Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
January 31,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in on February 2013
Echoing trends trumpeted at previous Markets, bedding offerings at the Winter 2013 Las Vegas Market once again emphasized coolness, gel infusion, adjustable beds and other automated functions.
Gel continues to be the buzz ingredient of choice among many leading bedding manufacturers, as more and more beds featuring gel (frequently infused with memory foam) were introduced.
One of the main appeals of gelcooler sleepwas also a recurring theme in the new beds on display. Besides gel, this is also achieved through ventilation techniques as a result of retooled mattress construction.
And adjustable beds continue to be a hot trend among leading bedding manufacturers, as the technology continues to pull away from the hospital/Kraft-matic senior-citizen stereotype and emerge as an important add-on for younger consumers.
Heres a round-up of the new bedding products shown at Las Vegas Market.
Sealy unveiled its updated Posturepedic line, which encompasses three series:
¢ Posturepedic Hybrid, a half-gel memory foam/half-springs line;
¢ Posturepedic Gel, which combines gel memory foam with titanium alloy coils; and
¢ Posturepedic Classic, which features Sealys redesigned Classic Coil.
The company will launch the new Posturepedic beds with an invigorated advertising campaign based on its acclaimed Whatever you do in bed, Sealy supports it campaign. New commercials coming to TV are geared to make an emotional connection with viewers by touching upon how key moments of life are spent in bed.
Serta announced it will build upon the success of its gel/memory foam-based iComfort line with iComfort Directions, which adds four new models to the collection.
The new beds feature EverCool Gfx, which adds grapheme for support and heat dissipation; Cool Action Dual Effects, which has new gels for support and coolness; Pods Gel-Active Support, which are macro-gel discs that add support; and ThermoCool Fabric Covers that have Tencel fibers for moisture transfer. The four new beds will range in price from $1,999 to $2,999. The company also showed its redesigned Perfect Sleeper mattress line, which includes a new Sleep To Go pillow that will retail for $39.
Simmons launched two new collections, Beautyrest Recharge and Beautyrest Recharge World Class, which will replace its Beautyrest Classic and Elite lines, respectively. Both lines combine pocketed coil springs with gel foam. The Recharge line, priced from $699 to $1,299, feature Aircool memory foam and GelTouch foam, while the Recharge World Class series (priced from $1,399 to $1,999) adds TruTemp gel, which is said to release warmth for a cooler sleep surface. The company also announced the addition of three new beds to its high-end Comforpedic from Beautyrest line, which will be priced from $2,999 to $3,999. All three beds feature the companys proprietary Multi-Action Support Layer.
Memory foam giant Tempur-Pedic announced a new push into sleep personalization with the Tempur-Choice line. These beds have a new multi-zone adjustable support system in which a hand-held remote allows each sleeper to modify his or her side of the bed to achieve desired a level of firmness that feels just right from more than 120 different comfort settings. The line includes the 14-inch Tempur-Choice Luxe mattress ($3,999 in queen), and the 13-inch Tempur-Choice Supreme ($3,499).
Responding to customer requests for a plusher feel, Tempur-Pedic showed its new Tempur-Cloud Allura ($4,599 in queen), which combines soft Tempur-ES material with its cozy Tempur-Top pillow top. Another new model, the Tempur-Cloud Luxe Breeze ($4,999) has Tempur-Breeze technology to add an extra-cool feel to the companys customary support and no-motion-transfer memory foam. Finally, the company showed its new Tempur-Ergo Premier adjustable base ($1,999), which can be run by a free app via wireless Apple or Android devices. These new Tempur-Pedic products will hit retail this spring.
Boyd Specialty Sleep introduced a new line of four Natural Flex latex beds priced from $699 to $1,499 in queen. The company also showed its new Cosmopolitan platform bed that will sell for $199 in queen, as well as four revamped air bedsthe Operetta, Orion, Comet and Stardustwhich have been updated with Boyds new TPU air core and will retail from $1,999 to $3,499 in queen. Finally, Boyd showed two new occasional-use beds, the $79 Siesta mattress and $129 Comfort Ease II fold-away guest bed.
