There have been a lot of great comments on the previous entry about the horrible conditions at Sears Portrait Studio, and I wanted to highlight a few. These are in response to another comment that suggested that if you try your best, you'll always be safe from losing your job:"I was fired for low studio numbers...I did everything in my power to get the numbers up. I was a loyal employee for 15 years. I worked holidays and nearly every weekend; hell, I didn't even take a sick day my first 5 years. I hung in through all the changes and daily BS. My reward? A DM who lied about studio visits, posted my job online before beginning any corrective action, talked smack about other studio managers to me, and played favorites on a regular basis. Don't kid yourself. You are ALWAYS REPLACEABLE. "
And another commenter writes: "The problem with this job is the company feels we are easily replaced. on a recent conference call we were told to interview people weekly so those who are underperforming can be replaced immediately. you CAN and DO get fired for low numbers.and good luck actually getting people to take the job at the lousy starting pay. we are so easily replaced and yet it takes a dedicated person to fully do this job and give good customer svc. we hire any old person off the street and expect a miracle. thats why this company is in the toilet. START WITH THE EMPLOYEES. find your sales rising. (oh look i wrote in caps that means IT WILL be done right?)"
Did you catch that? People are being told to interview people when there aren't even positions open. As many SM and DMs that have had their jobs posted know, nothing says "we don't value you" like actively seeking out new people to do your job.
I left this company about six months ago thinking that it couldn't get any worse over there, but clearly it's gotten worse.
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15 comments:
Sears just announced that they were down 55% for the 4th Qtr. Yikes! If you weren't worried about your job before, you should be now. And since CPI basically sold it's soul to Sears to make the contract renewal happen...
Where'd you get your info? I can't seem to find a press release on that.
Almost all the retailers posted their earnings...I happened to catch it on MSNBC this morning. I bet you can find something on their website about it.
I was fired after almost 18 years of loyal service and was manager of the year for the previous year and given a trophy 4 months before. I had the 2nd highest sales increase in the COMPANY and was still let go with "no official reason". So for anyone thinking they are safe because they are performing, wake up, and don't be shocked when you are standing in the unemployment line. For those that are not performing, forget about it.
There is probably more to the story if you say you were just let go for no reason. The hr and legal depts always make sure they have their ducks in a row before anyone goes.
YET AGAIN, my old job (Studio Manager) has been posted. That makes 6 times within the past year and a half. They can't keep anyone there!
"There is probably more to the story if you say you were just let go for no reason. The hr and legal depts always make sure they have their ducks in a row before anyone goes."
To answer: HR did their part by making sure "no reason" was given. Because California is an "at will" state, they can be sued for wrongful termination if it is proven. But, if no reason is given, there is no fault. They tried a write-up with goals before they let me go, however, i exceeded all goals except a few that were set high above CPI and I still beat CPI on those. Don't get me wrong, I am NOT bitter. I am soooo fantastically happy being free from such a horrid company. I just wanted to let people know that working your butt off and having high sales (which I had) does not protect you.
I still say that there is more to the story.
To anonymous who keeps suggesting there is more: I'm not the original poster, but I did see this happen in my district where people were making too much money for being in the studios so long. It was easier for the company to cut them loose and hire someone for less. (Although, since it is a revolving door company, they cannot now get people to stay in the job anyway, so they should have kept the people who cost more).
I was also a long timer who was fired. I was always a top performer, but my studio began to decline with the recession. Instead of trying to help me, DM spent the summer "building a case". I got write ups in May, June, July, and August-this after over 14 years of no corrective action. When I failed to fix the economy, I was fired. Fortunately, my state employment commission investigated the situation and concluded that I was terminated for "reasons other than misconduct", and I have been receiving compensation. The EEOC is currently investigating CPI for the discrimination and harassment I was subjected to. My point is that you don't have to take it. File a complaint with your state employment commission and the EEOC. My state (Texas) is also an "at will" state, but fair is fair and there are laws in place to protect employees. I once had Tammy from the legal dept. ask if there was anyone from California on a conference call- she sighed in relief when their wasn't. Apparently their laws a pretty employee friendly.
"Anonymous Anonymous said...
I still say that there is more to the story.
March 3, 2009 9:50 PM"
To reply: You are definitely entitled to your opinion, but I have been witness to several of these same kind of terminations, other than my own. I was the district trainer/DM sub so I was the one they called to "stand-by" as other mngrs got fired.
As far as calling EEOC; California has more rules than Russia, so employees have tons of rights, however, I am being compensated by receiving the highest amount of unemployment insurance available. CPI was found to have termed me based on my being payed "too much" according to them and EDD did not take kindly to them adding me to the number of unemployed Californians already looking for work.
There is no more to the story except keep looking for another job.The same thing happened to me.Same 15 years,Always top #'s customers loved me.Too much money to keep me..Hr and legal screwed up.In the middle of a lawsuit,looking very favorable for me.I wish all of you the best....just keep looking!!Remember their motto is EVERYONE is REPLACEABLE!!!Ps.Don't let them have the best of you.GOOD LUCK
Tell your lawyer to check out this blog site...I wish we all could be a part of a class action lawsuit!
I'm the original poster that had been with CPI for 18 yrs.
Thank you to all for the support and encouragement. And to the anonymous that said give this website to a lawyer and wishes we could all be part of a class action, already did and already am. But its only open for Cali Mngrs. Let me know if it fits you.
~M~
Do you need me to do a post on the lawsuit so I can help find other California people? Email me w/ details.
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