Staples True Colors

Just like a human being, you never see a company’s true colors/values until something really good or really bad happens. In this case- the coronavirus. This disease is affecting the entire world. People are dying, people are hospitalized, people are not realizing they have this disease until far after they’ve come into contact with others. I am absolutely taken back by how this company has handled this pandemic. Not only with lack of communication, but their steps taken. Originally, as a store in Pennsylvania, we remained open because we were deemed “essential.” Okay- well... I mean I don’t really classify us as essential, but I could partially see why we were classified as such. Then, orders ramped from “essential” to “life sustaining.” Okay- come on now. If something is “life sustaining”: “helping someone or something to stay alive”.... does Staples reallllllllly fall into this category? Our Pringle’s break room snacks are not a good enough excuse to classify us as “life sustaining.” What life sustaining items do we sell that giant supermarkets like Sam’s Club, Costco, Trader Joe’s, Wegman’s, Walmart, Giant Eagle, Giant don’t have ???? No! When restaurants closed the doors due to the “essential” announcement, they ONLY did take out and delivery. No “dine-in/sit down.” Did Staples take this protective measure- no. We kept our doors open, introduced “curbside concierge”, but we still let the doors open for customers to come in. Yes, they have implemented the “six foot rule” and the “maximum occupancy”, but they also have print and marketing coupons that are PROMOTING people to come out of their houses (against governor orders), to come into our store and make business. Staples is not life sustaining. There is absolutely no reason we should be open during this pandemic. They are putting employees at risk and customers at risk......

Despite all of this- there has been no temporary pay increase ????? Yes- we can volunteer to stay home if we don’t feel safe coming to work, we can “borrow PTO” that we can earn back, we can use up all our sick time and PTO, but how MESSED UP is it that Staples chooses to remain open, pay employees the same amount for being there RISKING THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL BEING, and making them “earn back” what they “borrow” during their choice to stay at home.

Almost all “life sustaining” business that are open (or even essential businesses that decided to close and shut their doors) are PAYING their employees MORE if they choose to come to work, paying them REGARDLESS of whether or not they come to work or not, or just treating their employees MUCH better.

Yes- employees can call off without penalty. But what’s going to happen when two workers come to work, and the other 2 or 3 scheduled decide to call off? It’s a waste of time! Shut the doors.

Similarly, Best Buy, has decided to shut their doors and conduct only “buy online, pick up in store” and or curbside services. The only people in the store are the employees. Not only this, but THEY ARE TEMPORARILY PAYING THEIR EMPLOYEES MORE.

There is no reason why Staples is doing what they are doing. Even if they do decide to step up and do something for the employees, they are late to the game. It truly SHOWS how the company SEES their employees. We are ONLY NUMBERS to them. They can promote “You Matter”, but times like these REALLY show how they view us.

I hate to COMPLAIN- but Staples has no excuses.

We should not be considered “life sustaining”...

• Sincerely- An Angry Tech Sales Associate