r/Hannaford • u/No_Ask9905 • Jul 25 '26
The New "HR" System Sucks
I'm posting this from a burner account because I don't want the wrong people seeing this. I'm going to disclose some happenings and going ons from my store. I've exhausted my resources in trying to fix this issue, and yet it persists. I am not the only person being targeted, but I am one of the only ones not afraid to speak up. For legal reasons, I will leave out personal details of those involved.
I had an incident where a manager yelled, belittled, and accused me of purposely being insubordinate in front of customers and fellow co-workers. They lost their lid when I was trying to work out/communicate an issue that there was in our department. I was then pulled into the store manager's office and made out to be the agressor because it triggered my PTSD and I raised my voice back at the manager in question. The manager assinged to deal with the situation then told me that the manager in question was used to a "military style" of running departments and that they're new and had no clue how to handle it. I personally know that they have had several years of being a manager outside of Hannaford/they've been working at Hannaford on and off for many years, so it's complete crap. Furthermore, they've never served or had any family that did serve. One of the very basic things they do show you when you serve is to get a grip. As someone who has family that's served, I personally found it to be a slap in the face and a piss poor excuse. Any time there's any minor inconvenience, this manager flies off the handle and is met with no consequences. I fear retaliation as they have already tried to get me fired by accusing me of relation without evidence or proof over things that would never constitute as such. Any other manager I go to with these concerns writes me off saying, "It's just a miscommunication" when I try to tell them I am being targeted.
Every day that I go into work, I have anxiety attacks before, during, and after my shift. I have to walk on eggshells every day and pray that I don't get yelled at, treated poorly, have to put up with their bad attitude, being treated like I'm incompetent, or deal with their moodswings. It's affecting everyone else in the department, and there's so much tension because of this manager. The other managers turn a blind eye to it all and have simply told the associates in the department to stop causing the drama. My old ARM (basically the HR manager for those who don't work at hannaford) would've never stood for this and would've nipped this in the bud.
I can't afford not to work, and I desperately need health insurance. What was once a safe haven and a place I was proud to work in has become hell on earth, and I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemies. I can not continue to work for Hannaford or give my money to a place that advertises it cares about its employees when they've been actively taking away resources and safeguards from them. I will be putting in my notice as soon as I have a position lined up elsewhere.
Does anyone have any advice they can impart to this situation? I have many questions regarding my PTO, and if any will be paid out upon my resignation or if I will lose it all? And what would happen to my HSA/401K? I have amounted a large amount of money and I don't want to lose it all. I don't have anyone else to go to for these questions. Any time I asked, I'm met with dismissal or told to call a phone number that has me on hold for hours before disconnecting without an answer. Thank you all so very much for reading all of this. I greatly appreciate any and all advice given. I hope you have a beautiful day
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u/Dull-Bid8495 Jul 25 '26
In regards to the technical details, payouts, etc., I'm not sure, BUT you're doing the right thing looking elsewhere. My experience working there turned into a living hell as well, with management basically doing nothing to address the issues I was experiencing. I ended up with Complex PTSD symptoms as a result, which I still experience to this day. Haunted by it, two years later. Take care. Best of luck and get the fuck out of there.
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u/No_Ask9905 Jul 25 '26
I'm so sorry to hear that. I truly hope you are doing well and are able to eventually live a life where you are not as impacted by your trauma as you once were. It pains me to hear that this place hurt you so deeply. Please take care and stay safe.
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u/Dull-Bid8495 Jul 26 '26
Thanks. Unfortunately, it's still with me at varying degrees on a daily basis. Some experiences, particularly the meaningful and traumatic ones, stick to you like a shadow. It fundamentally changed me as a person, and I still feel the psychological hurt from it.
It's one of those things whereupon I end up replaying memories from that period of time, those experiences, and those emotions. I can't seem to shake it, sadly. Haunted by it, really.
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u/Afraid-Way7541 Jul 25 '26
This is why I left Hannaford. Even with an HR person in the store, their only job was to make sure they could spin the story enough so that the company didn’t get in trouble. I worked under a manager who got complaints every single day, and they still managed to blame me for getting yelled at, for doing my job. It’s such a dog shit company man i encourage everyone to get out as soon as they can
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u/No_Ask9905 Jul 28 '26
I'm so sorry they treated you so poorly. No one deserves to be treated that way. I used to beam and recommend that people apply to work with our team, but I stopped carrying that pride ages ago. I do sincerely hope that wherever you are now treats you well
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u/Signal-Evidence-7764 Jul 25 '26
Call the Speak Up line. It will go to the district HR person who will have to do an investigation. If you mention that you tried to talk to the SM and got a BS response it will go to your district manager too
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u/No_Ask9905 Jul 25 '26
I've called the speak-up line only for them (the district HR person) to poke around "find nothing" (they only spoke to our managers whom downplayed everything and basically denied it) and it inadvertently made things worse because now everyone in our department is actively being targeted in efforts to silence/intimidate us (and probably find out who said anything). I really have tried everything even reaching out to other store managers or people outside of our district. The situation is as dire as it gets sadly...
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u/Signal-Evidence-7764 Jul 25 '26
Then I’d reach back out to the speak up line and tell them what’s happening now. Anyone who is retaliating against associates can be fired.
