Will things get better or worse for employees at BJ's in 2008? Our guess, worse...
NEW YORK, Jan 15 (Reuters) - BJ's Wholesale Club Inc (BJ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday that it named Laura Sen its president and chief operating officer, and elected her to the company's board of directors.
The No. 3 U.S. warehouse club operator said Sen, who was most recently its executive vice president of merchandising and logistics, will be responsible for all day-to-day operations.
The retailer said Herb Zarkin, its chairman and CEO, will retain "a number of key responsibilities," including leading its strategic planning, management succession and expansion efforts. (Reporting by Nicole Maestri; Editing by Derek Caney)
Bj's wholesale is now the world brand warehousing. Hope these strategic changes would still boost their growth..
ReplyDelete-mark
bj's wholesalers
As a former BJ'S Manager in NJ, it was sad to see so many good employees (management & hourly) leave due to internal politics within a club or district. Why do overnight managers consistantly work 65-80 hrs/wk while dayside averages 45.... It amazed me how many incompentant managers kept their jobs or got promoted, while
ReplyDeletethe multi-tasking managers who "got the job done",that were respected by others were held back, asked to leave or terminated.In order for the company to grow, they need to look at many areas of "internal politics", get rid of General Managers who spend scheduled work time on the golf course,District Managers who think "terrorizing" is the only way to get the job done. There are "incidents" I witnessed that DO NOT follow company policy and procedure, yet those that involved still are employed with BJ'S. Explain that to me
BJ Workers---Unionize NOW or else face the consequences. Management is going to try to make "Wholesale Changes." BEWARE!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a current Bj's manager who is very happy with the direction the company seems to be going, and I'm upset at these people who take shots at this company.
ReplyDeleteTo the Current Anonymous Manager...
ReplyDeleteI was one of the "Multi Tasking Managers who got the job done", knew company policy and procedure to the letter of the handbook and followed it. BJ'S was a great experience, and I worked with some of the best in the business. However, I also knew that I would NEVER get to GM or Corporate because "I did not play the game"
Listed below is a short sampling of incidents that I have personal knowledge of, this is not second hand or sour grapes
1. Employees with over 10 years of service being "written up" to that they would quit / be fired to reduce their salary cost to the club
2. How a Manager brought his brother in and in less than 30 days went from front door to RICM. When this person did his Overnight Manager position, he "worked the system" and spent his last week before transferring to a different
club "not having worked a single night in that week". This person works for the company.
3. How an Operations Manager got her position without EVER working overnights. This same manager was famous for "doing what ever it took to pass an audit". She was known for even initializing the reciepts for tires that the customer was to have initialed. She is still employed with the company
4. How Senior Merchandise Managers with YEARS of experience in the company were "promised" the Operations Manager Position, and passed over because they were so good at their current position.
5. How I actually had to train a GMIT who came in from OUTSIDE the company. Explain to why I had to train a future boss...
6. Why the BEST GM I ever worked for got transferred to a much less desirable location because a corporate idiot got himself jammed up and instead of firing him, they demoted him and made him a GM instead.
7. How a CSM spent only 4 weeks on Overnights before getting on Operations Position
I could type in many more incidents
but I hope you are getting the point at why people are "taking shots at the company"....
You are a very lucky manager to work in the perfect club in the perfect district, with perfect employees. I am still a member of BJ'S and some of the people I previously worked with are still there, and complaining about everything; these complaints even come from Managers.....
I HAVE BEEN AN HOURLY EMPLOYEE FOR 21 YEARS AT A CLUB IN SOUTH JERSEY.FOR THE MOST PART IT IS A NICE COMPANY TO WORK FOR.DO WE HAVE MANAGERS THAT DON'T PULL THERE WEIGHT? SURE WE DO, WE HAVE WHAT YOU WOULD CALL THE PETS AND WE CAN' FORGET THE BROWN-NOSERS.BUT WIHT ALL THAT ,I THINK WE SHOULD START WITH HOME OFFICE,FIRST THING LAURA SHOULD DO IS GET RID OF ALL THE PRESIDENTS AND SENOR VICE PRESIDENT OF EVERY DEPARTMENT THERE ARE, AND ALSO STOP BUILDING CLUBS SO CLOSE TO EACH OTHER AND JUST MAYBE THEY COULD OPEN UP THE PAYROLL FOR THE CLUBS THAT ARE MAKING THEM THE MONEY. IN MY CLUB WE WORK TOGETHER WE HAVE A GOOD TEAM FROM OUR GM DOWN.WE DO HAVE SOME MANAGERS THAT SHOULD'NT BE MANAGERS BUT THAT'S LIKE THAT ALL OVER. 'AS THEY SAY'TO MANY CHIEFS AND NOT ENOUGH INDIANS
ReplyDeleteI'm a hourly in a south jersey location and i also feel managers dont pull there own weight at all. I do many things that managers are suppose to do and they take the credit. We also have those "pets" that can do nothing at all all day long and can get away with it. Managers also need to learn how to speak to people, they are some of the rudest and dirty people I have ever met.
ReplyDeleteTo the current anonymous hourly: What sj club r u at cause we also have alot of nasty managers at club #13 Instead of the dress code they should have a code for the personal hygiene some of them are NASTY!
ReplyDeleteFor all you hourly employees...
ReplyDeleteIn the Mid-Manager New Hire Orientation ( a 2 DAY TRAINING PROGRAM FOR NEW MANAGERS) ON PAGE 6 it says
IN SUMMARY, WE BELIEVE IN
* Treating team members with dignity and respect
* Ensuring fairness and equity
* Communicating openly
* Keeping promises
* Giving honest feedback on a timely basis
When Jack Nugent was President of BJ'S, he sent out a memo on Safety/Sanitation Policies,
it clearly states that practicing good personal hygene is extremely important as one of the keys to success at BJ'S... So when they are being nasty, smelly, unprofessional etc., tell them to refer to the above summary and ask them why they are not following it.
For those who do managers jobs without the pay, document EVERYTHING.... DAY, DATE,TIME,PLACE,REQUESTED JOB, ETC.
When you can prove your point with 100% accuracy, do you honestly think most managers remember detail like that. Keep the notebook out of sight and don't tell a soul what you are writing down. The brown-nosers and pets might rat you out if they knew what you were doing...
Club 13 has gone downhill in more ways than one....
My name is Bette and I work in #13
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous who said
"GO UNION"
Were you here for the last round of union crap? I was and unions had their day, but in this day and age of laws, they do nothing but make empty promises and collect your hard earned wages. They promise but cannot deliver UNLESS BJ's (or any company for that matter) agrees to their demands.
I have been with BJ's #13 since it began and have seen changes that disturb me. The wholesale club concept is a brilliant idea that has been overworked by the brainchild's at home office along with the greedy stock holders. They have lost sight of the solid reputation we had with enough staff at established clubs to keep us in the top 5 in the chain. Then some 'short-sighted' honcho decided a BJ's on every corner would make them more money! If you look at the results and failure of some of these clubs, you should see the writing on the wall. I hope Mr .Zarkin and Ms. Zen see fit to trash the plans to open more clubs and focus on the ones that have proven numbers. I'm so tired of hearing "The customers won't travel", "we need to take better care of the customer". I say bull crap! Once we were established, I talked to customers who travelled from other states to come to us because we had a great staff. We were able to accomidate customers because we had enough staff. The members first policy has gotten out of hand. I have had customers tell me they bring anything back because we take it back IN SPITE OF the 30 policy or the fact it was bought at Walmarts
Managers used to be able to ask rude customers to leave and cancel their memberships. Now, cashiers and member services are cursed at, home office is called and managment is made to apologize to the customer and 'satisfy' them! Respect for employees has gone down the toilet in this age of 'instant gratification'... I had some guy too busy flirting call me an asshole when I nicely asked his son to sit down in a cart. That's the last time I told anyone to sit down. My family and friends do not talk to me like that.
Working in inventory control, I have seen geniuses who have probably NEVER worked in a warehouse club or retail implimenting all these audit checklist programs. I will bet a weeks pay, they could never accomplish what many of us do if they were sent to a club to do the job short handed like we are. The most laughable comment is, GET IT DONE BEFORE YOU LEAVE... BUT! NO OVERTIME... ROTFLMAO!
In spite of all this, I actually love the work I do and continue to do my job to the best of my ability as many of the long term employees are doing... We have something that's no longer taught in school or anywhere for that matter. It's called WORK ETHIC. We don't sell out... Corporate America needs to sit back and look what they are doing and rethink the directions they are going. Take a look at our economy... see a pattern here?
OK, I vented, I'm good!
Bette,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on calling it as it is. With the 10 mile rule between clubs, I am sure Club 13 has taken a SERIOUS HIT in their numbers since Voorhees opened.
When they opened Voorhees, your club lost 1/2of Marlton, all of Voorhees, Atco, Berlin, etc. Keep up your standards, it is refreshing.
