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Forman Mills: A snapshot of low-wage workers

posted 10 years ago by wrightinchicago
10 replies | jump to latest

This was a real eye opener, although I go to retail stores all the time. I never paid attention that MOST of the workers are single minority women, with children, working 2-3 jobs to make ends meet. Since 70% of the economy is service, this is the way it is all over the U.S. Restaurants and retailers.
If you didn't have the single minority woman working, the U.S. would go down the tubes, for real. They're the ones holding up these businesses.

They take a lot of crap.

[–] intrepidami 10 years ago

This is 4 employees hitting the lottery, and the stores will still be junk. But what he truly conveyed was that he's clueless, and he's saying a lot of nice things, but there won't be much change.

After watching that train wreck of a facility they're running, and the poor training on heavy equipment, as well as riding stuff that's not designed for it, I'd be shocked if the government doesn't step in. With loads of fines!

[–] wrightinchicago 10 years ago

Well he said in the beginning "get the money" that's all he thought about. But now he sees what his employees look like and what they go through.
I hope he also upgrades the interior of his stores. it looks like a rummage sale.

[–] rhonda-gram 10 years ago

While I agree.. I didn't see him talking about implementing any training for the ones that are there or new hires. Lack of customer service is the heart of all of it. Too many people wanting to get paid to do nothing. you don't just "throw them in the fire"... you have to TRAIN them to deal with the fire and not get burnt!! If he doesn't care, they wont care... I was totally shocked at the girl that said."I don't greet them.. if they talk to me first, I only answer if I have to"... WTH?? Is that they way SHE WOULD WANT TO BE TREATED? Just because this store caters to low wage earners is no reason to treat them that way, customers or employees!!

[–] wrightinchicago 10 years ago

THAT girl explained why she didn't greet them, did you miss that part? She said she was told to work fast, get the customer out the door, therefore she didn't greet them and make small talk.

[–] NJtoTX 10 years ago

Yeah, she would converse a bit if the customer spoke first, but it was obvious she had to keep things moving. Though I have run across similar stores that weren't all that busy where the clerk won't even look at you, and some where they will only engage with their own.

Why was he being such an A.D.D. dufus?

I've completely lost my short term

[–] neerood 10 years ago

He's created a work situation where the workers' biggest dream is to get a job at Walmart. Thanks "job creator".

[–] rixrex 10 years ago

This s a white-trash boss who got rich on other low-income trashy people buying his trashy products from trashy workers in stores intentionally set in ghetto-hoods, products that probably come from lower income workers in countries that are much poorer.

The ignorant and imbecilic side of America. And look at that trashy makeup on the chubass gals, who think they all look like Robert Palmer video sluts.

Anyway, in this episode, every one of these employees knew they were talking to the boss, so obvious with all of their sob stories angling for that sweet deal at the end. Trash.

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The Eyes of the City are Mine!  Mother Pressman / Anguish (1987)

[–] cataclysm1071 10 years ago

Yes. This place was one step above a dollar store.

I have worked in retail before, and this woman's attitude (the non greeter) was one that would quickly earn you a spot in the unemployment line, if you did that where I worked. The store policy was pretty basic...The customer comes first, check your personal problems at the door when you clock in, and collect them when you clock out. I had seen my fair share of co workers walked straight out the door if they received too many complaints on attitude and unfriendliness.

The low end bargain bin stores are not known for first class service though. About the only place you will find good service anymore, is if the employee is receiving commission on sales, or if their job depends on it.

[–] Guns-N-Butter 10 years ago

We have Dollar Tree, 99 Cent Store, Family Dollar and Big Lots all four in our town, which is not a real big town, but plenty of low-income peoplelive here.

Anyway, the stores here are pretty nice, well kept and good service. In the big city about 70 miles away, the same stores are dirty and messy, and poor service. Visitors from the city always remark about how well kept the stores are compared to theirs.

[–] nycnftm 10 years ago

At first thought this boss was the one of the worst. They showed him in his mansion driving a $100,000 car then all of his employees are part time as in no health insurance working for pennies. He looked like a modern day plantation owner. He did give out the largest gifts ever, promised to improve conditions and offer employee incentives. This guy saw what a pos he was to people and is trying to change. Nice going