Skip to main content

230 replies

This Local company sets the bar for mistreating employees!

UnobtaniumUnobtaniumPost Master
quote:
Originally posted by Buttercup:
quote:
Originally posted by Unobtanium:
the ONLY thing that will happen here is that your wife will not have a job and someone else will be overjoyed when they are hired to take her place.


Who would want to work there?


that's not our business to decide. evidently, the business has no problems finding people who will work for those lower wages and under the supposed "horrible" conditions. that is how our economy works. when people stop applying for the jobs, the company will be forced to pay more or offer better conditions. it is a self-correcting issue that is between the business and the employee - none of the government's or newspaper's business.
UnobtaniumUnobtaniumPost Master
quote:
Originally posted by 73RangerXLT:
Great, now we're getting somewhere.
Do you think creating an unsafe work environment is best for the national interest?


how about another question that you will refuse to answer: define "national interest."

specifically, what requisites would you use to decide what businesses adhere to your definition?
UnobtaniumUnobtaniumPost Master
quote:
Originally posted by 73RangerXLT:
Unobtanium,
I also own a corporation.
Question: Do you believe the government has the right to regulate corporate status in America?


define "corporate status."

if you are asking, does the government have a duty (not "right") to protect employees from dangerous working considerings? yes. does the government have a duty to see that employees are not discriminate against based on creed, color or nation origin? yes.

does the government have a duty to tell a corporation when and when not to fire an employees who does not show up for work, no matter the reason? NO!

YOU can be fired or let go for getting cancer, having a heart attack, taking too much tome off because your wife is pregnant, going to a funeral for a love one and a thousand other reasons (including not preparing for a well-predicted snow storm). ALL of those reasons may considered callous, unforgiving and just plain mean. no, i would not work for such a company but that is beside the point. others WILL work for such a company. its neither you or my or the governments business to butt in and tell them how to operate.

you may not like any of this but it is REALITY.
UnobtaniumUnobtaniumPost Master
quote:
Originally posted by 73RangerXLT:
quote:
that is a SOCIALISTIC action. yet you claim to not me a socialist.



This is the problem with with the right wing, nutjob, neo-con, limbaugh worshippers. They use words they have no clue as to their meaning, have no knowlege of the Constitution, and only can spout what they hear on the radio.

The right to regulate corporations falls under THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE CLAUSE OF THE CONSTITUTION. SO LIKE AN IDIOT, YOU CALL THE CONSTITUTION A SOCIALIST DOCUMENT.


well, no spit, sherlock. but this whole thread is about this particular woman and your assertion that she should not be fired for not showing up for work. you further assert that the government (with the powers of the interstate commerce clause) should have the ability to step in and render an opinion. THERE ARE NO SUCH POWERS in the constitution and hopefully never will be as long as we keep people like you out of power.
PA proud americanSmall Talker
At a level it may be self correcting. The business may NOT have a problem finding workers. In a perfect world with NO other circumstances envolved yes people avoiding that employment would work but sometimes it needs a little help. Sometimes EPA, OSHA and others need to step in to set companies straight on safey, health and environmental hazards. If they didn't get a dose of do RIGHT they would never give one rats behind about employee saftey nor the environment in which you and I live in! Just like during the industrial revolution and the outbreak of plague. There may not be any laws or organizations that govern this type of eithic and practice here in Alabama that I have described in my first couple of posts. THERE SHOULD BE! However what employees have at their disposal is publicity,whistleblowing and communitcation to any willing reader informing them about the management practices and working conditions any employer presents to their community and potential applicants just like I am doing!
One reason this company keeps a steady flow of applicants is that the bad publicity and work conditions are supressed. With the help of the economy, the slim employment selection in this and nearby counties and not to forget the potential workers skill set, it makes not working for companies like AWBC kind of hard for a lot of individuals. People are left with little choice here in this town and others near by. If this was the only job a person could obtain due to all or any of those conditions, does that give the presenting company the right to apply said type of management practices that have been described throughout this thread? NO!! NO!! NO!! By the time people get the feel for managment and then the tolerable new wears off they quit. The chain of events repeat itslelf.

"It isn't the government nor the newspapers concern" Well here with this part whether you like it or not your wrong! Complain and put up your quotes and another ten billion posts isn't going to help it not be wrong. The people have a right to know what is going on in the community that may effect their life and well being as well as their neighbors that surrond them! That is what newspapers are for if you did not know. There is a reason why this thread has made it to 2500+ views and posted on facebook and myspace. It is also google indexed page one and number four down the list. People need to be informed about corrupt business practices in ALL our communities nation wide. People notice this FAST and file it away mentally. I have no opinion whether or not a gov intervention should be of any intrest. Again NO COMMENT!

Bottom line replying to every post with a retaliated view on politics or the right and wrong of any subject isn't going to make people believe it any more than with one post. If anything else, it would make that person seem over opinionated, unsecure and defensive. Soon people loose intrest in what you have to say and ignore that person all togther. People are very KEEN to this as well. It is great to see people still have such overwhelming conviction in what they believe. If you trully think what you say is right and stands strong in the eyes of your peers and community, all you need is one post or article touching on each point of intrest and not ten hundred argueing with any and every opposer!

Throughout this thread I have not pressed my belief on anyone. Politics are to divers and all it does is get muddy and nasty! What I have done and continue to do is INFORM. That is what this thread is for and should start merging in THAT direction. It seems people are VERY interested at over 1000 views a day. If anyone else wants to express their experience NOW is a good time to do so!

Thanks for reading,
Proud American
Last edited by proud american
Capt James TCapt James TPost Master
quote:
Originally posted by daddy-duck:

Have you ever worked on a self managed team? As a team; We elect a member on our team to be team leader for a period of 6 months. If we as a team don't like the job that our leader is doing then we can vote in another leader. So far we have had our same team leader for 7yrs and everyone is happy. So yes our team leader is our co-worker Do you see the difference?


