Thread regarding Whole Foods Market Inc. layoffs

Shithouse takes zero responsibility for running us into the ground. Typical WFM management. #wholefoodsmarket #TeamWFM #wfmteammember

@ER6z8oH-dobg You said it perfectly. This is the TRUTH! #TeamWFM

Like the other clownholes, he employs all the language of an executive but demonstrates not one ounce of credibility or actual leadership skill. Hey Scott: You said "Keep thinking and innovating new ways of doing things more efficiently. Request new tools that would help you, or things we should stop doing that don’t make sense or that don’t add value to the customer experience." Well, sorry to have to shout, BUT WE'VE ALL BEEN DOING THAT FOR 15 YEARS AND YOU REGIONAL/GLOBAL JERKS HAVE TREATED US LIKE TRASH. YOU APPOINT THE WORST PEOPLE TO KEY ROLES AND WALK AROUND LIKE ROYALTY. WE'VE PLEADED WITH YOU TO MAKE CHANGES, DO THINGS EFFICIENTLY AND GIVE US THE TOOLS WE NEED. We've tried logic, careful explanation, reports, used charts, graphs, personal persuasion, everything one can imagine to try to get positive changes made. WHAT FREAKIN' PLANET ARE YOU LIVING ON?

As a "team member" I'm just wondering, how have you personally been challenged, Scott? And with our current situation, how do you plan on "getting things done". More newspeak from the corporate machine. #wholefoodsmarket

I sent out an email. That should do the trick.

It's interesting that he doesn't acknowledge the "bubble" that WFM global/regional management has been living in for the last 30 years. #KoolAid

Maybe if you weren't so drunk on Kool Aid you could see the reality of the situation, Scott.

Scott, your arrogance is astounding.

Here's a "calls to actions" for allshouse: Do us all a favor and find another job, you filthy hypocrite. #TeamWFM

Typical WFM managerial arrogance. It's unbelievable that they still display this kind of smug and callous disregard for the nightmare that they have created. #unionize

Anyone who trusts this scumbag, is a joke. #TeamWFM #WFMteammember

Nowhere does he own up to the breathtaking disorganization and mistakes made by management, nor does he take any responsibility, nor does he indicate how they intend to sacrifice on our behalf or rectify the situation. There is no commitment to listening to what people are saying or acting in ways that would be vastly more efficient and effective. Watch what they DO, not what they say. Saying nice things is nice but if that is all you need than you deserve what you get from this organization.

Wow, what a nice email. After reading this is don't see the villain everyone was describing. Cheer Scott!

Below is the entire email...

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to take a few moments to reach out to all of you and share some thoughts.

You are the most impressive group of TMs in the WFM family. I know I am biased, but I truly believe that we have the best TMs in the company. I also know there has been a lot of change going on around you, and we still have some work to do. I am confident with all of us putting our hearts and minds together that we have such a bright future ahead of us.

Out touring stores I have been asked a couple questions and think I should answer and address them, the only way I know how, directly and honestly.

Question: "Are there more layoffs coming in January? "

Answer: No.

I will say as time has gone on, over the past years, we have not been as focused on the use of our labor dollars as we should have. We believed the banding of labor would keep things “real”. Some stores had made some decisions on team leadership and structure in the bubble of our success, without as much consideration on the impact those would have in a more competitive environment. For instance, we had one store with 17 buyers and another store doing more volume with 7 buyers. Some stores with 12 or more supervisors on the front end. We were living in the moment of success, with the very hope that it would continue as it has been for 30+ years. Those days have to be gone. Not the success, but the idea that we can “get away with thinking in a bubble”. We have to be better at focusing and understanding our true needs and future success.

Question: "Are the teams as we know them going to change"?

Answer:yes and no.

Today, all teams are starting from a different place and reality. Of course, as we have been challenged to look at how we can be more efficient, more competitive, and take better care of the customer and still “get things done” we need to look at everything we do and make sure we are being smart. So we are trying some new ideas as opportunities present themselves. We have committed to do 10 tests, opportunistically, where we could combine some teams, look at how work gets done, and see if we could help you and our customers at the same time. In addition, we are working on technology systems to help us, and finding tasks that could be better done at different times or by different folks. The use of our labor dollars is as important as the banding in which they are structured. Your STL and coordinators, along with the regional leadership, have agreed on what leadership we think it takes to run your teams. This is the TL, ATL, supervisor, and buyer positions. We have committed through new store growth, natural attrition, and opportunities across stores to move to this new leadership structure, designed by team, by the end of September 2016. In the MA region we have plenty of new stores and relocations coming so we believe that there is plenty of time and opportunities to take care of everyone and still have opportunity for those that want to grow with WFM.

