Thread regarding Cost Plus World Market layoffs

Is the unemployment office waiting for verification that you were laid off and the date that you were laid off? That could be one of the reasons for the delay. Is there any way that you can email an attachment of your layoff documentation?

I've received 3 payments as well. I believe they hold the first week back. I dont know much about the ins and outs of it but I've never heard of an employer having an outside source. I just filed under the state unemployment website. I do know they verify the reason for your layoff with your former employer. Unemployment is inundated with more claims than they can handle so maybe that's the holdup?. I sincerely wish you all the best!

Re: unemployment
Uh, I don’t know why you would go through your employer. I’m my state it’s through the state employment commission. I was accepted and think I’ve gotten 3 payments even though I received a severance. Good luck.

So, now it's been over a month since we were all laid off - I got my severance check finally but still have not received one cent of unemployment even though I applied online the same day I was laid off (3/4/2020). I had tried calling corporate initially but was told by the receptionist that payroll handles all that and that they are not taking any calls but that you could email them at payroll@cpwm.com. I did email them initially about my severance and they replied fairly quickly. After trying for almost 3 weeks to reach anyone at our local unemployment office and finally getting through to someone, they said that corporate had supposedly not replied or returned something that was sent to them. I emailed them again on this Monday 4/6 and got a reply the next day that unemployment is being handled by a third party source through Equifax and that as of that day all information requests had been handled. Checking my unemployment file again today there is still no determination and the same issue keeps coming up as "remuneration". Has anyone else had their request for unemployment go through successfully or had any other issues?

To the person just below. You have to contact your regional HR manager, not HR at the home office. Your manager should have given you the name of regional HR along with the phone number and email address in your severance packet. If you didn't receive that info, then email your former GM and request it from them. Even though the stores are closed, I believe that they are still reachable.

Amen to that!. My non disclosure is over and I wont be quiet. I tried to call HR only to be directed to an automated message stating they are closed. I left a very nice message about my severance pay which I have yet to receive. I know this board is being watched by corporate. They are forcing me to take legal action which I don't want to do. I want WM to be a distant memory!!

The top 10 Good things that happen because of my lay-off:

1. I’m not continuously bruised
2. I actually have nice fingernails
3. I have a normal sleep schedule
4. I actually look healthier than I have in
   years
5. I have energy to do more than worry
   about work
6. My severance is actually paying me
   more than still being there.
7. I don’t have to feel guilty about calling
   off if I’m not feeling well.
8. I will NEVER work an overnight again!
9. I know I’m worth more
10. I’m just happier....period.

I received mine yesterday, although I did have to follow up with human resources about it. Complaining about it here will do nothing for you, call HR.

Received mine last week.
Since laying all of us off, they have $ to close stores and give employees full pay.

Day 20 has come and gone. Per state law. Wheres the severance pay???.

Responding to no mames
Thanks for the info.

Responding to Anonymous from No Mames
POS automatically got fired but the department heads were given until week 3 to answer the company. And NO world market is not paying us extra. IF the store closes we’ll get paid for 10 days but who even knows if that’s true they could just be saying that to settle the employees concerns. The company sent a email to customers saying we’re taking this seriously but we employees haven’t heard anything about cleaning more IF ANYTHING the company told us to make sure no one steals the toilet paper or hand sanitizer. This company doesn’t care about customers only profit.

Responding to no mames:
So you weren’t laid off two weeks ago, have your job still? You say might get laid off with no warning. ALL OF US THAT WERE LAID OFF HAD NO WARNING. This IS your warning.
Btw, I heard employees working through this time will get hazard pay increase. Any truth to that?

Me and my coworker are both department heads and we are so upset with how this company is treating us even though we have been working here for years and do more than just work in our departments. We were just informed that our last day isn’t end of week 3 and that we’ll be made to work until they deem it fine to lay us off with no warning. This is absurd and unethical as they are leaving us to the wind until they don’t need us anymore. We need to form a class action lawsuit for emotional distress.

