Expectations of our roles are always changing, of course "with in the guidelines of current job descriptions". The company is a very reactionary company, and poor planning is evident when partners aren't sure what is the weeks focus. Communication and focus is always changing from upper management, and never consistent. This leaves you no choice but to develop your multi-tasking skills. For Store Managers and above their is lack of work-life-balance, your receiving text messages/emails (personal emails)/phone calls, about the changing environment, focus, and/or direction, or the flavor of the week (a little joke). Expectations at times are un-realistic and far fetched that make over-achievers insane. Howard has great ideas and initiatives, when they are filtered down, they message is lost somewhere. We have a no retaliation policy that if "fully" enforced, but of course their is something always found, for grounds of separations after the accusations come to light. Like most corporations their is a lot of politics and everyone knows everybody. Their is a lot of turn over in the company and in all levels, for example more than once, actually four times in my almost 10 years, we have had numerous open positions from vice president all the way down to baristas, all at the same time. FY11 till currently we have face this situation, again because of turn over and un-realistic expectations. We have a poor succession planning for upper management and the rate for promotions from Store Manager is very slow and almost none existing. It is easy to grow in the company from hourly positions to salary store managers position. The company is based out of Seattle and corporate jobs outside of Seattle are very few.
