We're all kinda f---ed.

"We're in hell, gentlemen". Al Pacino, "Any Given Sunday". Good movie...check it out.

Disclaimer and Preface: This commentary is free. You get what you pay for. Still with me? That's good.

My opinions and insight are based on the facts as stated herein: I wear a gray shirt. I have many years at Staples in several different roles....the names keep changing but the song remains the same....ops, sales,, tier 2, tier 3, tier 4....4 different district managers, multiple rvp's. You know the drill. "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss" (The Who).

Here's what I think:

If you wear a black, red, or blue shirt: You're overworked and underpaid.
If your GM/SM/OM does't truly acknowledge #1, you're kinda f---ed.
The company has "expectations" and demands "accountability". Which would be fine if we were staffed accordingly. We are not.
I go to work every day assuming my job will be eliminated as soon as the company decides I"m a "cost center" as opposed to a "profit center".
I get my balls busted every week for not hitting my numbers...whereas the CEO and his minions get paid millions for never hitting theirs.
What the f--- do our "leaders" do thats worth paying them $6 - 12 million a year?
I've never met OP....but those that have tell me he's kind of a dick,
SL was a gentlemen and treated mgrs with respect. Word is that OP f---ed him in the ass.
The unfortunate reality is that our time as a viable retailer has come and gone. Plan accordingly.
I care as much about what Staples wants fom me as they do about what my kids need from me.
Thankfully.....my DM isn't an asshole. If yours is.....youre kinda f---ed. Nobody above HIM cares about YOU.
It's a game. Play the game. Convince yourself that the company exists solely for producing your weekly paycheck.
My best Associates are forced to work less than 25 hours a week because we're too f---ing cheap as a Fortune 500 company to let them qualify for health insurance.
I only work here because I really hate looking for a job somewhere else. I should know better.
Having said that......we should all be looking for a better deal. Our days are numbered.
Assume all T4 stores are going away as soon as the lease is up.
Please "drive" digital receipts, email capture, OMNI sales, etc. every day so we can transform our company into an online only business and get rid of you people and your expensive buildings.
If you need to/want to keep your job for as long as possible......just repeat back what you're told and pretend to care. Read MAP, Repeat MAP. Whatever you hear on your conference calls immediately becomes the Gospel According to St. Matthew (Mark, Luke or John).
If your DM/GM/SM/OM/TS doesnt say "thank you" ever day.....they should.
"F--- You, Pay Me" (Goodfellas.....another great movie). Good Night and Good Luck.

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11 replies (most recent on top)

Hahah

EPIC POST - GOLD

I had to wait almost three weeks for my hearing, but received benefits the following week. Staples tried to appeal but got shut down. To many people termed people in my area gave the same story in a short timeframe. Discharged in order to save money by replacing us with new hires - IE ghetto layoffs. Some times the long work history works to our benefit. I can not picture any reputable company hiring OP after hearing him say "bidness" like a street corner dealer and seeing he was way up there on the totem pole at the failure that was Staples.

As to your #5 comment. Their report card is the stock value. As of tonight it's dropped to it's same value (about 9.90) that it had on Sept 7 2001. They should be fired, and probably are realizing they may have numbered days. I will LMAO when OP gets canned. The I want to see if he can get hired anywhere/or who is stupid enough to hire him.

Still waiting for the block. I have an appointment on the 16th in Southbridge with the UI folks. If nothing by then I will force the issue. They told me Staples had 10 days to respond after my claim... Way over that.. Will keep you folks updated as it happens. I Wrote This...

I Wrote This, did you have a UI benefits hearing yet and is Staples trying to block benefits?

justanothergrayshirt; excellent synopsis. I was fired about three weeks ago because I refused to quit. Even after making improvements and passing LP audits I was still fired. Won't bore you with the details as you have all seen them on other posts. If you start shopping around for other employment you will find that many retailers are willing to pay you double what Staples did for your skill set. No, I don't have the job yet but hopefully getting close. It's just a shame that an American company can get away with treating so many, so poorly and so far getting away with it. Imagine how many others out there are suffering the same treatment and haven't found there way to this site to share. Imagine if there was some way we could all get organized and fight back. Tell you coworkers who are in similar situation about this site and ask them to put in their 2 cents worth...... I Wrote This

As for point 6 - They institute a culture of fear, backstabbing and throwing people under the bus. I actually found it rather odd at first that such a "liberal" company like Staples has such a totalitarian, and toxic culture. Meanwhile, my new job in what would be called a "conservative" company, everything just seems to work and people help each other out rather than throw them to the wolves. I have begun to re-evaluate my political opinions.

Awesome summary. 2 and 11 are so very true. DMs office is in my store and I have often heard them on the phone complaining about conditions and lack of payroll. But then they come out of the office and still expect the impossible done. I have also heard them getting absolutely ripped to shreds by the RVP when they take conference calls

on speaker. So you know they are focusing on 12 and 18 because the likelihood of them getting a job at the same level at another company is very small.

Thank you @justanothergrayshirt

Best summary ever!

Thread regarding Staples Inc. layoffs

We're all kinda f---ed.

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