Business Insider - SHOSHY CIMENT - Mar 4th 2020
Target sent an email to store leaders across the US on Tuesday (3/3/20) morning instructing them not to change anything about how stores function, despite mounting fears resulting from the spread of the coronavirus.
"At this point, we're asking that teams continue to operate business-as-usual," the email reads. "Know that we have teams in place managing any potential impact to our business."
Business Insider spoke to seven current Target employees across stores in New York, North Carolina, California, Washington, Minnesota, and Virginia, all but one of whom said they had not received any information from management regarding the coronavirus issue.
"It's honestly a scary, stressful time right now," said a Target employee in Seattle, Washington, which is currently weathering a coronavirus outbreak.
"At Target, we've been prioritizing our team, starting by ensuring that all of our China-based team members have been able to work from home," Target CEO Brian Cornell said during Target's 2020 financial community meeting on Tuesday. "More broadly, we spent considerable time focused on the best way to support our team members all around the world to make sure they stay healthy and safe."
As retailers across the globe warn about impact from the coronavirus outbreak, Target is telling its managers to carry on "business-as-usual" in stores.
The company confirmed that an internal email sent out to team leaders across the US on Tuesday morning instructed them not to change anything about stores' functioning or communicate anything differently to employees, despite mounting fears about the coronavirus' spread.
The email, which was viewed by Business Insider, outlined best practices for healthy hygiene habits and acknowledged dwindling inventory in certain categories like cleaning and grocery.
"At this point, we're asking that teams continue to operate business-as-usual," the email reads. "Know that we have teams in place managing any potential impact to our business. If there are any changes to business practices, we will communicate as needed to impacted teams."
Employees feel like they are in the dark
The directive not to communicate plans to deal with the virus has made some employees feel like they aren't being equipped to fully handle it.
"We actually haven't had ANY kind of communication from management about ANYTHING related to this issue," a current Target employee, who is not in a managerial role, in a Seattle-area store told Business Insider in an email. "Everyone is just focused on selling and stocking."
This employee is one of seven current Target employees across stores in New York, North Carolina, California, Washington, Minnesota, and Virginia, who spoke to Business Insider about conditions in Target stores amid the coronavirus outbreak. All but one of these store employees, most of whom were granted either full or partial anonymity in order to speak frankly about the situation, but whose identities were confirmed by Business Insider, said they had not heard any information from management regarding protocol or contingency plans related to the coronavirus issue.
The novel coronavirus is affecting many major retailers across the globe. With more than 1,800 stores in the US, Target has become a major destination for worried shoppers to stock up on essentials in the event of an epidemic.
Six Target employees mentioned that hand sanitizer was either fully or almost sold out at their stores. Other staples like toilet paper, face masks, and cold medicine were also reported to be selling out fast.
An employee in a San Diego Target store said that working during the outbreak has been hectic.
"I've had a guest come in with a giant bottle of Lysol he brought from home and he would spray everything before touching it," the employee said. "I do feel like it's a hazard working here, because I always see kids running around sneezing on everything without covering their mouths."
During Target's 2020 financial community meeting and fourth-quarter and full-year 2019 earnings call on Tuesday, CFO Michael Fiddelke said that the company has not seen a large impact on the business from the coronavirus, adding that any adjustments made for Target's future outlook have been slight.
In response to Business Insider's request for comment, Target referred to CEO Brian Cornell's comments from the earnings call.
"Like all of you, we're monitoring this situation hour by hour as conditions evolve," Cornell said in the call. "At Target, we've been prioritizing our team, starting by ensuring that all of our China-based team members have been able to work from home. More broadly, we spent considerable time focused on the best way to support our team members all around the world to make sure they stay healthy and safe."
Paid sick leave is a luxury
Additionally, some Target employees are not offered paid sick leave. Adam Ryan, the liaison for the employee activist group Target Workers Unite and a current employee at a store in Christiansburg, Virginia, said that he feels too worried to take an unpaid sick day if it would have to come to that.
"Even missing one day has a huge impact," Ryan said, regarding how he does not get paid time off or paid sick time.
Patrick, a four-year employee of a North Carolina Target store who asked that Business Insider not include his last name, said his store also does not offer paid sick leave, though he said his workplace is not at the point of panic.
For the Seattle-area employee, being located in a coronavirus outbreak zone is causing him to become nervous about going to work.
"It's scary being around so many people, especially people with small children, who quite often come in coughing and sneezing, and they touch everything," he said. "And when there's an illness in the store it usually goes through the entire staff."
