Thread regarding Kroger Co. layoffs

Leadership in Cincinnati is to blame 100%. What is Kroger known for? What is the one thing customers know kroger is better than everyone else at? Nothing.

Walmart- pricing
Publix- friendly
Amazon- online experience

Kroger wants to own all 3 of these instead of owning an area of gene business. When you make all 3 a top priority, nothing can be a priority.

But yes, it’s all the managers’ faults!!!

Started going downhill after Dillon left. getting rid of Sukanya Madlinger was another bad move. People get the results. Not managers. Managers inspire the people and help them. All these leaders from out west are screwing up the Cincinnati market. Hey Rodney watch Scott get you fired. Watch for another mass exodus of talent. I hear amazon is hiring.

You guys. Should be getting rid of the a–holes who do NOT feed the human spirit
Not the good ones who do

Just wondering. Are all the division presidents and VPs safe? They’re leadership over this disaster and none of them will be accountable? Really. This is more on them than store management. Too many lane changes in top priorities and nothing stuck. Managers failing because of too many things out on their plates and not enough help to get it all done. What did they think would happen? So why are at the people above being shown the door too.

Yet again Kroger shows its skill with perfect timing on this round of work force reductions. The last round of early retirements of office support staff also occurred just prior to the holidays. The result was store associates were more concerned with the work force reductions than taking care of customs. I'm sure these store level layoffs will have even a greater impact. Store conditions will erode even further and customers will change their shopping habits spending their money elsewhere.

Mr. Mcmullen have fun with trying to spin the poor results produced by your actions on your next investors call. Investors will pull back the curtain and find a little incompetent fool pulling the levers.

For those still aboard the good ship Kroger. "Captain, I see Ice" we all know how that one played out, get your life boat ready.

I shop at the Kroger store on Glenway Ave. in Western Hills area and I am surprised to hear that they have any manager at all. When you go to the checkout people are backed up wall to wall and if that store has a manager, he is hiding. Kroger is hell bent to have the customers check themselves out and I think that stinks, it cut down on help but not on cost. Kroger has had it their way long enough and has treated the customers very poorly long enough. If Amazon is going to open stores, they need to take a lesson from Kroger, the people count! The register is always ringing the wrong price and you are charged for product that you did not purchase.

On one hand I know plenty of ASM's that really need to go; do-nothing bureaucrats who hide behind their clipboard and basically steal a paycheck... but on the other hand thats EXACTLY what Kroger wanted when they implemented this bizarre management structure 3 or 4 years ago.

Over the last 6 years I have watched as they slowly constricted their workforce, lower level employees needing to do the work of more and more people while reporting to 3, 4 sometimes 5 separate useless authority figures who in turn do not contribute.

Not to mention keeping those same few overworked associates technically classified as 'part-time' so they can slash their hours on demand in order to plump up the bottom line if need be.

The current Kroger game plan should read "Work harder so we can hire fewer people"

I have been at Fred Meyer for over 10 years. Just read all the stories as my experience is much the same. I managed businesses for 30 years and thought I was going to be able to use those years if experience. Boy am I glad now they never saw my intrinsic value or I would have been fired today. Terrible conditions and low pay. Constantly changing goals that they raise to be out of reach so they can demand more. They stonewalled contract negotiations for almost a year and a half. My pay was so low I had to semiretire or live under a bridge. Social Security and working half time nets me enough to pay rent in a low income apartment. A huge number of their rmployees get food stamps as they advertise ending hunger. Yet so much food is thrown out ever day it should be a crime. And employees have to work for poverty wages.

Kroger never learned that the best advertising is a happy employee. Nobody is happy working for these jerks. Kroger's message to their employees: WE DON'T LIKE YOU, WE DON'T RESPECT YOU AND WE DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU.

Ive been working for Food 4 Less for nearly 10 years now. I am a night crew lead. My store director and former co-manager both got fired! This company can care less about its employees! A horrible company to work for. I will start looking for another job asap! This company is ran by people that know nothing about how stores run. They probably have never worked a week of night crew or any other physically demandind position. They expect miracles and will never be satisfied. Hope this company falls apart!

KROGER S—S💯, As a current employee let me tell you that they DONT CARE about their customers or the employees! ONLY the money that they make!! The District Staff is Either being fired or demoted to store manager, the only change is the fact that they will have to actually work now😂! Kroger has a habit of keeping worthless, useless people while the hard-working employees are the ones to be made to suffer, this is just another example. I do feel sorry for those who are losing their jobs & because they’re being replaced by people they have treated the employees like dirt , so much for the feeling human spirit and I highly doubt better work conditions will follow this !

