Layoffs

gtr1 in Kingsport, Tennessee said: I honestly hate to say this, but if they can figure out a way to cover the stores open to close hours having a manager , assistant, and 1 key-holder, I believe this will be the norm in stores. I also believe they will start closing stores earlier as well, everyday in most areas. Store closings are a no-brainer this year. If you're not making enough money, you will be closed. (I'm sure the list is getting long and arduous). There's nothing we can do but our best in the circumstances. We can quit but I've been with the company 15 years and I wanted to retire in 5 years. So I work hard & do what I can. That's all you can do. We're stuck, for now!!

They will never run a 3 key staffing model, its not good business sense plus youd be paying OT to the hourly keys to make the coverage work. They arent going to force managers to work 60hr weeks just to cut 1 key out. If you have 15yrs with the co. i'd do the best job I could because you cost them alot in payroll and bennies. One thing i do believe is they may be papering the old timers out this year due to the cost of keeping them. Thats just my opinion. Keep your head up and work hard. FYI our store has 4 keys and a total of 14 staff.

I think you're right about that. all of it!! I think the more money & more seniority you have you'll be the 1st to go. I just got news from my manager today that the Impress guidelines are of course based on $$$$. If you fall below expectations in sales for Impress in your mini, you will no longer have a supervisor position.--you will have to re-apply. In our district they want regular associates to watch impress for the last hour it's open every day, instead of other impress associates. This will help cut impress staff hours and use the one associate we have over there till we close. We usually get busy during the last hour believe it or not,, for some reason. The associate has to be at least a "yellow belt" in impress however. This will definitely cut into our store recovery time, etc, etc. Oh well, you do what you gotta do!!! I don't think Sam is done yet with cost cutting initiatives for 2010!! Never say never about the 1 manager, 1 asst, 1 key carrier. that would be 1 position over 1,000 stores!!! You know what happens when you say "never happen" with OMAX!! I've seen so much stuff over the last 15 years nothing surprises me anymore.!!! Thanks for your figures on your store!!

gtr1 in Kingsport, Tennessee said: Hi Briar:

Can you tell me what your head count is, ie: how many keys, etc? Just curious! Thanks

off the top of my head 13 or so 4 sets of keys total

knightfal in Maryland said: If you increase your sales to the next payroll staffing model you will get more payroll dollars. Customer service is one of their three main objectives, running under staffed stored will not accomplish great customer service and thats not what they want.

I don't have faith in that - I stomped plan last year and I'm getting few hours this year :(

I have to agree that the higher paid associates are going to be the 1st to go. They'll figure out away

Customer Service has always been one of their main initiatives for years. They talk more about it now than ever as they cut down on payroll, get rid of seasoned associates that actually know about electronics, Impress, furniture & etc. They have always talked out of both sides of their mouth on this! As far as stores getting more payroll if they can make their numbers, well they revamp plans every year to impossible standards, so only a select few stores actually make their numbers, but their DM's get their raises based on factors such as keeping payroll to a minimum. So why would a DM even want to give his stores more payroll knowing it's going to affect his profit? I don't buy it either!! He also makes bonus based on highest gross margin., which you don't have to have high sales to accomplish this. We've all seen this accomplished on the Sales Trend Report. Watch their next steps!

i was one opp sup that was let go but guess what we had 2 key postions opened...smh

Mary in Naperville, Illinois said: Hi,
I think OFFICEMAx WANT TO PORTRAY THIS WONDERFUL IMAGE OF how wonderful they are and all the stuff about the core values but the problem they have is they don't follow them in upper management. I am doing alright-what happened in myu family nevers leaves you. If you went throught the experience of watching someone die from meso you would know what I meant. It is truly devastating. I appreciate your kindness. Mary

Mary,

I have worked for OfficeMax also and just left in November of 2011...they are the worst. They do not follow their so called core values. I had HR in a meeting with me from a man in upper Management and she allowed him to stand up and yell at me as if I was a little kid. I had four deathes in my family in the year 2011 and no one seemed to care. They are rude and unprofessional people. I worked in the Naperville, Illinois corporate office location. My immediate supervisor was a miserable female who's marriage is on the rocks and she tried to control your every move. One day I got out my seat to go to the bathroom and I caught the fat cow following me.

Mary in Naperville, Illinois said: I went to work there in 2006 because I was pretty depressed. My mom had died of mesothelioma as did my grandmother. I had a hard time getting through it and still have some upset about it. Everything was fine and then I was put on a team with a person who you would call the playground bully. I defended another girl one night who was crying hysterically. The next day
the whole team was called one by one in to the manager's office. I was last. They stated all the crap about OfficeMaxs core values-my thought how did it get to management as my sup wasn't there when this happened. Anyway one thing led to another and I got it and I knew I would. Thats alright as in the end I feel you get what you dish out. It is sad to see how they really don't go by their core values as they are good. Anyway there have been probably 40 people gone from Ottawa one way or another since the first of the year. Very sad. Maybe Sam should take a little pay cut.

Oh yeah, Sam has retired from OfficeMax and a whole lot of others in upper management have left. That company will soon go under because they are very unorganized, I don't even see how they are still in business til this day. I also filed an EEOC complaint against them as well.

gtr1 in Kingsport, Tennessee said: Customer Service has always been one of their main initiatives for years. They talk more about it now than ever as they cut down on payroll, get rid of seasoned associates that actually know about electronics, Impress, furniture & etc. They have always talked out of both sides of their mouth on this! As far as stores getting more payroll if they can make their numbers, well they revamp plans every year to impossible standards, so only a select few stores actually make their numbers, but their DM's get their raises based on factors such as keeping payroll to a minimum. So why would a DM even want to give his stores more payroll knowing it's going to affect his profit? I don't buy it either!! He also makes bonus based on highest gross margin., which you don't have to have high sales to accomplish this. We've all seen this accomplished on the Sales Trend Report. Watch their next steps!

My favorite is that they don't post plan until 2-3 months into the year - how are you supposed to hit a number that you don't know about, then they expect you to be over plan the rest of the year, so it all balances out.