I would rather be UNEMPLOYED in this economy than contribute any more of my time and talents to Loblaw. I started working for this company 4 years ago while still a student, and after graduating last year (graduate degree) and finding very few entry level opportunities in my field, I attempted to advance within Loblaw Companies. Here are my observations both as a store employee (cashier) and as a university graduate attempting to advance within the company:

After taking the initiative to make contacts at higher levels of the organization, I applied for all jobs to which I was suited (at the corporate office and in management at store level). I was willing to relocate anywhere in the country, so with my education and experience, I was confident that I could find something that suited me. I would have a phone interview and then nobody would get back to me. I tried to follow up with the recruiter, and they ignored me. This happened about a dozen times. My contacts told me not to get discouraged, and one spent two weeks trying to track down why I was ignored after my interview. Apparently the wrong HR unit conducted the interview (and of course the job that I applied for either was already filled or never existed in the first place). It's been a year now, and I've had it. If you are a conscientious, intelligent and hard working individual, Loblaw has no place for you.

On the other had, if you are lazy, like to come to work hungover, and don't have enough brains to operate a fax machine, Loblaw (store level) is the place for you. My management, as nice as they were personally, were terrible professionally at motivating employees to produce (or even insisting that they do any work at all). A few of us, the ones who demonstrated initiative and dedication were given all the work (because the management trusted us to do it) and the lazy ones hung around and talked about their latest night out. We all got paid the same (or close to the same).

I am sick of being taken for granted... yesterday was my last day. What a waste of time.