He said that panicked customers searching for items that are running out of stock have not helped the atmosphere in the store.
"It's honestly a scary, stressful time right now," he said.
Are you a retail employee working during the coronavirus outbreak? Email retail@businessinsider.com
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direct link:
https://www.aol.com/article/finance/2020/03/04/a-leaked-target-email-urges-store-managers-to-carry-on-business-as-usual-while-coronavirus-fears-create-a-scary-stressful-time-for-employees/23940044/
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2/29/20
Target
Target is one of America’s most popular stores. With $72 billion in revenue for 2018, an increase of 3.48% over the year before, it’s easy to see why Target is the eighth largest retailer in the U.S. And, even if shoppers are getting tired of the Target brand, the big-box retailer is going nowhere.
Well, except for six stores, that is. Chicago’s south side is losing two Target locations. Tennessee, Wisconsin, New York, and Minnesota are also saying goodbye to Target.
However, while six stores are going away, Target plans to open 19 brand new Target locations. On top of that, the company has plans to remodel 300 stores in 2019 and give facelifts to another 300 in 2020.
Additionally, the company is opening small-format stores in downtown areas and on college campuses this year. Santa Barbara, Cape Cod, Washington, D.C. and Seattle will all boast of mini-Targets.
In an effort to stave off the Amazon threat, Target is adding “Target +,” an online marketplace that rivals Amazon.com.
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AFTER YOU HAVE LOOKED AROUND HERE YOU MIGHT ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT OTHER LINKS:
More Target Benefits Info but the info is very general Tarbutt PR stuff:
https://tinyurl.com/y8urepu5
and
Well-being Offerings & Discounts
https://tinyurl.com/ybpjjnp7
More info on Target:
http://targetfiling.blogspot.com/
http://targetccguidelines.blogspot.com/
http://beckfordvtarget.blogspot.com/
http://targetguidelines.blogspot.com/
http://targetapdirectives2006.blogspot.com/
TARGET 'COUNSELING AND CORRECTIVE ACTION'
Some of the things you will find here are:
GROSS MISCONDUCT
4. Weapons, Explosives and Other Dangerous Implements
The possession, use or threat of use of any kind of weapon, explosive, or other dangerous implement during working time or on company premises* whether or not it is armed, loaded, or properly secured and whether or not it is concealed on a team member's person or contained in a team member's personal property such as a purse, briefcase or vehicle.
Pepper spray, mace and tear gas, where legal, may be carried on company premises*. Defensive use of such products, on company premises*/time, while going to and from work, is not terminable if otherwise deemed appropriate. Offensive use on company premises*/time is terminable, even while going to and from work. Team members bear complete legal responsibility for their use of such products.
SERIOUS OFFENSES:
9. DISORDERLY CONDUCT
a. Harassment of team member(s), applicant(s), guest(s) or non-employee work contacts based on age, race, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, citizenship status, military status or other characteristic protected by federal, state or local fair employment practice laws, which consists of offensive or degrading remarks, comments, innuendo, or implication; unwelcome requests to "date," "meet" or "visit" another team member; other similar behavior, etc., which to a reasonable person could be expected to create a hostile, intimidating, or offensive work environment, but which is not considered serious enough to be reckless conduct. See #5.b. “Reckless Conduct”.
OTHER
23. No Call, No Show
Failing to call in or report to work for a scheduled shift. In addition, calling in and/or reporting to work two or more hours after a scheduled start time will also be deemed a No Call, No Show. NOTE: Team members must “call in” themselves. Any “call in” received on behalf of a team member (minor team members excluded) by someone other than the team member, will be deemed a No Call, No Show. (An appropriate HR Partner must approve any exceptions.)
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Is Target using this policy to week out older workers for those who meet it's younger and hip demographics?
Are people losing their jobs because of this policy?
Are people not being promoted because of this policy?
ElL On Boarding Toolkit
for STLs
My Training and Developrnent
Managing Generational Differences
TALENT MANAGEMENT ACROSS GENERATIONS
As an STL you have a big influence over your new Executive Team Leaders, particularly during their first year. You also lead teams that are more diverse than ever before. Being able to tailor your leadership style to the needs of various generations can result in reduced conflicts, higher levels of productivity and retention.
Target's workforce includes team members from four generations. Each generation is shaped by the significant events that occurred during their formative years, the fast pace of change in the world, and increases in technological innovation. How people approach and solve problems may differ across generations. The three guidelines listed below are a framework to use when encountering differences in communication.
1. Suspend judgment. Ask yourself, "Am I making an assumption that this difference is a matter of personality, generation, or something else?"
