So I work for Hy-Vee, a Midwest regional grocery chain. Two days ago at my store, there was a meeting that was held for all managers and assistant managers. Turns out that “corporate” in Des Moines is giving each retail store a “number” which they are to cut from labor cost. There is already a norm for HR to go around to each department and all full time employees each pay period to make sure all full time employees are only working an average of 40 hours a week. Now with these new cuts, all full time are limited to 40 hours with no overtime permitted and we are cutting part time employee hours down… I have to deal with this leading into Easter week which is a pretty big week in the grocery industry.
At my store, we gauge sales/profit each month and each week year over year. To my knowledge, Hy-Vee received money from the government for all COVID vaccines and boosters through their pharmacy departments… Now they see that record profit year, from more or less free government money, as a level they must hit as a company. That makes no sense to me. How do you even take that into consideration when looking at company gains/profitablity?
All this on top of Hy-Vee letting go of 120 IT/ marketing remote employees in the previous month. And Hy-Vee expanding into the south with six new stores and support warehouses.
I love what I do, and love the people I work with… But the company I work for is terrible. I seriously want to learn how to start a union. This has been a long rant, but thank you I'm for reading.