Daddy-Duck,

Them web feet good for back peddling? In your initial post you said:

quote:

Unless your the owner- everyone working there are employees; If a fellow employee is given the title of supervisor and they tell you that you 'work for them'. Then they are mis-leading you.


I sure dont see anything about 'team leader' in your post. You specifically said 'supervisor'........

Do YOU see the difference?

Captain
ButtercupButtercupPost Master
quote:
Originally posted by daddy-duck:
quote:
Originally posted by Capt James T:
quote:
Originally posted by Buttercup:
quote:
Originally posted by daddy-duck:
Do you really think that the owners of this company are actually writing employees up and firing employees? NO, its' your fellow employess that are giving you a hard time.

Unless your the owner- everyone working there are employees; If a fellow employee is given the title of supervisor and they tell you that you 'work for them'. Then they are mis-leading you. Because if the owner decides to close the business will the supervisor continue paying your salary? Or will you be standing in the same unemployment line with the supervisor that you work for? Probably but the owners won't be..

I do believe in team work and helping out your fellow co-worker. If you have a egotistical co-worker on your team! Just ignore them.. really because most people are there to earn a living and do a good job.

Again.. I just hate it when a co-worker says' YOU work for me!


No, it is not co-workers giving the directives, it is supervisors. If you don't follow orders from a supervisor you can - and most likely will - be fired.

And the powers-that-be at this place are well aware of what's going on. I've heard enough stories from supervisors who've worked there to know.


I was thinking the same thing, Buttercup. I hate people who think like this, they are usually folks that couldn't get promoted and are jealous of those that do.

When someone is promoted to be your supervisor (or manager), they are given more responsibility in that position. They are not your coworker. Your coworker is responsible for the work he does. Your supervisor is responsible for the work he does AND THE WORK YOU DO! See the difference?

And you can talk until youre blue in the face about how your supervisor doesnt sign your check. When it comes down to it, in the end, your supervisor is the one that makes the decision to STOP that check (fire you), not the person whose name is on the signature line. Its the supervisor that usually makes sure your check is correct and youre paid, NOT THE PERSON WHO SIGNED IT.

Captain


Have you ever worked on a self managed team? As a team; We elect a member on our team to be team leader for a period of 6 months. If we as a team don't like the job that our leader is doing then we can vote in another leader. So far we have had our same team leader for 7yrs and everyone is happy. So yes our team leader is our co-worker Do you see the difference?


Oh, well then. That clears it up. So if Proud American's wife called the "team leader" (as opposed to a supervisor) the other day and stated the obvious, that the roads were too dangerous to drive on, then the "team leader" didn't have the ability to make his wife take an occurrence for not coming in because the "team leader" has no real power.

Problem solved, PA. Your wife will not have to take an occurrence for this because it was just the "team leader" she spoke with - you know, no different than a co-worker.
ButtercupButtercupPost Master
quote:
Originally posted by Unobtanium:
quote:
Originally posted by Buttercup:
quote:
Originally posted by Unobtanium:
the ONLY thing that will happen here is that your wife will not have a job and someone else will be overjoyed when they are hired to take her place.


Who would want to work there?


that's not our business to decide. evidently, the business has no problems finding people who will work for those lower wages and under the supposed "horrible" conditions. that is how our economy works. when people stop applying for the jobs, the company will be forced to pay more or offer better conditions. it is a self-correcting issue that is between the business and the employee - none of the government's or newspaper's business.


It was a rhetorical question.
ms. wonkams. wonkaHall of Famer
My niece and her boyfriend both work at AWBC. My hubby was a security guard there for over a year. Here's what I've learned from them; AWBC does offer BCBS insurance, my niece has had to have several in-hospital medical procedures done which caused her to miss a lot of work, yet she still has her job, why?, because she can use FMLA: my husband told me several stories of employees stealing, AWBC has a zero tolerance on stealing. On one occasion a man stole a very small item that sells for $1.00 at Dollar Tree stores. I think they do this so they will be fired then they can apply for unemployment and sit home. If you know there's a zero tolerance on something and it will without a doubt get you fired then why would you commit that act?

I'm not saying they don't treat employees badly, I've heard too many times from those who do or have worked there that they "treat employees sh***y". I would never want to work there, just giving a few facts. I did put in an application there, they are done on computers now as opposed to paper applications. By the way, if you tell them you can't work more than 40 hrs. a week, they won't hire you.
D daddy-duckFamiliar Face
quote:
Originally posted by Buttercup:
quote:
Originally posted by daddy-duck:
quote:
Originally posted by Capt James T:
quote:
Originally posted by Buttercup:
quote:
Originally posted by daddy-duck:
Do you really think that the owners of this company are actually writing employees up and firing employees? NO, its' your fellow employess that are giving you a hard time.

Unless your the owner- everyone working there are employees; If a fellow employee is given the title of supervisor and they tell you that you 'work for them'. Then they are mis-leading you. Because if the owner decides to close the business will the supervisor continue paying your salary? Or will you be standing in the same unemployment line with the supervisor that you work for? Probably but the owners won't be..

I do believe in team work and helping out your fellow co-worker. If you have a egotistical co-worker on your team! Just ignore them.. really because most people are there to earn a living and do a good job.

Again.. I just hate it when a co-worker says' YOU work for me!


No, it is not co-workers giving the directives, it is supervisors. If you don't follow orders from a supervisor you can - and most likely will - be fired.

And the powers-that-be at this place are well aware of what's going on. I've heard enough stories from supervisors who've worked there to know.


