This may sound like a rant from a disgruntled ex associate but as you read this youll see nothing could be further from the truth. When I applied to Kroger for a part-time position I was already retired from a long and satisfying career. Krogers was in a tough spot with the pandemic combined with a labor shortage. I saw this as a way to be of service to the community, help Krogers out and keep my mind and body active in a not-too-demanding role. I was immediately hired on the spot and began my job (not career) at the local store. I soon learned that training of any kind was non-existent. You were thrown into your work without any level of expectation established and no instruction given. The training consisted of a store tour with heres the time clock, heres the break room, heres the bathroom, and heres your department; good luck! This is no exaggeration. I also realized very quickly that if you showed up for your scheduled shift over the course of a week and made a good faith attempt to do your job, youd probably be employee of the month! Shortly after I began, I realized there were an array of issues that were continually ignored by management. This includes the store co-managers, store manager, and district manager. Many of these issues and concerns were also brought to the attention of corporate. Because of lack of training or lack of oversight, department LEADS were putting the public at risk with cross-contamination of poultry products. There was pervasive levels of mold present on dairy shelves and throughout cases and walk-ins. I brought these to the attention of numerous co managers, store managers, district managers AND corporate and absolutely NO steps were taken to address. In addition these concerns on behalf of the customers, I inquired as to why Krogers was not following its own policy and procedure regarding the taking of associate temperatures at the beginning of their shifts. This was before the vaccines were made available. I was given several reasons from associates didnt want to be bothered with it to we dont have a process in place. Laziness and complete lack of concern for the welfare of either the associates or the customer is more like it. Like everyone else, I was subjected to the recording played throughout the store that cleanliness and safety is Krogers #1 priority. their words are hollow when their actions indicate the complete opposite. When I would bring these same concerns to the attention of the union stewards, I was told flat out, THEY (Krogers) DONT CARE! Eventually, when the CDC lifted the mask mandate, I along with most associates AND customers were relieved. Wed all been waiting for this day. Off came my mask and for 2 days I thoroughly enjoyed being able to breathe again. I had a conversation with the store manager at which time he agreed with me but stated Krogers had not indicated their position. Ultimately, I was approached and told I had to put my mask back on, or clock out and leave. I asked why they were not requiring the customers to wear their masks as required, why they had not addressed the mold issue, and why,they would not take temps. It was obvious they wanted to force this issue with me since I had raised all of these other issues I said I would put my mask back on if they would make a safe work place for me. They refused to address either issue AND refused my request to have HR present during this conversation. When it was obvious that Krogers had no intention of either following their own written procedures OR making a safe environment for associates OR their customers, I made the decision to leave. They indicated that they were terminating me for insubordination, because i refused to put on the mask. Their interest was more in getting rid of me than addressing the issues that continue to be present and ignored. A footnote: I had given a two weeks notice the week before and was asked if I was still leaving when first approached. I would venture a different tact would have been taken if I wasnt already leaving. Yes, I left, but Im not going quietly. After all, Im now a Krogers customer once again, and these issues of safety and cleanliness are as important to me as ever. They should be of concern to anyone who chooses to shop at Krogers.
This may sound like a rant from a disgruntled ex associate but as you read this youll see nothing could be further from the truth. When I applied to Kroger for a part-time position I was already retired from a long and satisfying career. Krogers was in a tough spot with the pandemic combined with a labor shortage. I saw this as a way to be of service to the community, help Krogers out and keep my mind and body active in a not-too-demanding role. I was immediately hired on the spot and began my job (not career) at the local store. I soon learned that training of any kind was non-existent. You were thrown into your work without any level of expectation established and no instruction given. The training consisted of a store tour with heres the time clock, heres the break room, heres the bathroom, and heres your department; good luck! This is no exaggeration. I also realized very quickly that if you showed up for your scheduled shift over the course of a week and made a good faith attempt to do your job, youd probably be employee of the month! Shortly after I began, I realized there were an array of issues that were continually ignored by management. This includes the store co-managers, store manager, and district manager. Many of these issues and concerns were also brought to the attention of corporate. Because of lack of training or lack of oversight, department LEADS were putting the public at risk with cross-contamination of poultry products. There was pervasive levels of mold present on dairy shelves and throughout cases and walk-ins. I brought these to the attention of numerous co managers, store managers, district managers AND corporate and absolutely NO steps were taken to address. In addition these concerns on behalf of the customers, I inquired as to why Krogers was not following its own policy and procedure regarding the taking of associate temperatures at the beginning of their shifts. This was before the vaccines were made available. I was given several reasons from associates didnt want to be bothered with it to we dont have a process in place. Laziness and complete lack of concern for the welfare of either the associates or the customer is more like it. Like everyone else, I was subjected to the recording played throughout the store that cleanliness and safety is Krogers #1 priority. their words are hollow when their actions indicate the complete opposite. When I would bring these same concerns to the attention of the union stewards, I was told flat out, THEY (Krogers) DONT CARE! Eventually, when the CDC lifted the mask mandate, I along with most associates AND customers were relieved. Wed all been waiting for this day. Off came my mask and for 2 days I thoroughly enjoyed being able to breathe again. I had a conversation with the store manager at which time he agreed with me but stated Krogers had not indicated their position. Ultimately, I was approached and told I had to put my mask back on, or clock out and leave. I asked why they were not requiring the customers to wear their masks as required, why they had not addressed the mold issue, and why,they would not take temps. It was obvious they wanted to force this issue with me since I had raised all of these other issues I said I would put my mask back on if they would make a safe work place for me. They refused to address either issue AND refused my request to have HR present during this conversation. When it was obvious that Krogers had no intention of either following their own written procedures OR making a safe environment for associates OR their customers, I made the decision to leave. They indicated that they were terminating me for insubordination, because i refused to put on the mask. Their interest was more in getting rid of me than addressing the issues that continue to be present and ignored. A footnote: I had given a two weeks notice the week before and was asked if I was still leaving when first approached. I would venture a different tact would have been taken if I wasnt already leaving. Yes, I left, but Im not going quietly. After all, Im now a Krogers customer once again, and these issues of safety and cleanliness are as important to me as ever. They should be of concern to anyone who chooses to shop at Krogers.