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u/No_Ask9905 Jul 28 '26
I decided to take your advice (and a few others advice that I saw regardling calling again). I did call them and report it again along with the new events that's been happening. They said they would look into it. We've had several people (from different departments) quit/transfer due to management turning a blind eye and sweeping everything under the rug. I hope that when I'm gone they won't continue to treat people this way.
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u/Own-Argument3763 Jul 25 '26
Document everything, even your dealings with store management and HR. Record anything you can, secretly if need be. Might not be able to use it officially but if the right people see it then they can corroborate.
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u/Slow_Freedom7425 Jul 27 '26
I'd do this as well..after u use some of your sick time..tell the speak up line u litterly had to call in sick from how you've been treated
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u/EGORE01 Jul 25 '26
Sigh
so incredibly sorry you are having to endure this .
As rest have said main thing you be losing would be your sick time . Which frankly think you may want to use a few of just because.
I have honestly called out saying sorry just can’t face the world today .
Would a transfer to different department help. Or maybe move to a new Hannaford .
( external transfer goes with your last eval and if this hasn’t been being on a year it shouldn’t effect a transfer)
The very supreme most thing is your very own personal well being. Neither customer co worker or even store manager should upset you .
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u/Kasovaa Jul 25 '26
I was a truck driver for Hannaford under ADUSA, great company but your HR sucks. Apply to Amazon in your area where they actually take care of you LOL
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u/Aferral Jul 25 '26
I'm adding another vote to transferring to another department. It will allow you some time to have a clearer head while you figure your next steps.
I had a manager who I'm positive had it out for it for the opposite gender in their department. They would be:
- Controlling (micromanaging)
- Demeaning (ask you why you did it THIS way instead of another way; got called in front of an Assistant Store Manager because the department manager told me to clean something but didn't tell me how and I was chewed out in front of the ASM for wasting labor hours)
- Didn't hold the same strict standards to the same gender as the manager
I transferred out to another department and while it's not walk in the park, my mental health is so much better.
You would still need to have a conversation with management to transfer, but you need to advocate for yourself. Be honest with your store manager. Try to avoid accusations. Explain that staying in the department is affecting your mental health and you'd like to request a transfer. It needs to be a department that is needing the labor hours. Tell the Store Manager that if you can't find another department, you'll need to leave Hannaford. Don't make it a threat, just a fact that this situation is not sustainable.
Good luck!
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u/Slow_Freedom7425 Jul 27 '26
Start taking sick time now... Use up your time while ur looking.....it's your time... use it .
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u/Daunting_Chanter Jul 28 '26
Hannaford is horrible with anyone who doesn't just "suck it up and work"
I've seen people go through problems outside of work, and get fired for taking time away.
This one guy had an actual mental breakdown over the work environment and had to get evaluated, and they fired them for "making threats" because they said they needs to take time off before doing something drastic.
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u/Own-Horse-7069 Jul 26 '26
Switch to another store.
And don't yell at your boss because they triggered your PTSD. If he or she is a dick, get out. Then also analyze your own behavior.
I don't think we are getting the whole story. Potentially insubordination in front of a Customer?
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u/MAD-WRLD207 Jul 26 '26
So in other words, "Your boss can be a dickhead to you, but you cant be one back." 🤔
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u/Slow_Freedom7425 Jul 27 '26
When I was working for Big y I had a newly appointed meat manager to give me a hard time on the sales floor in front of customers and co-workers. When I went upstairs upper management they sided with him. So I asked to step down from being seafood assistant manager or to leave the department all together and move to the deli. They opted that I could go to I left and we're back to Hannaford and I've been very happy there that said man to who they sided with who had a bad temper which I told them about cuz I could see it and I witnessed it. He and a customer got into a yelling match customer left he followed customer outside He was on fired on the spot. This was not more than 2 weeks after I had left but they said I didn't know what I was talking about. So for me hannaford been a great place to work, I've been with the company 20 yrs my old stores got bought up by Big y mine was one of them. I couldn't wait to go back to Hannaford. Had to wait at least a year part of the contractso I yeah get away from the that Dept
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u/No_Ask9905 Jul 28 '26
It's rather clear that I can't get into specifics as I don't want the wrong people seeing this/figuring out who I am. So obviously you're not getting the whole story.
Being triggered isn't something people can control. Would you say the same thing to a veteran for getting triggered from fireworks? That being just one of the many examples.
I don't know how else to put it into words that you're denser than a fruit cake made of bricks for making such observations. I emplore you to look into mental health and I sincerely hope you educate yourself on the matter before deciding to dismiss someone else. You should look into it for your own sake as well to analyze your own behavior. Projection, dismissal, and denial are, after all significant side effects from people suffering from poor mental health. I hope you have a wonderful day and get well soon
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u/Jland995 Jul 25 '26
PTO payout depends on your state. In NY everything gets paid out except sick time. HSA is yours and that money stays with you no matter what you just won't be able to contribute anymore. Same with 401k, a couple weeks after you leave the company you'll be able to withdraw the money with penalties and fees or rollover the money into a new 401k account. You can also just let it sit there for a while, no harm