This message was sent by me as I use to work for panera before . But now my GM Shawn took me off the schedule for reporting concerns with the cafe , and staff. Panera has an open door policy and clearly this is how lower management handles situations . I know CEO Ron Shaich would not allow this to happen. All I did was reach out to help our store be a better store , and I'm also disappointed about my pay and hours I was promised and was taken off the schedule for that also by my GM Shawn. I spoke to my GM several times about my concers and never attempted to fix them. This the email sent to HR and nothing has been done about it so far , except for Hr saying thank you and we will get these concerns taken care of.
Hi Marc, hope your day is going well . I should start off by saying that I moved here to Florida a few months ago to start a new chapter in my life . After a recent divorce I decided to choose Florida and remembered that when I lived in Illinois I worked for an amazing company Panera bread in downtown Arlington Heights . May I tell you that it was the best corporate experience I ever had . I was hired by the GM in Illinois because I was a frequent customer with my family and all ways had the best customer service experience. So I decided to work and grow with the company .Then as I started to go threw a divorce so I had to stop working for the company . what I can tell you is every one who worked at Panera Arlington heights was very helpful. The store had management and trainers who took the initiative to train the best employees there. Also one key factor that the store took to heart was customer service and the no jerk policy. So I decided to come back and work and grow with the company again in Miami beach. So looking forward with a great spirit and attitude I quickly started to see what was wrong with this store .
1- Store is very disorganized with management , trainers , and very disappointed employees with store management .
2- I constantly see the GM cut corners with alot of cleaning and sanitation procedures. When I asked him about these issues he responded that he is aware but can't do much about it. That tells me he is not taking ownership and the iniative to make his staff and store a better work environment .
3- I would like to mention a huge concern that not only myself and other employees have had to do in the store and that is clock out and work with out being payed . yesterday Tavaris who is a line trainers was told to clock out at 8pm by Darrell on Monday night and he worked till close as the cameras will show . I have never been told at my old store to do such a thing like that . I mean if one of us was hurt or had an accident at the time while not on the clock it would raise huge concerns with the company . I mean even yesterday I was told to throw out the trash in the dumpster while it was dark out . And all staff knows we are not to open the back door to take out trash that late due to security reasons.
4-Is unprofessionalism , Darrell and Brent I guess are having personal issues together and while working and there being customers in the store Darrell started to repramand staff in front of customers out loud which was unproffesional . Even at times when customers were ready in line to order. I just have never seen so much drama like this in my life .
5- personal favortism to a customer who are GM let's him park is car at any time day or night .He was even given and employee Panera hat so they won't tow his car.which I have pictures of. But I was told when I started that I can park my car there because I work with the company and the lot is never full as we are not that busy , and now that I have been bringing up the concerns with management I have been called on my phone and told to come move my car or it will be towed while the car that does not belong there is parked with are hat on the dash .
In conclusion to all this I think really the reason why are store is not as busy as it should is because its being ran incorrectly. I was taught with Panera that customer service is number one . which is what we really lack on . I have took the iniative to get to know our customers and showed them what I can offer as a Panera employee but I do not have the back up from the staff and management . I mean the location is great and I know paneras customer service and word of mouth is what builds a great store .
Please help this store that has great potential and that need great ownership from staff .
Thank you lionel Velasquez