In 2016, the AOM position got eliminated and the entire operations department goes away almost overnight and gets consolidated into the LP Department. We waited almost 2 years to find out what our 'roll' was in operations beyond what responsibilities we already had.
In 2017, we had the DM/ASM/OPE specialist transition early in the year. At that time, we were told that our responsibility would increase along with our position at the store. We were told that we would 'have a seat at the table's with the rest of the ASM team and the store manager. Some of us got that, and others of us didn't. Some of us hoped for a pay increase and to possibly go back to being salaried. Those things didn't happen and our bonuses took a hit in the mix.
In 2018, we had our shrink budgets cut as the company was missing shrink plan and our expectations to perform were pushed even further. The company gave us some new technology (albeit deeply flawed and still developing) and expected us to perform with that.
Now, we are possibly facing cuts after being reassured we would be left alone and were 'too valuble' to be reduced or eliminated. I can honestly say that it has been extremely stressful for a lot of us that have been along for the ride, but it is time to get out. It is very clear that cuts are being made to benefit the few and not the many. I don't think it is a good idea to cut the very people who, by design, are working within a store to save money and help make the company more profitable by preventing loss, keeping employees/customers safe, being responsible for training, helping to keep stores operationally sound (or in some cases running operations alone), being a 'servant leader's and setting an example, and keeping up ROI numbers. If we do get reduced/eliminated tomorrow, these items will go by the wayside and the stores will be left to fend for themselves or have the occasional visit from an LP (or whatever they decide to call us when this settles down) to try to keep the store on the rails. This isn't what a lot of us signed up for, and honestly, for a lot of us (even if we are allowed to stay) probably won't be worth it. Now is the time to take your skills, both old and new, and leave for other jobs or opportunities. After all, there is a shortage in the skilled trades...