I was thinking the same thing, Buttercup. I hate people who think like this, they are usually folks that couldn't get promoted and are jealous of those that do.

When someone is promoted to be your supervisor (or manager), they are given more responsibility in that position. They are not your coworker. Your coworker is responsible for the work he does. Your supervisor is responsible for the work he does AND THE WORK YOU DO! See the difference?

And you can talk until youre blue in the face about how your supervisor doesnt sign your check. When it comes down to it, in the end, your supervisor is the one that makes the decision to STOP that check (fire you), not the person whose name is on the signature line. Its the supervisor that usually makes sure your check is correct and youre paid, NOT THE PERSON WHO SIGNED IT.

Captain


Have you ever worked on a self managed team? As a team; We elect a member on our team to be team leader for a period of 6 months. If we as a team don't like the job that our leader is doing then we can vote in another leader. So far we have had our same team leader for 7yrs and everyone is happy. So yes our team leader is our co-worker Do you see the difference?


Oh, well then. That clears it up. So if Proud American's wife called the "team leader" (as opposed to a supervisor) the other day and stated the obvious, that the roads were too dangerous to drive on, then the "team leader" didn't have the ability to make his wife take an occurrence for not coming in because the "team leader" has no real power.

Problem solved, PA. Your wife will not have to take an occurrence for this because it was just the "team leader" she spoke with - you know, no different than a co-worker.


In Proud Americans first post he stated that his wife was on the phone with her supervisor explaining the details and asked the supervisor to call head management and ask if there would be a occurence. What difference would it have made if she had asked a team leader to call head management to get a answer? The supervisor had to call head management to get a answer!
D daddy-duckFamiliar Face
quote:
Originally posted by Capt James T:
quote:
Originally posted by daddy-duck:

Have you ever worked on a self managed team? As a team; We elect a member on our team to be team leader for a period of 6 months. If we as a team don't like the job that our leader is doing then we can vote in another leader. So far we have had our same team leader for 7yrs and everyone is happy. So yes our team leader is our co-worker Do you see the difference?


Daddy-Duck,

Them web feet good for back peddling? In your initial post you said:

quote:

Unless your the owner- everyone working there are employees; If a fellow employee is given the title of supervisor and they tell you that you 'work for them'. Then they are mis-leading you.


I sure dont see anything about 'team leader' in your post. You specifically said 'supervisor'........

Do YOU see the difference?

Captain


No I don't see the difference! What is the difference? Is a foreman the same as a supervisor?
K KISSFREEK2002Hall of Famer
I worked for the Anderson's about 20 years ago when it was still Bookland, I worked in the office in Birmingham, at that time I sent in receipts for one of the Andersons for their business trips, meals, hotels, etc. the first time I did so and received a receipt for a dinner for 4 which was over $700.00 I nearly flipped out I was 19 years old and could not imagine someone spending that much on a meal, if that was 20 years ago I wonder what they spend now. Even then it was not a pleasant work environment people came and went all the time and no one seemed to enjoy their workplace either.
Capt James TCapt James TPost Master
quote:
Originally posted by daddy-duck:
No I don't see the difference! What is the difference? Is a foreman the same as a supervisor?


As you said, a TEAM LEADER is usually selected by the team (but not always) and is a member of the TEAM. Their position is to help coordinate TEAM efforts, help direct daily tasks, etc. Think Football Quarterback.

A SUPERVISOR is NOT chosen by the employees, they are selected by management. They are responsible for the results of the employees that report to them (and yes, their employees report to them). Think Football Coach.

You stated, to the effect, if someone is not an 'owner' of the company, then they are nothing more than a 'coworker' and you dont work for them. The Coach of a football team doesnt own the team, but I assure you his players report to the coach (not the owner) and, if a player does not perform, the coach will be the one to deal with it, not the owner.

Here are some definitions for you. I hope they clear up your confusion:

Team Leader: Team member who may not have any authority over other members but is appointed on permanent or rotating basis to (1) represent the team to the next higher reporting level, (2) make decisions in the absence of a consensus, (3) resolve conflict between team members, and (4) coordinate team efforts.

http://www.businessdictionary....ion/team-leader.html

Foreman: (1) : a chief and often specially trained worker who works with and usually leads a gang or crew (2) : a person in charge of a group of workers, a particular operation, or a section of a plant

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreman

**Foreman falls between Team Leader and Supervisor, depending on the company**

Supervisor: one that supervises; especially : an administrative officer in charge of a business, government, or school unit or operation

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supervisor

Business definition of Supervisor: Person in the first-line management who monitors and regulates employees in their performance of assigned or delegated tasks. Supervisors are usually authorized to recommend and/or effect hiring, disciplining, promoting, punishing, rewarding, and other associated activities regarding the employees in their departments.

http://www.businessdictionary....tion/supervisor.html
thenagelthenagelPost Master
both my wife and my sister used to work for hte andersons.

the andersons are scumsucking pigs who care for nothing and no one but themselves and money.

i will note that the exception is the father.. i don't remember his name.. i've heard some really really great things about him.

however, i know for a fact that a customer physically laid hands on an employee and shook her while yelling in her face, and when the employee complained, one the of andersons told the girl to shut up and drop it or she'd be fired.

i know for a fact that one of the andersons said the words ( in referance to the baked good in the coffee shop)
" i don't care what the customers what, it's my name on the door, you'll do it how i want it done".
i don't remember which one was involved in which situation, but these are part of the reasons on which i base the statement ' the andersons aer scumsucking pigs'.
T Trutooit-IIHall of Famer
quote:
Originally posted by junior samples:
How about Whitesell industries? Should be some good horrible stories from that bunch.Also N.Al.Lighting really sucks also.


Junior, I've been lucky enough to never have worked for Whitesell, but I see that company has been added to the lawsuit over the man who lost his hand. I'm not sure why it wasn't to start with.

