OfficeMax News and Happenings.

Impress in Tennessee said: What is the rumor for the Impress CAM's? They have cut back on the Impress workers and want print jobs going through the DC's if possible. Most if not all of the stores in town have gone to mini's and not hubs. I am a CAM and was wondering if anyone had news about our job security? Thanks and hang in there for anyone laid off. I feel horrible and hope you all move on to bigger and better things.

I'm an ex-CAM on the East Coast that was laid off earlier this year. Be careful! They are known for putting people on bogus Corrective Action Plans, padding their files with negative reports forcing the employee to either resign or get fired...no unemployment, no layoff. This is exactly what happened to me in January '08 and others. You may have noticed many of the CAM positions disappearing quietly over the last several months. I hate that they are able to get away with this.

Any more news/possibilites about ImPress Supervisors?

sorry - possibilities

The new rumor is they are doing away with the ASM position and bringing on another supervisor. Good luck to you all. With Depot closing some stores it's only a matter of time till Max follows their lead.

Heywood Jablowme in Somewhere said: The new rumor is they are doing away with the ASM position and bringing on another supervisor. Good luck to you all. With Depot closing some stores it's only a matter of time till Max follows their lead.

ridding of the asm huh? wow thats not such surprising news after thery laid off all the high paid logistics manager and some of the impress mangers this company is now running down hill. Hae you seen all their crappy new " eve" programs? Their terrible.

OMX CAM in Miami, Florida said: I'm an ex-CAM on the East Coast that was laid off earlier this year. Be careful! They are known for putting people on bogus Corrective Action Plans, padding their files with negative reports forcing the employee to either resign or get fired...no unemployment, no layoff. This is exactly what happened to me in January '08 and others. You may have noticed many of the CAM positions disappearing quietly over the last several months. I hate that they are able to get away with this.

How true. I have been an asociate with over 10 years experience with the company. My reviews were always "exceed expectations" till 2008 when they did the same to me "fabricate negative reports, including falsification of data". I was placed on corrective action and finally let go end of 2008. I thought it was just me having this issue. Very frustrating indeed. One lesson learned for me - There is no such thing as loyalty in OMX anymore.

Not only does the company cut our hours and leave us with no Staff to work with.
Now we no longer get a 401K Match, No Annual pay increase and No Bonus after working our butts off all year , And I am in the most profitable store in our District.
As an ASM I am only suppose to work 45 hours a week but instead I am putting in way over 55 to 60.
When will the Madness stop.
I bet the two Sams are still getting their money this year.

In theory they are not getting their bonus, etc. However, I think maybe they should take a pay cut. that would save some money :)

More RIF's again today at headquarters. What a disaster!

Now the word is that store that have Impress Hubs are not longer so and that the Managers that service these hubs, their positions are going away thru attrition.
Maybe we should worry less about putting up wall paper and creating new binders and focus more on what made us successful in the first place, Customer service and having the basics the customers want in the store.

Former Boise and OMX in Itasca, Illinois said: More RIF's again today at headquarters. What a disaster!

We got a call from a local TV channel yesterday wanting to know if there was any "truth to the layoff rumors" our MGR directed them to corporate.

MaxStoryteller in Monroe, North Carolina said: Now the word is that store that have Impress Hubs are not longer so and that the Managers that service these hubs, their positions are going away thru attrition.
Maybe we should worry less about putting up wall paper and creating new binders and focus more on what made us successful in the first place, Customer service and having the basics the customers want in the store.

I am wondering how true this rumor is, since if our MGR goes away thru atrition, so will several of the other people in our Impress Hub. Believe me when I say there aren't many people
left in that dept. as it is. Maybe 4 on a good day, which includes our DTP & CSR. He is definately the glue of the dept. He also works the other side of the store!!

Oh, OK now I get it. The reason for all the cutbacks in personnel & no raises, no 401K match this year is so that Omax can have 3 test stores in Washington. They would have us think it it is the economy, but if that were true why did they build these 2,000 ft stores called "Ink Paper Scissors" that are a severely pared down version of a 5.0 store. Why are they doing any "test market" stores when the economy is so bad right now, when they should be doing just the opposite?? The associates they have kept are killing themselves and should be getting some sort of raise in these trying times, but they are opening new stores.