Canadian mattress protection specialist Caber Sure Fit showed its new line of DreamSeren mattress and pillow protectors, made from a variety of fabrics including terry, bamboo and eucalyptus, and priced from $59 to $199.
Classic Brands announced the addition of a new mattress to its Dormia Memory Foam Collection, as well as three new gel memory foam mattresses to its E-Commerce Collection. New accessories from the company include the Cool Gel Memory Foam Topper.
Comfort Solutions showed its revamped five-model Perfect Contour collection, which combines a foam core with layers of latex, latex gel foam, and gel memory foam. This line is expected to retail from $799 to $1,299 in queen. Also redesigned was the companys health-skewed Dr. Breus Bed line, which now consists of six new beds: Vitality, Longevity, Endurance, Synergy, Stability and Success, set to range at retail from $1,299 to $3,499 in queen.
Europe-based specialty provider Dormeo Octaspring, which made its U.S. debut in 2012, showed its proprietary memory foam honeycomb-structured springs that are the basis of its line of beds.
Englander Sleep Products debuted its LifeStyle line of specialty gel beds, along with new gel-based Tension Ease and Anniversary models, for a collection priced from $499 to $1,899 in queen.
FXI/Anatomic Global showed its Rejuvigel mattresses at Market. The line combines soft Visco foam with swirled waves of gel for better support and air/moisture movement. The beds are priced in queen at $1,199 (11-inch), $1,499 (12-inch) and $1,899 (13-inch). The company also showed its Bed Bug Defense Shield Mattress Protector, a disposable, flexible mat placed under a mattress to protect from bed bug infestation.
Glideaway Sleep Products premiered its Natural Awakenings by Sleepharmony latex and gel collection, which includes the eight-inch Nightshade, 10-inch Calypso and 12-inch Primrose. The beds, which have a temperature-regulating treatment and a top layer of latex to remove heat from the body for cooler sleep, will retail from $999 to $1,799 in queen.
The big news from Kingsdown at Market was the unveiling of the companys new Sleep Smart beds, which come with interactive technology that, according to the vendor, monitors a sleepers movements, pain, pressure and sleep patterns throughout the night, and can reconfigure the sleep setting on an ongoing basis to ensure maximum comfort and health benefits. The company demonstrated the Sleep Smart system in a closed-door theater in its Market space.
High-end bedding specialist E.S. Kluft & Co. showcased its Aireloom brands Adapt-and-React collection, which includes all-foam, hybrid foam and innerspring versions that utilize gel for temperature regulation. The beds have a heavyweight zippered cover and a non-quilted Scandinavian look, and will be priced from $1,799 to $3,499 in queen.
Italian bedmaker Magniflex debuted its eco-friendly Linen Natursoft Deluxe line, which has a linen cover and layers of mallow extract and soy-based foam, and will retail for $3,999 in queen. The company also showed its new GeoEthic group, which are made with non-toxic, renewable materials. The Magnigel collection, into which pre-polymer gel is swirled into the foam, was also shown.
The big reveal from green-skewing Organic Mattresses Inc. was of the companys new Point-of-Purchase program, which includes branded upholstered organic chenille materials including a headboard; pillows with shams; and an upholstered mattress base.
Pure Latex BLISS rolled out its new Yulex collection, a line of mattresses, toppers and pillows made with eco-friendly biorubber from the Yulex Corp. According to the company, these beds will offer a lush feel not commonly associated with environmentally friendly beds. The line includes the eight-inch Eco, 10-inch Sustain and 12-inch Renew.
The five-model Response Sleep System by Sharper Image collection was shown at Vegas Market, and, according to its manufacturer Southerland, can provide zero-gravity pressure relief, responsive support and contoured comfort. The beds have layers of open-cell Talalay latex and foam layers.
