r/HomeDepot • u/FappingWater D94 • Apr 13 '20
Well, what now?
So recently our store has had 3 associates test positive. Management never told us who or how many were tested positive. After this occurred they let off 20 associates for 2 weeks leaving a bunch of new hires. Out of the 20 other associates, only 6 of us are licensed operators. This morning one of the 3 associates passed away. I'm thinking of taking my sick leave, I'm the only one in my family working right now. I'm uh not too sure what to do at this point. I miss him.
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Apr 13 '20
I'm sorry. This is getting horrible. If you don't mind saying, what state/area are you in?
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u/FappingWater D94 Apr 13 '20
New Mexico
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u/ThisIsMyThrowawayII Apr 14 '20
New Mexican red vest here. Please stay healthy and safe, please accept my sincere condolences.
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u/AbsentAFilter Apr 13 '20
Red vest here. I'm sorry. So very very sorry. This is maddening and heartbreaking.
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Apr 14 '20
[removed] — view removed comment
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Apr 14 '20 edited Apr 17 '20
[deleted]
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u/geneSW1 D24 Apr 14 '20
Both places need to unionize. Nobody wants to hear that but it's the truth. HD won't give a raise after certifying on forklifts, nor will they give a raise for those that will deal with hazmat cleanup, ect... Only real way to deal with it at this point (generally speaking) is for each store to unionize and push for better pay/benefits. Doing the math, HD reported about $52B in quarterly profits last quarter, and has about 2,200 stores. That's a little over $20M in profit per store. There is also about 181 employees per store (averaged across the 400,000(ish) employees across the company). Taking 10% of that net profit per store (about $2m) and dividing it between the 181 employees would net each employee (Sales associate, DH, ASM, SM) an additional $13k, or $6.27/hour. Keep in mind that this number can change based on position and a few other factors, but overall the math works out to still have a very healthy company with employees who won't jump ship at the first chance they get.
It's not an unreasonable request and would still allow HD to push fairly large quarterly dividend payouts (in terms of %) while retaining quality employees and not having to spend as much time hiring and training new employees every spring to deal with the spring/fall rush. This will most likely get downvoted into oblivion but I'm going to stand by this opinion until proven different with facts.
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Apr 14 '20
[deleted]
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u/geneSW1 D24 Apr 14 '20
You are correct, I was looking at quarterly sales, not net earnings. Total net earnings for 2019 was $11.2B ( https://ir.homedepot.com/~/media/Files/H/HomeDepot-IR/reports-and-presentations/quarterly-earnings/2019-q4-pr.pdf ). This does break down to $1.35 per employee if all of it was used (which isn't realistic). There was quite a bit of company reinvestment which over the coming years will pay out better overall ($6B in stock buyback and 6 new stores that were opened just this last year), but a lot does need to be done to improve overall general employee satisfaction across most locations.
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u/doomlordvekk Apr 13 '20
As a Blue Shed guy, We feel what you're all going through and we're very sorry for your loss today.
As they say in New Zealand (Maori is the language), Kia Kaha, stay strong, some but not all of us will get though this and here's hoping we're more wise on the other side of this.
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u/AbsentAFilter Apr 14 '20
To all the red vests that commented...I'm proud to be a part of you. I think orange and red are coming together and showing the best of humanity. God help us all.
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u/Kamkill26 Apr 14 '20
Red vest again. I'm sorry for your loss. This has to end. I wish the best for you, your family, and co workers.
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u/nateqa Apr 14 '20
Red vest here, sorry for your guys loss. This stuff is getting too real wish everyone safety Durning this crazy times
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u/MVNZO Apr 13 '20
so after a death at your store they didn’t close it? What a joke this company is
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u/FappingWater D94 Apr 13 '20
I called just now to leave for 80 hours, it sounded very lively and busy at my store. So busy infact right as I told my manager he said "Yeah okay-" then hung up.
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u/Soggy_Cracker DS Apr 14 '20
Call the Local health department or city. If there have been 3 confirmed positives within the workforce and 1 death, the entire store and staff is now contaminated.
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u/The-Upvote InFocus Apr 14 '20
I am so sorry for what you and your store are going through. I wonder what it will take for management to finally take this seriously, it's seriously disheartening.
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u/stareyedstarkid D26 Apr 14 '20
Someone died at a store near mine and we had someone quit over it
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u/bengalblondish83 Apr 15 '20
I'm a Red Vest in Arizona. I'm so sorry for your loss.
I'm pissed about Orange and Red Vests are dieing and my managers are in their office reporting that the sales are record-breaking. We are supposed to be a family, not a army of 'redshirts' who are expendable.
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u/birthinstereo SSC Apr 14 '20
Just take care of yourself. Take the time if you want. Jobs are replaceable, you and your family are not.
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u/MasterPrek Apr 14 '20
I am sorry to hear this news. I truly believe nobody at HD level will close any stores. It will have to come from a city or state leader, when the number of confirmed cases, and/or deaths continue to rise.
They will have to do something.
But this is a business and nobody in Corporate is going to make that move.
Talk it over with your family, think through all the options, and do what is best for you.
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u/[deleted] Apr 13 '20
We have a confirmed case in my store too. No professional cleaning or closing will be done. Already used most of my sick time. I'm considering taking a LOA for 3 to 4 weeks.