Something's Up! On the "Topix OfficeMax" forum they are talking about the closing of 100 stores that's supposed to be happening soon. Corporate is supposedly getting the list together as we speak. Anybody hear anything about this rumor?

They are looking to sell some of the stores and the number may be over 100.

What does everyone else think of the new mystery shopper program?

briar_rose in Colorado said: What does everyone else think of the new mystery shopper program?

What a bunch of Bull!! Any stores that do well on the secret shop are just showing Omax how well they can survive with less associates. As a company this report should come back as a bad one as far as customer service, etc. Just what else would their point be to pay for a company to come in & secret shop us when we have no associates in the stores anymore?
They had this program years ago to make sure everyone was doing what they were supposed to be doing in each store at all times. It barely made sense then, now it's ridiculous!!!

Sinatra in Bloomingdale, Illinois said: It would be weird to write to an address with OfficeMax in the email address with a complaint. No one at headquarters can trust anyone in management.
People may not trust emailing their complaints to you. Please post here- any information regarding this topic, as there are about 50 or more people that would be interested in what you have to say.
Some of OfficeMax's management has been pulling this corrective action garbage for years-especially in specific departments. They focus on someone, make up lies, twist the truth, build a file against an associate to either try and force the person to quit or get the person fired. It has happened to so many people that we have lost count. They rule people with an iron fist, treat people in demeaning, belittling, humiliating and disrespectful ways and do anything they can to destroy someone who will not obey them. They have mandatory overtime and will fire you if you don't do the overtime. Some people cannot go home without permission. This has happened over and over and over. It's sick, twisted and pathetic. Some of the managers are nothing but weak, conniving, immoral, unethical pissants who don't deserve to be there. No one in HR helps. You can't go to some of the higher managers because they are part of the problem-they support that kind of behavior. When people DO complain-they either get fired due to falsified claims or punished by being given extra work and being made to stay late when other people in the staff offered to help complete work- to force you to quit. It is a toxic environment where people eventually just fade away-one way or another. OfficeMax wants puppets on strings-not people.
OfficeMax laid off 50 people at headquarters 2 weeks ago

That post is spot on! Plus when people quit without another job in a bad economy that says much about a company.

DamnOmax in Lombard, Illinois said: That post is spot on! Plus when people quit without another job in a bad economy that says much about a company.

I'm not sticking up for Omax, believe me when I say!! We couldn't get overtime in our store if our lives depended on it. Only certain people can! They actually want you to go home early to conserve payroll, even it means leaving 1 person, literally one, to run the store!!
This leaves that one person in a really bad & stressed out situation having to run from Impress to the other side to run register and wait on customers.
I was on the 4th quarter conference call yesterday when Duncan & Martin were taking questions from the UBS people & others about in essence, the retail stores being cut back as far as they can cut & their reply was, and I quote, "We are always looking at where to cut back"
They never said anything about going as far as they could go with cut backs at store levels,even though the point was made about stores payrolls being at the lowest levels
concerning floor help, that they could go. The point was made by the Financial Groups,
NOT Sam & Sam!! Again Sam & Sam said they are still looking for ways to trim in all the sectors, including the stores, so we can all hold onto our hats! In fact Sam Duncan said "in 2009, there would be more tough decisions that will be made". Everytime he says those words, there's layoffs involved!!!

I guess, for those of us left for the time being, we are in for a really rough ride till they "can" us!!!

Oh & by the way, if you are an assistant manager you do work 12 hour days, because there is no-one else in the store to run it when the few hourly people do go home! We have 13 people in our store, that includes 3 key carriers & 1 manager & 2 assistants,. We run a HUB that includes this payroll. Both sections are opened 13 hours daily, except Sunday. I wonder were Sam is going to cut next?

not only do hourly associates NOT have mandatory OT, they are not allowed to go into OT

gtr1 in Kingsport, Tennessee said: I'm not sticking up for Omax, believe me when I say!! We couldn't get overtime in our store if our lives depended on it. Only certain people can! They actually want you to go home early to conserve payroll, even it means leaving 1 person, literally one, to run the store!!
This leaves that one person in a really bad & stressed out situation having to run from Impress to the other side to run register and wait on customers.
I was on the 4th quarter conference call yesterday when Duncan & Martin were taking questions from the UBS people & others about in essence, the retail stores being cut back as far as they can cut & their reply was, and I quote, "We are always looking at where to cut back"
They never said anything about going as far as they could go with cut backs at store levels,even though the point was made about stores payrolls being at the lowest levels
concerning floor help, that they could go. The point was made by the Financial Groups,
NOT Sam & Sam!! Again Sam & Sam said they are still looking for ways to trim in all the sectors, including the stores, so we can all hold onto our hats! In fact Sam Duncan said "in 2009, there would be more tough decisions that will be made". Everytime he says those words, there's layoffs involved!!!

