At my location, there is minimal training. New employees go through online courses showcasing products. We also get short 5 - 10 minute online updates each week. No secret there. However, the goal is not to learn. The goal is to get through the courses quickly. Actual learning is on your own. There is no sales floor instruction. Lines of communication are lacking. Our team is relatively small and one of the workers consistently gets the highest metrics for multi-product sales and rewards program sign-ups. Well deserved. She is also a major gossip and bully. No behavior accountability is given because she produces numbers. No one likes working with her and we all compare our schedules to see who is assigned to her shifts. Then we check in with each other and give each other pep talks. But metrics are what matters most to store management. High scorers are the people who get their names listed in the break room as recognized employees. There is minimal positive feedback or encouragement unless you are producing the highest numbers. Lowest scores are even highlighted and often accompanied by “!!!” in the daily logs. It can be demoralizing. We all have value, not just one or two of us.
