It's been 15 years since Follett took control of the Stanford Bookstore. When Follett took over, it solved many problems for the university. Today, it is a problem for the university, staff, faculty and the few remaining employees. The past 15 years have been tumultuous. At various times Follett has put great people in charge of this once great store. It has put some spectacular AHs in charge, too. The last two directors are a great snap shot of both paradigm. David was smart, fun, engaging, dynamic and well loved by his teams. He was so good that by the time he had to leave us to fight cancer, we were able to run without a director for over a year. We hit financial objectives. The store ran well. We were a high achieving team machine. When he died, they brought in a new director. He made sure we knew he didn't think much of us. He abused us. He drove out all but one of his senior managers from the store. He replaced them with stooges lacking any university bookstore experience. He drove out an excellent text book manager and replaced him with a person without text experience. If you were in management, female and had at least 15 years at the bookstore, you were targeted for abuse until you either resigned or until he could manufacture cause to fire you. The store hasn't met objectives the past two years. The failure is now gone. So are experience, passion, institutional memory, appreciation of the university or any legacy of the unique, successful bookstore that Follett took over 15 years ago. For 15 years Follett has run the Stanford Bookstore. In the best of times they simply left us alone. When they've gotten involved, we've been hurt. I do wish the company would simply implode. With the leases vacated perhaps we could be great again.
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I'm sorry you're feeling the pressure, too. First and foremost, continue to do your job and continue doing it well. That's why you come to work everyday. With that being given; document every negative interaction and every new harsh criticism. If you can document similar situations from the recent past where no such criticism was given. Second, they'll likely focus on a sub-group who have been there a long time (and therefore are paid the most). It is important that if you're in that group, you communicate with each other. If each of break off hoping they'll focus on someone else, you're making their job easier. Stick together. If you work together and if you do a great job, you stand a fighting chance of surviving this. Otherwise they'll pick you off one at a time. No one will get severance. Management will continue to deny they're discriminating based on age. Together, you the experienced staff, can beat these AHoles!
It is now accounting departments team to be ridiculed and blasted unfairly. Constant negative criticism of performance and employees. Keep in mind, the state of the accounting team is a direct reflection of the new accounting leadership that has been in place for over a year. There will be lots of turnover with disastrous results just like the IP team. GT's magic will be known shortly.
Let me give you a little advice Joel Goodson, so you know. In times of economic uncertainty, never ever mess with another man's livelihood.
670ex'd is right on the mark! Exactly what I just went through at one of Follett's "premier" bookstores, and the only therapy I need is to see Follett implode.
Wow- 670ex'd sure hit a nerve. Getting a little close for comfort. Nice. Keep it coming!
Troof you're just giving the attention whore what they want.
Yeah, I'm some super secret mole that is crawling through the boards looking for traitors.
Good grief. Grow up.
I don't see that same attitude to IT? Perhaps you're the same stooge posting again? Likely
OK, we get it. You had management change at Stanford. OK, now.....move on.
If you believe 670ex'd enough to recommend therapy, why do you have so little patience. If you believe the abuse really happened, (and by the instant responses you post whenever 670ex'd authors a new topic, I have to believe you KNOW the abuse happened), why do you through out "therapy" as if that is the sole step to resolution? Have you been abused? Have you used therapy to get past the feeling? Did therapy stigmatize you? Would you think less of 670ex'd if they went into therapy? Do you know they haven't and this may be part of therapy? Why does this one recurring theme bother you so? How long did you work at Stanford? You attack the writer without ever addressing the allegations. Do you have any personal knowledge. Do you refuse to share it because it would implicate you and Follett? FFS come clean.
They seem to keep you going. Enjoy. I'm sure there are more to come (especially once I figure out who you are. For now your Troll).
FFS go get some therapy already. how many abuse posts do you need to make?