To GO UNION... Most employees in the United States are at-will employees, even though most employees are unaware of this situation. In most states, the law presumes that private sector employees are employed "at-will." The employment-at-will doctrine provides that both the employer and the employee can end the employment relationship at any time without notice or reason. This means the employer has the right to terminate your employment at any time, for any reason, or for no reason at all or for a bad reason, so long as the reason is not illegal - even if you performance has been outstanding. The other side of the "at-will" coin is that you, as an employee, can quit your job for any reason at any time. You cannot be forced to work for an employer. You don't have to give your employer a reason for quitting. With this, do you REALLY think a union will protect you?
ReplyDeleteSounds like Club 13 is having alot of troubles. Isnt Rafat helping the situation? Or is he contributing to it?
ReplyDeleteClub 13 has many employees that have been there many many years. They are set in their ways and when a new Manager, GM, any type of Regional Manager or Home Office tries to implement changes, they push back. Indeed, we do need some changes at club 13, but it's not as bad as the disgrunteled employees here are making it seem. Just as the hourly employees have to answer to supervisors or managers, club level managers have people to answer to also. Everyone has to understand their hands are tied when it comes to issues such as payroll, lack of staff, too much work and not enough hours in a shift to get it done. Those changes need to start above club level. Until then, we need to pull together as a team, both hourlies and management and make it the best we can. Stop back stapping each other and pointing fingers and blaming each other and just do the best job you can in the time that you're there. It's a job, you're paid to be there no matter what job function you're performing!
ReplyDeleteQUOTE from another phantom employee...
ReplyDelete**Club 13 has many employees that have been there many many years. They are set in their ways and when a new Manager, GM, any type of Regional Manager or Home Office tries to implement changes, they push back. Indeed, we do need some changes at club 13, but it's not as bad as the disgrunteled employees here are making it seem.**
As one of those long term employees, who, by the way is NOT disgruntled, just has the guts to tell it like it is! If you read my post entirely, I love the work I do. We won't get into name calling here, but it's quite obvious where you are coming from.
We do not "PUSH BACK", we question and suggest a more efficient solution because of our years of experience. We have seen too many
programs tried and fail, so we do have a wee bit of experience behind our more efficient suggestions.
The turnover of new-hires pretty much confirms the issues the disgruntled employees (heaven forbid!) have the nerve to express.
This includes managers and hourlies.
I personally do not BACK STAB...
if I have an issue, you will know it!
HEY PUSH BACK...
ReplyDeleteYou can LEARN quite a bit from people with YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.
When I first became a manager with BJ'S, the people I LEARNED THE MOST FROM were the hourly employees with YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.
They TAUGHT me how to handle many tasks EFFICIENTLY, the ins and outs of the system, and they were among the best in the business (much more knowledgeable than some of the managers I ever worked with)
So,if you LISTEN Push Back, you might LEARN something
I've been at Club 013 in Maple Shade, NJ for at least 10 years. I love my job, but there are a number of things that need to be addressed. I'll use my club as an example...
ReplyDelete#1 Our GM, Rich, needs to treat his hourlies much better and show respect for the people that make him look good. Right now, he's a douche bag.
#2 Get rid of Arafat. He's douche bag Number 2. I mean, how dumb can some one be. And to be a Regional of all things.
#3 Certain Managers like Cathy, Anita, Vickie, and Cynthia either need to pull their weight, or get out. I get tired of picking up the slack from their neglegence.
#4 Enough with the budget. If management wants the club to run better, Rich and Rafat are going to have to stop lining their wallets and pay for some OT!
#5 Please get rid of useless ass kissers. Unfortunately, there are too many to mention.
Thanks for your time.
*How Vickie EVER became a manager is beyond me. She never even wanted to learn Member Services prior to her promotion to Management
ReplyDelete*Rich is the CORPORATE IDIOT who has been mentioned previously.Nuff said.Actually the word tubie is a much better fit.
*Cathy and Anita have always been the way they are today. Does not matter which club, always the same
work ethic and attitude.
*You will have ass kissers and brown nosers wherever you work. It is a part of life.That unfortunately will never change.
*The payroll is based on sales.Less sales, less employees.
Additional stores have lowered the goals,upper management just has to beat a number slightly and qualifies for bonus.
Club #13--Bring George back--nuff said!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI believe George could turn around # 13, however after the SHAFTING he recieved by the CORPORATE IDIOTS, I would tend to believe that he is content in Voorhees, doing his job and leaving after his shift, and leaving the problems to someone else.
ReplyDeleteI have helped out in other clubs and those other clubs are much worse off then we are.We think we got it bad,no caparison.If anyone thinks that the managers that we have are so bad, they should go work at the other clubs in Jersey. As for the comment about bringing George back,I thought he was a good GM,But it was time for him to go to another club,no I don't think he deseved to go to the hell hole.I don't think you know what GMs are out there,I do and want GM we have is doing the best he can with what he has.He can only do what he is told to do ,just like the rest of us.I think people that are making comments about the managers are getting out of control.Nobody needs to be saying nasty or cruel things about anyone I think some of the people are losing sight of the purpose of this site.Club#13 is the best club to work at.That is my opinion,So lets all try to work together and support each other and make it the best club for everybody.That would be nice wouldn't.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Grace, its a blog. You come here to release your work stress, and too voice serious concerns.
ReplyDeletethese managers in club 13 obviously arent the greatest. read the blogs alot of team members are unhappy.I dont know if you are a hourly or a manager, but alot of people are unhappy down in south jersey. I feel bad for them. Im not from that region, and I really feel bad.
They are firing
ReplyDeleteGm's all over the place. Maybe
Arrafat will come and fire
Rich in the unprofessional way that he fired Ray Rada.
as a senior manager I worked my overnites to get promoted. But working overnites is not required in all zones just two.
ReplyDeleteThat is the unfair part. I do believe that you need merchandising trainning.
But, to force someone to work onvernites that is just wrong.
There are plenty of good team members being wasted, because for some reason or another they cannot work overnites. This is why Bjs is not a great place to work. There is not drive to suceed in our company.
There were many times I was asked to 'help out' in Mays Landing.
ReplyDeleteRay was never available, you could find him at Mays Landing CC hitting golf balls or getting in a quick round of golf. Shelves were empty, top stock heavy.Talk about short staffed, since their sales were thre lowest in the district during my tenure, they literally had no $$$ for staff. So # 13 bloggers, there truly are worse clubs.
To the Senior Manager-- glad to hear you did the overnight prison sentence, you sound very discouraged. Have they allowed you to start on the GMIT, or will you be denied access to the top position in a club.
Since this is a place to vent, lets discuss the specialty managers. I don't know if it's normal practice or just my club that the specialty managers never have to work outside their department. I see the LP manager, GM, Ops, even sometimes the CSM recovering the meat department, bakery, dairy and freezer, but I never see the meat or bakery managers on the front line when they are busy or helping anywhere else in the club for that fact. For what I understand, ALL the managers reviews are based on the success of these departments. So why isn't the specialty managers reviews based on customer service on the front line or DDR numbers or overall operation standards of the club? Also aren't specialty managers and seniors eligible for a bonus based on the success of those departments while the mid managers go without? Oh, and lets not forget the specialty managers NEVER have to close, while some of the mid managers work 3 nights a week.
ReplyDeleteI am a meat manager in a nj club and I do close at night. Sometimes more than one. I do know how to run the front line, self checkouts and membership. fyi all mid managers will be getting their bonus in a few weeks along with the seniors and meat and bakery managers. Dont blame the meat and bakery managers, its the gms fault for not enforcing the nights. At one time I wanted to learn more to get ahead. I learned the best place for me is in my meatroom.
ReplyDeleteTo the friend that helped out in Mays Landing......from the senior manager
ReplyDeleteI HAVE NO DESIRE TO BE IN THE GMIT PROGRAM.
Actually, speciality managers DO close. At #141, speciality had 1 close per week. LP,HR,CSM had the most closes. Only the Senior Merchant and LP EVER had to close Sunday 10 pm and return 6am Monday.
ReplyDeleteMeat Manager in NJ- I Agree !!!
Sometimes it's best to stay under the radar and out of harms way.
Senior Manager- Why no interest in GMIT?
Club 141 from senior manager
ReplyDeleteYou have a senior manager in your club that will be able to answer that question for you.
How do WE bring about change???
ReplyDeleteMany of the comments and concerns are SO similar. Any Ideas?
I think the posistive thing that has happen in along time in bjs is that all mid managers will be getting a bonus. I know its not alot, but for someone who has worked in company for along time its nice to get something than nothing.
ReplyDeleteI know there are alot of negative things about BJ's, but I have to say one positive is it's where I met my wife. Life is good.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Steve. I am glad someone has something positive to say. Best of luck to you and your wife.
ReplyDeleteHow did they fire Ray Rada. And does anyone know if Lori Laundra still works for us?