2. Be curious. What open-ended questions could I ask this person to learn more about their perspective, background or past experience which might help us both understand where this difference is really coming from?
3. Share the Target culture. As a leader this is where you have the opportunity and responsibility to share what the expectations and culture at Target look like, and then explore ways to meet those expectations while respecting each person's individual differences.
Remembering the "Think. Listen. Customize." model introduced in "The Overview" will help you think inclusively and suspend judgement.
"We define diversity as individuality. This individuality may include a wide spectrum of attributes like personal style, age, race, gender, ethnic heritage, sexual orientation, language, physical ability, religious affiliation, family, citizenship status, socia-economic Circumstances, education and life experience. To us, diversity is any attribute that makes an individual unique that does not interfere with effective job performance.
11 - (ed.2/09)
Page 1
Managing Generational Differences
GENERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
A generation is an age group with shared historical experiences. Each generation has unique circumstances that may not apply to everyone in it, but give us a framework of understanding.
The following chart identifies various characteristics by generation that will help tailor your leadership style to more effectively communicate, motivate and coach across generations.
As you read through these descriptions, keep in mind they are generalizations only since each individual will vary based on personality and life experiences.
Attributes
Patriotic,
practical, Optimistic,
driven,
Balanced,
Confident,
dedicated,
seek personal conditional loyalty,
determined,
upbeat,
hierarchical,
given gratification,
skeptical inclusive,
tolerant,
to personal sacrifice generous informal,
civic and delayed minded gratification,
economical
Work Style
Loyal,
formal,
Competitive,
hard Efficient,
effective,
MUlti-task,
seek diligent,
by the working,
service informal,
adaptable,
new and meaningful book,
stable,
oriented,
team independent,
challenges,
disciplined,
player,
driven,
not impatient,
lack tenacious,
need uncomfortable budget minded,
people skills,
cynical supervision with ambiguity;
value process and structure,
slow to adapt to over results,
inexperienced at change;
avoid overly sensitive handling difficult conflict;
reluctant to do feedback,
people issues question or voice judgmental of disagreement different viewpoints
Authority! Hierarchical, Respect for Democratic; I Value autonomy and
Leadership command and power and rules are flexible; freedom control; rarely accomplishment collaboration is question authority important
Communication Formal yet personal; Somewhat formal Casual, direct Fast, casual, direct through proper through structured and electronic; and high-tech; channels network; mix of sometimes skeptical eager to please electronic and face to-
face
Recognition Personal Public Balance of fair Individual and public
and Reward acknowledgement acknowledgement; compensation and praise; exposure; and satisfaction for career time off development work well done advancement; opportunities money
Work/Family! IWork and family Work comes first Value a work/life Value blending
Life Balance should be kept balance personal life into separate work
Loyalty Loyal to the Loyal to the Loyal to individual Loyal to the people
organization importance and career goals involved with the meaning of work project
and the function or profession
Views on Complex and Necessary for I Practical tools for I What else is there?
Technology challenging progress and getting things done
achievement
Page 2
UNDERSTANDING YOUR OWN THOUGHTS ON GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES
The first step to effectively managing a multigenerational workforce is to understand how your generational experiences impact your ideas about appropriate work behaviors.
Ask yourself the following to understand how your life experience affects how you relate to others and how you need to accommodate different styles,
o What are the most important attributes of a Target team member?
o What are my views about loyalty to Target?
o What type of recognition do I feel is most important?
o What are my views on work / life balance?
Veteran (1922 - 1945)
Baby Boomer (1946 - 1964)
Generation X (1965 - 1980)
Generation Y (1981 - 2000)
Page 3
® What are my views on career development?
o When do I find my leadership style to be most flexible? Least flexible?
o What is my comfort level in leading team members from various generations? What are my strengths? Developmental opportunities?
o What are SOme COmmon situations between generations that take place in my store?
o When it comes to generational differences, what are the strengths of my leadership team?
Opportunities?
<:> How will generational differences influence my style of leadership, communication and recognition?
Page 4
Managing Generational Differences
COACHING ACROSS GENERATIONS
Today's workforce is more diverse than ever before with more generations interacting in the workplace. The following are tips on how to leverage the strengths and manage the opportunities of each generation. Challenge yourself to think about how you can coach,
Communicate and relate to each generation and how it impacts the OnBoarding experience of
a new ETL.
