The store I work for was family owned since ~67. The last interest in the company sold about two months ago to an acquisition company.
We are a truck stop, a gas station. Something considered essential during the lock down. Trucks need to keep moving even when everything else doesn't and we've shouldered a whole lot of negativity over the last few years with barely more than a blink of acknowledgement.
In some ways I hate to say it but the buy was for the best. The previous owner of the store was not a good person nor was he a good businessman.
A few days ago I was given a verbal promotion and voice. A small voice, but still a voice. It's not an opportunity I've been granted before. On one hand, my focus needs to be profit, on the other hand my focus will always be protecting my people. If someone is giving what they can considering their circumstances, that's enough for me. There's a people part that really needs to be taken into consideration.
But we're in a bigger corp now that has no idea, did nothing, to market research or anything before buying. How can I protect my people?