To all those people who have been let go, myself included, I feel sorry for all of us. You have to try and remember that the only ones to point a finger at is BB&B. All of our managers were just carrying out a direct order which I'm sure they didnt want to do both for personal reasons and at a business standpoint. I know people aren't talking , they are in fear of their jobs. That part just s—s but it's a reality of life. Times like this you really find out who your true friends are. I too am sending much love to each and everyone of you. Try your best to keep moving forward. It will come!

OP “ We were told that our positions were being totally eliminated with no option to take another position in our store. What gives???“
Yes, I was told same. When I asked I was told my GM didn’t have an answer. Only POS at my store was listed. I believe the others are still there.
I haven’t talked with anyone from my store. I don’t exist to them now.

My husband just pointed out to me that "Cost Plus World Market" is no longer listed at the bottom of Bed, Bath & Beyond's holdings on their website homepage. Has anyone heard if they did actually sell it off? I can't find anything on a Google search. Also, our gourmet department head called me a couple of days ago to say he and beverage had been offered the severance package but were also offered to apply for newly defined jobs which involved more area responsibility in the store. We were told that our positions were being totally eliminated with no option to take another position in our store. What gives???

My chosen family was my team at CPWM... I've suffered so much loss in these past few months, and now... it is very overwhelming. I cried. I threw up. It's been almost a week, but I'm still down. I'm trying to stand. I gave my all in all to my store. In a moment, my heart was crushed with no regard. The entire team has been hurting as well. Whenever I visit, the store is very somber. People from my store have been crying since they lost good friends... I'm just very lost and confused... what is corporate's plan?

No chance I’d reapply. I really LOVED my job and I was GOOD, but i’m never going back.

I'm real sad for the people who have been in their positions for 5+, 10+, 20+ years. Had to email HR and call them a few times, just trying to figure out why or find a way to get a job back there before September rolls around, as in when the packet states taking the severance and signing, agreeing to not reapply for 6 months. Had to make sure if I didn't take it there was a possibility to get my job back before then. it was my favorite place of employment, a sinking ship I was willing to go down with. Now I'm wishing I never would have taken that promotion. I'm so sickened by this company, but maybe that store hasn't seen the last of me. I want my coworkers and laid back place of work back. My GM let me keep the packet and just scan in the signed packet to HR's email. I didn't have to be escorted out, I wasn't watched while gathering my things, I got to say goodbye to coworkers. He let me take my packet home, let me take my time in the break room and outside the store before going back in and signing the single paper acknowledging that I was terminated. He lost three of his best employees and he knows it. I hope this company realizes what a mistake it made.

I too was part of the casualty, Gourmet head. I vacillate between anger, sadness and gratitude. Consider any severance lucky at this point, the next round of layoffs will not get anything. It’s a sinking ship.

It shocked me that my position was being let go. Worked 7 years, worked hard and bam..it was quickly ended in a few minutes. I do feel hurt, and confused why let go of reliable people.

I have my paperwork including the list of dismissed employees with position and ages.
Of course I had to sign it before being able to read all of it.

Was anyone allowed to keep the paperwork they signed?

Being treated like a common criminal and now being shunned by people you thought were your friends?. Its adding insult to injury. We are all in this together people. I'm not going to let this define me. Feel it, than move on. Their time will come!

I tried reaching out to other employees at my store and the only ones who responded said they had no information or were told not to say anything.

No one from my store is talking to me. Not even people I considered friends. Was there a gag order? Threaten them not to discuss it or be fired too?

What I'd been saying to fellow employees for quite some time is that they will likely try to get rid of the people making more than minimum wage and of course, that's what happened to me. Why should they pay me a salary I worked very hard to achieve after almost 20 years when they can kick me out the door and hire someone new at minimum wage? What on earth makes them think I will come back in six months and be rehired for (^@^!@ minimum wage?????

I was laid off from pos coordinator. All pos coordinators from all stores are
laid off. Department heads too. Not my GMs fault. He felt bad. We are some of his best employees. I wasn’t escorted out and chose to work three hours after I was told. I worked at World Market because I liked it. It wasn’t a career job for me, it was a fun job for me. I will go back in six months.

