¶ … Kroger Company is an American retailer founded in 1883. At present, it I the 2nd largest general retailer by revenue, the largest grocery store in America and the fourth largest retailer globally. It has over 2,500 stores and has markets in 31 U.S. States. In 2012 the company grossed almost $100 billion. Kroger's employees are largely unionized, with 75% being represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers union (Kroger Company, 2013).
Interview: Completed by phone with J.A, Administrative Assistant for Human Resources, Kroger Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio, October 09, 2013.
(answers are paraphrased, not quoted directly) (See also: UFCW 876, 2010)
Does seniority play a role when it comes to promotion and job security? Employees must be with Kroger over 6 months to receive notice for layoffs, etc. The more seniority, the more severance pay an or benefit available -- for a maximum of 6 weeks. Employees who accept severance pay do not retain seniority or recall rights.
2. When selecting an in-house job promotion opportunity, is the job offer by seniority or ability? How does the process work? There is a balance between skill set and seniority....
Does the company have a seniority credit program? How does it work? Can the points be transferred to other departments across the organization? Again, this is dependent upon the job and skill set. We do have an agreement that we will not employee two or more PT employees when it is possible to employ a single FT employee 40 hours per week.
4. When a layoff program is implemented, who is let go first and why? Jobs are evaluated by a Human Resource committee; RIFS (Reduction in Force) are made only if the circumstances warrant and there is no other choice (e.g. A store closes in an area for an unknown reason, etc.).
5. Are employees placed on a recall/rehiring roster? If so, is it last in first out? Yes, in the event of a Reduction in Force, seniority and expertise count towards rehire.
6. Have you seen job discontinuation due to technological innovations (computers, robots) or products manufactured? How was the situation handled? Of course there…
