Nordstrom to employees at burned-out mall: Your pay is docked

[Newsjock]

Source: Sacramento Bee

... Nordstrom, one of several anchor tenants at the 1.3 million square foot mall, said on Friday that center officials have not yet been allowed their managers to enter their two-story store to survey for damage.

The Seattle-based retailer, whose department store is one of the furthest away from the fire damage, said all of its 300 full-time and part-time workers have been asked to stay home.

Tara Darrow, spokeswoman for Nordstrom, said that under company policy, workers who showed up for work on Thursday will be paid half of their shift for that day.

Employees will not be paid today and Saturday, but starting Sunday they will earn 60 percent of their average daily pay until the store reopens.

The company said it will assess the pay policy if the Roseville department store remains closed for more than 30 days.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/10/22/3124982/mall-shutdown-could-cost-retail.html

[SoCalDem]

1. Unless they have a contract that spells it out, I would expect Nordstrom to do that

SERVICE work is that way, folks.. no work...no pay.. If they are officially "laid off", they can apply for unemployment. but companies that hire-at-will, can pretty much do whatever they want.

[Fla Dem]

2. Actually, I'm surprised they are paying them 60% of their salary.

In this day and age, and the general corporate attitude of screw'em, that's pretty generous.

[Newsjock]

3. I'm mostly surprised that it's Nordstrom doing this

A company whose reputation is built on treating people extraordinarily well.

Yeah, if the AM/PM mini-mart burns down, I don't see Arco doing anything decent for the affected workers. But Nordstrom, well, I think I was expecting better.

[SmileyRose]

4. Makes me wish I could afford to shop at Nordstrom

1. They actually HAVE full time employees.

2. Paying people dislocated from a job by fire is very progressive.

[Ruby the Liberal]

6. You and me both.

They have an upstanding reputation for their staff and customer care focus. Good luck finding that in most anchors.

[Ruby the Liberal]

5. I thought I read a case study a while back on Customer Service

that was praising Nordstrom as a leader in Customer Care but only paid commissions??

If that is still the case, this is rather impressive and not something to be decried.

[David__77]

7. I think that policy is reasonable.

I live in near this mall actually, and think they will be back to work well before the 30 days are up. I'm more concerned about the Macy's and JC Penney workers - those stores are far more damaged, and I somehow think the workers won't receive as generous of of compensation in the interim. My friend who works at a coffee shop nearby is even affected. The store is fine but is closing because the whole complex is sealed off - even the remote buildings. Lots of people are affected...