Springfield Grocer Unjustified Dismissal Springfield Missouri

Springfield Grocer is a company that boasts "family" orientation. However, their actions toward their employees are far from family-oriented.

I was employed with Springfield Grocers from October 23, 2008 until January 19, 2009. I was "let go" just prior to completion of my 90 day probation period. Conveniently, this is also just before I would be eligible for benefits. Their reasoning was that my piece count was too low. I will explain this further.

As a driver, my responsibilities included transporting the products and unloading them at the customer's place of business. I was timed as to how quickly I could unload the truck-referred to as my "piece count." The speed of unload makes perfect sense to me since the company avoids overtime if the driver can quickly make deliveries and complete his day earlier. However, Springfield Grocers makes this impossible.

The warehouse cannot seem to properly load a truck. It would make sense to most people that the truck should have the last stop loaded first (very back of the truck) and the first stop loaded last (very front, nearest back door). On a daily basis, I was required to move multiple cases in order to retrieve my current delivery. The warehouse would consistently load ex: stop #7 in front of stop #1. Naturally, this caused me to take more time at the stop.

In addition, the scheduler, Ed, cannot seem to obtain pertinent information. I was once sent to a business that was closed for the entire week. When I called Ed to find out what he wanted me to do with the delivery, he sent me on to the next stops and then called me to send me BACK to the place that was closed. Again, this added more time to my day and thus, lowered my piece count. Ed also consistently sent me to businesses that weren't yet open for the day. I had to wait for them to arrive thus, lowering my piece count.

Springfield Grocer is not the reputable, family company you may think. I would highly suggest other options for employment. You may find that Springfield Grocers will leave your family in the same predicament as mine. They were also fully aware of the fact that my wife and I have a 4 month old daughter that we are trying to care for. Nice family, huh?

Travis
Springfield, Missouri
U.S.A.