ReplyDeleteYes they fire Ray Rada a few weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteIm not a employee im a member but as a member for 16yrs i have noticed alot of changes at Maple Shade. The employees that have been working there for yrs and the newwer ones dont seem to enjoy it as much, they dont have time to say hi and talk to me even for a few minutes they are to busy doing five other jobs. They NEVER EVER have enough registers open from what i hear they are one of the busiest in the area if thats so they should have more than 4 registers open. (2 being 8 or less) The people in deli dept at maple shade are so rude all of them and i have complained and the manager said yeah we get alot of complaints about them. AH HELLO! DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!! I know, i know im only a member but i do PAY to be one and have paid for many years and i just wanted to say that members have also seen the changes.
ReplyDeleteMaple Shade HAD one of the best teams in the chain(both mgt.& hourly). Everybody worked together,team members knew members and it WAS a fun place to work. The BS became too much and MOST of the better employees left, leaving what you have today. In the old days, more then 3 members in line, another register was to open.The only way to do something about it is to COMPLAIN TO THE ZONE VICE PRESIDENT, because it is obvious that GM Rich really does not care.
ReplyDeleteAs an employee at Maple Shade we cant blame the lines on Rich, its Rafat and all the other higher ups that have never worked in a busy club telling us how much in payroll we should use.
ReplyDeleteToo bad BJ'S DOES NOT follow this, even though the Team Members Mandate says that"your creative ideas will be strongly considered"
ReplyDeleteOften, we get cushy in our management roles, and we can easily come to believe we have all the answers and neither need nor desire new input. This attitude can be disastrous in business. Even co-workers with limited experience can often alert us to major problems. We need to cultivate an attitude of reaching out for counsel from our work or management team. When ideas come forward, encourage each one. If useful, give credit, and implement the concept. If the idea is not feasible, be encouraging and explain why the idea can't be used. This will encourage more feedback in the future. Encouraging input from your work team will assist you in avoiding costly mistakes
As a couple of people mentioned, payroll is based on SALES. Less sales, less payroll.
ReplyDeleteLori went out on medical leave and never returned.
ReplyDeleteThe way they bounced Lori around, promised her the world,and never delivered, I could understand medical leave.
ReplyDeleteFYI
ReplyDeleteRafat was the GM of club 8, the second highest volume club in the company.
Rafat has worked in this company for 16 years.
Rafat started as a cart boy.
Rafat worked his overnites to become a senior.
I had the pleasure of working under Rafat as a GM. He was great.
Did Rafat know how to politely talk to employees when he was a GM, because he has yet to demonstrate that trait as a RM? Maybe he feels he has something to prove or flex his new powers as RM? I have seen him lie and throw temper trantrums in anger. How can you expect store managers to be professional and treat employees with respect when they aren't treated that way from their bosses?
ReplyDeleteI think we all need a hug and every club should put bowls of Twizzlers around the club. Twizzlers make mouths happy. Happy mouths, happy workers. Just an idea.
ReplyDeleteI think once you hit corporporate, you forget where you came from.
ReplyDeleteRobert Welsh, Michelle Grimes, Frank Bonafichino & Adam all worked their way up and became narsissistic control freaks. The only one I can remember who had class was Bob Grandenetti. At times brash, but for the most part a real person, not a control freak.
Does anyone know where Tom Devine landed after leaving the company? He was truely a good guy and a pleasure to work with!
ReplyDeleteWhat was the real reason for Ray's termination?
ReplyDeleteTom D. bought a motel in Wildwood NJ--Christine Motor Inn.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I was quite upset by the comment stating the deli clerks in club 13 are rude. I am one of those workers and work very hard every day. Do you realize what we do on a daily basis? We try to be polite to everyone but when you have twenty customers standing around you giving you dirty looks it's hard to "hold a conversation" with someone. Sorry if you felt we were rude but we work very hard and there are times that we go without breaks/lunches are you aware of that? So before you judge us sit back and watch how hard we have to work.
ReplyDeleteTo the Deli Clerk
ReplyDeleteGo to page 16 of the employee handbook and advise your manager that they are violating COMPANY RULES regarding breaks and lunch. If that does not work, gho to paghe 38 of the handbook and follow the steps.
I see that you are missing the point with the comment about us missing our breaks and lunches to better serve our customers. Besides, pointing it out to a manager wouldn't do any good, they are the ones that tell us to work through them. And I for one don't want to make waves. Rich doesn't care how many or how few deli clerks there are back there. He'll fire someone and then over work the rest of us until he feels like hiring a new person. Been there, done that, would rather not have to do it again. Point is, if club #13 had better managers, they would have happier employees and there fore happier customers. Is it really that hard to understand??!
ReplyDeleteDid you not just get a deli supervisor and a full time deli clerk position posted? Could it be that the entire deli is full of adults that act like children? You all are more worried about what the other person is doing or not doing. Did you ever think it's not that management doesn't want to replace workers, that maybe it's no one wants to work in the deli to deal with the attitudes. And if a manager tells you to work through a break or meal, tell them NO!Or at least make sure you are getting paid for it. For what it sounds, payroll is such an issue, they would rather you take the breaks then pay you for them.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, the new "deli supervisor" has yet to be trained to supervise anything, not that half of the people back there are going to listen to her anyway. Second of all, awesome, there is a posting for a full time clerk. Let's just fill the position already! If no one within the comapny wants to work back there, even better. Hire some new people!! I personally know of several people with experience who have put in applications in the past week only to be told that we aren't hiring for the deli. Seems human resources needs to pull their collective heads out of their asses and get to it already. I would love, love, love to see you come back there and do everything we are expected to do, and pick up other peoples slack and do it with a smile on your face everyday. I agree 100% that there are some people back there that need to go, but there are also people back there that bust their asses every day to make sure that place runs as best as it possibly can. Do your time back there before you run your mouth. Now go take another break....
ReplyDeleteThen contact CORPORATE and advise them that Rich AND the rest of the management team ARE NOT FOLLOWING
ReplyDeleteCOMPANY POLICY AND PROCEDURE. When an employee has a VALID concern, corporate will step in. Document everything and prove your case. IT IS THAT EASY.
The only reason the Bj's employees get treated the way they do is because they don't do anything about it. The blog is not a place to release work stress and voice serious concerns. If these concerns are that serious you should actually voice them in the workplace, otherwise your voice will never get heard. Too many managers try to cover up one another's mistakes, which is why nothing productive ever gets done. Man the fuck up and do something about the shitty place you work.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this blog, my questions to all Bjs employees is, If the job is so bad, and you are treated so badly, why do you stay? Instead of sitting and bitching on a blog, use your time productively to find a new employer. If you think it's better anywhere else in retail, please let us know.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all STOP TRASHING CLUB #13 Rich is a GOOD MANAGER.. You may not think so but, you can go to him with a problem and he WILL HELP YOU. It may not be the same day but he will do all he can. Getting someone for the deli is on the list of things to do but Hello we have inventory in 2 days plus no one wants to work back there with rude and bossy people. Oh and they do pay people for missing breaks or lunches, JUST LEAVE A NOTE. Also human resources cant do anything untill they are told to, and again we have inventory in 2 days so KEEP YOUR DIAPERS ON BABBIES!!!!
ReplyDeleteIf BJS is such an awful place to work than why do we have MANY people who have been there fo 20+ yrs?????? If its so bad then FIND A NEW JOB.
ReplyDeleteThat is why #13 was a great place to work. The work ethic today is horrible. Longh time employees understand work ethic. The latest generation DOES NOT.
ReplyDeleteI think that this whole blog is a bunch of crap!!! I don't think you people relize how good you got it. If you would stop worrying about what everyone else was doing and do your job the place would be 100% better! Lay off of Rich!!!! He does a great job and is fair to everyone. Thanks to him we all have a job. I would like to see you walk in his shoes. You couldn't do it guranteed! If you don't like your job please quit it would make all of our lives a whole lot easier!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJUST TO GET THING STRAIGHT ABOUT RAFAT, HE IS A VERY SMART AND GOOD PERSON, ITS JUST SAD THAT DOES THAT DON'T HAVE A LIFE AND THE LAZY PIECES OF CRAP THAT WE HAVE WORKING FOR OUR COMPANY LIKE POINTING FINGERS INSTEAD OF HELPING TO FIX THE ISSUE AND WORK AS A TEAM....AND I SAY IT BECAUSE I WENT THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS OF LPM>OVERNINGHT MGR>SR. MERCH>AND NOW OPS. RAFAT IS ONE OF THE BEST MANAGERS YOU COULD EVER WORK FOR PLAIN AND SIMPLE I WORKED FOR HIM IN THE THIRD BUSIEST CLUB(#8) IN THE COMPANY AND YES HE KNOWS HOW TO RUN A CLUB THAT IS IN FACT BUSIER THAN #13 AND I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT HE BRINGS THE SAME PASSION AND DEDICATION FOR REGION 18.
ReplyDeleteBeing a good GM DOES NOT mean you will be a good DM. To anonymous who said " You could not do his job guaranteed" GUESS WHAT... There are MANY present and past employees who could do the job BETTER.