I guess, for those of us left for the time being, we are in for a really rough ride till they "can" us!!!

YIKES!!!!! I haven't watched the 411/advantage tv yet - but I saw the post that said we'd lost money last quarter. How can one person be in the store though? - that's against LP policy. Not to mention any store that doesn't have an ImPress person is also going against policy. I'm not calling you a liar by any stretch, I'm just wondering how corp can let this happen and not take care of it's associates.

Just as a footnote , yesterday we had 1 assistant manager, 1 key carrier, 1 receiving person, on the salesfloor helping a customer, when the truck came in. 1 person running the Hub. Hub got busy & called for help, Impress manager tried to come over but he was ringing the register because there was no-one coming in till later!!!! Key carrier was unloading truck and got upset because she had to come up to register to ring so Impress manager could go to hub & said something to associate in Hub. So now it's really crunch time in these stores, when you have in-fighting!! Looks like corporate's little game is succeeding on that level as well!!

gtr1 in Kingsport, Tennessee said: I know it's sad that this can happen, but I will tell you that when I say 1 person, I mean a manager & 1 other person. It's the associate that is with the manager that is expected to run Impress (until the other associate that has been scheduled to come in later)has to run back & forth. If someone calls in, you're really screwed because they worry about overtime so much they may or may not call someone in early, & then you're lucky if they can get someone to answer your calls. As far as "breaking company policies" no-one is supposed to come in the store in the morning by themselves either, but I've seen this happen in stores when the morning person shows up late, forcing the manager to either sit out in the parking lot or come in. Guess which one they choose? I've never seen things so bad in the stores in all the years I've worked for OMAX. Corporate care about their retail associates? Hell they're looking for more grocery stores to put their items in so they can get rid of their brick & mortar!!! As far as anyone stealing from their own store, they suck if they even come close to thinking they are justified in their actions because they are stealing from you & me & they should have their asses kicked!!!

we have morning where there is no FES until we've been open for an hour or so - if the impress person is the only associate there - have them ring from impress - at least they can get some jobs running if need be. That's what we do.

and yes - it's sad what's happening all the way around.

I am one of the ASMs who was laid off the the spring when they did the big cutback. Devestated and scared I was to say the least. However, that forced upon me to find something else. Believe me when I say, I am VERY lucky. New job, better hours, better benefits and compensation at a more stable company. I would have never left OM voluntarily, so in hindsight, thanks to OM for letting me go.

While I know everyone is probably quite grateful for any job in the economy, I certainly hope all OM employees, in every position, see the writing on the wall. This company is not going to make it. They are only able to cut back so far before they have no choice but to shut it's doors. Stay where you are working, and find something else, SOON. You ARE going to lose your jobs eventually...it cannot survive this recession.

I was laid off in the spring as well and it was the best thing that could happen. I got a better job making more money. Hang in there until you find something else. There is life after Officemax. When you do find another position I'd show them the same consideration they showed to all of us. Don't give them any notice and just go. Officemax doesn't deserve all the good employees they have working for them.

briar_rose in Colorado said: we have morning where there is no FES until we've been open for an hour or so - if the impress person is the only associate there - have them ring from impress - at least they can get some jobs running if need be. That's what we do.

