It has become a cut-throat place since going private back in 2015. They have terminated almost all of the tenured Corporate/Regional/District/Store Managers in the past 4 years. I was recently terminated after over 26 years of dedication to this company as well. They have cut payroll so much that the daily coverage is 1 cashier and 1 fish person, plus 1 or 2 managers. The workload is very heavy, with too much to do and no help. The company expects you to help every customer on the sales floor but the managers are the only ones on the sales floor. So you must pick your poison - do I focus on management issues that need completed or be the associate on the floor that must help customers. Its very difficult to complete what you are responsible for as a manager meanwhile helping every customer that comes into the store. The store is also expected to have a grand opening look everyday (no dust, everything blocked and perfect) but there are no hours or associates to do this. So what do you do as a manager? Do you do your management tasks that are expected daily? Do you focus on helping customers - which is also expected (each customer submits a survey if they purchase something)? Do you block/face the store, since it must be grand opening looking everyday? Unfortunately, Store Managers (as well as the other managers) can no longer be managers, they must be associates, cashiers, stockers etc. due to no help. The feelings of accomplishment are few and far between - every once in a while you get your head above water but only for a few seconds before your drowning again.