Question: (I was asked recently in an Emerge Class) “What can we as TM’s do”?

Answer: I have a few “calls to actions” for you: (one for each finger on your hand)

1. One customer at a time, that’s how we move forward. Every opportunity you get to make the customers experience better, you should. That ranges from keeping the shelves full of what they want, to speaking to them with sincerity to serve, to having only the best quality of offerings, to meaningfully thanking them for their business.

2. Keep thinking and innovating new ways of doing things more efficiently. Request new tools that would help you, or things we should stop doing that don’t make sense or that don’t add value to the customer experience.

3. Make the effort to understand what products and services we offer that differentiate us from the competition. Knowledge about WFM is power, and using that knowledge will help us compete better and enrich the customers’ experience and their appreciation for what you do. Help them understand what makes WFM special.

4. Don’t get caught in the negativity trap. Folks that don’t know better take shots at us all the time in the press or in conversation. Be the positive influence that shows them otherwise. (This will be easier as you work on #3 above)

5. Be happy at what you do. You choose to work for WFM and we are proud to have you work with us. I often say this, especially at orientations, life is too short to spend the better part of your day being unhappy doing something or working in a job you dislike. I wish this for you the most. Find what you love and do it as often as you can. Yeah it’s still work, but there is no sense making it be a miserable experience for yourself and those around you.

Now is our moment in time to turn the current tide for WFM’s future. We are entering our time of year to shine. Your work in the next several weeks can set the stage for a better new year. Exceeding our customers’ expectations as they share your pride and quality with their friends and family around the table. Love what you do, love who you do it with (your fellow TMs) and care about who you do it for (your customers) and you, each of you, will personally help carry the company into a brighter future!

Thanks for all of your efforts through the entire holiday season!

With sincere appreciation, love and respect, Scott

Allshouse is such a dirty little maggot. He and Lannon ruined our region.

1pxs.....I posted earlier about Allshouse's email and what it basically said. Yes, your jargon-riffic interpretation was magically spot-on. Truth is, none of us have a clue how this is all going to shake out. I've heard so many rumors and theories, and obviously they can't all be true at the same time. Re-structuring, buy-outs, severance vs not, teams combining. I think, especially for those of us who've been in the game a long time, it's hard not to think about it all bc this has been part of our lives for so long. For instance, why would we hire a VP of Culinary if we know we are being bought out? Just a lot of discrepancies.....

He also said the media doesn't know any better.

Hilarious! Love the jargon satire... Let's run it up the flagpole and see who salutes! At the end of the day, we'll have a helicopter view so get all your ducks in a row prior to really taking a close look underneath the hood. LOL

At this point we know someone knows what is really going on ... The someone , however, is never going to be the people they actually depend on. They blindsided us in sept and there is a good chance they may do it again... Once a liar always a liar .. And they have proven themselves liars.

1pxs, I'm getting behind this a hundred percent.

Wow, thanks ER6z8oH-1lfp. This was more specific information than anyone else in the discussion has provided so far. I know exactly what you mean with the vague language. This was sent so that he can say "Well I circled back with the Team Member base concerning the restructuring, piggybacking that at the end of the day we all need to hold ourselves accountable for our collective shared fate. If I get pushback I might just have to start a different conversation focusing on topline issues." How's that? I'm sure his e-mail had way more words and even less meaning than the above.

Here is what I know. Scott Allshouse did send out an email to everyone in our region.....about a month ago, so it's old news really. The OP on this subject must not have read the same email as me, and it's just another case of fear-mongering. Of course I would take anything with a grain or two of salt that this or any regional ass bag says, but what he said is that there were no plans for a second round of restructuring come January 4th and that things in MA region should stay quiet for a while. But that restructuring may and probably won't end at some point until our company is in a better point financially. It was very vague. It really gave about zero true insight. He then went on to tell us that we should all stop whining and to have better attitudes because we create our own destiny and other bullshit along those lines. It was pretty insulting.

Sorry, I know it's not cut-and-paste but that was the message in a nutshell.

Did not happen