I've dedicated a lot of time to the company, over 6 years, and loved it most of the way. However, I was recently laid off with the only reason being "inconsistency, and a bad opening shift." Let me bring it to the top though.
I had finally gotten on the team I was dying to get on, and learning more than I had in any work environment. It was truly something to appreciate, and I did. I was on the team for about 9 months, and then the talk of the company downsizing had risen, and the air had shifted. I was told my position would be deleted in September, and there was no talk of severance. I was told that I could go for any position I liked, within reason obviously, I wasn't going to become Regional VP from an Associate Buyer. Anyways, with my 6 month "move up or move out" notice I took time to wait for a position I desired to open somewhere, I didn't want to go back to working register again, not that there's anything wrong with cashiers! Well only a week after being told I could go for any position, I'm told that I cannot go for any promotion, and the only positions available would be a demotion which would mean a pay-cut. Well that's a motivation killer.
So I was taking the time to decide my next move, and still had a few months before I would be separated from the company. The overall treatment from my leadership was very withdrawn, I felt like a dog "on its way to the farm" if you catch my drift. I definitely worked very hard for the remainder of my time with the company, but with outside factors piling on top of the work life being untrustworthy I definitely felt like I wasn't at my "best", but I certainly overshadowed my co-workers. Well in their eyes, I was worthy of many reasons to be pulled aside and talked to, written up for one thing, and when I make sure that thing never happens again, written up for the next. I was eventually put on a final, which was for "inconsistencies." After many stressful days of being backed in the corner, but still working hard, I slipped up on one of my opening shifts. And the next day I was pulled in the office, with my STL and TL. This could only go one way, and it was the way it went. I didn't go down without a "professional" fight, but I had to accept defeat and sign my separation form. I was given rehire eligibility after six months, which I wasn't expecting after how I'd been treated.
Well here I am now, a couple weeks later without Whole Foods. I thought I would be in shambles, which I kind of am, but I honestly feel so much relief after having the weight off of my shoulders of the past few months. I truly feel as though I was targeted and pushed out the door, and a lot of my old co-workers agree. I've also learned that my old TL is known for throwing people under the bus for their own benefit. Whether that is all true or not I do not know. I do know that the company has shifted a lot in the past 6 years, and I am glad to no longer be a part of it.