Shoppers Drug Mart – “shoppers drug mart needs to prove it is the optimum employer in the retail marketplace”

Pros

the location for me is close to home and i know many of my customers from the community.. in general i like the people i work with but there is a lot of flux and change right now.. the staff discount is generous more so than many other retailers.. i enjoy the variety in my job not always having to do the same things everyday and interacting with and helping people in the community being a pharmacy.. i appreciate the help we can give to seniors in the area including the 20% seniors discount.. the optimum program is really good and most people love it..

Cons

head office is cutting back putting too much stress on the owner and manager thus it filters down and affects us all and general morale.. there is a lot of finger pointing and misunderstanding.. staff and customers resent the affect it has on our jobs and ability to give consistent positive customer service.. comments are made about the profit shoppers is making but how the little guys are paying for it.. it has been very hard for me to get promoted and get better pay.. i work very hard and try to stay positive but feel i am never seen to be doing enough.. i feel too much is expected of me for what i am paid and the sacrifices i have made with regards to my time, energy and family.. people from the former union have way less responsibility and tend to be very lazy yet make far more money than me which really isn't fair.. there is definetly great wage disparity which is frustrating.. i feel somewhat threatened and insecure about my employment because employers have the upper hand with the economy being unstable..

Advice to Senior Management

what i would say to the big money earners and profit takers of this company is this analogy.. if you are the captain of a ship you need to earn the respect of your crew through your own example of hard work, leadership, and respect towards others.. if you treat people poorly and are a weak leader your crew will eventually mutiny.. otherwise valuable members can become useless to your goals.. if you want this company to really flourish treat your employees with the same respect you treat your valued customers.. your employees are the real lifeblood of your company and if they are satisfied it will reflect back to your customers.. don't cut back where it hurts the most.. cut back where you need it the least.. walk the walk don't talk the talk.. corporate actions speak volumes.. employees aren't dumb any more than your customers are