Ever since Hurricane Charlie decimated this little town known as Port Charlotte it has been struggling to rebuild itself and bring in new companies to help generate economic growth. This effort apparently got the attention of Kohl's department stores, a clothing and household retailer whom has been steadily opening stores around the sunshine state in Fort Myers, Boynton Beach, Tallahassee and most recently a grand opening last month in Port Charlotte on Cochran in-between the Peachland and Quesada intersections with other expected locations in Venice and Sarasota coming soon.
Excitement and anticipation spread about Kohl's coming along with possible employment opportunities for an area that really has been hard hit economically but while Port Charlotte greets Kohl's with open arms and wallets there is a flip side to Kohl's hiring strategy and economic growth plan, there isn't any. During Kohl' early hiring phases they attracted 2000 resumes by some accounts and out of those twelve were hired as full time managers, supervisors and human resources. Another two hundred were then hired as part time sales associates, cashiers, stock and signage people and which make up the bulk of their stores employees however, Kohl's is apparently using these part timers like pawns in a chess games. Because once Easter came and went a large majority of them had their hours either cut to five hours weekly and/or according to once source were given pink slips, in other words let go, fired.
Kohl's came to Port Charlotte promising stable part time work to their workers and our community allowing up to 32 work hours per week, according to company policy and this was conveyed through all the time slot interview circles. However their wages start at the bare minimum of $7.25 and up to $8.00 an hour and that's for experienced people. These part timers are either in college, retirees and/or people trying to supplement their income with a second job because their main source of income doesn't support even a simplistic lifestyle thanks to the rise in gas, food and rent. Many people also put some of the blame on the snow birds as they travel back north due to Florida's summer humidity. While there is somewhat of a retail boom occurring in Port Charlotte the wages are other than fare especially if the work load doesn't match the pay. Another part time worker quite his other part time job because of the promises Kohl's had been offering regarding thirty two hour work weeks unfortunately that decision cost him dearly because Kohl's is now only offering him four work hours weekly. It is time that the retailers stop taking advantage of the lowest persons on the wage scale and stop making false claims and promises.
Also another issue that popped up occurred during the initial interviewing stage which was three months before Kohl's grand opening. Possible candidates were asked to fill out scheduled availability sheets on the spot. Many where uncertain about the hours that would be needed for their schedule and were told by Kohl's Human Resource representatives to fill out their availability if uncertain, as (open 8-9). These candidates were told that once the applications were in process they would have the opportunities to change their availability to better suite their needs at a late date. However this for many turned out to be a misleading guidance especially when it came time to change their schedules due to lack of communication and coordination by managers, department supervisors, and human resource staff and by one other account, too many egos. In some cases it took close to five weeks to correct the schedule and that was after an email was sent to the corporate headquarters asking for assistance. The email that was sent also never received a response back and yet word of the email was circulating through-out the Port Charlotte store through the supervisors and managers. There is something called common courtesy which kohl's doesn't seem to practice within its ranks, among other things.
Kohl's also has resorted to having one person handling recovery for four departments along with assisting customers. For those unfamiliar with the recovery stage every evening all employees take an hour to clean and collect miss-placed items and return them to their correct departments. The problem is there are supposed to be two people for each department and Kohl's by any standard is a very large store.
And yet another situation that has popped up is in regards to wrongful pressure of their cashiers being told if they do not produce or ask customers to apply for Kohl's credit cards applications at the point of sale over cash they will be terminated. That's interesting because according to Kohl's handbook policy it definitely does not state anything about the use of fear tactics. So, just how low will Kohl's stoop to creating a profit within Port Charlotte or should I reiterate one of the own lines that was constantly used in their hiring and orientation process "Kohl's is here to help stimulate the Economy"
There was a time when the Human Resources dept was your ally for communicating any type of concerns, questions and/or circumstances within the company for which you work. Unfortunately that perception has changed now they tell you to follow the chain of command. Maybe by adopting this type of mind set the companies feel they get a better hand on dictating control and anyone that doesn't agree with their views will either be fired or given the opportunity to resign. Kohl's created an atmosphere of excellence, toting their integrity of how they treat customers and part time employees and yet from behind the scenes it is a completely different story at least for the employees. The moral is down and according to one part timer the supervisors, managers and corporate heads are scratching their heads wondering why.
Don't get me wrong Kohl's happens to be among the better of the department stores, it is very clean and all products neatly organized. But did Kohl's factor in their financial goals for this time of the year? Did they research our area enough to know about our migration patterns and how business slows down due to those patterns? I question weather Kohl's did enough research into the Port Charlotte economy area because unlike any other state Florida has snow birds, people whom come down from up north to get away from the colder temperatures and spend the winters down here until summer comes back and then leave to go back north because of Florida's summer humidity.
Applicants that can remember have conveyed that were told in a group process by Kohl's human resource representatives that "Kohl's is here to help stimulate the economy". Which is a nice thought, I mean what company wouldn't want to take credit for it and actually have it occur which by anyone's standard is an honorably action. But for a company that has only been open for a month they didn't waste any time in showing their true colors and creating much disappointment.
But truthfully folks, tell me how does one stimulate the economy by only offering low wage scale jobs? Who's benefiting here besides the customers? Maybe Corporate Kohl's. I can tell you it's not the sales associates, cashiers, stock and signage persons.
For those of you seeking employment with Kohl's enter at your own risk. While I am uncertain if this is how all retail stores similar to Kohl's treat their employees this article is food for thought as to what to possibly expect.
Ron Flatow is a published freelance writer and lyricist in magazines and small press and collaborates with musicians, keyboardists and composers. He has also received several poetry awards and has completed a lyrical poetry book, a biographical dream book based on personal experiences and is in the process of writing a children's picture book. His creative ambitions also touch on graphic and laser engraved designs. Ron is also involved within the spiritual metaphysical community as a Reiki level 2 practitioner.
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