Hello and thank you for posting.
Basically, most of the problems you have outlined are a result of:
1) Extreme Kroger Corporate greed for money, combined with non-chalance, beginning at the top (ceo Rodney McMullen), causing Kroger to continually cut hours and operate virtually all stores with a skeleton crew. The employees ranging from upper upper management to the bagger/cart retrievers have almost lost their sense of purpose and interest in pleasing the customers. More work foisted onto the employees, and less time to get it done in the hours alloted.
The people who are working there have lost their motivation to please the company. They no longer care. Mold? Who cares. Cross contamination in the Deli? Who cares. Out of plastic gloves in the Large size? Who cares? Dirty floors. Who cares? Lack of sanitation? Who cares? Sloppy bathrooms? who cares? Broken equipment? Who cares. Not enough cashiers? Who cares? It is a lost cause.
2) Refer to #1
Personally, I would rather shop at Meijer, Aldi or Walmart. Every store has their set of problems.......kroger seems intend on being NUMBER ONE in problems of all kinds.
I truly understand your concerns and agree with them. However, as of now, Kroger is officially letting all employees go without masks as long as they have been vaccinated. (Although I am sure many individual store managers don't care one way or the other about that). If I had my druthers I would tell EVERY SINGLE employee to throw their stupid useless masks away and just do their job. Some of the conservative/Republican majority states have dropped their mask mandates many months ago, or never even instituted lockdowns in the first place, and are now doing just fine with very low Covid numbers and low deaths, and a resurging economy (Texas, Florida, Ohio, Oklahoma, Iowa and others), while the Democrat-party run states like CA and WA with Draconian anti-Freedom laws are still in a state of crisis. Go figure.
PS. One nitpick: Can you Please separate your text into several smaller paragraphs, as it is somewhat hard to read.
Not nit-picking at all. Sounds like youve got a good awareness of the issues AND the cause. I shared as I left that although they didnt feel compelled to address any of these concerns when voiced by an employee / associate, it may have a different level of importance when raised by customers / general public. Its also a misnomer to refer to their employees as associates as it infers some level of partnership that certainly does not exist. Their philosophy is Big Me, little you, do as I say, not as I do. Ironically, simple little tweaks would vastly improve workplace moral, productivity and customer experience.
if Krogers continues to succeed, it will be in spite of their efforts, not a result of them.
Ive also learned that local media / investigative reporters are interested in this behind the scenes story. Just contemplating next steps.
I wouldn't say the problem is lack of caring, but I'm thinking its more of self preservation. With everything being "designed on paper", there isn't time for everything, but in reality there is no way someone can own all the jobs in their job description. How can one people be in-charge of Food Safety for 100+ Stores? How is one person in-charge of making sure 30+ stores are managing their wages, expenses, food safety, etc.. How can one person be in-charge of the "training" of 30+ stores and 3000+ Associates? Yes, there is always a plan on paper, but with everything "built into" ELMS, most secondary areas get ignored. OH, the Store Management Team is always there to be blame for not "following the plan", but yet its funny how when the previous District Teams were reorg'ed as Store Managers they also failed.
It's just something that old people say. They give the name of stores possessive/possession. Kroger's, because it belongs to Mr. Kroger. Longhorn's/Longhorns, JC Penny's. Aldi's.
People are just exhausted. Too much required by corporate and not enough hours or people to get it done. I overheard a conversation from business unit and store manager. Store manager was told it is going to get worse before it gets better (people leaving company and not being able to get people hired). It will never get better unless there is a complete corporate shake up at the top.
While I understand why people are leaving this company, it really pisses me off when people just don't show up anymore. I know you hate the company but have a little respect for your fellow employees who are still stuck here. At least give notice so there might be a chance of covering your shifts without screwing us over.
I do have to say in our store they took temperature taking very seriously. Maybe it depended on your store leadership?
There is a distinct difference between I dont care and I dont know. Kroger exemplifies the I dont care. Ive been lied to and mis-led by co-managers and managers alike when they could have taken a higher road. its almost as though they are taught to deceive the associates without batting an eye. The management style is intimidation and instilling fear in the associates who then are afraid to question anything. They didnt know how to deal with someone like me that questioned much of what they said and did. I was the proverbial thorn in their side.
The problem with our store is there was NO leadership. Only a lot of do what I say, not what I do. EVERY new co manager had grandiose ideas of changes and improvements they would make but the systemic problems within the organization prevented them from realizing their goals.
The problem with our store is there was NO leadership. Only a lot of do what I say, not what I do. EVERY new co manager had grandiose ideas of changes and improvements they would make but the systemic problems within the organization prevented them from realizing their goals.
