice by being dillusional and continuing to dream that Sears will turn around. I worked for the company and still have friends that are there and looking to get out, I left on my own will to an incredibly better company. The game is over and I have said this many times on here if you are in management just take 5 minutes of out your day and check your P&L, if you cannot read it ask someone to explain it to you then check your entire market P&L. There is no coming back from that period and the worst part is your worth is depreciating because the industry doesn't know if you are a truly capable manager or the last body they had in the store that would take the opening. Your loyalty is great and work ethic must be fantastic but it's time to think of yourself and family and give that to a company that will invest in you.
This forum use to be a great place to share information. Considering that news outlets seem to get information that affects the day to day opperations of Sears before it is passed to employees via internal channels it makes sense to share. Things look bad, associates are usually in the dark and it makes consumers nervous. There is a chance sears can survive but, not on its current path. As far as loyalty, that is great but it alone doesn't pay the rent.
Whether our company survives or dies what's so wrong with working hard and being positive?
An employee at Sears has no more power to stop this from happening than a grasshopper can stop an 18 wheeler from running it over.
You can "be positive" all you like, but gravity still works.
This is why the OP says what he says. You are not positive, you are delusional and in denial.
Why do you care? I work here so take pride in my company, employees and colleagues. I feel I have every right to fight for my company and be fantatical for THEIR sake, what have I got to lose in doing so? Do you work here and get paid by Sears? If not why are you here posting negativity? I assume you probably got let go by Sears and have little to fill your day with other than to let resentment take hold of you and have it take down others #teamsears