Good idea in theory, however when you already have jobs running for the several people standing there staring at you it's hard to ring people walking up to you from the other side
when you already are ringing up people who have been standing there waiting for you to ring them up. These people thankfully are so aware of the craziness of you being the only person, running around like a nut, they only pity you, so they don't gripe at you.
In our hub if you can't run at least 3 jobs at once, answer phones, do quotes,and ring people up, you better learn how! That's how we do it!!! It's called the OfficeMax Fitness Plan!!! Don't forget to run next door when they need you!!!!!

gtr1 in Kingsport, Tennessee said: Good idea in theory, however when you already have jobs running for the several people standing there staring at you it's hard to ring people walking up to you from the other side
when you already are ringing up people who have been standing there waiting for you to ring them up. These people thankfully are so aware of the craziness of you being the only person, running around like a nut, they only pity you, so they don't gripe at you.
In our hub if you can't run at least 3 jobs at once, answer phones, do quotes,and ring people up, you better learn how! That's how we do it!!! It's called the OfficeMax Fitness Plan!!! Don't forget to run next door when they need you!!!!!

Fortunately I'm in a mini so it's a little easier for me..I don't have to go next door

briar_rose in Colorado said: Fortunately I'm in a mini so it's a little easier for me..I don't have to go next door

I believe they will make all of us minis at some point & reduce the number of Full service machinery, Drill Press, Binding machine, etc. I used to work a mini that was the size of a galley kitchen. This one is huge for one person, even 2. In the ink, paper scissor 2,000'
prototype, they have a couple self serves, and that's about it, I think.

Last night we had 1 person on register & 1 key holder on the store side from 7-9Pm. That's it!! 1 in Hub!
This company "invites" stealing from people who walk in & see a store with no-one on the floor!! I had people walking up to me at the register asking for someone to help them, & we had no-one because I was ringing & key carrier was with a customer. What a joke!!! Don't forget that the ink wall is now designated"Fort Knox" and should be paid special attention to when someone comes in & goes anywhere near it, because they want you to upsell it!!
My store manager said there was a hiring freeze on! (I guess unless you are from a defunct company & you're applying for a corporate position!!!) 2 stores in this district received an 18 & 76 on secret shop out of 155. The end of that program should be drawing near!! None of the stores will transfer full time employees no matter how long you've been with the company & how much experience you have & what kind of performance record you have because they don't want you!!!! Human Resources says " They can't wave a Magic Wand "or put in any kind of good word for you because they don't do that anymore! Did they ever???
So to some this "rant" up, Let's all open up the OfficeMax dictionary for their definitions of the words, "Loyalty, Integrity,etc, etc.!!!!

Is OfficeMax going back to mail in rebates?? I just came across an officemax "track your rebate" site - it's got a copyright date of 2009.

Also, I think that office depot closing is going to hurt us more than help - most of our customers come in and ask when we're closing. They think that we are part of depot and that we are closing because they are. I think customers will assume we're closed and stop coming in.

briar_rose in Colorado said: Is OfficeMax going back to mail in rebates?? I just came across an officemax "track your rebate" site - it's got a copyright date of 2009.

Also, I think that office depot closing is going to hurt us more than help - most of our customers come in and ask when we're closing. They think that we are part of depot and that we are closing because they are. I think customers will assume we're closed and stop coming in.

I just looked at that site, and the only thing I can say is that it was the same company "Parago" we used to have to deal with ages ago when we had to call in for customer issues with their rebates, but your right about the date of 2009 on there. Good God, I hope we're not going back to that !!!

me too - life is so much easier when we're asked about rebates and we can cheerfully say - our rebates are instant - nothing to mail in :) If we go back to that it will be just one more thing to do with fewer people

www.maxmyrebates.com/promocenter/officemax/track.html

here is the website look on bottom 2009

JSStoreManager in Ft Pierce, Florida said: www.maxmyrebates.com/promocenter/officemax/track.html

here is the website look on bottom 2009

Have you heard anything about going back to Mail Ins? I saw the site earlier also, but my store manager hasn't said a thing.

Hey gator girl ...I sure do miss you already ...you should be in here this week its so funny to see everyone scurrying around like mad men ....the DM and her boss are coming in this week and no one knew about it untill monday ...so naturally its clean like crazy and get all the ducks in a row so that we can put on a show and create some more unrealistic expectations ...If he came in a day early he sure would get a good show ....he would see everyone doing task work instead of the selling strategy...stay in touch ...be safe

workhorse_guru in Jonesborough, Tennessee said: Hey gator girl ...I sure do miss you already ...you should be in here this week its so funny to see everyone scurrying around like mad men ....the DM and her boss are coming in this week and no one knew about it untill monday ...so naturally its clean like crazy and get all the ducks in a row so that we can put on a show and create some more unrealistic expectations ...If he came in a day early he sure would get a good show ....he would see everyone doing task work instead of the selling strategy...stay in touch ...be safe