I too was laid off from my POS Coordinator position. I too dearly loved working at World Market. I literally met my two best friends working there. I am hurt, I feel betrayed. My manager was upset over it, and promised me a full time position in 6 months if one is available. But I’m starting to highly doubt there will be a World Market in 6 months..

I too was laid off I was the beverage department head. Its sh–ty that I worked for 2 hours only to get called into the office and the GM read the script. Yes I felt betrayed and hurt, all that hard work for nothing. Then my GM said that I can reapply after 6 months. Hell no! Why in the hell would I go back? F— World Market I would never step foot into that f—en building again!!

I was let go yesterday also as POS coordinator after close to 20 years with Cost Plus. I knew I had to sign the severance agreement right away before the company has a chance to file bankruptcy. They still may, but the sooner I signed I figured was better for me. We live from paycheck to paycheck and have no savings. We had just been told on Saturday that our positions were safe but then this happens! The GM read from a script to tell me my position was eliminated with no option to take another position. I was barely allowed any time to collect my personal belongings and was escorted out of the building and not allowed to speak to anyone. My middle son had worked out of State at another Cost Plus and when he heard what happened to me he contacted his friends still there and they said they lost POS, gourmet and beverage heads. I haven't been able to find out who else may have been let go from my store. I am so angry at how this whole scenario is being played out.

I was a pos Coordinator and was also let go as well as my partner. We are both so hurt and feel as though the rug was pulled out from under us. We both worked so hard on tagging markdowns mark ups cashiering stock helping with extra shifts when really needed. Always making sure to give A+ customer service. I feel so disrespected so taken advantage of. Not all of us got the chance to know this was happening and have lost a job we knew and loved. I loved world market. Now I feel hurt and betrayed. Not even offered a cashiers position but instead told to leave and that I can’t apply back for SIX months. What did I ever do to them? Nothing. My store had just hired another stock crew member and another manager. So yes I’m bitter. Yes I’m hurt. We are great employees. Loyal. Supportive. Beloved. Respected. But now we have been treated like trash left on the side of the road. No this isn’t my career but it was one of the places I enjoyed spending my time at. Now it’s a bad memory and turn of opinions. Thousands without jobs. Thousands with broken hearts and added stress. Much love to all the POS coordinators out there. I appreciate you and recognizing all you have done.

I too was just laid off. Was a gourmet department head. I took the job b/c I love to cook and have a passion for specialty foods, that department was my baby. However, I was not blindsided by this. There have been rumors that BB&B was looking to sell us off, stress levels among management seemed to be high, diminishing sales etc. . What I haven't done is take this personally–the company is looking to cut costs and human capital is part of the equation, unfortunately. I started my job search around the end of January so....

My manager was great, he didn't escort me to the front door and I was allowed to say goodbye to my co-workers. It was never my intention to stay with the company forever as I had another goal in mind and I think that my position with the company has given me the knowledge and skills to reach that goal. Yeah, I got pushed out but I've also been pushed forward as well.

I wish you all the best of luck.

Ditto. 6+ years, best yearly reviews ( per GM) meant nothing. Treated like common thug being escorted out. So sorry my GM lost sleep over this...NOT
I don’t know why ages were included on the list of those let go. Not sure if it was meant to be given to me, but it was. I guess management has said not to talk to me as no one has. My store only listed POS as going. Not only have I lost my income, I’ve lost friends and a place I loved. The reason I went to WM was I loved the store.

Layed off with no idea from my POS coordinator position. Went in for my shift for them to tell me they are cutting our position... treated like a criminal... can’t work here or any branch for up to six months, gather all your things, walked out... the manager that did it was heart broken... really ripped the rug from underneath me... a huge slap in the face for everything that I did from not just only doing my position but picking up slack from others and busting butt running from stocking, cashiering, etc. Undervalued and under appreciated.

Me too. They have no idea they just k–led their business.

I was laid off today from pos coordinator, I was also a cashier and morning stock team. No warning. Just let me go as well as many others in our store. Sh–ty severance pay, and treated me like a criminal watching me gather my things and walking me out. Are they going bankrupt or something?

I was laid of today!! All bev mgrs, gourmet mgrs, and pos coordinators were let go. With insulting severance pay.