Adjustable base specialist Reverie showed its high-tech 7S (Supreme), which features Made for Mobile technology that enables control of lift, massage and other functions by tablets and smartphones via a remote app. The base will sell for $1,700 in queen.
Under-bed specialist Seahawk Designs unveiled a new upholstered 19-inch by 50-inch storage bench that complements the companys Davenport storage foundation system. The company also introduced an adjustable bed base option, an extension to to its Casual Elegance collection.
Spring Air celebrated its Back Supporter collection by rolling out two new Special Edition Back Supporter models, available in firm and plush feels and priced at $599 in queen.
Therapedic International showcased its Agility collection, which combines gel foam and micro-pocket coils for coolness and support. Bio-based Preserve VG gel is swirled into the beds foam compound. Four models, Dash, Tango, Freestyle and Crossover comprise the line, which ranges in retail price from $1,299 to $2,499 in queen. HFB
January 31,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on February 2013
Ive worked for only three companies since graduating from college. The first was a Fortune 500 company in the transportation industry. As you might expect it was very corporate America. It was extremely structured with layers of management.
My second position was with a client that I worked with by way of the Fortune 500 that asked me to come to work for them. It was a dedicated third-party logistics provider that was privately held and employed just over 120 people. Less structured than my previous job, but attempting to become a real company.
This brings me to my present position as publisher of Home Furnishings Business. A team of five, the majority of us work from home, with some support from our parent company. Each company has had its share of pros and cons, but each was driven by the fact you must have good employees to deliver on the promises you make to your clients.
At one time or another with each place I have been employed, I have hired, fired or have been counted on to keep morale up within my group of employees. I know the old saying, sh*t floats downhill but it amazes me how quickly a senior manager will run when such tasks come up.
Right or wrong here are a few things that I have learned along the way.
When hiring, dont try to just fill a vacancy. Use this time to find an upgrade and find someone that will work well within your team. If you hire a person that is motivated, smart and has a good work ethic, you can train them on the necessary skills to help them be successful in the position. They will grow into the role. Dont rule out hiring from outside your industry, sometimes a fresh set of eyes, ears and ideas is what the position needs as a jumpstart. Explain what is needed for them to be considered successful and supply the tools to make that happen.
Firing, this is a tough one for most people. In todays world of documenting potential issues, problems and inch-thick personnel files, its my thought that a person has a pretty good idea which path they are on before the firing takes place. If you have completed your supporting documentation and included it in this file, you should have no concerns about your next step. You have outlined what was needed for that employee to be successful, and they have not reached those goals. Lose no sleep when terminating an employee; youve had discussions along the way about performance issues and addressed this with each item that was put in the file. Cut the cord and move on, your team will be better for it.
Happy employees are more productive employees, but keeping employee morale up is a difficult task. Management needs to keep an eye on morale. Good employers will make sure an employee is feeling happy and secure in the position, so they can focus on doing their job and not have concerns about the what ifs. Its a fact that an employee will be more productive if they feel good about the company. Remove any doubts employees may have, and you will be rewarded by them. Be sure to acknowledge employees for the effort they give. Celebrate the wins and always be sure to include families in your celebration. The family may not be on your payroll, but they are a vital support for your employee. Its important for family members to feel included and part of your team.
This issue of Home Furnishings Business delves into these topics. Take a moment to read it and learn from others who are much more seasoned than me in what makes a successful team in the furniture industry. Im sure you will walk away with an idea or two that will help you become more successful and create a team environment that will exceed your expectations.
January 31,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on February 2013
The jurys still out on the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, on businesses.
Jill Benson, an attorney specializing in employment issues in the Greensboro, N.C., office of Womble Carlyle, noted that employers will have to provide coverage in companies with 50 or more full-time employees. The next big deadline is March this year to give notice to employees, but that could be pushed back.
Its not clear yet what minimal essential coverage will be, Benson said.
