As one of the SGA's that has been laid off and is just waiting until July 2nd for severance I find I GIVE ZERO F---S about this company anymore. I thought i could stay positive but 3 months is a long time to wait for the inevitable. My teams have stopped requesting signs so I just clock in, search for jobs and then go home. Maybe make a name tag or laminate something but thats about it. My days drag on and on and on. I get agitated when people ask me to do things at this point, especially when it is something that most likely wont be a continued program or practice in the future. How is everyone else doing 'cause i'm over here ripping my hair out.
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@T0ohKzS-rwfw- If it's about brand protection then the new system isn't working. I've found instances of copyright infringement on NATIONAL signs, not to mention misspellings, poor formatting and difficult-to-read fonts and color choices. Unless "amateurish" is our sales hook; then please, full steam ahead.
The SGA layoffs are also about brand protection. It's a liability to have a single artist in some remote store who decides it's a good idea to put Mr. T, Pee Wee Herman, or some other copyrighted character on a sign with cute or possibly inappropriate text. Some artists were very talented and professional, while others did not get how serious it can be to represent a large company with unapproved marketing techniques.
It’s all about saving money and reducing individuality for the stores. They will all look the same no more interesting displays. Lets face it the ingesting displays while they are cool are pretty much pointless why waste so much time on building unique things that don’t really increase sales. The whole thing amazon is pushing is for WF to be like everybody else. Lower prices and get more people in the door. This is only the beginning buyers and coordinators will probably be out sooner or later. Why do you need a coordinator to look over reports when a computer can do it same goes for buying. Amazon will invest in technology and kill off allot of jobs.
... or maybe they just culled the heard so they could lower the pay scale and hire PT TMs as store wide sign-makers like we used to have. SGA is a skilled job with a modest pay rate at the ceiling (especially for a grocery chain with an ave. of 2 artists per store). I know...I used to be one of them. Amazon is about efficiency as we all are coming to realize. $$$ adds up and rather than "Fight Club" it out (WFM Restructure 2015-2016), it's easier to clear the books, start with a clean slate and go from there.
Look for a new job it’s basically best case scenario if you are forced to be there but can’t do work. Most people that got laid off would kill to be paid to look for a new job before they got let go.
The GAs should just be given immediate severance. There is really no point on making them continue to work when they are basically told not to create anything. I feel bad for ours. She is a really hard worker and I can tell not keeping busy is really bothering her. Since regional told them not to create anything custom, there isn't a hell of a lot left to do.
Any other SGA's out there who have just walked away from this craziness yet?
We have had a few in our region (MW) just up and quit because there are no plans to transition our duties. STL's are left with asking other stores for custom signs and a lot of things they were missing because they were left high and dry.
Anyone just wasting their time and working on their resume while the other teams have already written you off?
Probably but WF doesn’t care about what happens the only time they care about pricing compliance is if the state is out auditing stores. It’s never considered an issue until something bad happens like stores getting fined.
Anybody else feel like when they leave the SGA position their store is going to burn down with teams not knowing what to do?
hang in there with it and finish strong, you owe it to yourself and your work ethic for the years of hard work you've put in. i'm a fellow SGA as well and yes, i find myself lacking motivation in most days of my week. if you can, fill your day with trainings on graphic design/creative work to help keep the days moving as well as equipping yourself with further knowledge for future jobs. sometimes just getting out on the floor and helping face or bag will help too, as well as help the team(s). you're not alone in feeling unmotivated; anyone would be at this point. much love and remember, it's just groceries! we're all gonna be okay and be able to take jobs where we make double if not more than we do now. we're lucky to be equipped with skills that can make some mad money. ;)
Yeah they didn’t train the teams well on using Slaw at least in the NA. I’m assuming it’s gonna be a cluster once July hits I’m surprised that they didn’t keep the SGA until the fifth so they could use them to bag for the holiday.
I am also in this situation....I feel like the decision was made that "we no longer will use your services but before you leave....I need you to audit all your chalks, put new sale signs up, update all the old signage, still work on promoting sales with teams, update all OTS, roll out new Amazon prime materials and apply for a new job. But we don't know what will happen after you leave."
I think they will realize how much (at least for my store) the SGA's did and regret not keeping at least a few around.
It is much harder then it sounds to stick around and wait to be laid off even if you are getting paid in the meantime. Take it one day at a time. job search and network. plan for the future. You will survive this and look back one day and know that it was actually a good thing. I have been in this situation before so can completely understand. You will end up in a better place.
Just chill. Enjoy your last day with those team members you are fond with. Take it one day at a time. Time flies make sure you are looking for another job. You might not work there anymore but you’ll probably still see these tms. Dont make an a$$ out of u. Cheers.
There isn’t one take the money and run you have done your job and been kicked to the curb for your hard work.
Give me one good reason to "quit sh--ting money from my team".
Wow! Then why don't you help out others teams around the store!!
Would pass the time for you or just show up and get paid for doing nothing. Instead of pulling your hair out.
So, you're complaining about getting paid for doing nothing?
My dream job!
Bleed them for all they are worth you owe them nothing.
Dude, just find another job and quit s---ing money from your team.