ReplyDeleteI used to be a member at BJ's in Maple Shade. But about a year ago I stopped going in there because there are never enough registers open. I now shop at COSTCO in Mt. Laurel. They always have enough registers open. Plus they offer more for business members. What BJ's needs to do is hire more people to keep more registers open and offer more products for the business owners. They should also open earlier. like 7am. Maybe then I would consider renewing my membership. Thank-You
ReplyDeleteBeing a good gm does not mean sitting in the office all day telling people what to do. You have to actually be willing to work. You will very rarely find Rich in his office. He is always busy in some part of the store trying to make the club look its best at all times. Not to mention dealing with all you wonderful employees who are always complaining! All you have to do is your job. He has to do his work and make sure your at least doing a part of your job. I shop there all the time and I have not seen even one person that works there that could do half of what he does. He is always very helpful to everyone. On the other hand I can't say the same for you. Before you judge others LOOK AT YOURSELF!!!!
ReplyDeleteIsn't this a "workers" blog. Why are members posting their opinions. It's bad enough we have to deal with those pain in the asses every day. Go away. And club 013 needs a major overhaul. Starting with the GM and ending with the Deli.
ReplyDeleteThose "pains in the asses" as put it, keep us all employed! Try alittle respect for others, it might make you feel alittle better about yourself!
ReplyDeleteRE: Those Pain In The Asses
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the world of retail. If you don't like dealing with customers, then get a transfer to work overnights.You WOULD NOT be dealing with customers, only stocking shelves. I guarantee you would not last a week on that shift. You would then appreciate the customers who PAY YOUR SALARY.
Try working with the management team at 141, it is not any better than 13
ReplyDeleteWOW !!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteNo comments or complaints since MONDAY......
Maybe that's because all the employees at club 013 realized they were behaving like a bunch of petty high school girls and boys with the name calling, and low blows. It got them nothing and nowhere, and if anything only caused more tension and problems among them. WAY TO GO GUYS!!!
ReplyDelete*looks around*
ReplyDeleteNope, no problems here! Sorry if some people just can't handle the truth.
Its not over......It will never be over......I dont think club 13 is behaving like babies, I give them alot of credit for speaking there minds. I printed all these comments and sent them laura Sen. Lets see how she responds to her team members in the clubs.
ReplyDeleteWe at BJ's 13 are not babies, we just want to stand up for the recognition and respect that we deserve from management and Home Office. We are tired of being underappreciated and demoralized by them. We need more help in all departments. The pay scale needs to be increased significantly. No more caps on what you can earn. The moral at 13 is very low. Associates who were once friends are now enemies. Back stabbing is the norm. Its time for change in upper management at 13.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how much money Club 13 lost yesterday when they had to close the deli at 6:00pm due to lack of dependable employees.
ReplyDeleteEverybody keeps wanting to change upper mangement. Is it because you can't kiss their ass anymore or sweet talk them. Give me a break! Your right about everybody walking around miserable. But that has nothing to do with upper mangement. People need to grow up!!! Mind your own business. I think we all need a change sooner or later. Like Obama said change is good. Hang in there everybody.
ReplyDeleteHave you been reading the comments by PRESENT & FORMER BJ'S Managers??? Being a manager for BJ'S is not as easy as you might think. In certain management positions ( Operations, Loss Prevention,and ANY Overnight Manager Position ) there are demands you will never understand. Corporate drops the crap to DM'S who then drop it on the GM'S who then drop it on the various department managers who then drop it on you.
ReplyDeleteWe have heard from "Multi-Tasking Managers", a SENIOR manager who says that BJ'S is NOT a great place to work", another SENIOR manager who is close to the top but does not want it, the loss of Lori & Tom ( both were great to
co-manage with ), anonymous talking about the corporate crew and how they forgot where they came from,and some other anonymous persons who are trying to explain to you what you legally can do (according to COMPANY POLICY AND PROCEDURE) to change the system.
Love what BETTE said from Club 13, she calls it as she sees it, AND until they change the policy on payroll being based on sales, the help you need will never arrive so get use to it.
To the person that sent this to Laura Sen... Please let us know what she thinks, possibly send her the next 5 comments since you posted yours. FYI... I was in the Deptford store, it was lunchtime and NOBODY had bothered to turn on the LOTTERY MACHINE, and there were upset customers wanting to buy lottery. So, it does not matter which club you work for, things happen.
To anonymous who wrote "I printed all these comments and sent them laura Sen. Lets see how she responds to her team members in the clubs." Do you really think corporate hasn't caught wind of this website? You can't possibly be that naive!
ReplyDeleteActually it would be funny if corporate does something. Do not count on it though.
ReplyDeleteI Have only been a cashier at maple shade for a couple of months. When I first started there I was hoping to move up quickly since I have a lot of retail experience. Well I changed my mind quickly. I have only made a few friends. There are a couple of managers who need to learn how to treat their employees. This is not the first retail place that I have worked in. As far as being treated professionally this is the worst place to work. These managers want to enforce the dress code policy and neatness policy. Come on they need to take a look in the mirror. Now I don't mean all managers just a couple. Why would I want to have a career with this company when I see people leaving their shift in tears. I hope this gets some how sent to the right person so these problems can be fixed. Unfortunately I don't know who to talk to cause I haven't worked there long enough to know who is who. I really feel bad for some of these people because this is my second job but for them this is their life.
ReplyDeleteTake your concerns directly to CORPORATE, because at #13, management needs help, starting at the top. Do you think that Rich, Vicki, Cathy or Anita REALLY care about YOUR CONCERNS. They only care about themselves. GOOD LUCK
ReplyDeleteAs long as the stock prices remain in the $30's, nothing will change. That means they ( BJ'S CORPORATE) is making money, running the business the way they are. How many of you remember when the stock was $ 9.20 a share. FYI it was in March 2003.
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!
ReplyDeleteNo comments or complaints for 2 days now. I guess corporate has put their foot down. HA HA
Maybe everyone that comments on this page are Gms and they are all at the Gm meeting partying and to busy to leave comments.
ReplyDeleteHey rafat fan, sounds like hes your boyfriend. Do you bring the same dedication and passion to your club up in region 4?
ReplyDeleteHEY CORNBALL, NOT THAT HE IS MY BOYFRIEND BUT HE IS A VERY GOOD FRIEND AND YES I DEDICATE MY TIME TO HELP REGION 4 WHEN NEEDED. PEOPLE LIKE YOU MAKE ME SICK OF JUST WHINING AND WHINING GET A LIFE OR LEAVE BJ'S IF YOU ARE SO DISGRUNTLED.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time reading this blog as a team member of #13 and I have mixed feelings about many of the comments. I do agree with the fact that I don't think I could do Rich's job and wouldn't want to either. But I work very hard at the position that I work and I don't think it is right to bust my butt working and not get the respect or breaks that I deserve. There have been many times that I have gone without breaks or had to complain to get them. As a result, the managers roll ther eyes or get nasty with us. I have even heard managers say "So what if they need a break. They aren't going to get it". Well that's not fair. Don't be bitter because YOU CHOSE TO BE A MANAGER!!!
ReplyDeleteThere have also been many days where I have picked up the slack of other workers who do nothing and the managers don't care. So we get stressed out work twice as hard, make a mistake, and as a result, get countless write ups.
But why do I continue to work there? Well I can't complain with the fact that they pay me well for the work that I do. I don't think I would be able to find another job that pays as well or is as flexible with schedules as this company is. So you have to take the good along with the bad. But you can't forget the most important thing. Company morale. And trust me, at club #13, there isn't much.
ONCE AGAIN
ReplyDeleteGo to page 16 of the employee handbook and advise your manager that they are violating COMPANY RULES regarding breaks and lunch. If that does not work, go to page 38 of the handbook and follow the steps
To anonymous who said " You could not do his job guaranteed" GUESS WHAT... There are MANY present and past employees who could do the job being a GM BETTER.
You will have ass kissers and brown nosers wherever you work. It is a part of life. That unfortunately will never change.
The payroll is based on sales. Less sales, less employees.
Additional stores have lowered the goals, upper management just has to beat a number slightly and qualifies for bonus.
Not all Managers are bitter, just most of the ones that you have at 13. The bitter ones are trapped and will most likely not be welcomed to Manage in any other club.
Comment #89, where did you go to school ???? I guess that they did not teach punctuation, spelling or grammar. That is why you are stuck at BJ'S and a miserable person.
ReplyDeleteI am a team member at Club #13. I agree with my apparent fellow co-worker about not being able to find a job that would pay me as well, because for me, it is also part time. However, good pays does not mean that we are not to be treated fairly. For everyone who keeps telling the workers to stop crying like babies, you must all be managers because you are acting just like them. Our gripes are valid. I, too, have been left breakless and, no, the managers do not care.
ReplyDeleteThere are "favorites" in the store. No amount of complaining is going to fix that. There are employees who do whatever they want, act whatever way they want and the managers are blind to it because of their fondness for said workers.
Work ethic is not what it used to be amongst employees or management. Cashiers walk away from their registers and talk & joke with managers and FLS's while the rest of us work our behinds off. No one stops this. Managers do not tend nor do they care about the needs of the ALL employees, which is the way that it should be.
