The long-time employees know you work until the job is done. 6 or 7 days a week, 12+ hours a day if necessary during busy times. New external SMS think if they have to work a special event or a Saturday, take a day off during the week. That's not how it works when your salaried. Some don't even work an 8 hour day. Need to see who is working or just collecting a paycheck on the backs of the other employees who can't get hours because of payroll cuts. No wonder stores are failing. RMs should have to be accountable for their time as well.
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The industry started going to hell when hard core retailers got involved. Brining in the big box mentality. Sorry folks, SMs are Equivalent to big box department managers. RMs are equivalent to big box store managers and the GVPs are the equivalent of big box regional managers. The big box bottom line first mentality is not the philosophy and culture this company was built on. Just maybe, a different approach would better?
It is hard to change the culture of an organization. With so many folks from failed (or failing retailers), they bring the "keep your head down to survive" mentality to Follett. Unfortunately, that doesn't help front line management. I am sure JH is trying to have an impact but you can't slam the breaks on a speeding 18 wheeler. Same for Follett. Life is too short to be underappreciated, under paid and unhappy.
This statement might have been true before all the company changes started. Store managers always worked many more than 40 hours a week, not uncommon to work 6 days a week on average and sometimes stretches of many weeks in a row without a day off (back when we actually sold textbooks during rush). Times have changed, our company has changed, the culture has changed. I can't think of any reason a manager would work overtime, other than rush. We have no incentive, no job security, no appreciation, our 401k was cut, we have been w/out a raise for many years (2% does not count as a raise), they are hiring new managers at higher salaries than long time managers are making, our bonus potential is a slap in the face, and we continue to get thrown more and more task.
J.H. should be ashamed of herself, as she was in the field at one point, she knows what it is like on the ground, the front line, she knows how hard our jobs are/can be, but she continues to run the show from the ivory tower and give you a fake smile and story about how great the company is doing. If the company is doing so great why are the employees still getting screwed?
Sick of whiny hourly employees who give horrible availability talking about how much an SM should work. If an SM works a 6 day week then they definitely should take another day off the following week. “That’s not how it works if you’re salaried.” STFU. Yes it does work that way. Especially since they are probably already working longer hours due to workload. Go apply for an SM position if you think it’s that easy. I’m sure most SMs wish they were paid hourly so they could get paid a better wage.
Maybe sm’s, especially in small stores where we do everything, should punch in/out working weekends, special events, rush, rental checking/buyback, etc., then just maybe getting OT would make our salary what we really earned.
AM don't fix their own punches, they don't have to punch in and out.
I am a SM. I work 5 days, except rush, special events that fall on a Saturday, and never over 45 on a regular week. I like my job, or I would leave, but I make far too little for what I do. Unless I am paid for my time and effort I won't work overtime. When I have to work a 6 day week I take a day off to make up for it.
If you are an hourly employee and think your SM has it easier than you, apply for an M job, there are plenty.
Don't come to Westbrook
More than 50% of the salary employees have never worked an 8 hour day, let alone a 40 hour week.
And yes I know what I am talking about because I see it daily.
When I took over my store, I worked 10-12 hours & weekends to clean up the mess left by the last Sm. Gave B,S&T & dedication. Cleaned it up, guess what, not even a high-five, done doing that. 2% pay raise, bonus hard to accomplish, what is the company worried about, employee reviews for part-timers, really.
If other employees can’t get hours because of payroll cuts doesn’t that mean salaried SM is working more? You have no idea what you’re talking about.
Actually salary can work that way. If a salaried manager works a Saturday they have every right to take a weekday off. Follett does not pay them enough to work 6 days a week every week. Take into account the breaks most don’t take, the open-close shifts during the months of Rush, etc. Who do you think covers when you call out?? Most of the managers I know work well over 40 consistently. Not sure how your manager works but don’t sit there and say that most SMs don’t work their 40+. Also it’s not up to you to say they can’t take a weekday off if they work a weekend day.
I am an SM who works 45 hours a week every week. I don’t mind but for someone who makes 40k a year, I don’t think I should have to put in 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. If they want that then I need a raise.
Everyone should be accountable for time worked. That's what should weed out the hard workers from the slackers. SMs and RMs shouldn't be able to fix their own punches. Prove you actually worked.
Sure sounds like you are talking about my store, must be a big problems elsewhere as well