I see where Neil Whitesell's wife's sister died and none of her brothers or sister were mentioned in the obit. What gives there?
UnobtaniumUnobtaniumPost Master
yes, it is a fact that most low end jobs tend to suck. if you do not like to work low end jobs where the hours are long, pay is low, bosses are overbearing and relentless, no future, etc, ect, then don't work low end jobs.

better yet, try RETAIL sometime. you do not know the definition of "suck" until you work in retail sales or retail customer support.

the andersons are no different from any other company in this regard. but for some strange reason, they have hundreds of employees that hang around anyway because they have no other options.

these are "starter jobs" for some and career choices for others. but make no mistake, NO ONE is working there against their will. if you don't like suck jobs, educate yourself or go find better, whining and snot slinging on an internet message board will get you nothing but fired.
southern pridesouthern prideMember
quote:
Originally posted by proud american:
You all may know of or heard of a company here or there that from time to time mistreats an employee or two. I am almost POSITIVE if you ever talk much about local employment you have and will here of the environment at a local company called American Wholesale Book Company. The TOP company for turn over employees. NO one will stay with this company for more than a week to month at a time. Lets get further into this subject and devulge some of the nasty truth about this company! If Times Dailey isn't scared of being called out or sued you will soon know why this company gets its bad rep and why I would contiously caution others to stay away.

My Wife who I will leave un-named has worked at AWBC for 6+ years. She has always been on time and give it her all with this company. AS she does with ANY company she has worked at prior. This winter storm AWBC really set the bar for sleez treatment of their employees. They made it perfectly CLEAR they have no concern, sympathy or moral concsious of the well being of their employees old or new! On Sunday evening my wife expressed great concern about the winter storm comming our way and she knew that with all the chatter things might get bad enough that travel would most likely become limited and this being EXTREMELY true where we live, a few miles off of county road 8 near the Tennesee line where we get most of the brutal end of storms for some reason. So she called up her supervisor and asked her what AWBC's expectations would be for their workers. Her supervisor told her that things would persist in the normal fashion at the moment and if she needed to leave early to make it in on time. My wife tried to thorouly explain that we live back in a VERY rural area and if it ices and snowes travel is impossible without risking self harm and damage to our vehicles and others that may be attempting to travel. The responce from her supervisor was " OH WELL YOU KNOW THE RULES AND I CAN'T CHANGE THEM FOR YOU"! My wife then tried to ask if the supervisor would ask head managment if she would get an accurance or written up if she could not make it in due to weather. With the return phone call the answer was YES! My wife started getting upset thinking about what may happen if things got to bad and stayed bad for any length of time meaning days. Well the snow got bad where we live a whopping 8 inches and sure enough no travel was possible. To our supprise AWBC did close on Monday but No empoyees were called. We found out only by going to WHNT business closings. Well Monday night my wife called her lead "which is the assistant to the supervisor" and asked what AWBC's expectations were for Tuesday. The leads reply was "be at work by ten o clock in the morning". My wife explained that we were snowed in and that the road was a solid sheet of ice where the farmers had taken tractors and drove the road to get to their cattle. They simply packed the snow and with a tid bit of melting turning it into hard ICE. The lead was just confused and told her the main roads were somewhat passable and to do what she needed to do. My wife called AWBC that Tuesday morning to let them know she could not make it. After letting them know her situation she was informed that ninety percent of the people were not there but they were still going to give accurances for not showing up and a get out of jail free card or "FREE ACCURANCE" was given to the onese that did. My wife started to tear up asking "what am I going to do these roads are going to be a mess for a few days as the temprature is not going to make it out of the twenties"? I just told her as long as she is safe thats all that matters and another job can be found. I HOPE!!! My wife did not go into work Tuesday and the roads did clear up some but quickly refroze into black ice that night.
Wednesday morning TODAY she was determined to try to get to work as she was afraid that she would get into more trouble with AWBC. From our past experiences and that is MANY AWBC does not care what your situation is. They will write you up and fire you no matter how long you have been there or what type of worker you are if you can not make it to work for any reason or late you will get diciplined, written up and after so many your fired. Well after barely making it out of the drive and sliding into the ditch "thank god for trucks" she pulled out and was off to work. She called me about fifteen minutes later all freaked out. She had just slid sideways down a hill and out into an intersection on the Natchez Trace on the route to work. Thank God no cars were coming! I know the hill well and it is about fifty feet from the top to bottom. I asked her if she was OK and she said she was. I then asked if the truck was fine and she replied everthing was ok. She proceeded to tell me she was going to try to make it the rest of the way. I said OK and my wife was off to temp luck once more. She did call me from work telling me she was ther fine and that she would call me close to quiting time. This brings back memories of the time when we had all the tornadoes come through the cloverdale/ petersville area and do all that damage. AWBC plays subscribed music on the loud speaker. With the conveyeurs running carring the totes and boxes over the wareshouse it is LOUD so it is nearly impossible to hear anyway. I called and told my wife that a tornadoe warning was in effect and was moving that way. She needed to take cover and warn everyone. She came home telling me that AWBC turned off the radio so people could not hear the warnings. Later it was said that it kept the workers from panicing and they were watching the weather outside. They just simply kept everyone working. My wife took cover in the bathroom until it was over. Six employee cars were damaged in their parking lot that day and could have meant their life. Lucky I came home because the kids got out early due to weather. I just wonder what situation it would be if my wife was a single mother like many that work out there?