Hey Workhorse,
Miss you and wish I could have taken you with me!! I know the drill!! It's been pretty nice here weather wise! I'm still trying to get in touch with the OfficeMax here to atleast get a job part-time. We'll see what happens there. So by the time you read this, your visit will be over, so how did it go??? Don't forget you have my email!! If you don't let me know. Tell everyone I miss them, it feels like it hasn't hit home yet that I can't see you all everyday. I can tell you, I don't like it when I start thinking about it!!!
Email when you can!!

hey gator girl ....glad u got there safe ...the visit went pretty good ...the same old thing ...they have to find something wrong ...had to clean up receiving ....had to get rid of the d&D tables ...lol ...i hated that ....I dont think i have your email ...so if you get a chance shoot me one on the addy i gave you ...and i will return ....sure miss you ...and renee said to tell you hi and she misses you to ...bye

JL in Midwest in Fort Dodge, Iowa said: I don't know what all you guys are complaining about. I have worked at Office Max for 3 years and I have no real complaints about the company. The only problem I have had is that the discounts for employees are laughable. Best Buy gets items at cost and OM gets 5% on electronics and 10% on everything else(not counting sale items or clearance items.

Oh wait, you forgot the recent addition of 20 % off candy and soda! unless that was just our district as they removed all vending machines from the breakroom.
I've been with omax for a few years. Management really does make all of the difference and unfortunately, we are going through bad management right now.

OMX CAM in Miami, Florida said: I'm an ex-CAM on the East Coast that was laid off earlier this year. Be careful! They are known for putting people on bogus Corrective Action Plans, padding their files with negative reports forcing the employee to either resign or get fired...no unemployment, no layoff. This is exactly what happened to me in January '08 and others. You may have noticed many of the CAM positions disappearing quietly over the last several months. I hate that they are able to get away with this.

I noticed that when one of our CAMS took a SAM position, her replacement was never posted. It is sad really because they are not hiring where they need to be. They are not spending wisely.

Cheated in Springfield, Illinois said:

I work in the PSL, Fl store now & this is the first time in 13 years that I've been in a store that actually schedules it's hourly associates for their breaks & lunches. WOW!!

Cheated in Springfield, Illinois said:

then you had unethical management (from the store level up) - and I'm sorry to hear that. I've had my share of shifts w/o lunches, but punches were never added in - and I'm sure that if I had gone into OT it would not be taken away. I guess I'm lucky to have the manager that I have.

briar_rose in Colorado said: then you had unethical management (from the store level up) - and I'm sorry to hear that. I've had my share of shifts w/o lunches, but punches were never added in - and I'm sure that if I had gone into OT it would not be taken away. I guess I'm lucky to have the manager that I have.

Give me a break that store has only been open less then two years and have had 3 different store managers. the one there now is from circuit city and only been there for a couple of months... Do not try and make it something it is not....so how long have you really been with the company??????? the truth now....

I've been with the company for 4 years and been at 2 different stores- the current store for 2 1/2 years- with the same manager. I'm lucky to have good management. I guess all stores are not created equal.

Mad Mad in florida, Florida said: Give me a break that store has only been open less then two years and have had 3 different store managers. the one there now is from circuit city and only been there for a couple of months... Do not try and make it something it is not....so how long have you really been with the company??????? the truth now....

Sorry briar this message was for (gtr1 in Kingsport, Tennessee) she says she is at psl ...

briar_rose in Colorado said: I've been with the company for 4 years and been at 2 different stores- the current store for 2 1/2 years- with the same manager. I'm lucky to have good management. I guess all stores are not created equal.

I do know that the store manager makes the difference and if you are at a truly good store I am glad for you but for the other 99% of stores the stores are run like crap and the store manager is only a puppet..

no worries -

I don't think anyone who currently works for OfficeMax should be posting here. Especially if you are readily identifiable by your screen name, location etc. It's pretty obvious the forum is being monitored and that certain posts are being removed. Who knows, someone from corporate may have been assigned the task to ferret out disgruntled employees.

Read you "Terms of Service" Forum Rules" listed at the bottom. You can't advertise names
of attorneys, etc. I didn't realize posts would be removed either!!!