I'm Tired !!!!

Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 27

I would consider myself a very dedicated employee. I would go as far as saying I'm one of Lowes best.... But I am tired of giving it my all, and getting let down.... I am still a rookie here been with the company less then a year, stared as a specialist, Im now a department manager, and in MTP, I run Millwork and now Lumber and Building materials and Millwork and I am expected to do that in 40 hours!!!! I dont get it..... I need help!! And Im not one to quit or preach the negitive gospel, I just dont know how I'm going to do it sucessfuly and that bothers the hell out of me... If anyone has any advice Ill take it.

Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 21

I also am tired. I want to work 50+ hours. I like my job. 99% of my co workers like their jobs. We signed an agreement w Lowes to work this shift. We was not duped, lied to or cheated. Why does a small group of week minded loosers get to "class action" with my familys security. You can suck it! You could leave Lowes at any time. Now all of our familys are affected. Progess sucks, and you suck. I also can not get my job done in 40 hrs. 2.5% means that I will loose $487.00 in 2006. I had a great year last year, I met my objectives (full raise). Now because you are to week to find a job that you like I have to suffer. This is not the Lowes that I was recruted to work for. You have changed a great thing. I want to stay engaged. This will be a very dis-engaging day. If you are part of this class action. Dont call me for a log in today. In fact dont even go to work. All gray blooded associates will be in my thoughts and prayers today. The rest of you can suck it.

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Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 27

I had no problem with the pay, the hours or even the re-alignment of depatments, I do however need more time to get thing done to my stores high standards, and will now not have the time to get the basics done, let alone, train new associates, provide WOW customer service maintain order management, order products (Comodities, etc.) Set my departments, prep for inventory, I mean please are they out of there F***ing minds? or am I

Joined: 11 Aug 2003 Posts: 76

BIG STEVIE:Does it matter to you if your company is potentially doing something illegal? (chinese overtime) Do you really think your security is based on chinese overtime? How is it that you will not be an "engaged" employee on a 40 hour work week? If your familys security is based on $487/yr. or basically $40/month than my friend your families security is in far more peril than you know! It sounds like your the kind of guy who could easily make up for the dollars lost with a little creativity.
However that security will not be achieved by calling people "weak minded losers" & using derogatory language. Your better & more intelligent than leval of mindset. Good luck

Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 49

If you love your job that much, punch out and work for free as long as you have to too get the job done.

You know Lowes isnt going to approve any OT with this. They'll probally schedule everyone 38-39hrs/week.

Its about time they do any with the chinese ot BS!

Week minded? Last I knew this was America and OT is time and half. If someone loves or is that brain washed by their company, refer to my first sentence.

Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 21

Newearthduke,

Lowes has NEVER cheated me. C.O. is not illegal in the state I work in. I worked for C.O. by choice. I like my job the way that it was. I take pride in the difference that I make in my store. I usualy punched 50-55 hrs a week (by choice). A small few have made it so that I now can not do what I enjoy. I do not expect you to understand this. A team player would.
As for the $487. Is it not OK with you for me to take pride in the income that I earn for my family? Is it not OK for me to take it personaly when that is affected? I got what I feel to be a very nice raise. Now I make less. With inflation If you make less this year than last you went backwards. My earnings are more important to me than my time. My team is more important to me than my time. Go hug a tree.

Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 21

Madrocs,

As you know working off the clock is not allowed. If you do not like Lowes go work somewhere else. No one held a gun to your head. Take responcibility for your actions! Newearthduck needs hel\p hugging a tree

Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 49

Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 1

Lumberman, We work for Corporate America. As difficult as it is to admit, you can only care so much when working for a company this large. The bottom line is money, and what the upper management can pocket for bonuses.
A year ago our store went through a remerch. Our good fence was moved 6 inches, changed to the color black, with no selling space nor reason for the $250 thousand dollars it cost. How many customer service associates could it have hired?
Our recently transfered store managers pricing coordinator called me today begging for 2 bundles of beam labels. She put in a request to order the middle of Feb. but the budget for signage had been overspent for the year, and she ran out. She had to borrow from a store 30 miles away. Where is the logic?
My point is this. Do your job to the best of your ability, work hard and sleep well. If you cannot leave Lowes and walk out to a personal life and enjoy yourself because you are worried about what you left, look for a way to fix it or leave. You cannot do both.
Lowes Corporate is Lake Michigan and you are a cup of water. Your difference is only in a store level. Dont let it eat you up.

Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 10

As far as I could tell, the majority of the people in my store are pretty happy about the change. The majority of us signed on relunctantly to work for CO and now that is gone. I know I sell better at 35-40 then I ever have 50 hours.

My store is pumped, bigger goals, more responsibility yes. We will deal. If you cannot depend on the people you work with to help you out then it sounds like things need to change in your store.

As for the department managers taking on more responsibility. In our store, for the past 6 months minimum we have had one department manager for Lumber, Building Materials, and Millworks. We have also had one DM for Flooring, Home Org, Appliances, and Cabinets. The key is a strong team leader to help support your role as DM. We are hiring more associates to more red vests on the selling floor.

As for the 2.5% raise that is the biggest shit I've heard. When we all sit down individually that is when you bring in your equations. Tell your SMs how you feel. If you cannot speak open mindedly to your SM then perhaps he should NOT be an SM. I know that I will not get as much of a raise that I would need to make up for my variable OT. I do know that my manager will listen to me and he will do what he can.

So all in all, I have never seen so many smiling faces in Lowes in one day then I did in our training room today. I know not everyone is happy about the changes being implemeted but the good majority of my store was. Which means that we will all be happier, healthier people. On our game 100% of the time rather then 98%.

We will WOW our customers this year. We will grow as a store. The Specialists in my store work great together. I hope it is the same throughout the company...

I wish you all the best of luck, sorry for such a long post.... there were just so many complaints that I thought someone else should speak up too...

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Guess I need to change my login, i will have time once again for a life...

Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Posts: 764

With the reduction in spiffs and the loss of C.O., I stand to make about 10000 less this year than last. Should I be happy about these changes?

Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 49

Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 49

p.s blame Lowes for cutting spiffs!

Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Posts: 764

Mad, believe me I've done the math. My average check included about 200 to 250 dollars in overtime. (The overtime calculation included spiffs and commissions as well as salary in the calculation). During many pay periods, my overtime pay was between 12-15 dollars per hour. I realize that for most, this hour cut may be a good thing...but that is still a lot of money for me to give up. By the way, I really enjoy my job.

Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 49

I was going to ask how much do you sell between 5:30am-8:30am and between 8:30pm-11pm

Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 21

Madrocs

I will were my red vest with pirde. If you have quit Lowes and found such a wonderfull job, why are you so emotionaly involved in what happened today? As for your math....How is Lowes cheating you if you work X amount for X dollars? You are a glass if half empty kind of guy. There is no room at Lowes for you. You have made the right descision. So stay in the truck the rest of us will finish what you cant.

P.S. World. There is no cutting of spiffs. Why is anyone listening to this guy? Madrocs is the only person in the world who has hobbys. He is very important. Also he is the only person with photos of himself sleeping w dogs in his bed on the net.

Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Posts: 764

Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 49

Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 27

Does anyone even care about there depts, customers? I do.. I know this is going to have a negitive impact on my depts, my SM reluctently agreed.. I dont honestly have the correct tools in my zone to effective, and forgive me for taking my job seriously. My career at lowes is very important to me and my family (Yes I will have more time with them, and that's great) but I know Ill have more stress, more pressure to get it done etc. Lets face it folks the busy season for zone 3 is right around the corner and I have alot of associates that need some intensive coaching and PK. Who out there honestly would want my job? I dont know anyone in my store, they feel sorry for me.. I will get it done!!! but my people skills will surely change from communicator to dictator, and I hate that. Good luck !!!!!! You'll need it, and congrats to specialists you job just got easier any dept managers out there brace yourself for impact, and prepare for store management to be a mess trying to pick up the peices. Go look what this structure did to HD, walk in one of those stores and look at the mess, look how dirty it is, look how happy there managment is, is this what we want?

Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 49

Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 49

Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 44

I personally am surprised at all the bashing so many "dedicated" employees are posting! I, too, like my job (and by the way, I am a team leader for CS that DOES work) but I also put my family before it. Instead of all the negative crap there has to be some positive side to it. Any of yall have kids that will actually get to see their parents more or spouses that will get to see you more, too? I myself could move up the ladder, but the 50 hr week was something that stopped me. It was more important to me to be at home with my children. Now, I may think twice since the possibility is there that I could keep a life outside of Lowe's. Surprised

Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 8

Lumberman and all other employees'

I can relate to each and everyone of you. I started with Lowe's just little or a 1.5 ago and Customer Service/HRC and since been promoted to HRM. I feel each and everyone of your pains. I now work the 48-55 plus hours a week. It is difficult but what makes it easier for me only is that I get out and help out each one of my associates in their department. I am the active HRM that works their ass off with everyone else in the store. I have been told that I am one of the few executive managers that cares about the employee welfare. I would agree as I have told my DM, RHRD and my store manager is that I am here for employees! Believe it or now HR does see all that you do and honestly it does not go unknown. We do all that we can for your wages and growth. Do not give up cause it will pay off in the end.

Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 3

Appreciate the thoughts to the HRM..... getting out on the floor helps you know what's going on and what the feelings are.

As for Lowe's, I've been here about 7 yrs and have seen the changes. We used to have Christmas parties... now Lowe's doesn't even want to USE the word "Christmas." "Holiday trees?" What moron (left coast liberal) thought up that??? (Sorry ... had to sneak that one in there!) Actually I can see the corporate concern for liability due to somebody getting hurt after drinking at or around a Lowe's sponsored party, so I do understand their reasoning. The main thing I do see is that more and more is being taken from employees despite the fact that we are advertised as "employee-owners." Guess that term really doesn't mean much in the big picture.

Now there's the big change of doing away with salaried plus overtime.... or at least the variable rate overtime part of it. Specialists and Dept Managers only work 40 hours and will get time and a half for any overtime. Of course, the Catch-22 is that they don't want you to work any overtime. They will try to make up for that lost 'overtime' by giving us an extra 2.5% pay adjustment on top of your normal annual raise. As if that's really going to compensate for the loss??? My loss in "variable rate overtime" is going to be about $2,400 a year at my current rate. In essence, we've just been given a pay cut and Lowe's states it has nothing at all to do with the law suits that are going on. Really??!! That's amazing news since a federal judge in Kansas certified the lawsuit as valid. Per Dept of Labor, "regular" hours equals 40 hours in a week. Overtime is supposed to be paid at a rate of 1.5 times the hourly wage. Your bonuses, commissions, spiffs, etc are supposed to be added into your wages before they divide it by 40 hours to determine what your hourly wage is. That may not be gospel, but that's what I'm reading so far. (for more info, see lowesclassaction.com)

By the way, did you also realize you've lost your supplemental sick pay? That was another cut that took place. Hopefully you won't get sick/injured and have to be out of work for an extended period of time.

If Lowe's is and has been in violation of the federal labor laws, then, yes, they should pay for it. Whle it may be a pipe dream, getting paid back for lost overtime wages would be nice. Doubt we'll see it.... but, as they say, business is business.

Joined: 11 Aug 2003 Posts: 76

Stevie: I would love to see the expression on your families face when you tell them your money & your team are more important than your time. If you have any children your time with them is their most important asset. As far as your 50 to 55 hours a week worked, obviously your willing to give the company time ,but do you need to? Is it possible you could work smarter rather than harder? Are you fully engaged / focused while your at work?
Finially Steve I was hoping that you could rise above name calling(losers & tree huggers) and derogatory language (suck it) but alas you cant. Are you not aware that judgements are made about everyone based on the language they use. Educational attainment & intellegence are based on what comes out of ones mouth. PSSSSSSSSS Happy to now work 40 hours a week and spend more quality time with my wife & family because they are worth it!!!!!!!

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