Ok here is my questions AWBC! DID my wife really have to put her life and well being in danger for a whole 8 bucks an hour??? Just because the economy is in a hole, jobs are none existent, our houses and lifes depends on that eight bucks, does this make you grin that you know you can demand anything you want from your employees? Is your profits really worth employees putting there person and belongings at risk of loss or damage for you? It seems that AWBC's tactic or management outline is much like what businesses had before the industrial revolution. They stiff brow and could care less if you stay or not. They hope you don't. AWBC has the highest hire, fire, quit rate in the shoals area and possibly in north Alabama. Most jobs within the company any ten year old could do and thus less than a days training and your good. They will hire anybody that puts in an application. Known sex offenders no problem! They just make them post there picture on the bulletin board that no body reads. The picture states their crime, just like the picture you recieve in the mail if an offender moves to your neigborhood. No employee is warned of this criminal in their work force. MY WIFES lead was on the cover of Hard Times in the Shoals and was eventually fired for drinking on the job for christs sake. See if AWBC keeps the ball rolling with fresh people comming in, the pay rate stays at minimum wage and no insurance is dealt out, no vacation is dealt out, no incentive bonus is dealt out. All the things AWBC boasts about. I am sure there are many more finacial perks to the turn over. See thats another thing. Depending on the amount of stock you get out a day/hour you get a percent rating for your department and due to your percent you get what they call an incentive bonus. That pecent your department recieves for that month is what your bonus for that month will be. Lets say you made a total of 1200 dollar that month in paychecks. If your department gets five percent ouput for that month you will get a five percent off your total wages for that month in a incentive bonus. WAIT if you get three accurnaces you get NO INCENTIVE so yeah they are GONNA deal those accurances out for people that CAN'T GET INTO WORK BECAUSE THE ROADS ARE ICE. You see how they work. So if you are thinging on or know ANYONE who is thinking about working for this company DON'T!! Drive an hour to work out of town before you work for this company! Trust me you will thank yourself you didn't. If you don't beleive me then go for it. Maybe you can add to my article here later on! I will reply to questions here in this thread. I can and will give further examples and incedents if asked. There are PLENTY so go ahead and ask. Thank you for reading and I hope this gets TONS of traffic. Helping keep Florence informed and hope you all take up the trend!
Thanks,
A concerned husband!
Last edited by southern pride
buffalobuffaloPost Master
I cannot say anything bad about the Andersons I have worked for the family numerous times over the years. I’ve worked in their homes and corporate offices. They paid me very well because they demanded high end items of quality that were not available from anyone else than my company at the time.

The Andersons recognize quality, demand it at what ever the cost. The Andersons were paying for my skills not any personal feelings. They probably hated me to be honest.

I charged them until they puked and then charged them for puking but in the end they were happy with the result.
E EastsideHall of Famer
I worked for the Andersons two separate times when I was in college. Once with fireworks side (Terry) and the other with BookSmart. On both sides, the Andersons were good to me, but with Booksmart (now combined with AWBC) it was the management teams on the local level that were controlled by the Bham level that were the problem. No offense, but they look at it as they hire the bottom of the barrel that are desperate for a job so they treat them like the trash they consider them to be. I hate this still continues after all of these years, but I can't say I am surprised. There have been employees in the past that have raised up to fight "the man" but it never resulted in a win for them. I do remember an ice storm at Booksmart when I worked there and was told to be there or I wouldn't have a job and I had my dad drive me in and drive me home. Of course, the thing they didn't count on was someone falling in the lot by the trailers due to ice -- and filing a workers comp claim. When I left several years later they were still dealing with that one. Guess they didn't learn their lesson.

I can say that depending on which Anderson -- I would go back to work for them if I had too, but it would be as a last resort to go to AWBC. Fireworks? I'd go back any time.
PA proud americanSmall Talker
quote:
Originally posted by ms. wonka:
My niece and her boyfriend both work at AWBC. My hubby was a security guard there for over a year. Here's what I've learned from them; AWBC does offer BCBS insurance, my niece has had to have several in-hospital medical procedures done which caused her to miss a lot of work, yet she still has her job, why?, because she can use FMLA: my husband told me several stories of employees stealing, AWBC has a zero tolerance on stealing. On one occasion a man stole a very small item that sells for $1.00 at Dollar Tree stores. I think they do this so they will be fired then they can apply for unemployment and sit home. If you know there's a zero tolerance on something and it will without a doubt get you fired then why would you commit that act?

I'm not saying they don't treat employees badly, I've heard too many times from those who do or have worked there that they "treat employees sh***y". I would never want to work there, just giving a few facts. I did put in an application there, they are done on computers now as opposed to paper applications. By the way, if you tell them you can't work more than 40 hrs. a week, they won't hire you.




Well, after my weekend of catching up due to the snow storm, I am finally able to sit down and read this thread again. I can finally contribute to the FACTS. I can't say I do not HATE AWBC cause I do but I don't want it to seem that I am here just to bash without discretion or facts. I will let the readers make the ultimate call of who the REAL bad guy is and spread that info to whom they wish.


Ms. Wonka made the post above and sparked me to clear it up a bit and include the most needed facts to further inform the readers of the truth and whether or not her post shold lean toward the defence of AWBC or should it add to their ever sinking reputation. The ANDERSONS are sitting idle by while this foul eithic is surrounding the first and last letter of their name. You nor I are left with any other choice but to believe and take it as a fact that the Andersons have EARNED and DESERVE this reputation as they take NO approach to correct it.