When you have a better suggestion than to just "quit if I don't like it", I'll take your advice with a grain of salt. Otherwise, keep your "MANAGERS ARE SAINTS" rants to yourself.
Oh, and one more thing about the supposed WONDERFUL managers at Club #13: half of them don't even know my name and I've been there for YEARS. It doesn't matter that I am part time. Rich still looks at me like it's the first time that he's ever laid eyes on me and if he knows my name than so does President Bush. We don't have hundreds of employees in the store, so how can you not know people? And for the record, to the person who said that Rich is the one who hired us - WRONG!! Rich didn't call me for the interview, he didn't interview me and he didn't call to tell me that I had the job. Still as one as his employees, am I asking to much that after years of service that he know my name?
ReplyDeleteThe team members of club 13, have you talked to your regional human resource manager. Maybe, just maybe he or she can help. Or have you tried talking to Rafat. I dont know Rafat as a Regional but as co worker and a manager he was good guy. Give him a chance, you might be surprised. He wants to succeed in his job too, and it isnt good for him to have all these unhappy team members.
ReplyDeleteVickie is nothing more than a glorified FLS with a Managers title. When she was an FLS, all she did was BS with anyone that would listen.
ReplyDeleteCathy has ALWAYS had attitude, thinking she was better than the rest.
Anita, well what can I say !!!!
There are guidelines in the employees handbook dealing with the breaks issue. READ YOUR HANDBOOK or some of the other posts on this site.
There ARE ways to get around the write-up issue, but are you willing to do what it takes.
As someone else mentioned
DOCUMENT EVERYTHING.... DAY, DATE,TIME, PLACE, REQUESTED JOB, ETC.
When you can prove your point with 100% accuracy, do you honestly think most managers remember detail like that. Keep the notebook out of sight and don't tell a soul what you are writing down. The brown-nosers and pets might rat you out if they knew what you were doing...
NEED I SAY MORE !!!!!!!!!!
WOW !!!!! It has been a WEEK without ANY comments.
ReplyDeleteI guess Laura Sen is doing her job
keeping customers and employees happy...
I FORGOT... her job is to keep the stockholders happy
Hey people, lets be fair to ALL the managers at club #13. We have heard the horros of Rich, Vicky, Anita and Cathy. You can not compare all the managers at our store to these 4 managers. There are what 15 managers total, you can't tell me they are ALL horrible, nasty and dirty people.
ReplyDeleteManagement sucks at #13. It's time for ALL new managers. Home Office should come in and takeover #13 and do a thorough evaluation of all policies and procedures. I am sick & tired of managers abusing their power.
ReplyDeleteWho would have ever thought this site would 100 posts, and I am #100
ReplyDeleteAs others have stated before, DOCUMENT EVERYTHING to prove your case. As a former manager, I am here to let you know that MANAGERS CAN and DO GET WRITTEN UP. You do need to prove your points 150%, and have it documented. Forward it to the District Manager ( Rafat ) OR BETTER YET, DIRECTLY TO CORPORATE.
If enough people have DOCUMENTED INFO ( day, date, time, place,
infraction and hopefully witnesses
( If there is anyone you might trust), corporate will then step in. So instead of whining, start documenting and perhaps change will occur.
I think people that have so much to complain about working at #13 ought to work at some of the other clubs.I think most of the complaints are from the front line and I feel sorry for the people that feel they have nobody to go to ,But you do, just try to talk to Rich give him a chance he can't fix it if he don't know what the issues are.Do you really think he is told everything,If he thinks that his management team are being nasty to anyone I am sure he would address the issue,But like I said you need to give him a chance.his door is always open.And believe me I have used the same door and he does listen to you and he will get back to you one way or the other.and he will keep your name anonymous.I told myself I wasn't going to check this blog anymore but something keeps pulling me in and when I read blogs bashing #13 and the managers, I just feel I have to speek up when people aren't given a fare chance.
ReplyDeleteOverall Rich is a good manager. He will listen and try to help with any situation. He tries to be fair with schedules and hours. He isn't one of those GMs that rule from his office. He gets down and dirty with the rest of us. He puts in more hours then anyone else in the building. What I don't understand is that Rich knows that Anita treats the hourlies and some of his other managers like total crap and has done nothing. It was brought to his attention that Anita has written emails to an hourly employee totally bashing his management staff. He has seen the emails, read them himself and has still done nothing. He knows that she is now making this employees work life a living hell, and has done nothing. Anita is total violation of the Companys harrassment policy making a hostile work environment for not only hourly employees, but fellow managers as well. Anita can go an entire shift without talking to the mid mangers she is working with or if she does speak to them, it's nasty and rude. So her co-workers now have a choice, do they continue to work under these conditions after taking it to Rich several times without results or do they go over his head and take it to Rafat or HR? When you generally like a person, you give them a fair chance to solve the problems in house, but enough is enough. Rich if you read this blog - DO SOMETHING ABOUT ANITA'S ATTITUDE BEFORE THESE ISSUES ARE TAKEN ANY FURTHER!
ReplyDeleteI want to respond to the last blog.
ReplyDeleteFor One thing, you should look up harrassment that is a very strong accusation.I know Anita, she comes from the old school, and how we all use to work together,She has never been nasty to me.I guess she see's me pulling my own weight and then some, I guess when she See's hourly-lees and managers just standing around that could be doing something other than flapping there jaws, like re-shops or produce or maybe pulling boxes or maybe checking for signs,because that's always an issue I might not be a manager,but when I see people standing around that pisses me off when I know there are people on the floor that needs help and if I get my work done, I like helping out when we are short handed and that is what I call working togeter.And being from the old school to.And there is nothing wrong with that. Everybody wants to hang up front because they can be seen,The last time I checked there is a manager,fls and there is even a marm ok.So I am quiet sure when Anita see's that there are things to be done and looks around and see's hourlies and managers just standing there and getting away with it.Anita is not making any thing a hostile environment,If anything she does expects the hourlies and yes even the managers earn their salaries.Ok thats enough venting!!!!
Mayland bj's employee and former manager. My Bj's club seems to be a company run by a mafia boss. Management seems to be told it's okay to belittle employees. There's one night senior manager who sleeps with night employees and give them special treatment while treating other employees like dogs and talking to them like they are nothing. General managers know of what he does and jokes about it. But since he's on nights it's all swept under the rug. Good workers are overlooked based on how the GM personally feels about them. The best way to get over in this club is to get a manager to like you then they over look all the time those employees steal. The good employees are the ones that show up everyday do thier jobs and leave. The employees that management likes get to work slow even get overtime. It's an awful place to work but i need the health care. If this club could hire child labor they would. It's a shame how people treat others less fortunate when they get a little power.
ReplyDeleteHEY MARYLAND
ReplyDeleteYou may wish to let your GM know
that if BJ'S gets sued over
"sexual harassment" ( a boss sleeping with hourly employees) AND HE KNOWS ABOUT IT, he can be liable for a % of the potential payout to the person who is suing
INFORM HIM IMMEDIATLY ( or not). There was a club in NJ where Sexual Harassment occured and it was NOT a pretty sight.
HEY BETTE
Way to tell it like it is
As bad as things are, at least the Summer Movies have finally arrived! I. AM. IRON MAN.
ReplyDeleteCause Iron Man was AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteAs a former employee of BJ's, let me start by saying that things aren't any greener on the other side. Business is business and the only way to survive is to make money. The only way to make money is to reduce controllable expenses and to have good employees that are willing to work hard. Unfortuneatley, the days of hard workers have come and gone. Almost all new employees believe the company owes them something instead of first proving their worth.
ReplyDeleteMy only reply to you is that if you are willing to work hard and have some pride in your work, BJ's always has promoted those type of people.
Oh yes, one more thing. For those of you pro-union.... my comments on that:
1. Good employees don't need a union. Unions only help protect the lazy.
2. Figure out where your union dues go. I see a lot of union business leaders driving much nicer cars and living in much nicer houses than most of the union employees.
3. Thank God for unions - if it wasn't for them contributing to the exodus of corporations from the US, 3rd world countries would be out of work.
I would like to know why it is a problem for the front line to take a breather once in a while and "chat". How do you know they are not talking about work! But its ok for you to stand in clothing and "chat". You must be upset because Rich chats with us. ARE YOU JEALOUS????
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone ever wonder why Rachel and Cory are never mentioned in the blog???
ReplyDeleteCindy, who spends most of her time in her office on her cell phone is never mentioned either. If you are going to complain about managers not working , you should have started with her. At least Anita and Cathy pretend to look busy.
ReplyDeleteIf you think they are bad, you should see what the night managers do--or do not do. There should be a senior manager who works overnight.
ReplyDeleteUntil you have been an overnight manager, you have no idea what is required / expected of you. Do YOU enjoy working 60-80 hours a week while getting paid for 45 ????
ReplyDeleteBe an overnight manager and then you will have room to talk.
