Personnel

The Future of Hourly Work is Shifts — Not Jobs
February 17, 2022 at 9:04 am

It comes as no surprise that retailers are scrambling to find workers in today’s tight labor market. As “The Great Resignation” rages on, 4.3 million Americans left their jobs in December, according to the latest Jobs Report. While it’s easy to lament all the ways the pandemic has upended the workforce, it’s also unlocked an…

2 Steps Retailers Can Take to Elevate the Frontline Worker Experience
February 14, 2022 at 8:03 pm

In October 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 683,000 workers in the retail category called it quits, a significant jump from the 512,000 who did the same in October 2020. Retail frontline employees have had it especially tough during the pandemic, with record store closures causing over 2 million layoffs in early…

Reports: Amazon, Walmart No Longer Requiring Masks for Vaccinated Employees
February 14, 2022 at 6:16 pm

Walmart and Amazon.com both said last week that it will not will no longer require vaccinated employees to wear masks while working in their facilities. In an internal memo to employees, Amazon said vaccinated employees in the U.S. have the option to work without masks beginning Feb. 11 where permitted by local regulations, Reuters reported last week. Amazon…

Technologies and Tactics to Upskill the Retail Workforce for Omnichannel Fulfillment
February 9, 2022 at 11:40 am

The pandemic has changed our shopping habits for the foreseeable future, with customers expecting flexible ways to purchase items, including curbside pickup, same-day delivery and, of course, a good old-fashioned in-store shopping experience. These options are great for customers, and the flexibility gives them more control to shop in a way that best fits their…

Amazon More Than Doubles Max Base Pay for Corporate and Tech Workers
February 8, 2022 at 3:57 pm

Amazon.com will boost its maximum base pay to $350,000 for corporate and tech employees, from $160,000 previously, as part of an overall increase in total compensation intended to help recruit top talent and retain existing employees. The move promises to bring Amazon’s base pay more in line with other big tech companies, including Google, Facebook,…

Retail’s DEI Road Map, Where to Go From Here
January 27, 2022 at 11:56 am

For the retail industry, improving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts should be top of mind as just 26 percent of board positions in retail organizations are held by women. Furthermore, only 13 percent of ethnically diverse employees hold executive roles in retail companies. Not only does fostering an inclusive environment create a fair and…

Place Employee Experience and Customer Experience on the Same Playing Field
January 11, 2022 at 12:53 pm

A recent Clickatell survey showed that the typical customer spends 13 hours a year on hold — hours they would rather be relaxing (58 percent), doing chores (46 percent) or spending with family (36 percent). Additionally, one-third of those respondents said spending even five minutes to nine minutes on hold can lead to negative feelings towards a brand. Even with…

Why it Might Be Time to Outsource Your Customer Service
January 10, 2022 at 2:37 pm

Around half of customers would switch to a competitor after just one bad customer service experience. Just one. That’s not a lot of room for error. To compete in today’s e-commerce world, retailers must invest in robust and talented customer service teams. Unfortunately, a rapid increase in online shopping plus a decrease in the labor…

Kroger Adds Monthly Surcharge for Unvaccinated Workers, Cuts Their COVID-19 Sick Leave
December 16, 2021 at 7:09 pm

In an effort to get more of its workers vaccinated against COVID-19, Kroger will eliminate paid pandemic-related leave and charge $50 per month to employees that haven't gotten shots. Kroger stopped short of mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for workers, but said it's "modifying policies to encourage safe behaviors including vaccination." Company officials added the grocer will also…

How to Improve Talent Retention This Holiday Season
December 2, 2021 at 4:30 pm

Retail workers are leaving their jobs at a record pace, with 721,000 workers quitting in August alone, maintaining an industry high for employee turnover since April. What’s more, employers in the retail space that were already facing massive labor shortages are now also preparing for increased seasonal hiring — making employee engagement more critical than…