AWBC DOES offer insurance after you have been with the comapany an set amount of time. This time seems to jump around from member to member and I could make no sence of the real facts here. You may say a year another may say 90 days. They only have open enrollment once a year for existing employees. If you have worked for the company for some time and you drop the insurance or pass up the chance to aquire and KEEP it, then you have to wait till the next year to enroll again. Here are the rates and what is covered. I will have more of the facts when my wife gets home but for now I have to use what is at my diposal. I assure you it is facts if you see otherwise please show your facts.
AWBC does offer BCBS but I am not sure what policy PLAN this is. Single employee pays $48.30 biweekly employee plus one other is $173.35 employee plus two other people is $180.60 all again is biweekly which = paid out every two weeks or twice monthly. There is further a $500 manditory deductible within that card year. A $35 co pay for standard office visits or a $50 co pay for specialists.
THIS PLAN IS ONLY FOR NON SMOKERS There are some procedures that still come out of pocket but that would be a huge post in itself. It takes a whole booklet just to inform you of what they will NOT pay for. I could not attempt to post that here.

I don't want to speculate if those rates are cheap or way high compared to others. What I can do is put it into perspective. A TYPICAL employee with this company makes an average of minimum wage to $8.50 an hour. At $7.25 that is $290. a week, $580 every two weeks or $1160 a month. WITHOUT TAX.. We will use a perfect dream world senerio and leave the tax out of this example. You could minus from that number a 7.75%+- tax to further reduce the final bring home number depending on your tax bracket and your dependents. I think that is a nice round STARTING POINT.

Now lets take out that family husband and wife and hope ya got no kids plan, OH yeah hope like the dickens you don't smoke. $1160 monthly pay - 331.80 a two times monthly installment insurance= $828.20 is the final number. Don't forget them taxes now when you do the math. OK lets tack on your gas milage as that is an unavoidable cost to work for any company. Lets say you live in lauderdale county where most living is in the rural community. The normal person for this example lives on an average of fifteen miles from work. SOME LIKE US A LOT MORE or some live in the city and a lot less. I don't think very many but that is my assumption. I will use that middle point. SO now we are at $828.20 gross no tax, no dental and no optical.

Lets say an average car gets 21 miles to the gallon. The price of gas is $2.70 a gallon and that is also a middle point. Gas is now $3.00 a gallon, mmmhmm that is regular. All that comes to around .12 cents a mile and for the 15 miles to work it costs about $1.92 one way. $3.84 a day to go to and fro. $19.20 a week or $76.80 a month. " you never thought of it like that did you" Now where were we? OH YEAH we were at 828.20 - 76.80 = $751.40 WITHOUT TAX....
Adding in ANY variables reduces this number greatly. If you are like our family and have eye issues and have to keep optical insurance, that is another expenense in this great big ole chain of pay up sucker. Now do you think it would be safe to say the average bring home is about $600 or less a month???

should we add in the STATE manditory car insurance on top of that as it is not a choice? I have to have it to go to and from work without choice?? I know it is not the employer but if you don't think employers crunch numbers a WHOLE lot better than me or you, THEN YOUR CRAZY! They know what they are doing to their employees in the form of work to pay ratio and the forced upon cost of living!

Ms. Wonka also said "I'm not saying they don't treat employees badly, I've heard too many times from those who do or have worked there that they "treat employees sh***y". I would never want to work there" I don't get it what was the post for? We have health care insuarance so we can take the foul disregard of saftey and treatment! To get to your point of ZERO tolerance on theft, HOLY COW it gets better! I CATCH YOU STEAL MY STOCK AND YOUR JOB IS TOAST. I will in return hire any past or current law offending indavidual to increase the risk along with put your belongings and person at risk. JUST DON'T STEAL AWBC STUFF! My wife had her $350 dollar cell phone stolen from this company and management could have cared LESS. AWBC computer technician about a year or two ago had stolen MILLIONS of dollars in books and sold them on ebay. I have not heard of any body going to jail over that and it is still HUSHED quickly within the company. Have your car damaged in the parking lot due to ANY reason and AWBC tells you where you can KISS. Have your property stolen from AWBC and they tell you that all you need was the clothes on your back to work there and nothing else should be on their property. I know of many times over my wifes employement where an indavidual had stolen somthing and was re-HIRED in 30 days. Same with managment if they fail a drug test or accusations are made and found to have some basis. They are relieved and in 30-90days right back in the saddle to do it all over again.
Anyone who jumps in this thread and says that the Andersons are great people and great to work for then I need the same kind of glasses you are wearing. Please foward me your eye doctors adress. If that is not possible then please include facts. I know that over the past three years I don't know of many people getting over a 5-25 cent raise. 90% of those people fell into the 5-10 cent range. There were NO local company picknicks, No local company dinners or celebrations, No bonuses if you have EVER heard of one then it must be a myth. YETTTTTT the Andersons have the odasity to pull up this summer during the 4th of July celebration where MOST ALL THE COUNTY is during this holiday in their YACHT named FREEDOM. This yacht must be twice the size of my home I live in. The cost of fuel to fill that thing up must be half of my wifes salary a year. I guess time were really hard that year for the ole Andersons. You know I don't envy them nor am I jealous. It just makes me sick anyone would treat employees like that when we have to live on crumbs they pay us, get treated like dogs while we earn those crumbs then turn around and flaunt your HUNDRED MILLION dollar yacht and the fact that you can still afford to live the finacially care free life in front of those that your are feeding crumbs. You swear your company is hurting so bad and profits are down. The company is SOOOO BAD OFF. OH I need everyone to take a pay cut because I cant afford to fill up my yacht this summer.

There are new developments within the wearhouse as to who is doing this posting informing you all here on Times Daily. AWBC is getting mad and supervisors/management is trying to play detective. No one has lost their jobs yet but the gears are turning. I am sure the Andersons are seeing this along with 99% of the wearhouse. I hope you all pass this thread around north Alabama ten times over. I hope it wakes up some of these local companies as to how large something like this can get and how fast it grows when you go mistreating your employees and they get enough of it. It can hurt and the worse thing about it is your butt is sure hard to cover when your fighting the truth! Just take the high road Andersons send down the word and clean up your managment. Offer your workers a more professional,safe and ethically correct place to work. If you really don't know the facts do some investigating yourself in these establishments.