I have been an overnight manager, in several different stores, and I will tell you it depends on the GM of the store how good or bad your job is. Some will completly back you and make sure you have the help you need, and some dont. It is all about who runs the club and what they do for the employees there! There are some good ones out there... it's a shame you don't work for one apparently. I do not work 60 - 80 hours a week... I dont have to. I have the support to get what is expected of me done. That is the unfortunate truth and difference between the stores.
ReplyDeleteWhat clubs did you work at where you did not put in 60-80 hrs per week?
ReplyDeleteClub #13--too many chiefs, not enough indians!!! Hire more help...NOW!!!
ReplyDeleteYou know being short on staff is just as hard on the chiefs as on the indians! You think just because a manager is running the front line or recovering the floor, their job doesn't need to get done?? Managers are salary, when they have to stay to get their job done because of running the front line all day, they aren't getting paid for it. And contrary to popular beief, managers aren't paid huge salaries. A produce specialist or meat cutter can make more then a mid-manager if scheduled a Sunday. So please stop blaming and bashing those who are in the same boat as you!
ReplyDeleteBonus...Bonus...Bonus!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBonus ..... this is the first year EVER that mid managers (except for Perishable Managers) have ever been eligible for a bonus. It is about damn time since most of them do more work then the senior managers
ReplyDeleteJust because you get a bonus, doesnt make it ok to abuse your managers and team members. Bjs answer give them more money, and we can work them harder.
ReplyDeleteIf Rafat wants to line his wallet by cutting payroll, maybe he should consider getting rid of our fearless leader. I'm sure we can hire someone and pay them 1/3 of his salary for the amount of work Rich does. How hard is it to sit in an office, play on the computer, and answer the phone. At least George did some amount of manual labor to help out on the floor. Vanity doesn't help run the club.
ReplyDeleteRafats wallet is being lined, Alot more than anybody elses. Hes a finger pointer too.
ReplyDeleteI am usually that last person to stick up for Rich, but to say he sits in his office all day and just plays on his computer is not an acurate picture. He will (unlike George) come and help run the front line. He works the floor almost everyday. It may only be electronics and the first few aisles on the non food side, but he is on the floor. He does mark downs and sign walks. Trust me, I've worked in other clubs and we could do much much worse then Rich.
ReplyDeleteDo you people out there want too change things for BJs for the better, or just keep complaining about the same things.Why don't you look in to what Herb made last year,or what the other higher ups are making a year.Years ago BJs was a nice place to work,Now its all about corporate and the stock holders.I am quiet sure Herb won't lose any sleep if BJs closes there doors tommorrow, He already made his millions,and his family is living quiet well, I'm sure.It's not about what Rich makes,He earned that salary he has been with BJs thirteen-fourteen years.The company its self has gotten greedy.The higher ups don't want to share the wealth.Thats what reunions company's the corporate sector.
ReplyDeleteAs a former manager who worked at MANY clubs, George was BY FAR the BEST GM I ever worked for.
ReplyDeleteHe had qualified people to run the departments, and was much more concerned that shelves were stocked than worrying about running the front line.It is NOT the job of the GM to run the front line. He came in early and helped pack out isles, did signs, put top stock away when overnights were backed up. The customers and employees LOVED him. He managed by EXAMPLE, not by finger pointing.
Most managers are like Rich, I got to the top, now it is time to throw my weight around....
As long as people look for someone to blame for scheduling and other issues in club thirteen things will continue to get worse. It is not Rich's fault that Home Office issues budget cuts. Sure, we all are well aware that the higher ups are lining their pockets and the clubs begin to suffer. It is the corperate way of life. Operate the business at longer hours with less staff while paying everyone as little as possible. Deal with it.
ReplyDeleteUntil the hourly employees of this company join together and complain to home office nothing will be done. Home office people need to be made aware that the deli is struggling to get it done on a Sunday, with 12 people in line. Home Office needs to know that the Front line superviors have been more like cashiers on the weekends, while the lines pile up. Why? Because in our club they have to cut the budget $6000 in a week regardless of the fact that we are the top grossing store in our region.
The "team members" in this store need to stop looking for someone to blame for their unhappiness. The issues that you are angry about in BJs will be the same issues that you face in all other retail stores. Let's face it, if you have been here over 10 years stop complaining we all know you are not going anywhere. Stop bringing down the moral. Start trying to make it better.
Unionize NOW!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR
ReplyDeleteGoing Union is NOT the answer. All a Union will do for us is take our money and make false promises. So if this is Bill telling us to Unionize, if you hate being at BJ's so much, then why have you been there longer then anyone else?? Please do us all a favor and find another job!
ReplyDeleteUnderstand This About Unions
ReplyDeleteThere was a time when things were different. In the mid 1950's more than 35 percent of all employees on private payrolls were union members. But then unions decided to focus MORE on political power than representing the interests of workers. Not surprisingly union membership has been on the decline ever since.
Unions like to blame their failure on opposition from management but the fact is that the working people of American have rejected the us- against- them unions class-warfare, approach to employment.
A union will do you NO GOOD in a retail company such as BJ'S
Actually, a couple of people have been there longer than Bill, so get your info straight.
ReplyDeleteI notice that a lot of the comments tell us employees to "document everything and talk to home office". Well, maybe the reason nobody has is because they are afraid they will get fired. Everybody is so busy pointing the finger at everybody else in management. Nobody in management takes blame for the mistreatment of employees. And it would be very easy to fire someone. I sometimes think that the write-ups are bogus. Maybe I am just parnoid. Either way, Club 13 has its two-faces and its cliques. It can be intimidating to someone who wants to speak out. Morale is so low on the front line at our club that I feel bad for the customers who have to come in and deal with the cashier's attitudes that we didn't have when we came to work that day. It only came on when we were yelled at by someone or had to wait 3+ hours for a break. It is hard to smile and be chipper when you've been yelled at by FLS/managers, had your light blinking for 5+ minutes while everyone chats at the podium, are hungry/thirsty, and you have to pee. Not to mention all of the cleaning and reshop that has to be collected. Oh yeah, I also forgot about pushing the carts when you were not hired as a cart employee or a maintainance worker for that matter. When the day is run correctly, it can go really well and people will enjoy their work. But when it is run improperly, it can be horribly wrong and frusterating. The last time I checked, the higher the morale, the more productivity you will have. You will have less employee turnover and less call outs.
ReplyDeleteTo the author of: "Oh yeah, I also forgot about pushing the carts when you were not hired as a cart employee or a maintainance worker for that matter."
ReplyDeletePlease, the current cashiers have it easy. You aren't required to push carts. You are asked if there isn't anyone scheudled for the task and if you decline, they ask the next person or the managers do it! When I was hired as a cashier, you stayed until your scheduled time regardless of what time you turned in your drawer. Everyone stayed to do reshops until they were called to the front to leave. When the cart person called out or if there wasn't someone scheduled, EVERYONE went out at the end of the night to push carts regardless of the weather. You seem to think you have it so tough .... please, you don't know the meaning of team work! Also, if you are angry because you sometimes have to wait 3 hours for a break, talk to your fellow team members who refuse to return at their given time. If 4 people come back late from break, that put your break an hour behind! And something tells me, the author of the beginning comment is one of those team members that is always late from break!
I would like to thank the ONLY manager (and she knows who she is) who will roll up her sleeves and help mop, collect reshops, cover jewelry etc at the end of a busy night. When it's busy, she has no problem ringing register along side of us and then helping with closing "chores". She's friendly and doesn't take the current situation out on the employees. I wish all the managers would be so helpful.
ReplyDeleteI believe I know who that particular manager is and I agree 100%
ReplyDeleteAnd as far as the employees coming back from break late and having that push back other peoples breaks...
Maybe when the people go on break, they shouldn't be alowed to write in their times. And how about this. When they are given a time, maybe they should crack down on making sure that they come back on time. Instead of the people waiting for a break informing the FLS/manager on duty. People who are constantly late from break should be repremanded by management. And they never are.
Could you imagine what type of team we could have if they would drop some of the dead weight and promote some of the mid managers that deserve to be senior managers?
ReplyDeleteAt #13, they HAD the best team I ever worked with. Most of the mids there today would be horrible seniors, they
ReplyDeletedon't work now,& behave poorly. How long would you expect them to last?
At club #13 we are losing one of the best meat manager, and his name is Andy he is not only a hard worker in his department, he is very friendly to everyone and he doesn't even have to try to be nice. that's just his way,not like the mid-managers we have, all of them but Vickie,Cynthia and Cindy.the three that are left, know who they are. I don't have too name them.When people reads this they will know who they are.Lets put it this way you three won't be remembered as one of the best managers.I do wish Andy all the best,He deserve it.
ReplyDeleteI have one question for Rich. How do you complain about long lines then cut cashier hours??? Someone said you even came in during your vacation to cut hours off the schedule. If you don't want the lines then give us the required number of cashiers. otherwise shut up.