Taylor Ganz, vice president of finance, planning & administration at Profitability Consulting Group, said hes spoken to a number of retailers who are reducing some full-time positions to part-time; and all part-time positions to 28 hours a week or less in order to reduce the number of employees they must cover in a health insurance program under the law.
Some are raising prices, but they should be raising prices anyway, Ganz said. Up to now, a healthy benefit package has been a useful retention and recruitment tool, but because of the uncertainty around the new regulations its unclear how many retailers can offer the full level of benefits. ¦ Its the uncertainty about the laws mechanics.
With a huge number of retail associates spread over its Thomasville store network, Furniture Brands International has stayed abreast of health-care reform developments, said Beth Sweetman, senior senior vice president of human resources.
Weve been on top of health care reform for a couple of years, and we already comply with the legislationwe know whats coming, she said. For us I think it will be an attraction and retention tool. Benefits are a significant spend for Furniture Brands, so we watch that carefully.
Susan Brashears, at Brashears Furniture in Berryville, Ark., doesnt expect much impact from Obamacare on the retailers benefit packages.
We were already providing insurance for our people, and we have under 50 people, she said. We actually got a small rebate back from our health insurance company last year.
January 31,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on February 2013
Its been almost two years since Home Furnishings Business took a look at hiring, and a lot has changed in that time.
Last time we addressed this issue, the economy was digging out of recession. Now, business is on the upswing for most furniture stores compared with first-quarter 2010, and the general economy is in far better shape.
The gist is that while hiring for jobs in furniture stores isnt the sellers market it was a couple of years ago, retailers looking to expand their business had best maintain good hiring practices to ensure the associates encountering customers and the back-of-house personnel processing and delivering orders are up to the challenge of servicing an uptick in businessnows no time to skimp quality hires.
It boils down to making hiring and talent scouting a process, versus a reaction to meet an immediate need.
HIRING, PROSPECTING 24-7
Recruiting is a job that should be carried out 365 days a year regardless of whether you have a position to fill, said Taylor Ganz, vice president of finance, planning and administration at retail consultant Profitability Consulting Group. There are two reasons: First, every organization has its dead weight whether its a mom-and-pop with nine employees, or a Top 100 (retailer) with 700. You should always look to upgrade the weakest talent on your team.
The second reason is at some point, you will lose an indispensable, cant-live-without member of your organization. Its not a matter of if, but when.
Your employee might get another job opportunity, a spouse might get relocated, they might be in a snowmobile accidentyou name it.
If thats when you start scrambling for a replacement its too late, Ganz said. The most important part of leadership is developing a deep bench.
Constant awareness of people who could make your business better is key to that constant search. Joe Milevsky, CEO of consultant JRM Sales & Management, suggests that retailers always stay on the hunt.
I had a client who was at a convenience store, and the employee went so over the limit of what they had to do that (the client) offered a job, he said, adding that the new hire ended up a top salesperson.
Go hunting in malls, womens stores, shoe and clothing stores.
Im not going to overtly steal that person, Milevsky said. I might say Im looking for someone with interpersonal skills like yours. Do you know people with skills similar to yours? ¦ You have to physically get out and do it.
Look at your personal network: People have all these great associationschurch, civic groups, maybe even the golf clubbut they never think to ask, Milevsky said. Im always looking, always interviewing. Someone comes into the store asking about a job, whatever Im doing I take timeif they took the time to come in, Ill see them for at five minutes at least, maybe set up a more formal interview for later.
All that helps retailers build a tickler file of prospects so that when they need to hire, they have a plan in place versus reacting to an immediate need.
Ask customers.
If they like the stores environment, they might feel they want to work there, but dont have the experience, Milevsky said. If the retailer has the ability to train that person, customers are one of your best potential sources.
And when you must make a change among current personnel, building a pool of potential talent eases the burden, noted Ganzs colleague at PCG, Rene Johnston-Gingrich, vice president of training and development.
It makes these difficult changes that much easier knowing you have a pool of people to draw from, she said.
