Joined: 27 Oct 2007
Posts: 2
| Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 8:24 pm Post subject: Get something off my chest | |
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I have to get this off my chest so I can move on and my experience working at Lowe's will be reduced to a bad taste in my mouth when mentioning their name. A week ago from Thursday after two days off, I arrived at Lowe's to begin my shift working as a CSA in outside garden. A co-worker spotted me and asked if I had heard what happened. A day earlier another CSA from outside garden showed up for work and two hours later was called to the manager's office and was told that her job had been eliminated. This was a prelude to what would happen to me. I was called to the manager's office one and a half hours after arriving and was told that my job had been eliminated. By the way, the manager decided to do his dirty work not in his office but hiding back in the zone manager’s room along with HR.
It happened that fast and felt as if I had been sucker punched. The store I worked at was just a cement slab the day I walked in the door over a year ago. We finished the rack set 6 weeks early and had put our heart and soul into it. I feel as if it meant nothing and do not understand how a company can treat employees in this manner. When I read what they are doing for the people in California it seems so hypocritical and disingenuous. We knew all the part-timers hours were being cut back to 10 hours a week but there had been no mention of lay-offs, job eliminations, firings, or whatever you want to call it. I have heard, although cannot verify, that the "job eliminations" happened to 16 other people in the store some part-timers but mostly full timers. They were very clever by doing it one by one over days so we were separated from the "team" and alone, while HR and the manager worked together. It took every ounce of my will to keep my emotions in check so that I could leave the store in dignity. I told HR that I had to punch out and he said that the manager had already done it. It was a quick clean cut. I hope to some day look back and see this as a good thing. After all, knowledge is power and I now know what kind of company Lowe's is. Many things you read about on this site are written by workers from all over the United States so I must conclude that the company's behavior is not limited to a few stores or a few bad managers but to Lowe's accepted business practices. I also have experienced not being allowed to leave when my shift is over until a manager shows up to unlock the door, the inhumane schedule in the so called matrix, working seven or more days in a row as a punishment for having one weekend off a month. I could go on but won't bore you, when reading most of the posts will give you an idea of the type of corporation it is. If you have gotten this far I thank you reading my post and wish you good luck in your dealings with Lowe's. |
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Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Posts: 6727
Location: Central CA
| Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 9:29 pm Post subject: | |||
I know it's no comfort but you aren't alone by any means, it's not limited to just Lowe's and field level workers throughout retail and many other service industries (which is about all we have left) are being treated the same way in order to satisfy the greed of the few at the top and their parasitic shareholders. You're just unfortunate enough to actually have to work for a living and that sets you up for these kind of actions by people who don't. What happened to you totally stinks and I can only wish you the best of luck in recovering and getting back on your feet after this sneak assault. |
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Joined: 08 Jul 2003
Posts: 214
| Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 10:47 pm Post subject: | |
| That's a pretty chicken way to do it, but that's the way they are. You did mention that the Manager clocked you out, why? Did the manager clock you out before the meeting or after it was over, if so or if they were still talking to you about this after they had clocked you out then they were forcing you to work off the clock, that's a very serious complaint you would have if thats the case. | |
Joined: 11 Nov 2006
Posts: 295
| Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 3:11 am Post subject: | |
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Now everyone can see why I talk so poorly of Lowes. Lowes sucks as a company. They are not customer focused, Lowes is not employee focused. The only thing lowes sees is the ultimate green dollar. Its sad how a corporation can stoop to such lowes.
Makes you wonder now about the name and why they chose "Lowes" as the name of the company. Not for the fact of low prices....Because we know that isnt the case. Maybe it was chosen as glimpse as to what they can do to its workers. Create the ultimate low or lowes. Best of luck Cali guy. Its a shame that happened to you however you are much better off being out of lowes. Lowes is a horrible place to work. I worked there for over 5 years and leaving was the BEST thing I ever did for myself. Lowes sucks as a employer. Wish there were more that could take place against the actions it takes to let employees go who do not deserve it. How can lowes "let someone go" for no reason? No misconduct on your part. You were a misfortune by the company. It was a misfortune you hired there also. Look on the bright side. You don't have to work 7 days in a row to get a day off anymore.... Seek action! |
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Joined: 27 Oct 2007
Posts: 2
| Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 1:05 pm Post subject: | |||
I had left the team leaders room along with HR and was in the process of turning in my apron when I said that I had to clock out. That is when HR said that the manager had already clocked me out, so I do not know when he did it. The offices in the store are in the front and this occurred at customer service and in front of the customers at check-out.  After I realized this I walked to the breakroom, emptied out my apron, emptied out my locker and handed the apron to HR. Before I wallked out the door HR tried to hand me a pamphlet , but as I said in the above post, it took all my will to keep my emotions in check. I shook my head and walked out the front exit.
I had direct deposit and so this past Friday (payday) I went online but they had already taken my access away and couldn't get a copy of my pay stub. Money had been deposited into my bank but I will have to contact HR to send me a pay stub. 
Thank you all for the kind posts. |
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Joined: 08 Sep 2004
Posts: 97
Location: Alaska
| Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:45 pm Post subject: A new era | |
| I work at Home Depot. I am sorry about what happened to you. Judging from your recent post, you will do well in any future endeavor. I talked to my HR yesterday about the layoffs at Lowes. She told me that HD will not lay off people. I do not believe our HR. They will cut hours until it is not worth showing up to work. I still cannot understand why any company would lay off dedicated employees. It seems to be a downward spiral-lay off people results in a loss of customer service and then more lay offs. I wish you the best. | |
Joined: 11 Nov 2006
Posts: 295
| Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:20 pm Post subject: Re: A new era | |||
its the lowes way of life. hire...fire....repeat |
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