Threatened with termination because sales are slow in dept.

by jaime

(florida )

I AM WORKING IN A RETAIL DEPT STORE AS A COUNTER MANAGER AT ONE OF THE LESSER KNOWN COSMETIC LINES. I HAVE BEEN THERE FOR 2 1/2 YEARS.

ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO, THE AREA MANAGER AND STORE MANAGER CALLED ME INTO THE OFFICE. THEY GAVE ME MY MID REVIEW. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO GIVE OUT AND FOLLOW UP ON 20 SAMPLES FROM MY COUNTER. ( I DO THIS ANYWAY) AND THAT I NEEDED TO SELL 2 ITEMS TO AT LEAST 60% OF MY CUSTOMERS OR I WOULD BE TERMINATED – NO PAY CUT JUST TERMINATED.

I TOLD THEM NO PROBLEM I COULD DO IT – I REALLY THOUGHT IT WAS A PLOY TO MOTIVATE THROUGH FEAR.

WELL, THREE WEEKS INTO IT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH THE 2 ITEMS TO 60% OF THE CUSTOMERS EVEN THOUGH I HAVE BEEN PUSHY. CONSUMERS ARE WATCHING THEIR PENNIES- MY FOUNDATION SELLS FOR $33-$40. GETTING THEM TO BUY ONE MORE THING BUMPS THEM UP TO SPENDING WELL OVER $50.

IN ALL HONESTY, THEY COULD JUST TURN AROUND AND GO TO THE CLINIQUE COUNTER RIGHT NEXT TO ME SPEND THE SAME AMOUNT AND GET A FOUNDATION FOR $20, A MASCARA FOR $14 GET A FREE GIFT TO BOOT.

THEY DON’T BECAUSE THEY ARE LOYAL TO MY BRAND BUT ALL MY 1 ITEM SALES MIGHT GET ME CANNED. THE PEOPLE IN THE BIG LINES ARE STRUGGLING TOO. ONE OF THE TOP PERFORMERS AT CLINIQUE LEFT FOR THE DAY WITH ONLY $40 IN.

I AM UPSET, I WILL TRY TO STICK IT OUT UNTIL THESE 30 DAYS ARE OVER- I DON’T PLAN ON SIGNING ANYTHING THAT INDICATES I WAS TERMINATED, THOUGH I DID SIGN THE 30 DAY REVIEW AGREEMENT WHICH HAD THE WORDS “TERMAINATION ” ON IT. DO YOU THINK I WILL BE ABLE TO COLLECT? PLEASE ADVISE.

Hi Jaime,

You just stick it out, a quit will disqualify you. Do not be afraid to sign write-ups or even termination papers. Not if you use the opportunity to add your own two cents worth.

Most of these forms have space for “employee comment”. This is an opportunity to deflate a primary tool used by employers to deny unemployment benefits.

Your argument above says it all. We ALL know we’re pinching pennies, even your managers know we’re all pinching pennies now. Personally, I think your can do attitude says a lot about you.

You are doing your job to best of your ability. If they fire you, that’s what you tell the state and that your best just couldn’t overcome the realities of the present economy.

By the way, if there is not any room for “employee comments” just write see attached and hand them a copy of your statement regarding the reason for the write-up or termination.

Let me tell you what happens when someone doesn’t sign. The employer writes “refused to sign”. An unscrupulous manager could possibly recreate a more harmful write-up. Just a little food for thought 🙂

Good Luck Jaime and thanks for sharing!!

Chris