BRING IN THE TEAM
In terms of sales help, one of the last things Id do is placing an ad, Milevsky said. Word-of-mouth is very importantyou can incentivize employees for successful hires.
Ganz suggests including words to the effect of if youre interested in a great opportunity, call ¦ on the back of all your associates business card so they can pass those out when they spot potential talent when theyre out and about.
If you see people you think could help your operation, give them a card whether you have an opening or not, he said.
Thomasville Home Furnishings stores utilize an employee referral program, said Beth Sweetman, senior senior vice president of human resources at Thomasvilles parent company, Furniture Brands International, St. Louis. Current associates get compensation for referring new employees that stay.
A referral from an employee who knows the person and what they can do usually ends up being the best fit, she said, adding that the chain is working to improve its managers ability to reach out to potential talent. Weve learned that our store managers need training on basic networking to keep a constant flow of possible employees in the hopper. Were developing networking training, because getting out in the local community is the best way to build a pool of talent. We arent there yet, but were working on it.
OTHER RESOURCES
Job boards, and particularly the business-oriented social network LinkedIn, are other channels that furniture retailers are utilizing to build their talent pool.
Over the years we have tried all the traditional methods but recently we have been successfully using Indeed.com, said Susan Brashears, an owner at Brashears Furniture, Berryville, Ark. It is very effective in our region. You can manage your account daily. That means being able to modify the ad if youre not seeing the response you want, and also being able to respond to candidates the same day they apply. In addition, it is very affordable.
LinkedIn has turned out well for Thomasvilles store recruiting.
That seems to work more effectively for us than the national job boards, though were on all of those, too, Sweetman noted.
And while Fairborn, Ohio-based Morris Furnitures most effective leads are associate referrals, Dan W. Little, human resources manager, said the next most effective is ads posted on Internet boards.
Morris also is exploring social media and have done some sourcing via its Facebook page.
What does not work at Morris?
We have had no success recruiting for sales at local job fairs, Little said. The challenge is overcoming objections to commissioned based sales. This is an ongoing effort for us.
Wherever youre looking, always keep in mind that you cannot always hire accomplished winners out of the gate, said David Markowicz, vice president of human resources, Jeromes, San Diego.
That can be expensive, but you can train and develop the new hires into winners if they have the right attitude and a high level of enthusiasm, he said. So focus on hiring strong entry level people and then have a plan/program that will develop/mold them into what you want them to be.
THE RIGHT FIT
Different departments demand different skills, but retailers contributing here differ on their hiring approach for specific functions.
Thomasville, for instance, views hiring pretty much the same way for any position, said FBIs Sweetman.
The way I look at it hiring is hiring, she said. Prospects all go to the same places, national job boards, LinkedIn groupings, so you can get an idea of what positions theyre looking for.
As were hiring the younger generation, thats where theyre going to look. Our hiring process is the same across job functions.
Morris Furniture looks for sales position candidates through referrals and the Internet.
For sales positions, we do not limit our search to just applicants with past sales experience, Little said. Many candidates without sales experience can be molded into top sellers. We have found that some past candidates with sales experience had selling strategies or customer service attitudes that were not conducive to our team oriented showrooms. When screening an applicant we look for skills we cant teachintegrity, work ethic, teamwork.
We generally do not run print ads for sales positions with the exception of a store opening. Sourcing via the Internet creates a steady flow of applicants who are Internet savvy.
When Morris is opening a new storethe retailer has a new Ashley Homestore location on the waythe retailer adds Now hiring information tags to print sales advertising, and uses signage at existing stores. A similar message appears on press releases when applicable.
We have had a high success rate with internships for local college students, Little said. Almost a third of our interns eventually came on full time after graduation.
He added that for entry level and delivery positions, those are areas where print seems to do as well as the Internet in generating candidates.
When examining candidates for particular positions, fit the skill set and the personality set to the ideal you have in mind for that position, suggested Rene Johnston-Gingrich at PCG.
Its a little like Internet dating, she said. Whats your ideal, what are your must-haves, and what are the deal-breakers?
