This is in response to the horror stories I have just read on this website. I have been employed with Dillards for over 20 years and am here to say that the stories are horrible and true. I have witnessed it all, except the selling of soiled clothing. Of course, I have not worked in clothing for a long period of time, so I may not know about that. I remember Dillards being a very pleasant place to work. This was when Mr. William Dillard was alive. I will say he was a very nice, caring man. I saw this on more than one occasion. Too bad his children did not follow that path.
The stories written about pay cuts are horrendous and true. An employee is more likely to get a 10% pay cut than maintain pay or get a raise. The situation just got worse. A corporate decision was made to move any associate that worked in fragrances and made over a predetermined amount per hour would be moved out of fragrances. The amount was different according to city or division. I believe it was between 11.00 and 13.00 per hour. Now, keep in mind that this pay was earned according to Dillards rules.
Now, you think a 10% pay cut might play havoc with your finances. Well, the employees moved from fragrances at the end of a 6 month review period will have their pay cut to whatever they are supporting in that area (where they were moved). This means these employees could Easily and Likely have their pay cut in half. Quite a few of the affected employees have been with this company for many years.
Years ago when we were taken off commission we were told "This is a wonderful thing, we are now working sales per hour and you can make as much money as you want. You can write your own check". Many employees remember this, as it has been discussed recently. Obviously, as long as you are a employee at this company the rules can be changed with no regards to how it affects the employee. This decision has devastated me. I have been a great employee. I do all that is asked of me and then some.
This will lead us to another point. A reference was made to how we wer reviewed. The awful, unfair truth is that you are reviewed strictly on sales. You ARE NOT reviewed on attendance, appearance, customer service, stock work, diplay and everything else that is required of us. It was also pointed out that there are certain employees who will do all this work and others who race to get every customer and / or simply clerk. This usually happens while the other person is putting up stock, cleaning, recovering area, etc.
The point here is that the harder you actually work doing things that are part of your job (that you are not reviewed on) the more you are penalized. Good rule of thumb. The hard workers get the paycuts and the ones that accost the customer and steal sales (ANOTHER STORY) will maintain their pay or get a raise. I know it is hard to believe, but I am living it. Why do I continue to do this work while others stand around? Good question. The answer is work ethic as I am still recieving a paycheck.
Why do we stay? Most of us are seeking other employment. We have 6 months from the day we were relocated in the store before we lose at least a third of our pay. To close this topic keep in mind that the rest of the store has to worry about a 10% cut (bad enough) only the employees moved from fragrances will lose realistically 1/3 to 1/2.
Now onto insurance. It is very expensive and not great coverage. The person who said the only ones that can afford it are the employees making 17.00 plus an hour. Newsflash. Still not affordable. Every year you pay more and get less.
Attendance policy. Ridiculous, but true. We have all had doctors laugh at us when we tell them how our notes have to be worded to excuse an absence. Without a note it is unexcused. So, if you want an absence to be excused you have to pay for a note, oh I mean, Drs. Visit. As stated in a previous letter, sometimes a doctor is not necessary. The 8 excetions you are allowed before termination. Not fair. Some managers will approve tardies and out early for certain employees and not others.
Anyway, what a waste. At one point years ago this was a wonderful place to work. Now all there is are bad attituides, arguments among employees, management who has to enforce all of this unfairness. I have to believe they don't agree with it ir enjoy it. Maybe the manager that told me that I take paycuts too personally might enjoy it. There are one or more in every crowd.
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