I will post the current developments later tonight when I have time to sit and write some more. I tend to write a LOT when I do and try to be as thorough as possible. Till the next post,

Proud American!!
UnobtaniumUnobtaniumPost Master
quote:
Originally posted by proud american:
You may say a year another may say 90 days. They only have open enrollment once a year for existing employees. If you have worked for the company for some time and you drop the insurance or pass up the chance to aquire and KEEP it, then you have to wait till the next year to enroll again. Here are the rates and what is covered. I will have more of the facts when my wife gets home but for now I have to use what is at my diposal. I assure you it is facts if you see otherwise please show your facts.
AWBC does offer BCBS but I am not sure what policy PLAN this is. Single employee pays $48.30 biweekly employee plus one other is $173.35 employee plus two other people is $180.60 all again is biweekly which = paid out every two weeks or twice monthly. There is further a $500 manditory deductible within that card year. A $35 co pay for standard office visits or a $50 co pay for specialists.


You obviously have no friggin clue how excellent that plan is.

Reality: ALL COMPANIES have open enrollment dates. Usually one per year. ALL COMPANIES have a 90-day probation period. Companies can waive that if they so choose. Those with low-end employees with a high turnover rate typically will not waive that.

Family coverage for BCBS for a husband, wife, and a kid or two costs up to 523 dollar per month. Single plans up to $235/mo.

Check it out yourself: https://www.ibcbsal.com/webapp...on&srcCd=D&year=2011

I'm tellin ya, reality is about to hit you upside the head, thanks to you, when your wife is forced to find work elsewhere that doesn't pay as much and doesn't have the benefits. Assuming she can even find a job at all in this town. Pleased post back to let us know how that goes.
J justwannaknowFamiliar Face
Thanks UNO...my thoughts exactly on the insurance rates. Proud American, you need to do some more research in that area. You're argument doesn't fly. MOST businesses require MUCH more in payments by employees for insurance, IF it is even offered.
In a nutshell...the energy and resources you are usin up to make this lengthy argument could be better used to help your wife in preparing for another career. School loans are out there - I know, because I'm still paying on mine twenty years later! And I am not a Dr or a lawyer. There are plenty of programs you/your wife should be able to take part in to obtain more job training to be qualified for a better job, when it comes along. In the meantime, suck it up for a little while longer - it's already been six years you said - and do something positive for your wife instead of wasting time bashing a bad employer. You may or may not make a difference to AWBC or the Anderson's, but you will make a differnce to your family.
Continue to work hard and best of luck to you.
KP Kenny PowersPost Master
I doubt anyone here complaing about AWBC's wages would walk into a struggling grocery store and offer to pay 25% more for their groceries just out of the goodness of their heart. However, they expect a business to pay employees $10 an hour when there are people lined up waiting to take jobs for $8 an hour.

It's called supply and demand people. There is an abundance of unskilled labor in the Shoals that's why wages are low.
BR Brave RebelSmall Talker
By any chance, do you think AWBC might offer your wife a discount on a good, thick unabridged dictionary? Your answers seem well thought out, but the grammar is awful. Do yourself a favor and run your posts through spell-check before you post them. It will lend credibility to your posts. I'm sure "the Andersons" are sitting on their "hundred million dollar yacht" laughing their butt's off when you talk about your "edjucation." When a red squiggly line appears under the word you typed, just right click on the word and select the one that most resembles what you think is the correct spelling. That is my PSA for the day.
ButtercupButtercupPost Master
quote:
Originally posted by justwannaknow:
In a nutshell...the energy and resources you are usin up to make this lengthy argument could be better used to help your wife in preparing for another career. School loans are out there - I know, because I'm still paying on mine twenty years later! And I am not a Dr or a lawyer.


You've been paying back a student loan for twenty years, yet you still consider the loan an investment in your education?
PA proud americanSmall Talker
I am not applying for college credit. Nor am I on a pc in which I have a word procesor. I type more in one post they most do in a whole thread. I type very fast at 60+ WPM and I do not care to take the time to go back over and peruse it for mistakes. I DON'T HAVE TIME. I think the meaning of my words are well projected.

You lost me I make a post on the write and wrong of corp eithic regarding the treatment of my wife and suddenly I am claiming the Andersons are UN-edjucated. HMMMMM

I use the crude GUI of TimesDaily to post here. I use OPERA a browser which does NOT support automatic spell check there einstien. If it makes you feel better by attacking me due to grammer or spelling go for it. I am confident with my capabilities.

My credibility or the ease of reading? Saddly you may be correct that people would judge this thread and my credibility due to grammer and spelling. Maybe they should read this.

I cnduo't bvleiee taht I culod aulaclty uesdtannrd waht I was rdnaieg. Unisg the icndeblire pweor of the hmuan mnid, aocdcrnig to rseecrah at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mttaer in waht oderr the lterets in a wrod are, the olny irpoamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rhgit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whoutit a pboerlm. Tihs is bucseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey ltteer by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Aaznmig, huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tghhuot slelinpg was ipmorantt!

I guess Cambridge university should be discredited as well?
PA proud americanSmall Talker
You know, it is sad I have to defend myself with some of you guys on here that seem to post a and twist what I say to suite your argument. I have to defend it so the onlookers don't read your misinterpreted post and discount what I say!

Lets start!
quote:
original justwannaknow:
Thanks UNO...my thoughts exactly on the insurance rates. Proud American, you need to do some more research in that area. You're argument doesn't fly. MOST businesses require MUCH more in payments by employees for insurance, IF it is even offered.


What I said in the post he was responding to.