I have had a new job offer and I have been praying for God to show me a sign that I am making the right decision! I woke up at 2:30 am could not get to sleep turned on the news and there it was! Kroger to fire 100’s of employees! I just know this company was going downhill! I have been with the company for 10 years and it has been decking hard and fast for the past 3-4 years! It is the worst company to work for and it is just getting worse and worse! Thank you God for showing me loud and clear that I am making the right choice!

I do not like the loss of jobs. It stinks. Just glad I have a union that us fair and consistent. Prayers for those who lost their jobs.

I currently still work for the kroger company. I am an ASM and have been struggling with working for this company for over a year. The process is broken. I can genuinely say that a good majority of the managers let go in my district deserved it. Regardless of tenure they were more or less stealing a paycheck. Just being in a building for 60 plus hours a week does not mean you are doing your job. I’m officially on borrowed time with these people as well. No future with this company unless I want to be an ASM forever (no thanks). Find myself wishing for a severance package of my own. To the dedicated people that didn’t deserve to be fired, you will land on your feet because you have what it takes to succeed. To the ones that deserved it, think about how you treat your associates, they just work here, you don’t own them.

Kroger is run by mo–ns and has been for years. The people making the big decisions have no clue about reality at the store level. They're more concerned with creating new obstacles to a simple process, namely stocking shelves and serving the customer, than listening to common sense solutions. Virtually all the manager and co-managers are either ex-Wal-Mart people or green, zero experience brown nosers who work their way up the ladder kissing a– until it's their turn to run a store. As someone with over 25 years in I've seen them ruin good stores, run off talented people and crush the morale of people by cutting hours and burying them under pointless task after pointless task. I worry about my job, pension, everything because of these mo–ns. I could go on and on but I'm not trying to write a book here, though I could write one.

F— Kroger!

Honesty, Respect, Inclusion, Diversity, Safety, and Integrity are the core values I taught to new hires at New Hire Orientation for three years. The last year of the three it evolved into “Our Purpose and Promise”. Purpose is to feed the human spirit, and promise is that everyone will be friendly and caring, everything fresh, uplift in every way, and improve everyday. That all sounds great, but the reality is I had a hard time teaching it because overtime that “culture” became less evident. As these “initiatives” began rolling out, management became a bunch of lists and had to follow an itinerary day to day. It was draining and mind numbing and flowed into the departments where no one had a passion for what they did anymore. Hours were being cut and still are, and management along with department leaders are given more lists and tasks with less help. At this moment the air in the stores is thick and and salaried management know they could lose their jobs by the end of this week. Associates know this as well and the “uplifting culture” is now 100% gone and we’re at the end of Associate Insight Surveys. Very convenient... I can’t believe media is feeding into Kroger’s PR statements. “Restructuring” my a—. It’s all about saving money to put in Rodney and his Goons pockets as they took 11.7 million surplus and divided amongst themselves instead of giving to the people I had to lie to for three years!

I have been with the company for 18 years. Just yesterday a store manager was demoted and a co manager was fired.

This to add $400 million to the bottom line???

The Trump tax cuts wasnt enough?

Smith’s is a scum company to work for and only cares about trying to be the best looking in Kroger. No regard for anyone unless your name is Mark or Mary Ellen. Fake leaders starting with Mr. Kimball and the other VPs.

Smith's here in utah used to be one of the best companies to work for. Good people, good benefits and good pay. Then Kroger took over and that was the beginning of the end. It is sad to see how many people have been effected by the poor decisions of Kroger. No longer are the days of FRESH anything. The meat departments are using gas packed products that taste awful and they raised the prices as well. The managers no longer have the power to run the stores in an effective manner as everything is severely scrutinized by corporate and the "walks" are a joke. My father worked for the company when I was growing up and they took care of him but that is no longer the case. Employees are overworked and hours were cut to the point of having to find other jobs to make up for what used to be a job that provided enough to live on. Way to go Kroger.....you ruined a good thing and many many lives in the process.

I was a department head at Kroger's in Houston for 8yrs worked with many mgr from great to awful my last mgr went out of there way to make my life Hell even going as far to getting a coordinator to threaten my job he looks me in my face and tells me you have two choices step down or get fired no help offered no up lift no nothing so rather than give them the opportunity to take my job my insurance my dignity and my income l stepped down and moved to another store where I found a mgr that reminds me every day of my value so morale is Karma is a B–ch maybe they should have asked to step down. To all the mgr that lost there jobs and income for there families I'm so sorry for all you that did wrong manipulate threaten and harassed and never even took the time to say good job or thank you look in the mirror now you ain't got no job Karma sorry so long H town #2019purge

For a company that has been in the business of selling groceries for over 100 years. It's amazing to see Kroger's executives stumbling in the dark with no clue. The board of directors are responsible for accepting the poor performance of CEO Rodney Mcmullen.