ReplyDeleteTo the last blog,Do you think Rich enjoys coming in on his vacation just to cut the payroll, he is told to cut the payroll from his boss Rafat, and Rafat is told from his boss Jay and so on.People must think Rich really enjoys having to cut hours left and right and he doesn't.We are all getting stress out,and we have to keep our cool and try not to be pointing fingers At people that don't have any control over the budget.Keep in mind it is home office that is in control of everything.
ReplyDeleteNo!!! The shareholders are in control!!!!
ReplyDeleteAndy may have been friendly towards everyone, but he had no problems screwing over his department and his people. He would shake you hand one minute, while looking where to stick the knife the other. Very nice guy, attrocious manager. Dan will be an improvement in every way, shape, and form.
ReplyDeleteLaura Sen should make a surprise visit to the clubs and see how they operate. Maybe then she will see what needs to be changed.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if the powers that be are just clueless or are they trying to force Rich out. If you look at club #13, we have what a dozen people that have been there 10-15 plus years, therefore making quite a bit more money then someone who has been there 5 years and under. Do they take that into account when coming up with the clubs payroll or are they just keeping it at an unreachable goal to give them an excuse to kick Rich to the street? The reason Rich is at club 13 is because we are the only store that does that sales to handle his salary after he stepped down - knowing this, they still didn't give us more payroll when he came to us! We have managers that have been managers 10 plus years, again making more money then a newer manager. Everyone gets raises every year, but the payroll stays the same. I seriously think Rich is trying his best under the circumstances and it's too bad that his inability to thank his team for their hard work gives him the attitude that he doesn't care about them.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with whomever wrote that they are out to get Rich. Rafat tansferred both his specialty managers in the same week and now the LP manager. Good luck club 13, you're being left with the dream team of managers (excluding Cory). Anita, Cathy, Vicky and Cindy - now that's a team. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
ReplyDeleteRafat will see that moving all those managers in a short period of time will harm the club. He will learn, he is still learning his job, and as you can see he is making alot of mistakes.
ReplyDeleteWith all the problems 13 has i think getting new managers will be GREAT. Now maybe the favorites who get away with anything and everything will actually have to WORK. Unless they they quit first. I think the next managers to get rid of are Vicky and Rachel. They should just be FIRED. Rachel actually told my friends in the deli 'I wish YOU WOULD ALL SLIP AND FALL SO WE CAN GET ALL NEW DELI PEOPLE. What kind of Manager says that.
ReplyDeleteYou do realize the 3 managers transferred is not because they are bad managers. Quite the opposite. One got a raise, the other moved closer to home and the 3rd is to complete a required overnight position to get promoted to a senior manager? It is not due to poor performance or laziness. That is what the majority of managers that club 13 is left with after next week. And if Rachel actually said that-WOW they are in worse shape then previously stated after next week.
ReplyDeleteI didnt say anything negative about the 3 managers that transfered. I just think some employees know what they can get away those managers but with new ones it will be a little harder. Not to say they wont try to see how much they can get away with. And yes Rachel did say that i heard it for myself.
ReplyDeleteManagers have positive and negative opinions and feelings towards people in the club, but as managers we should sensor what is said to hourly team members. As a club manager, please let me apologize for any inapprobriate comments made about your friends. Even if the apology isn't from the person who said it, please know not everyone feels such harsh feelings towards the "little people" who help make showtime happen. THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteThat sure does not sound like something Rachel would say, but as they say 'Anything Is Possible'. As a FORMER BJ'S Manager,the Club Manager is correct, comments should be sensored.....
ReplyDeleteIt seems like everybody has a lot of negative things to say. How about something positve. You guys don't know what a great manager you just lost . In case you haven't figured it out that's Marybeth ! She always went above and beyond to help everybody. It didn't matter who you were she always took time for you. Hamilton don't know how lucky they are to get such a hard worker. She was a manager who treated everybody fairly. She deserves to be a senior manager. That is what club 13 needs ! Good luck club 13 without her because you're gonna need it !
ReplyDeleteMarybeth will need all the help she can get in the hell hole called Hamilton... just ask Cory
ReplyDeleteHamilton is not a hell hole. Hamilton has great managers. You dont see any of Hamilton team members on here, bashing managers.
ReplyDeleteWere you there when you had Bob S. as GM, Dawn P. as OPS, Cathy G. ( the same one at #13 now )as CSM...
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your team is much better
Ive also worked with two of those three managers that worked in Hamilton. I have never had a problem with any of them. Bob
ReplyDeleteStenborg is the hardest working GM I have ever worked with. Dawn, is such fun to work with. She is in Toms River now, and doing well.
This is my first time writing. But you know what I can't stand is all of the fake people that I work with at club 13. Thay all act like they are there for you and as soon as you turn your back their talking about you. If they feel an employee is doing something wrong they should confront that person not talk about them to other employees. The problem is everybody tries to act cool like they're in high school. With that attitude the place is going to fall apart. I have not worked for bj's that long but I have met the biggest group of immature people in just a couple of months. Everybody seems like they're out to get everybody. I heard we are getting a new manager. All I can hope for is some improvement. I don't think it can get any worse. Everyone needs to realize that Bj's is a job not a social hang out to make friends. If everybody did their job that place would be be great place to work !
ReplyDeleteIts like that in most of the clubs, not just club 13. I worked in this company and worked for alot of clubs. The High School baby games are everywhere. It starts at the top. Sen could be the lead in Mean Girls. She hasent helped this company she just making it worse. She needs to get out to these clubs, and talk to the people that work there. She needs to come down on these regionals who are making it ok, to play the games.
ReplyDeleteWhat Sen NEEDS TO DO is talk with FORMER employees and managers to find out the REAL story
ReplyDeleteWhat are Rich and Michele thinking by making Angela a manager. She will NOT be able to handle it. She never wants to do anything BUT COMPLAIN ALL DAY EVERY DAY. She is the WORST person for the job. We already have front door guys saying they will leave now. Who knows maybe she will surprise all of us. Cant wait to see.
ReplyDeleteRich and Michelle made the right decision by putting someone young and up to the challenge into the position. It's not fair to judge her when she hasn't even started yet. I think she will be fine. She can't be any worse that the rest of them.
ReplyDeleteShe doesnt take her job seriously at all. Her age isnt going to get the job done. But as i said cant wait to see!!!!
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt in my mind that tha last few negative comments about Angie getting the LP position were written by someone who also applied for it and wasn't choosen. I wish everyone would just grow up, go to work everyday and do the best job you can do while you're there. Check all this crap at the front door when you leave. You'll be a much happier person!
ReplyDeleteBefore you give a Raul-Raul for Angie why don't look at her record.
ReplyDeletewith all her wright-ups and what about her many finals. if that's what kind of manager you think your club needs,then God bless you.You don't have a clue.
Grace should have gotten the job!!
ReplyDeleteOne of the worst jobs is LP, wait until Michelle finds the SMALLEST thing wrong, you better run for cover. She WILL make your life HELL.
ReplyDeleteThe worst management job is being an overnight manager. A thankless job along with working 15-25 hours a week MORE than dayside.
I am sure Grace is making more money with much less grief that would come with the new job.
ReplyDeleteHere's a good question. How does someone who doesn't apply for an FLS position, and doesn't want an FLS position get one? Meanwhile there are other people who actually take the time to fill out the application and are looking for advancement in the company. They won't ever get interviewed. And once again, management won't care. They are at fault. So instead of giving the promotion to someone who might actually deserve it, we will give it to someone with a bad attitude who thinks that they are too pretty to do any real work. And also happens to have an "in" in the company. You be the judge.
ReplyDeleteAnd as far as the new LP manager goes, good for Angie! I think she deserves it. I don't know that she was the most qualified and she doesn't have the most seniority, but Rich and Michele had to pick who they thought was best to handle the job. Angie knows what it is like being on the side of the little people. Hopefully she will just remember the hard times and where she came from. And she is hardly the type that sits around chatting like other managers.
I've worked for Michele and she isn't as horrible as people make her out to be and there is no reason to fear her. All she asks of her LP managers is that they perform their job duties. When I first started working for her, I had a really hard time adjusting to all the counts and paperwork. She was there to help me and figure out a way to get it done. She does require the job to be done to the best of your ability. She points out mistakes, but so they can be corrected and aren't audit findings. My advise to Angela to dealing with Michele, keep in contact with her. Let her know whats going on in LP in your club, keep all your paperwork where it's supposed to be, and don't fear her. She is just like everyone else, treat her as such and you'll get along just fine.
ReplyDeleteYou know what cracks me up? Every club is forging signature to pass an audit. Ray wasent hitting golf clubs all day. Stop making excuses, things will never change that way. Stick to the real facts. Talk to the deli guy who has 10 people in line and is working alone. Doesnt get his break. Talk to the reciever, who has to unblock the carbord dumpster before he even starts to unload his trucks. Talk to fls, who never has a lunch because a manager is too lazy to stand on the frontline for a half hour. How about the meatcutter who has to cut meat, wrap it, pack it out, pull chicken out of the oven, package it, put a truck away, pack deli wall, and island cases. How about the produce guy who cant get his truck off the receiving dock because their is so much crap on it. What about the overnite crew, who works no less than a ten hour day. These are the people who should be bitching on this. These are the people, who make a club run. Not the managers, looking at lunch menue's at 10:00am.
