What to do about harassing store mgr?

Joined: 31 Jan 2008 Posts: 23

I have a Store manager that has taken it upon himself to "screw" with me on a regular basis. Earlier in the year a group of us Specialists "stood up" for ourserlves after he had threatened to write us up for sales performance with what the economy is doing. Turns out he can't per our Area HR but we can get in trouble for not working company programs. This is not the case with me I have been with Lowe's for a LONG time and have no attendance issues or anything else for that matter. He wants me gone I'm sure because he sees me as the "instigator" of the whole thing. He has threatened my job twice and yesterday he threatened to move me out of the department(I work in Appliances). However, he is always careful to do it when noone else is around and never puts any conditions on it. I have no corrective actions in my file and I am thinking about going to HR but I'm afraid he will deny the whole thing. The only thing that I can hope for is that Area HR has already determined that he has "issues" because of previous complaints.

Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 90

At my store, we had an employee call Lowes "800 employee hotline" about a scheduling problem. Corporate office has actually shown up to investigate the problem. The issue was resolved but the employee was fired a few weeks later. This employee had a weak work record and they used it against the employee. Since you have a good record and no problems, you will difficult to fire. But all stores have their "dirty networks of deceit". Of course, as you well know, you have been targeted. They will try to set you up (common in my store) or pressure you to quit. Since Lowes is non-union, the only protection you have is yourself and any allies you may have in the store. I wish you the best of luck against this asshole. His day is coming sooner than he thinks.

Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Posts: 143 Location: Region 1

Magnum: management never likes an employee who "stirs the pot." Once Lowe's determines they want an employee gone, believe me they'll succeed. They will find something to write you up for, and do that several times until you've got enough write-ups (or one really good one) to be on your way out. In the economy we find ourselves in - with job opportunities scarce, my suggestion to you is just to tough things out for now. I know how vicious, trivial and vindictive some store managers can be so I know where you're coming from.

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 497

You say that the store manager wanted to move you out of your current department in appliances? The store manager may move the employees around without giving a reason. If there is an opening for a specialist in a different department this store manager may just put you into that department and then post the appliance position. If I were you I'd cease the pot stirring activity because appliances is a pretty cake job in the store.

Just remember Karma is a bio-tch and it will get the store manager in the end.

Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 54

I would also suggest doing whatever you can to improve your sales, epp closure rates, and add on sales. If you strive to be in the upper tier of your store and district and region, it shows you interested in improving the sales at your store. If you are stagnant when sales become stagnant, the SM could use this as the reason to move you.

I would also start keeping a file on dates and times that you are being threatened. HR's, particularly AHRM'S like dealing with concrete facts.

Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 13

Lowe's has an open door policy where you can call the 1-800 Number that is on the wall in the break room. You will remain completely anoymous.

Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Posts: 143 Location: Region 1

That's correct about Lowe's having an "open door policy" on employee complaints, however after you call the number and make your anonymous complaint, it filters back to the store with obvious specific accounts of your grievances. Even as brain dead as some Lowe's managers are, it doesn't then take a brain surgeon for them to figure out who the "anonymous" complainer was. Then, they get even.

Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 445

1) most sm's I've seen don't last longer than two years. Either things are good and they move on to another store (after all they are valued and they agree to move anywhere within a whole region) or they don't get bonus and quit...or they get fired (I've known of three so far)

2) If you are a specialist...what's the sales manager have to say in all of this?

3) at worst try to put in for a transfer...see if you can get into empt because that means department manager positions would be open for you. Since a lateral transfer can be blocked that could act as insurance for that.

4) as for the phone number thing there's ways to prevent tracing and there's enough stores in a given area to prevent knowing who...

Rocking the boat or causing waves doesn't exactly get someone fired. When the pay scales were leaked out a year or so ago no one got fired. Same when it came out about the schedual being changed (I mensioned earlier) no one got fired..

	Forum Index -> Lowes	All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1