Rodney has created a culture of Kroger becoming his kingdom and if you dare point out that the emperors new suit, you will be banished from Rodney's kingdom.

I feel sorry for the associates being let go. They were attempting to execute Kroger's plan. The issue is Rodney's/Kroger's plan was flawed and the associates are the causalities.

Transition will be a difficult time for these people, however they will most likely find employment with a company much better than Kroger.

Face it, like a fish, Kroger is rotting from the head down. For those that remain after this round of layoffs. Think about your future, is Kroger a company you want to invest your life with?

Walmart's did the same to there managers fired all but 2 per store and went and hired someone at 15$ an hour to run most of the departments you won't hear about it as much due to there's twice as many Kroger's vs walmart's twice as many kroger managers vs walmart's mangers retail is dead you can only thank your Amazon's and online ordering for so much change

Who would want to become a Store Manager with Smith’s anymore? You are treated like a– and not like a respected Store Manager and the executives and Division President are fake and live in a fantasy land of their very own. They need to end the dog and pony shows and come work in a store for a day and get their heads out of each other’s butts. They have no clue about how to be leader and it evident in how associates feel. It is all about them and that’s it. Those who are left, you know this, but to actually say this would be the death of your career. Salt Lake City Managers best of luck and those who got a promotion out of others being termed, remember this will be you in another so many years when you are on the chopping block. Oh and Dee Smith is rolling in his grave right now too.

This is so sad because these are the people that help build this company what it is now. what Kroger is not understanding is that the people that work for this company also customers and their family's that shop at your store you could have planned out this better all you smart a– people. you told these people to move up and doing the best they can now they are trash for you. what's next !!!! also its all about who you know? VEGAS STRONG

Failed programs. Waste management, roles and responsibilities, ABSE. Kroger’s biggest problem was nothing took root and managers were left to pick up the pieces with poorly paid workers and department heads who just were not performing. Union protected them so managers were to blame for everything....even if we were on vacation or taking a rare day off. So now none of the senior management will take responsibility for their horrible business decisions and yet again store managers are being blamed and let go. Well done Rodney!!!

Our Kroger stock has been s*** and Rodney had to do something for the board and shareholders to show he is taking action on 100 million cost saving or he would be the next one getting the pink slip. Kroger is in panic mode and has been since Rodney became CEO.

If you think about what I just stated, there is a lot of truth to it.

No difference here at Smith's. Follow the call reports, be at certain departments at certain times or else....Waste integration???? Let's just focus on finding employees to smile and come to work. Smith's pays their employees less then Burger King and McDonald's.....Well the assistants for Smith's face the firing squad at local hotels tomorrow. But dont worry we will be sure to uplift and keep are promise....if only Smith's kept theirs!

I had been with the company for 10 years, and the last three years were a living hell. Store
Manager working in fear of being yelled at and written up for making decisions. Micromanaged to the minute with the so called effective store walk. I was physically and emotionally drained every day. I had no time or energy for anything including my family. I finally decided to give it up and now I work for an amazing company who cares about there employees. Kroger is absolutely the worst!!!! I feel so so sorry for my Kroger colleges that still work there.

Rodney McMullen, Senior Leaders and all Division Presidents received 18-20% pay increase in May 2019 and millions in bonuses. You know, in May their greed was already shown by taking these increases on their already hefty salaries and taking millions in bonuses, knowing in 5 short more months they would drop this bomb on 800 managers across the organization. Kroger Restock has been in place 2 plus years and the Senior Leaders knew this was coming , but continued to live lies and promote and build three and four Assistant Manager structured stores and continue to have Leadership Essential classes promoting hourly associates into salaried management, to soon realize their faith of their employment being in limbo. Those working for the company now should be concerned that Kroger is lost and cannot sustain any program or initiative. I could go on about other failed and bad decision-making by Rodney and the Senior Leaders , but I will wait to see who else is going to respond.

