I work in the OBU at corproate (online team) my HR connection told me our team has the highest 12 month turnover/attrition in the company (50%, meaning half the team left in the last 12 months) with the bullying, lack of leaders I can understand why. I can't leave for personal reasons but staying is doing a lot of damage to my mental and physical health. Does anyone have any advice on how to stay healthy working at SHC? I can't go to HR as they are no help (they have had 50% worth of exit interviews to understand the issues but don't do anything) any advice on how to survive mentally would be very helpful thank you
23 replies (most recent on top)
Hey 2dwb you selfish turd, unemployment compensation is funded by companies like Sears, only administered by the government to help soften the impact of companies running themselves into the ground.
If you move on your own terms you don't need unemployment because you aren't unemployed.
Or do you mean you don't get to mooch off the government while taking a vacation for a couple months?
bqw - Doing it (quitting) on your own timetable definitely isn't always better than a forced move (being laid off) if it means losing unemployment compensation that you otherwise would've had.
@ @NEszEPk, My suggestion, take lots of smoke breaks. Every 15-20 minutes , just go outside and take a smoke break. Even if you don't smoke, just go out and stand around. In my store, there are a hand full of people that are always on a "smoke break", and that seams to be perfectly fine. No restrictions on "smoke breaks". For some reason, a "smoke break" is not the same as a regular break. And if you are outside, on a "smoke break" you don't have to do anything, don't have to answer the phone, handle customers, put merchandise away, etc. SO, every 15 minutes, you just go outside and take a 10 minute "smoke break" it works in my store. Maybe, if you don't smoke, you may want to think about starting.
I'm the OP and want to say thank you for your responses. Despite some bad people at Sears the majority are good, supporting, kind and this thread demonstrates that. Your comments helped a lot.
Why not transfer from the obu to another department? That is where your co workers at the company could help you out. I used to work for a mean woman who made me cry.......yes every corporation has the meanies it is the law of the odds....I contacted my old co workers in another department and they helped me move back to that department by telling me of an opening.
I work in the OBU and have come across a number of bullies in my time, and more than just bullies, really cruel, heartless people. There's one currently on the team, she would happily stab you and your family in the back just to enhance her own profile. What's worse than that is the company/HR tolerate it and do nothing leaving us and people like the OP to suffer. maybe it's intentional, get people to leave voluntarily as opposed to severance.
@1kx That is such a different experience than I have in my department at Hoffman Estates right now. I haven't experienced anything like that in at least 10-15 years. I did work for a buyer once who couldn't help herself. She was an excellent buyer, but she was a very unstable person.
Hopefully when the company goes under, there will be laws for other companies preventing this type of abuse.
The bullying, harassment and intimidation within this company is unbelievable.
KEEP your mouth shut - DO NOT discuss your situation with co-workers - your feelings get back to management you would be targeted as an unhappy person and the first to go if / when determining who to layoff or keep. I learned that lesson decades ago at a place that makes cheese
Find someone to discuss your situation with OUTSIDE of the work environment - your co-workers are JUST THAT "co-workers" NOT the proverbial someone to lean on
To qualify, I don't think all of us in Hoffman are miserable by any means. I was just saying in my original post (xkw) that when you are in a difficult situation this is what you can do. You can also move to a better area. If you talk with some of your co workers, you might find there is another department that you might like better. Reach out to your coworkers.....someone will help you out. It isn't always HR that will be your answer. Not all departments are miserable.
Please realize you are not alone. All of us at Hoffman are miserable. The demands are unrealistic. Management doesn't care. Try to keep grounded and do your best to get through the day as you look for the first available exit. Good luck and God speed.
I was in corporate for a year and worked with the OBU folks on a couple projects. I bet I know some of the folks who were gone and maybe even you. D.C.? Keep your chin up and just remember that work is work, and you are more than what your job is. You have a home life, family maybe, hobbies and interests that are outside of Hostile Hoffman.
There's jobs out there. Get your resume all spiffy, get your LinkedIn updated and start seeing what's out there. Get those wheels turning.
Corporate IT really is a terrible place to work. There are many people there who will cut your throat if they think it will make them look better by comparison. It may not feel good in the short term, but if you start letting things break, then they will have to address the issues (especially turnover). And your manager should be there to protect you. It is their job. Push the pressure up the chain on them.
Ah yes 'grow a backbone' the true sears way shining through right there. When someone close to you dies, you lose your job or maybe you start to suffer mental deterioration as you get older be sure to remember your own kind words. When you're on your deathbed and look back on the contributions you've had on the world remember that comment, kicking someone when they're down. To the OP hold on in there, I have been there before and there is nothing you can do other than look after yourself physically and mentally, when the time comes where you can leave jump as quick as you can. Know the ship is sinking and bankruptcy will be in us soon. Your freedom / severance could be here before you know it. God Bless.
@xkw amazing/great comment
Keep it too yourself, and trust no one. Pray for yourself and co-workers. Ask God for help in this situation. Remember it is just a job, My store closed in March. Save money and pay bills off, and do not start new bills. I will be praying for you.
Why are you letting anyone get to you in the first place? Put in your 8-9 hour day with mini breaks doing what you can and leave work at work. There is a bible study group that meets Wednesdays and Thrusdays during lunch hour 12-1. Loved that group and miss them all dearly, find them.
Guys be nice....she or he is obviously upset.
Grow a backbone !!
You say you can't leave for personal reasons but what are you going to do if you you are let go or when the inevitable end-of-game comes? Leaving might mean some financial hardship in the shorter term (guessing this has something to do with insurance or something like that) but doing it on you own timetable is always better than a forced move. Sounds to me like if 50% of your team has left there are positions out there for people with your skills.
I work in corporate too. I didnt realize there was bullying in the OBU. Here is what I do. First remember they need you. Second you must take time for yourself each day, ie a walk during lunch outside or between the buildings. Third the work is always going to be too much, so just remember that, you are just one person and can only do so much. It is just a job.....try to set some limits. I know that is hard as I too am on call on the weekends if something comes up. And I work with the OBU, so I actually wish if one of my co workers was in this position, they would tell me as I completely understand.....always better to discuss with a co worker than keep it to yourself.