Coaching Generation Y (1981-2000):
o Acknowledge their talents and fresh perspectives
<:> Let them know you can and are willing to learn from them
o Be open to and accepting of new and different ways of working
o Coach them to reach for stretch goals
o Involve them in significant projects
o Solicit their opinions
o Acknowledge their need for connection by helping them feel part of the group
o Appeal to their sense of idealism
o Have them figure it out themselves and then check in
o Offer to be a mentor or find one for them
o Keep communication clear, direct and specific and follow up to ensure your message was understood
o Build a fun, challenging and fast-paced work environment
(;) Look for ways to combine work and play
Coaching Generation X (1965-1980):
oAcknowledge their talents and expertise
o Let them know you can and are willing to learn from them
o Use clear and specific language when communicating
o Get right to the point in a respectful way - don't sugarcoat bad news
® Allow them as much flexibility as is possible and appropriate
o Acknowledge and relate to their skepticism
o Convey that you care and support them
<:> Create a fun, relaxed work atmosphere
<:> Provide sincere, positive feedback with a focus on being specific and timely
o Offer learning in a variety of ways and move on when the point is made
o Establish the outer boundaries and allow them to operate more freely within them
o Understand and honor their need for a work/life balance as long as responsibilities and
expectations are being met
Page 5
Coaching Baby Boomers (1946-1964):
o Acknowledge their experience, expertise, dedication and length of service
® Seek their help and counsel with issues involving workplace politics
o Observe and learn how they navigate charged environments and "the system"
o Utilize them as mentors and ask for their input
<;) Use them as sounding boards to test new ideas before plunging in
o Solicit their ideas on what has worked or not worked in the past and why
o Focus on relationships as well as results
o Demonstrate that you are carrying your share of the load
o Create a consensual process where they will have a voice and hear other's ideas
o Probe if you suspect conflict - they may not be direct
o Speak optimistically and look at things in terms of meeting objectives and achieving
o Focus on challenges, give them problems to solve
o Give public recognition and perks (if possible)
o Gain buy-in by inviting them to participate rather than telling them.
Coaching Veterans (1922-1945):
oAcknowledge and leverage their experience, expertise, dedication and length of service
o Pay attention to the chain and command or protocol
o Speak positively of your organization's history - the legacy they helped create
® Be direct but polite - don't disregard social graces
o Appeal to the traditional values of loyalty, hard work and family
o Use the personal touch - a handwritten note or Great Team Card
o Avoid situations where they could lose face while others are watching
o Demonstrate interest in and importance of the work they are doing
o Be patient with their approach to technology; allow time and explain the logic behind the technology
Page 6
YOUR ONBOARDING FOCUS: GENERATION Y (1981-2000)
Generation Y makes up nearly 50% of the workforce in Target stores, followed by Gen X and Baby Boomers. Generation Y brings a very different perspective, set of values and work ethic to the workplace. As Generation Y continues to replace the aging workforce, it becomes more important to understand how to coach and lead them.
The chart below lists common issues encountered when working Generation Y and actions to address them.
Personal time is paramount.
Focus on the work that needs to be completed.
• Help the team member understand the need to build relationships to be successful at Target, which is difficult to do if they are not present.
• Allow schedule flexibility where possible.
Frequent requests for feedback
Provide feedback in smaller, less formal ways (in person, phone, and email).
• Provide specific, actionable feedback.
• Interact as a coach, not as an authority figure.
• Be explicit, "I am giving you feedback ... "
• Tie feedback to ways it will help them obtain more opportunities.
Technological savvy
• Provide online resources.
• Use email as one way to send recognition.
Interest in career advancement • Discuss development at each status meeting.
• Assist team member in obtaining mentors.
• Define skills for advancement and manage expectations for timing
of promotion.
DeSire for unique experiences
• Let team member know how his/her tasks fit into the big picture.
• Help team member balance doing routine tasks with those that are more challenging.
• Help team member build the crucial skill of tolerance for monotonous tasks.
• Be personable have a sense of humor while focusing on the work.
Prefer detailed instructions
• Provide basic structure and support them when they take the lead.
• Provide experiences to develop skills and intuition.
Crave rapid advancement
• Talk about which skills need to be demonstrated before being promoted.
• Present stretch assiqnrnsnts to learn and grow.
• Use new learning opportunities as rewards.
Reference: Managing Generation Y by Carolyn Martin and Bruce Tulgan
Page 7
You can look at other other interesting Tarbutt sites, such as:
http://targetfiling.blogspot.com/
http://targetccguidelines.blogspot.com/
http://beckfordvtarget.blogspot.com/
http://targetguidelines.blogspot.com/
http://targetapdirectives2006.blogspot.com/