ReplyDeleteGee, how original. Didn't you post this same comment under one of the other headlines?
ReplyDeleteI dont care how many times its posted. I agree with this posting. Its obvious that the person who wrote this knows exactly what is going on in the stores. This person should be our regional manager. Way to go!
ReplyDelete"How about the produce guy who cant get his truck off the receiving dock because their is so much crap on it."
ReplyDeleteThe produce specialists are the most overpayed employees, by far. They are $20+/hr stockers that will soon be eliminated. They perform 2 hours of work on a busy day at best. An overhaul of the produce speacialist is long overdue. Our Produce Spec thinks she is the almighty, but she'll be gone soon enough.
I totally agree that produce specialist are overpaid, but the positon is needed specailly in the busier clubs. When BJ's took over the produce Dept, they made a bad decision to pay the produce specialist so much money. They should have made it a Mid manager position. Currently if a produce specialist works 40 hours a week, including Sunday, they can make more money then a mid manager. But they again, it's the same with all the perishable depts. Perishable Managers, meat cutters, bakers, produce specialist are all overpaid if you ask me. Unfortunalty that's the way retail works.
ReplyDeletePay should be by SENIORITY ONLY, NOT POSITION/TITLE!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHow dumb is that. A cashier with 10 years experience is worth more than a CSM with 5 years experience. I do not think so
ReplyDeleteFrom what i have been told, the baker's do not make that much compared to Meat cutters($14 - $22) & Produce($16- $22)?
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know how much the highest paid Produce & Meat cutter make per hour???
I agree with the comment about the Produce Specialist, should be a mid management salaried position.
I find it hard to believe that $20.00 per hour positions exist at BJS. I have been trained in multiple departments, which IMO, would make me very valuable. I do not make $20.00 per hour, far from it.
ReplyDeleteThose figures spoken about in the previous blog are inaccurate at best.
The average rate of pay at Costco is $16/hr. I wish they would locate a store in this area.
I am a former Personnel Manager, trust me, those numbers are correct. If a Meat cutter was hired with an experience rate, got good reviews and has been in the position for awhile, he/she could be making $20 an hour easily.
ReplyDeleteCashiers should be the ones that make $20/hour. They have to put up with the customers and handle the money.
ReplyDeleteLP is one of the hardest manager positions. We are stuck between a rock and a brick wall. The RLP tells you one thing which is policy and the seniors tell you to do it a different way, or tell your people what to do. So what can you do? Tell the regional? Then thee seniors get mad at you and you look like a tattle tail. ITS AWFUL. I REGRET THIS MOVE 100%
ReplyDeleteLP is a thankless job. Unless you have support staff to help with counts, you can never accomplish what they expect of you.
ReplyDeleteI've been a LP manager and it's not that tough. Suggestion - train one of your front or back door TM's to do daily counts. They do not take that long. They don't have to be 100% everyday which frees you up to concentrate on auditable counts (High Shrink and Jewelry). Athough many people don't like Michele, she will back you up! If she tells you to do something and your GM or Srs won't comply, let her know. If anyone gets mad at you or calls you a tattle tale, screw them. You are there to do a job, not make friends! I have never been a RICM, but that seems like the hardest managers positon. They are in charge of 3 departments. All depts have detailed paperwork work which is all on the Operational Audit plus they have to do department counts, jewelry returns, 950 transfers etc...
ReplyDeletei wish they would bring back the caesar salads that the food court sold =(
ReplyDeletei totally agree about the produce specialists, give cashiers less hours and people that do more than one job LESS hours, but the high and mighty produce dept work whatever they want, that position should be a salaried position
ReplyDeletethe starting pay is way more then a mid mgr
ReplyDeletetough shit. if uoy're not part of the 20 year crew, you might as well work as Walmart.
ReplyDeleteTake it from me, the 20 year crew isnt so great either.
ReplyDeleteSo if it's not so great, why have you stayed 20 years? There must be something keeping you there.
ReplyDeleteI can't speak for the other employees that have been there for 20 some years,But I can speak for myself,I enjoy working there,I enjoy merchandising, sometimes it's a little hard, and stressful at times, but You need to take the good with the bad,and that would be retail.We have some really nice people that have been there for a long time and I think we can count on each other.
ReplyDelete20 years is a luxury these days, very fortunate to say the least. they have earned the money that they are making, but that balloon will pop very soon. it's sad to think what these produce specialist will be doing once BJS comes to their senses, they will be the first to be replaced by $10/hr dept leads. at least they had their moment.
ReplyDelete*laughs* things could be worse for the lot of you - you all could be asking "Do you want fries with your order?" ... Look on the bright side - you have a job in this crappy economy. I wish Marybeth and her replacment lotsa luck! <3
ReplyDeletei have worked for BJS now for 5 years, since the grand opening and i must say they have treated me well.
ReplyDeleteBJs' promotes from within as well as developa talent that wants to achieve.
I must say that i have been more than happy to be a part of store 156, snd i hope to continue my casreer as an Loss Prevention Associazte.
The only problem with being promoted from within is those hired from the outside are hired in making more money then those promoted from within. They should take your BJ's experience into account when being promoted.
ReplyDeleteThree are plenty of opportunities that are to be had at BJ's. I started out in the deli deptartment making $7.00/per hr(Sept 06) I signed up for the meat department apprentice & as of now i have more than double my starting rate from 2 years ago.
ReplyDeleteBJ's has treated me very good, & i give them the same in return. It's not hard to acheive at BJ's, especially if you do your job well & not call out every week.
Why is it that Mookie can make $14 per hour and he was only with BJ's for two years, but there are people like me who have been there over 10 years, and I make a couple dollars less--that's not fair. It should be like someone else said--by time of service. They need to change that.
ReplyDeleteTo "LP is not that tough." If i had useful LP team i would use them to count but even if i did why bother the daily takes no more than an hour.
ReplyDeleteTO: BJs' Promotes From Within As Well As Develops Talent That Wants To Achieve.
ReplyDeleteThere WERE many good people who believed that fairy tale, HOWEVER
Unless you "play the game" once you get to management, achievement is hard to obtain. Look at the "developed talent" surrounding you today ( especially at # 13 )....
NEED I SAY MORE
"Why is it that Mookie can make $14 per hour and he was only with BJ's for two years, but there are people like me who have been there over 10 years, and I make a couple dollars less--that's not fair. It should be like someone else said--by time of service. They need to change that."
ReplyDeletei started out at the bottom & through hard work and a little luck of a posting that no one but myself signed up for help me acheive my meat cutter rate which starts out at $14+ which is low by normal meat cutter standards.
My point was simply this, there is alot of money to be made at every BJ's. Be flexible & show up for work goes a long way. Maybe the store i work at has more opportunities than yours. I am very lucky to have had to work with a great team that respects each other & trusts each other to get the job done. I am lucky to have a greeat bosss thata recognizes hard work.
Our Management team,from top to bottom are the nicest people & they are very strong and get the job done without any problems.
Other stores can't even get their managers to show up half the time.
I'm sorry to hear that it seems that that Maple Shade store isnt fun & games, but it is a strong money making store. Which tells me there is money to be made if you can prove yourself. Try to get into the meat department because BJ's is the only company that i have ever heard of that has multiple postings for meat deparment opportunities, like the ones currently at Mays Landing and Deptford. For those who don't want to travel, just do what you do best, bitch & moan. Fill out an app at COSTCO or grab a box of kleenex.
While you are complaining about wittle kid shit, I'll be working my ass off & making my $$$ . Thank you BJS's for blessing me with such a great opportunity.
A little effort goes a long way. Good day everyone.
You are EXTREMELY lucky to work with a great team. Most clubs do not have strong management teams, or bosses that recognize hard work. Most of the managers I use to work for at BJ'S DID NOT recognize hard work, and since we did not kiss A%%, promotions were not happening. They wanted to keep us at certain positions because NO ONE COULD DO THE JOB AS EFFICIENTLY AS US AND WE MADE THEM LOOK GOOD. The hard work got us passed over while marginal employees were promoted.
ReplyDeletei will admit that the store that i work for has only been open a few years. So we still have quite a few of the original mamagers &team members which makes life alot easier.
ReplyDeleteI can see how the older stores could be upset with the way the turnover over the years can take it's toll especially if they lose alot of good help, managers & employees.
As for the comment earlier about the rate of pay should go by length of employment, that could have been the case along time ago, but with the way the economy is BJ's as well as most retail stores would rather cross-train everyone & hire as many part timeers to save the bucks.
I remember when Home Depot used to hiree cashiers at $12/hr
At least there are alot of higher paying retail jobs around the Maple Shade/Cherry Hill area.
Besidess Costco, the Wegman's is a wonderful place to work. We do not hav a Costco or Wegman within 30 mins of our store.
I stayed for 20 years, because I am one of those Meat Cutters that make way over $20 dollars a hour.
ReplyDelete