Focused on the wrong goal. I would not even think of recommending the place
Pros
Company has a great product. Known for amazing Customer Service, no interest charge account, gorgeous stores. They have a great niche' that they are filling. Company has been in business a long time (since late 1800s) and they are expanding the number of stores.
Cons
Upper management has no clue about the modern world. They treat every employee as if they were a salesperson on the floor. Even if you work in HQ and never see a customer, no gum, candy, drinks, food, personal items, earphones, cell phones, family picture, etc at your desk... the list of don'ts grow by the day. Even ladies who work in hardware support (and are crawling under the desk routing wires) have to wear skirts and hose. Hours seem great.. 8-5. But, if there is an IT outtage at a store and you're up until 6 Am trying to fix it, you're still expected to be back in at 8 AM (not 8:01). I personally know of people who worked for 2 solid days without sleep because of rules with "no exceptions". If you break a rule, you'll be written up or fired (even if it is the first time and it is a non-written rule). And, if you see someone breaking a rule and don't report it and they find out you knew.. you'll be written-up/fired. C-level executive flat out told their division that Von Maur does not trust their employees and people actually walk around with a clip board at HQ looking for people breaking rules. The atmosphere is all about not getting in trouble instead of finding ways to do your job better. Oh? Have a suggestion.. they have an open door policy. yeah right.. I personally witnessed people who asked questions when prompted, got reprimanded for daring to challenge the policy and then when everyone else was cowering in fear, the C level sent an email saying, "Since no one has any questions, we're cancelling the meeting to discuss Policy" I've also heard of people who, during their exit interviews, told HR and C-level execs that the reason they quit where because of the policies. The response? "No one quits a job because they can't listen to music at their desk." So, they even reject complaints as invalid even when people say they are leaving because of them. Long story short, this is a company who has no interest in changing or even thinking about new ideas or process improvements. If you are someone who wants to be given a manual and told exactly how to do your job without ever being taught why or looking for input on improvements.. then this is the place for you. If you have even a spark of creativity, do not work here. Oh, if you have a visible tattoo, body piercings, guy with longish hair (must not touch your collar) forget getting hired here.. it's against policy... which, by the way, violates their "We will not discriminate for any reason" policy.. but they are too blind to realize that.
