I really don’t understand why employees continue to hunker down inside this dumpster fire and count down to each extended deadline instead of pouring every resource into finding stable employment. Bankruptcy was declared months ago and despite every creditor, vendor, customer, fund manager, and retail analyst finding zero viability in resurrecting this dead business and making every plausible argument that Lampert’s interests are self-serving, there are still employees determined to “wait and see”. It’s obvious to all that Lampert’s only “going concern” here is his own legal and financial liabilities, and ability to liquidate privately without scrutiny or public opinion. Even if some smaller retail footprint comes out of this process who is honestly going to work for the same egomaniac that destroyed it once before? Same owner, different outcome... I think not.
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Golden handcuff, exactly correct. I have been a store level associate for over 20 years. I am still full time and make more than the asm in my store. So yeah, I'm staying because I have no real responsibilites except putting a few clothes on the racks and keeping the clothes off the floor.
I'm massively overpaid for the work I do. Got to keep riding this gravy train for however long it keeps chugging. Some of you would laugh, cry, or be very p-ss-d off if you knew who I was.
Corporate Stockholm Syndrome:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-modern-time-crunch/201403/corporate-stockholm-syndrome
You state you really don’t understand why people are staying. Are you still in the work force or are you long retired? If you are still working then you would understand why sears associates are “riding it out”. It’s called employment survival. You keep your current job while you job search. Is that something you actually don’t comprehend? It’s time to show some empathy.
Each person makes decisions based on their own interests which none of us know. Stop giving lecture of what they should be doing.
There's so much negativity on here, which is understandable, but depressing to read. There are actually a lot of employees at HE (like myself) who care about Sears, love working here and don't want to leave, so why not ride it out and see what happens??
Majority of people are not riding it out by choice....everyone I talk to at HE office are actively applying for jobs on a daily basis
I mean for me, I like my job. And it is not very difficult for what I'm making. If you have a good thing, ride it out.
I agree. I voluntarily left Sears last year after working there 10+ years in various management roles. After seeing so many hard-working peers (and myself) having our ASMs, leads, and district/market positions consistently eliminated or combined, I knew it was time to move on. They only job that was always safe was "Store General Manager" and all but 1 or 2 of them I've met were probably not the best or most qualified person for that overpaid position.
Sadly many of my friends still work there and won't leave on their own. They explain it to me that they are loyal to the point they WANT to "go down with the ship". I respect their loyalty, but it's foolish. Sure the captain (...Eddie) should go down with the ship, but not the people who deserve a better fate.
Some employees might be staying because of what is known as the 'golden handcuffs'. At H.E. HQ, some folks were hired with an above average pay or were promoted into positions they normally would not be qualified for... so they would either join the company (or) stay on and not quit. I am sure when they looked around for other jobs they realize they would have to take a large pay cut if they left Sears. Also, the flex time and work from home policies keep many from leaving their positions. Sears was very generous with these policies in order to keep employees. I know because I worked there for 24 years before retiring. Many folks also live close to the Hoffman campus and they don't want to engage in a long commute to another company due to family responsibilities. There are many jobs in downtown Chicago but then you are looking at a 1 to 1 1/2 hr commute one way versus maybe 15 or 20 min. So, please don't criticize them, they all know the handwriting is on the wall but they are content to ride it out due to the above circumstances. I cannot speak for store associates because I did not work in the stores during my career there (except during Alwyn Lewis' reign when he made us work in the stores 2005-2006 I think it was... good times).
Do you really think associates are riding this out?
Well what rock are you living under?
Every single person in our district is looking for another job, it doesn't happen overnight.
Check your turnover numbers before you post.
why not ride it out as long as the paychecks keep coming ? it's a pretty cushy job right now.
"But this time he'll do something! Really! I know it! He said he wanted to save all those jobs and I know he means it! Is that smiling face the face of a liar?"
/s
Victim mentality.