This is a greed based power move to cheat people out of retirement packages, and lives lived helping a Corporation like Kroger grow into the “Dark Empire” It has become. You can’t even hire enough “little people” because of your greed and then expect your managers to keep the shelves stocked at all times!...What a joke! You pay and treat your employees like trash expecting an impossible reality at 10-11 bucks an hour when nobody in America can survive on that wage...No...Your Deli departments will continue to close early because of lack in help; your Stocks on the Market will start to diminish due to a lack in consumer confidence because of the first part; and you will eventually go out of business or be bought at this rate in time-share. Your company is garbage and all your past employees can rattle market security. Especially with the media attention you just gave us by “Restructuring” by firing all your mid-level management without justification. This company is horrible to Work For! Don’t do it! I’d rather work at McDonald’s with my Bachelors degree until something better comes along. That is all.

I retired last year after 43 years of service with Kroger. Over that time period I watched as managers who in the past actually were allowed to make decisions that positively effected store sales are now reduced to clipboard toting zombies. As hours have been drastically cut to show a more positive bottom line, more and more requirements have been forced on fewer associates. There is no way to achieve all of the expectations and requirements in the stores. Morale is the lowest I’ve ever seen and is pervasive from the lowest part timer to the store manager. I would also point out that this is not middle management as the news articles have portrayed. This is the front line management at the store level where the sales are made. Two years ago Kroger offered a very handsome buy out for “middle “ management at their division level positions. That buy out did not extend down to store level. With this current RIF, they have eliminated a number of people that have helped build this company. And not everyone has been offered a severance package! The store managers who have been offered a severance package have been warned not to disclose any information about the offer or their offer would be rescinded. I saw the change coming and I’m glad I left when I did. I feel for my Kroger bother and sisters who have been effected by this current attempt by Kroger to portray this as a positive move for the company.

I have been with Kroger for 6 years south if atlanta. 3 years ago the store became a million dollar a week store. They work us to death. Same amount of stickers as it was 6 years ago when we barely hit 600000 a week. They have high expectations, low pay. Raised pay to 9.00 an hour and call it competitive. However, cut top out pay, higher deductibles for insurance. Wow a place I once loved to work is now a communist like approach. So freaking sad.

Baby Boomers getting offended. haha - Millennials taking over the workforce loud and proud! Let's face it, Kroger isn't progressive, it's dated.

A bunch of old hags running the show . . . straight into the ground.

'The Good Ol' Boys Club' – what a joke.

This explains why Harris Teeter was such a good “fit” for Kroger - they share the same “values”.

8 managers gone in the memphis market alone. Conveniently they just “donated” their old building in a poor area that they pulled out of to super lo I guess for some good press. ASMs terrified they are next. Also no plans for the store managers they yanked out of the building. Like who is going to work their schedule. No communication given to other leadership in store.

Kroger CEO Rodney and his team needs to be replace ASAP in order to save the company. It's obvious he's out of touch with the fast pace retail atmosphere. I have worked for Kroger for 20 years and in the past 6 years they rolled out 4 new programs without perfecting one. Sad day sad leadership( CEO). Sad Kroger Co. #kroger jobs.kroger.com (I want Kroger social relations to see this)

I left Kroger 25 years ago. I appreciate what they taught me, and I parlayed that knowledge into a great career with a first class, privately owned manufacturer. But, my training came at a time when you were expected to actually understand the business, to make money while still providing value for your customers. I learned from men and women who understood that you cannot run a grocery store without groceries on the shelves. We learned how to order for the clientele who frequented our individual stores, and we catered to local tastes. Any one of us could order to be in business every day, including weekends and holidays, and woe to a department head who failed to have adequate quantities on hand to support ads or sales. And, we did not need a computer to order for us to minimize excess product. Our computer was between our ears.
Corporate mentality today is completely different. They do not want people who can order. They don’t because they do not want anyone who has specialist knowledge because specialist knowledge must be paid for. That applies to everyone in a store, top to bottom. My concern is that out of a desire to cut costs, money is being left on the table because Kroger doesn’t want to pay for people who know what they are doing. You get what you pay for; we all see what they are getting, empty shelves, empty stores, and declining market share. All good things come to an end.

Anyone know anything for the Mid-Atlantic Division, more specifically the Roanoke area?

This is way overdue!

Hours slashed at store level. Moral is very poor and employees are overwhelmed with useless programs created by corporate suits that have never worked at store level.
Corporate talk to only try to enhance the image of the company and the stock price.
Employees stressed out to the point they can not perform the work that is required.But when corporate suits visit the stores they add a ton of hours to make stores look good and after they leave the store mgt cuts the payroll for rest of week and the store standards go in the toilet! So sad what Kroger has done!