To my credibility of not being her just to bash AWBC but present facts!
quote:
original Proud American:
I can't say I do not HATE AWBC cause I do but I don't want it to seem that I am here just to bash without discretion or facts. I will let the readers make the ultimate call of who the REAL bad guy is and spread that info to whom they wish.

What I said about insurance.
I said I did not know the facts so the readers have to use their judgment as why the enrollment time frame differs from employee to employee.
quote:
original Proud American: AWBC DOES offer insurance after you have been with the comapany a set amount of time. This time seems to jump around from member to member and I could make no sence of the real facts here.


I made no claims and to whether the insurance is cheap nor high! I put THE WHOLE thing into perspective. The workers wages in regards to cost of living, senority, and the cost to get to and from work.

quote:
original Proud American:
I don't want to speculate if those rates are cheap or way high compared to others. What I can do is put it into perspective.


If you worked for yourself you would charge the client for the fuel it costed you to operate your machines to complete their work wouldn't you? Why should a company not take into account your cost to get to and from work to complete their tasks and make them money?

I also only posted the basic cost to the employee,insurance, cost of gas to and from work and the under estimated tax on gross income. For an avererage worker at AWBC, this comes to about $600 a month. Now what about the manditory state LAW insurance I have to put on my vehicle in order to get back and forth to work? I know that it is not employer oriented but all of that goes into cost of living and the manditory cost it takes to work for a company. THAT company should consider this when they negotiate pay and raises. IF they choose to be cheapskates then sit back shut up and let them reap their title as such. They earn the title let them wear it. They earned the recognition of this thread!

quote:
original Unobtanium :
I'm tellin ya, reality is about to hit you upside the head, thanks to you, when your wife is forced to find work elsewhere that doesn't pay as much and doesn't have the benefits. Assuming she can even find a job at all in this town. Pleased post back to let us know how that goes.


Gee I wish I had thought of the consequences before. "insert sarcasm here" Uno after your MANY posts in this thread, I know your opinion by now and there is NO need to keep on stating it. ONCE IS ENOUGH.

We all know there are no laws prohibiting companies from treating employees the way I have described in this entire thread. No laws or ordnaces that really overstep to tell a company how to manage said company in regards to ethics. That takes us back to RIGHT AND WRONG and whether or not the public wants to read an comment on it.

PROUD AMERICAN!!
JenniferJenniferOld Faithful
quote:
Now what about the manditory state LAW insurance I have to put on my vehicle in order to get back and forth to work? I know that it is not employer oriented but all of that goes into cost of living and the manditory cost it takes to work for a company. THAT company should consider this when they negotiate pay and raises. IF they choose to be cheapskates then sit back shut up and let them reap their title as such. They earn the title let them wear it. They earned the recognition of this thread!

How about all the company's insurances? To name just one, ever hear of workman's compensation? A business tells you what it pays before you take the job. Good luck finding a company that will hire you, pay your salary, and pay all your other bills too. I don't know how many vehicles they have on the road but they pay out the yin yang for those too. And I can only imagine what their taxes are. If you started listing their operating costs you'd run out of room in one post. Yes they make money, that's one point in going into business for yourself. Do you want to lose money? Do you have any employees?
PA proud americanSmall Talker
quote:
Originally posted by Kenny Powers:
I doubt anyone here complaing about AWBC's wages would walk into a struggling grocery store and offer to pay 25% more for their groceries just out of the goodness of their heart. However, they expect a business to pay employees $10 an hour when there are people lined up waiting to take jobs for $8 an hour.

It's called supply and demand people. There is an abundance of unskilled labor in the Shoals that's why wages are low.




Well you may know basic economics and that shows. I bet you passed micro and macro with flying colors huh. However your analogies are as bad as my regard to spelling and grammer! Just because that is the way things are due to government and drive from greed, don't mean that that we the little people with no money and power have to shut up and take quitely.

First off I would venture out to say that no one on this board is a million air like the Andersons! How is your comparison fair? Take an average joe with pennys and ask him would or should he do the same as a million air. HMMMM


Second, how could we walk into a store and pay more when we can barely pay for gas to get to the grociery store to begin with. It is lucky we get many groceries at all!


Lets do the best we can to use your poor little analogy and flip it. I am a million air and I go into the grociery store where the owner is struggling. His kids only sometimes get what they need and never what they want. His winter heat and summer cooling and basic means to survive daily demands is at constant question.

The grociery store owner still loyaly and tirelessly serves me with my wine and cavier and the food that makes all my banquets happy. The grociery store owner only charges me pennys over cost.

NOW.............

Is it ok for me THE MILLION AIR to walk into the store yell and complain making the store owner always afraid he is gonna lose his only means of supporting his family. The store!! I THE MILLION AIR go further and refuse to pay more for an item eventhough the price for that item went up leaving the grociery store owner paying more and getting less. I THE MILLION AIR can stop doing business with the grociery store and he still goes out of business. See because I am a million air, I am in control of how things go down. I can make or break people with the influence and power of my status.

Now that is a closer analogy!
IS THIS RIGHT.. IS IT CORRECT.... NO NO NO NO NO

I don't think not one person on this board could HONESTLY say actions of this nature should be tolerated!
PreviousNext

Add Reply

Post
affilated websites:
Times Daily | Decatur Daily | Courier Journal | The Hartselle Enquirer | Moulton Advertiser | The Redstone Rocket | The Madison Record | The Franklin County Times | Reach256 | TNValleyStuff.com TNValleyHomefinder.com | TNValleyWheels.com

Terms of Service | Private Policy | California Privacy Policy/Private Policy

Untitled Document

Membership Required

We're sorry. You must be signed in to continue. Sign In or Register
×
Are you sure you want to remove from your Block List?
×
Loading...
×
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .
×
Advanced Search
Advanced Search
Link copied to your clipboard.
×