Two Woolworths employees have taken aim at the supermarket giant with a series of alarming allegations.
Speaking separately, the team members have lashed out at Woolworths management, claiming that staffing restrictions at the stores they’re employed at have created significant hardships. The allegations come in the wake of outgoing CEO Brad Banducci’s appearance before the Senate hearing into supermarket pricing, where Woolworths’ enormous profits are being put under the microscope.
One worker, speaking exclusively to 7NEWS.com.au, has revealed how he has “gone home crying” due to the extreme workload he is enduring due to staffing restrictions at his store.
Trends, culture and exclusive features: Sign up for 7LIFE newsletters
Another Woolworths employee, meanwhile, spoke out on Reddit, claimed that staff at her store were also having their hours cut – leaving her frustrated and baffled.
A Woolworths spokesperson has responded to the claims, saying that supermarket works hard “to provide our team members with meaningful and predictable work hours that work for them.” (See full statement below).
Data also shows that Woolworths now employees 30,000 more store team members than it did in 2009, thanks to the growth in online shopping and the creation new roles in stores.
Woolworths team members are also encouraged to raise any concerns with its confidential Speak Up service, which is run by a third party and can be used anonymously if desired (see details below).
In the employee’s Reddit post, which has since gone viral, the team member alleged that store managers were being ordered to reduce staffing levels.
“Just a Woolies worker sitting in the lunch room on her break, blood boiling over some news I’ve just been told,” the worker wrote on Reddit.
“Foremostly, I’m sure we’re all aware of Woolworths record profits last financial year? Fast forward to now, I’m sure we’re also aware that the former CEO of the company could be facing prison time due to taking advantage of customers during desperate times.
“Well, get this.
“I’ve just been told by my manager that the area manager is slamming store managers to cut everyone’s hours. Already, multiple people have been told they’re losing hours and days, some (like me) who are already only being given 15 hours a week as it is!
“It just baffles me how a company that has destroyed their own reputation by taking advantage of people’s desperation, some families having to choose between feeding themselves or being late for their rent, are willingly cutting their own employees hours, which are scarce as it is.”
The post attracted more than 7,000 reactions, with many current and former Woolworths workers sharing their experiences.
“Five years of management with them as well. Would never go back,” one said.
Speaking to 7NEWS.com.au, another Woolworths worker said the pressure he faces is “physically and mentally exhausting”.
“We have staff wanting to reduce their hours because they can’t handle the ridiculous work load that is being put on us daily,” the worker, who chose to be anonymous, said.
“The stores are being told to hire school kids and uni students for the night time and weekend shifts, but making us work on a skeleton crew during the day, they won’t let us hire day people because they cost to much.
“I myself have gone home crying and considered stepping down from my customer service assistant manager position to just a full time team member because of the work load, it is physically and mentally exhausting the amount of pressure they put on us.
“We get abuse from customers daily because of the lack of staff we have on during the day.”
Woolworths responds
A Woolworths spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au that the supermarket is committed to offering staff adequate shifts and a “positive experience”.
“We work hard to provide our team members with meaningful and predictable work hours that work for them,” the spokesperson said.
“Our full-time and part-time team members have set minimum hours in their contracts which guarantee they will receive these hours every week.
“Across Australia we employ over 130,000 team members in our stores, and are continuing to recruit new team members every month.
“To help our team members pick up extra shifts that work for them, they can also choose to let local management know when they are available to work in neighbouring stores.
“We aim to roster our teams to create a positive experience for them, and our customers – matching rosters to when customers are shopping in our stores, and when tasks need to be completed.”
7NEWS.com.au understands that Woolworths has not sent out explicit instructions to hire high school or university students and views all demographics of potential hires equally.
Need to talk?
If Woolworths team members have specific concerns they don’t feel comfortable raising with their store manager, they are encouraged them to contact senior management directly or to use its confidential Speak Up service.
The service is run by a third-party and allows them to remain anonymous if they wish. Woolworths team members can access the Speak Up service here.