During the selection process, do the workthat lessens the chance of hiring the wrong person.
Is there an applicant with strong organization skills and willingness to take direction but whose interpersonal style might be lacking? Think back-office or warehouse versus the sales floor.
Most people can be trained, but dont try to fit a square peg into a round hole, said PCGs Ganz. Look at their skill sets in previous jobs where they were successful, and whether they can transfer that to your operation.
THE SIT DOWN
OK, you have a pool of potential talent for your store, and youre open to buy. Following are things to watch for during the interview process.
There are two things I cant teach. The first is interpersonal skills, Milevsky said. If I think I can change someone that momma and poppa couldnt change, Im probably making a mistake. Do they like people, do they have the ability to listen, do they have ethics and morals, how do they see themselves?
Second is their internal motivation. ¦ I can demotivate someone, but the motivation itself to succeed has to come from within. I can provide a great environment that encourages them to succeed, but I cant make them succeed.
Watch for red flags during the interview, said Ganz and Johnston-Gingrich at PCG.
I was interviewing someone once, and she cursed, recalled Johnston-Gingrich. Nothing huge but she did it so casually, and I recognized a lack of professionalism. ¦ She was also talking about a conflict situation at her previous position, too, which was a bad sign. She charmed me the rest of the interview, though. I hired her but ended up having to fire her.
Ganz has two very important words: resume gaps.
Anyone can give you a resume and fill out an application, and if they list someone as a reference, they can generally count on (a good word), he said. What you have to do is look for employment gaps. Say they had a position from 2002 to 2004; and another from 2006 to 2008. You want to know what happened between 2004 and 2006.
In todays economy, people arent afraid to say theyve been out of work, but if theres a gap, you still want to know what they were really doing. If they were unemployed, you can ask what kind of job did you look for; what did you do to occupy your time; what were your job-hunting strategies?
That can give you an idea whether they were showing initiative, or just sitting around collecting unemployment.
And above all, check those references, and beyond that, perform adequate vetting of the people youre considering for interaction with your customers.
Looking at our clients ¦ they often miss one gigantic step, and that scares methey dont vet properly, Milevsky said. When they dont do that I see a lot of mistakes that lead to (termination).
Background checks, I had one client with an applicant that gave a false Social Security number. Today its so easy to check all that informationa day or two versus a week or two. HFB
January 31,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on February 1, 2013
Be careful what you fire for.
An employers personal feelings are not grounds for a terminationit must comply with the law. That sounds like common sense, but a couple of recent lawsuits illustrate how alleged subjective judgment on a furniture retailers part landed the business in court.
In January, Isabel Perez sued Ashley Furniture Homestore licensee Factory Direct of Secaucus, N.J., in Federal Court, claiming that a manager said God told her to fire Perez, who is a lesbian.
And in Chicago the same month, Ashraft Dabbah, who is of Middle Eastern descent, sued The Roomplace in Cook County Court, alleging he was fired on the advice of a consultant who suggested replacing managers with accents.
However those cases turn out, they create legal headaches and negative publicity that can be mostly avoided through a termination process that is fair, documented and legal.
Jill Benson is an attorney specializing in employment issues in the Greensboro, N.C., office of Womble Carlyle. Overall, she noted, employers actually have a good bit of leeway when it comes to reasons for dismissing employees.
You can fire someone at any time unless its for unlawful reasons, she said.
Benson emphasized that while at present there is no federal law that protects an employees sexual orientation such as the case mentioned above, More states are jumping on the bandwagon to protect sexual orientation.
When it comes to firing an employee, retailers should look at their states law to determine if youre in compliance.
She also had several other suggestions to make sure retailers are covering their legal bases when they have to let an employee go.
Companies should utilize a probationary or introductory period, Benson said. That lets the employee get to know the company and you to get to know the employee. Put it in writing.
Are you consistently following a policy for dismissals? In the real world, the laws going to favor a progressive dismissal policy with documentation every step of the way.
