As a former employee of godiva chocolatier located at the willowbrook mall in wayne, nj, i feel it is important to let the public know that the actual behavior of godivas managers is a far cry from both their stated procedures and public image. They are in fact a group of profoundly psychologically damaged individuals who fear individuality and use their positions to suppress any possibility of dissent. The individuals to whom i am referring are kimberly - , district manager; loys - , training manager; david - , store manager; and chris &, assistant manager.
I watched over a period of approximately 6 months to a year where amy, the associate manager who did an outstanding job in running the store, and who was well liked by almost all the employees, was verbally and emotionally abused and humiliated by both kimberly - and loys - to the point where she was frequently left in tears, unable to function due to stress, and penalized for not performing job duties she had not been trained to do while pleading for the training (which was never provided) to do them. Amy resigned eventually due to the health problems this attitude and treatment created.
The last manager in this store before david - , michele, was apparently brought in to the store as part of a set-up to have her fired. We were told to inform on her to kimberly - if she did anything improper. Upon her making a joking and offhand comment about the collection of customers phone numbers, chris & informed on her to kimberly - and required another employee to fill out a corroborating statement. I told him that i thought she was only joking, and that i refused to inform on her to an individual whom i held in contempt. The store was shortly thereafter visited by kimberly - and loys - . Michele apparently confronted them in a closed-door meeting to which i was not privy and was summarily fired.
Upon david nicolatos appointment as store manager, i was called in and presented with not one but two final warnings regarding my clothing and behavior. I found this surprising and infuriating, considering that i had received no prior written warnings of any kind on these matters, and that my clothing had apparently been satisfactory to the 5 previous acting managers. While i signed the paperwork, i wrote extensive notes regarding my unfavorable impressions of the individuals i have named above and their actions. Apparently my comments frightened kimberly — to the extent that a human resources representative was sent to "talk" to me. I elected to take the voluntary separation deal that was offered me rather than wait to be fired.
So there you have it from my point of view: a very carefully orchestrated administrative ambush that disposed of all the troublesome pieces except for the ones running the show. But then, thats the idea, isnt it? These people not only do not play by the rules, they dont even know that there are rules that you SHOULD play by. Kimberly - is illiterate, and cannot spell or properly grammaticize a sentence. Chris ayala is not only an informer, but an incompetent informer who can neither see nor forestall. David & and loys - are profoundly damaged creatures of the company who have sold their ability to ethically demur from its morally questionable judgements.
I hope i have opened some eyes to the true nature of corporate america in this seamy set of circumstances. I recommend that all chocolate lovers go elsewhere to purchase their goodies. I know i *&*& well will.
Roy
montlcair, New Jersey
U.S.A.
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