Thread regarding Whole Foods Market Inc. layoffs

Quality of Posts and Responses

One thing that frustrates me about this site is you have to sift through ten questions or responses to find any resemblance of fruitful dialogue. When the ideal is sharing information that helps inform others it often reverts to petty or quite frankly mind numbing discussion.

Most forums have some kind of moderation system to address this, we don't here. That's both a blessing and a curse. It then comes down to us to self regulate. For example, do I really want to read about not receiving free pizza slices anymore? Personally, I don't. But for those that do is that really what is of prime importance? This site will be what you make it and we all have the right to post what we want, I just happen to be more concerned about those that are losing their jobs due to combing teams, those who are affected by any kind of restructure, and that people seeking input on sensitive matters can get meaningful information to make the best choices for themselves.

On a completely other note here are a few key points while working for Whole Foods

  1. Work your a-- off because that's who you are, never change your output based on others.

  2. Never go to TMS about a concern that is above the TL level, this s---s but it's true. I have seen people be "low keyed" black balled. Word of advice here, have your ducks in a row. The only thing regional TMS wants to know about is harassment, if they pretend otherwise it's bs. Any other concerns they have are more towards proper flow of paperwork, injury's, workman's comp, etc.

  3. Yes combined TL's will have new wage guidelines

  4. At the end of Q1 many TL's will not have found a new role and will lose their jobs.

  5. Some regions have/will be raising the TM minimum. Will every TM get a raise because of this? No.

If anyone has any questions ask in the reply, I'll do my best to answer.

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| 1199 views | | 9 replies (last November 4, 2016) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+K9vl1bx

9 replies (most recent on top)

@- 1qrh thanks so much for this info. You confirmed what my guy was telling me. Stay strong!

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Post ID: @3pkw+K9vl1bx

Future WFM Astl...I work for company and wouldn't make jump for several reasons:

  1. bonus structure has changed leaving many astls unhappy.

  2. don't know about getting bought out, but on today's earning call it was emphasized that 150 million in promised cuts will come through combining positions and that 365 is being used as a laboratory for changes that can be made for WFM. 365 runs on one ASTL. rumor is that Astls positions will be cut. Stores are already implementing practice of having the front end team leader acting as "the store leader" when store leadership is not present.

  3. Store Leadership positions rarely open unless a new store is opened. Growth of new stores is slowing and you will have a long line ahead of you of qualified people if that's your goal.

Am I on the money El Guapo?

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Post ID: @1qrh+K9vl1bx

-bzl, there are a couple reasons why products are disco-ed, and the most frustrating reasons for it are usually some drama or spat with regional buyers and vendors. I'm not even joking, it's really embarrassing. I was a buyer for years and saw it firsthand. The chobani story is one example where Mackey's arrogance bit him and our company from behind. But how do you explain to a customer that our CEO is so arrogant that he decided not to carry a hugely popular yogurt that has traces of GMOs in it, when you look at the dairy case and there's TONS of GMOs in the products?? There's no training for these kinds of scenarios.

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Post ID: @1rsf+K9vl1bx

Back from some errands, give me a moment to consider what has been posted. Will reply shortly

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Post ID: @juj+K9vl1bx

El Gaupo - I wrote to layoffs.com a while ago, I was asking for improving the site - they sent me a laundry list of things they are working on and having ability to upvote posts is one of them. I think everyone wants that, in short, we'd be burying posts that make no sense (which is 80% of posts anyway)...

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Post ID: @acn+K9vl1bx

Can you explain why regional has discontinued so many products that make Wholefoods what it is to bring in all the garbage products that have killed sales and made our guests angry? It appears that Regional thinks they have all the answers while sales steadily decline but this pattern continues. Why not go back to basics and sell the items Wholefoods built their reputation on? People want simple clean products, not all the kale everything and $30 olive oil. Why not put in an 800 number to Regional so they can hear the feedback from guests on the decisions they make instead of us having to constantly say " I don't know why it was discontinued, I am so sorry, I loved it too"?

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Post ID: @bzl+K9vl1bx

Finally someone reasonable...I stumbled on this site while I've was interviewing for a Astl role with Whole Foods. I passed on pursuing that role because of things I've read (fianance news, Glassdoor and this site). Currently I'm an Astl Equiv at a competitor. My goal is to manage a store and I'd make a lateral move but the million dollar question is should I? Reading all that's here makes me think no. So here are my questions

  1. I don't want to come in as an Astl when folks are competing for jobs internally.

  2. I don't want to take an Astl role and then WF get bought out.

  3. I don't want to take an Astl role and be laid off.

  4. I don't want to take an Astl role and never have the op to become an stl. The store development list seems thin.

I've worked hard for where I am and my move is a career move only. I'm ready to advance and changing companies sometimes is necessary

Thanks in advance for your honesty answers

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Post ID: @tpn+K9vl1bx

That's a very good question. I'll differentiate for others reading what you probably already know.

Most would think that Global is a behemoth (which it is in a way) and that if you are at that level everyone there would be a notch above others in most areas especially pay. As you know that's not the case.

I feel stuck at being able to provide a better answer without giving away to much about what area you probably work in. So here is my non-answer answer. Everything is moving to Austin (Global) and those efforts are ramping up. Notice how accounting at regional is shrinking but magically spots are opening Austin? That's just one example. Long story short in the short term your frustration is valid and it s---s but long term you are better of being on the global payroll as far as job security goes.

FYI for everyone, grain of salt here

I'm thinking about working on a business themed video game. In this game I would hypothetically compensate those at the regional level in the following

RP - 500k+ per year

RVP - 300-350k+ per year

Coordinators - 150k per year

Buyers/Assoc. Coordinators - 100k per year

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Post ID: @pwx+K9vl1bx

Hey, I work at a Regional Support Office and am on the GLOBAL payroll. Why is my pay lower than people at the Regional level?

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Post ID: @dxh+K9vl1bx

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