Documentation of warnings, counseling and the final action to terminate cannot be over-emphasized.
Its all about documentation, Benson said. Document clearly and in detail the basis of the determination (to terminate); who the decision maker is; and the specifics of (the employees) poor job performance.
Employers should review policies currently in place, and ensure that managers are following up on and documenting disciplinary procedures. Every furniture retailer needs to be completely up to speed at the management level on any labor laws that apply to the business. Ensure management is trained on policies and procedures.
I would recommend that all managers receive employment law training on an annual basis, because things do change, Benson said. Thats one suggestion: Updating written policieswith review by counselis the other.
PROCESS, GUIDELINES
Joe Milevsky, CEO of JRM Sales & Management, Acworth, Ga., said hes never terminated anyone when he hadnt already done his part.
If someone does something illegal, unethical or immoral, theyve done this to themselves, he noted.
Someones not standing before your desk getting the ax without a reason but creating guidelines and a process forces employers to do the right thing when it comes to termination.
Ive had no one who didnt fire themselves, he said. If they were struggling, Id put them in an intensive care situation (maybe re-assign duties, etc.) I want to give that person every opportunity I can, but if they dont do their part, if they dont fulfill what they say they will, then whose fault is it?
Milevsky suggested handling such counseling more as an agreement than a disciplinary action.
Some people feel that if they come to you for help its demeaning, but if they ask for help that tells me they want to grow, he noted. Everythings going to be done in writing, and we both sign off. ¦ Be very clear about the things to get done, and set a date that they get done. If it doesnt happen, then who fired whom?
Because it is usually preceded by strong documentation, an associate at Fairborn, Ohio-based Morris Furniture is rarely surprised when he or she is fired.
Our discipline is consistently applied and documented, said Morris Furniture Human Resources Manager Dan Little. Having a record that is documented, reviewed and tracked above the store manager level is key to having an effective discipline plan; this ensures fairness and reduces exposure.
Morris disciplinary philosophy is to change the substandard behaviornot to simply punish.
When an associate is terminated for cause it is handled professionally, and in person when possible, Little said. It is direct and to the point.
STEP BY STEP
Thomasville Home Furnishings stores has what Beth Sweetman, senior senior vice president of human resources at parent company Furniture Brands International, called robust guidelines for firing situations.
First, it happens on a pretty regular basis, unfortunately, she said. We start with the premise that we believe people want to come to work and do a good job, and we always give people a chance to improve.
We follow a progressive disciplinary process. It starts with a conversation: Theres a problem we need to work on.
The next step is a written warning, and thats when it gets more serious. Third is a final written warning: If this doesnt change, you will be terminated.
There are no exceptions to the process, so its fair; and its legally defensible, Sweetman said.
Taylor Ganz, vice president of finance, planning & administration at Profitability Consulting Group, noted that different states have different laws governing employment practices.
You want to document everything, particularly depending on how litigious the state youre in is, he said. Document difficult steps along the way, with specific dates and reasons.
That doesnt mean a retailer has to go overboard with forms, but at least a note documenting a counseling session needs to go into the employees file.
Ganz also believes an employer never should fire an individual in a one-on-one session. Always have a documented witness.
And get legal adviceno matter the size of your operationto make sure your firing process wont get you into trouble.
Consult with help available through industry organizations or consult legal counsel for proper hiring and firing procedures, he said, noting thats particularly critical for retailers with stores in multiple states. What might be permissible in Florida might not be in California.
Above all, make sure any firings serve a higher purposethe creation of a customer-centric organization where all members are pulling their weight in their assigned area of responsibility.
If you enjoy firing people you arent in the right business, but I see people who fail to terminate someone they need to terminate, Milevsky said. Sometimes its because they dont understand their missionare they in business to do whats best for the employee or whats best for the customer? Understand where our true obligation liesthe customer.
Ive seen people hold onto employees for decades just because they were around when the business startedthey might have been great for the first 10 years and then miserable for the next 30. HFB