Long time lurker first time poster, been with Kroger 10+ years now.
*Vent*
Been having multiple weekly store walkthroughs with leads and managers for over a month now, while more than likely it's because the store I work at is in the bottom five in the district in terms of "fresh/friendly" scores the fact that the walkthroughs started almost immediately after the whole business of corporate offering buyouts to it's longest working office workers makes the whole thing reek of corporate ass-covering to me. The store has the same issues as almost every other store and its the same departments that are having the same problems over and over and over again with no effective solutions being put in place. It hasn't affected me directly as the department I run isn't a "problem" department but it still gets dammed annoying after a while.
*Vent*
So, anyone else been having a ton of walkthroughs these past couple months?
Long time lurker first time poster, been with Kroger 10+ years now.
*Vent*
Been having multiple weekly store walkthroughs with leads and managers for over a month now, while more than likely it's because the store I work at is in the bottom five in the district in terms of "fresh/friendly" scores the fact that the walkthroughs started almost immediately after the whole business of corporate offering buyouts to it's longest working office workers makes the whole thing reek of corporate ass-covering to me. The store has the same issues as almost every other store and its the same departments that are having the same problems over and over and over again with no effective solutions being put in place. It hasn't affected me directly as the department I run isn't a "problem" department but it still gets dammed annoying after a while.
*Vent*
So, anyone else been having a ton of walkthroughs these past couple months?
Oh yes. Is Ken Young your district manager? They come in at 7:00 AM and expect everything to be full. According to the guidebook, we have until 9:00 AM to have everything filled. I heard it's actually 10:00 AM but Calvin wants it done by 9:00 AM. I would think we could file a grievance since Kroger isn't following its own rules.
Yes and kind of, it's the timing of the walkthroughs really kicking off after the buyouts and not actually addressing the problems. Seems like pointless ass-covering from corporate, but hey it's Kroger and that seems to be the norm now I suppose.
Our store has had multiple walk through's as well for the last few months. I believe we are at the bottom, also. Heck you might even be the same store. Unsure. At our store it is the same departments that keep getting the complaints also (not any other department). I think management is looking in the wrong place for the solution. Maybe if management will stop targeting the same people and look somewhere else they will find the solution. Maybe they need to ask the one person that is paying attention to the problem. Maybe they need approach all in the department. Let them all know that they are rating low. Let them all know that sometimes you have to do the dirty work to get the job done, right. Let them all know where they are failing in the department and individually. Let them all know management will not tolerate it and they will be written up if they can't do the job they are assigned. Let them all know if they can't do the dirty work, then they shouldn't be working there. In my department I know what the issue is, but management will not take the time to listen. The solution in our department is actually very easy. A couple of people in my department believe their job is secure because of union. They feel they don't have to do as much because they believe they can't be fired. They forget they can get written up 3 times, for the same thing, then fired. So, they choose not to work as hard, call in all the time, and do sloppy jobs. Also, maybe management should schedule the ones who are putting in the effort the hours they deserve and schedule the ones who aren't less hours. If I was management I wouldn't tolerate the sloppiness and lack of effort, I would show my team that I'm not going to put up with it, and as department head I would do my part in making sure my department was fresh, friendly, clean, sanitary, and make sure my team received the credit they deserve (Good or Bad). "You either want to do the job or you're out". I have only worked for Kroger for 4 months, but I show I want the job every day that I go in. I do my job to the best of my ability. I remind myself all the time, it takes only 3 write ups then I'm fired. Others need to do the same.
It doesn't matter if it is affecting one department or more it is affecting the whole store. I'm sure it is annoying. The department I work in is getting complaints from corporate and inspectors. The solution is most likely right in front of them. Store managers and Department Heads just need to open their eyes and be a little less obvious. Make all the employees old and new do that 90 day hand book. Also remind them that they can be fired. It may take some time to fire them, but it can be done.
I don't understand all the 'real" reasons for frequent walkthroughs, but this ALL COMES DOWN TO THE SAME OLD PROBLEMS, that KROGER WILL NOT ACKNOWLDGE!!!
Primarily, NOT ENOUGH HOURS ALLOTED TO ALL THE DEPARTMENTS!!!!! Especially Produce, Meat, and Deli, where 'Fresh and friendly' scores are extremely difficult to achieve if you simply don't have enough time to make sure all "prescribed" cleaning chores are done, and all the "standards" are adhered to. And making sure there are enough employees at ALL TIMES to take care of all customers quickly and efficiently.
Kroger needs to acknowledge the elephant in the room, or pull their collective heads out of the sand (sorry about the clichés, but I can't think of another good way to describe this mess).
Plain and simple. The managers (or corporate highers-upo) can whine and belly-ache all day long, but the truth is that Kroger is a corrupt company and has been going downhill because of strict e-schedule guidelines/ rules and the fact that it doesn't reflect 'real life' in the real world at a REAL Kroger.
Take Produce, for instance. You cannot have the dept looking like a magazine photo-shoot at 9:00 AM when you haven't had nearly enough hours to get everything stocked and ship-shape. It's an ongoing, long process when there are hundreds of items that need to be checked, organized, culled, replaced, whatever. And all employees are 'expected' to take their due breaks and lunch.
