Working at a different department store isn't cutting it for me, but it's works while I go on to further my education to leave this low paying job and move on to a better career.
If I'm making the $20+/hr I'd like to make as a sales associate, the cost of clothing and other items would skyrocket. I guess it's capitalism...so it's time to move on for me. It's not easy, but I'm doing it.

Ever heard of ISC , James Garrin/United Chem Con , Jimmie Christian ? How about showing up for work one moring and being told by the FBI you dont have a job !

So BITE ME !

The days of a company "taking care of its employees" was a different time and a different generation. It's not today's reality. I agree with a previous poster who said your employer owes you nothing more than the wages you worked for. Today, if you get more than that, you're lucky.

I'm not unsympathetic to those who've posted about their job losses/difficulties. I do think these days it's not the wisest choice to devote too many years to one employer. They certainly have no loyalty to you.

I just guess the bottom line in this situation is that long term employees (who, might I remind you, are MUCH more financially useful and cost-effective than rehiring brand new "cattle employees" every year) are at fault because they make the mistake of being so much more loyal than the companies they get the work DONE for. OK, great logic there
Secondly, there's a huge difference between honestly telling an employee "Your job is obsolete. We are downsizing and unfortunately have to let you go", and cutting everyone else's paycheck and bonuses but your own.

And people wonder why the economy in this country stinks so badly.

I know how you feel, I too have stayed working there even though I have to provide 24/7 support for the company without overtime, I add since I am salaried - which also is another illegal move by Ken Lakin - the majority of us in our small department are not managers, hence we should be getting OT, and it's irritating that the success bonuses are being given to the ones that put the company in the state it is today and we who have to gather their information working way over 8 hour days so they can make a decision have not gotten our yearly reviews, raises, will no longer get a Christmas bonus (which did help in the past to ease the pain of not getting paid for countless overtime hours). To add insult to injury, in the cold email attached to our pay that let us know the Christmas bonuses were not happening, he had the nerve to add that there will be "extra employee shopping days with deep discounts", why would he think we'd want to spend any money in the stores anymore when it will just go back in his pocket? Don't insult my intelligence. I'd rather pay full price somewhere else than raise his profit line. He is not passing any information along as to whether or not we will have a job in a month or two, probably because he thinks we would leave in droves (which would be the smart thing to do and my still happen yet, so wake up Kenny). Rumors run rampant on a daily basis. Someone once said it is terribly sad when you work for a company that starts making large layoffs but it is not just the ones that are left go that suffer, the ones that are left behind have to work in an atmosphere of doom and dread. Rumor has it that he hasn't even called some of the store's that are closing and offer regrets, thanks for the years of service, etc. That's so wrong. Mr. Boscov would never treat us in that manner, we felt appreciated and THAT'S why we would always work the extra hours for no compensation, nights, weekends, 24/7 support, because it was like a family. All that has changed with the callous treatment from the corporate offices. My heart goes out to Mr. B, how awful this must be to see your dream fade right before your eyes, destroyed in a short period of time by someone who disregarded all financial advice and is now going to laugh all the way to the bank.