Accountablity??

Joined: 25 Feb 2007 Posts: 11

I have a question to ask this forum. I probably will pay for this, but I dont care at this point. I have worked for Lowe's for close to 5 years now. I have done my work as well as helping others out as well. When management wants something done, they ask me for help. They understand that I will get the job done. Within the last six months, I have been promoted to DM. I have done well within this department. I get all of my paperwork done, my price audit done within two weeks, and dealing with customers and higher management. Within a month, I got a new ZM. He explains to me that he's here to help me out. I have been told by several higher managers that as a young DM that I exceeded their expectations. I even been asked to apply for ZM training, but I turned it down to focus on getting my MBA from college. All of a sudden, my new ZM is asking me to help out three other departments as well as mine. I am ask to tell my people where to clock in/out for lunch and working. As well as other things. I have done all of this with no problems. As I came into work today, I got a message about accountablity. I was confused. As my ZM came in, I ask him about this message. He told me that I wasn't performing to his standards. I then informed him that if I wasn't why is it then higher managers are asking me for their help as well as thanking me for a great job. My people are great workers. I will call them the Lowe's Bitches. I love my people, but when Lowe's needs cashiers, loaders, spotters, etc: they get called the most. As I was explaining this to him, he told me this wasn't a joke, but to be serious about it. He says its the difference between a good pay rasie and a great pay raise.

I am upset about this!!! He tells me that he's doing this to help me out (BS). He's out to protect himself. I am doing well and my people love me as well, but I am to the point of leaving anyways. I love Lowe's, but as I am told that I am to good to be here.

I would love some insight into this.

Joined: 17 Sep 2008 Posts: 18

During these slow times Lowe's management is trying to get people to quite rather then pay unemployment,that's why you see all these work lists going on. Just remember if your being treated poorly and demoralized then it's time to unionize.

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 546

I'm wondering about your ZM's expectations that you help three other departments as well as yours. Is your store low volume enough to have department managers covering several departments at one time? In my current store the department manager has 5 different departments that they are over. There are only 3 dm's out on the salesfloor. One admin dm that runs the front end and does the schedules. Maybe your store is needing to stretch their dm's to cover larger areas?

I'd make certain that if this new zm has a different perception of you than everyone else has that you keep working as hard as your are doing now. Perhaps this new zm doesn't understand the Lowe's way of doing things. Or perhaps he does get it and knows that you just pile on more and more work on those few that actually do their job.

Joined: 25 Feb 2007 Posts: 11

we are a $60M store. Our sells force is down to the bare minimum with no additional hiring now. We are consider by several customers as well as employees to be a Home Depot. Can't locate employees for help, so my ZM takes it to me to help out the other departments. I have no problem about helping out, but when I am getting lectured about my accountability, it pisses me off. Within 6 months, I have bonus twice. Several employees and customers have said that my departments looked better and are stocked as well. I am trying to figure this ZM out, but I am not considering wasting my time. I know I am better then this. I understand this company is about profit!!

PS: After chatting with HR about getting my MBA, I am looking to leave this company soon. HR has informed me that Lowe's will not help me with my MBA due to the fact it doesn't benefit them.

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 546

I understand your frustration but am a bit puzzled by a portion of your comment. When you say " I know I am better then this." are you speaking of worrying about floor coverage when it isn't your job to make certain that the entire store is staffed? Could you possibly be stating that you are "better then" (and the correct term should be 'than' not 'then'~stay in school) people who work for Lowe's? I don't know but to me it sounds as if you are stating that people are settling when they work for Lowe's and that you are better than these people. Each person in every store is getting paid, we don't do it for the fun of it. Many of us enjoy what we do on a semi-daily basis.

The bottom line here is that a new manager is letting you know that they expect more from you and you got upset. You may already be giving all that you are able. This new person doesn't see you the way that others do as they have not had the opportunity to observe your ability. I also know that it is a good thing to bonus but if you are speaking with a member of management I wouldn't express it in those terms. You're still a new dm and changing the verbage to "my department exceeded budget and margin by such and such percentage over the past two months" sounds much better than sharing that you received extra money for doing the job which they are paying you.

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