Workers' Liberty

As manager for Sodexho for over 16 years I want to let you all know of an incident involving over 40 Sodexho employees the majority of managers - 98 percent being minority men and women (Black, Latino, Asian). We were all let go when we lost our account - Chicago Public Schools - in of course Chicago,Il. The head of Human Resources paid us a visit and told all of us right out consider June 17 your last day. Should you find a position with the company before than good but if not bye.

He said there would be no serverance pay. Now mind you most managers present have been employed for ten years or more. One manager for over 33 years another for over 20 years etc. In the past severance pay has been provided to other managers in a situation like our's such as Gilford County and at other locations. Why not us?

He mentioned that he would be around the following day to answer questions, but quess what he left that very day. He could'nt stand the heat.

We in this account have not received any support such as; how to put together a resume, interactive interviews, being able to post for other jobs, being interviewed for them as well.

Word is going around the office that the managers at this location are the reject managers and so thats why we have been contacted for jobs within our company. Maybe its because there are to many minority managers in this office, to many black and brown faces to distribute around - heading some of Sodexho's most prestigeous accounts. You don't see many of us leading those accounts as GMs.

I found a job outside of the comapany. I don't like going outside of the company because of losing four weeks vacation. But I have no other choice.

Sodexho has a sweat shop mentality, this reminds of the sweatshops in Texas and in other places. Sure we are managers but difference does it make. In a factory sweatshop the owners will spit you in a second, what is the difference in this scenario.

I have been in management for over 20 years with this company. Like many others, I began my career with SAGA with the idea that at least I had a job and this would give me the opportunity to search for a career in line with my education. When Marriott came along, I decided to wait it out and see what they had to offer. Things were great. I worked with some great folks and had great mentors. benefits were pretty decent and the world of Campus Services allowed me to have the Christmas Holiday period all to myself without having to compete with Senior Management for vacation time.

Many years passed and then I heard that a company called SOdexho was looking to buy us out. Marriott no longer needed Contract Services as a cash cow and their true love was hospitality. Marriott was a GREAT COMPANY to work for. I will never say the same for SOdexho. Over the last few years, I have seen this company delay bonus incentive decisions (my guess is is that it lowered the bottom line if they had to pay it), reduce the re-lo opportunities, delayed stock purchase decisions, send out propaganda on how we are a Diversity progressive company and an endorser of the Sullivan Principles, create rediculous budget goals for GM's (once again, if you set some so high, the managers can't make it and guess what, no bonus paid - again) make system changes that have not been properly tested that causes a lot of stress for admin and managers alike (FMS AND SLMS) keep unnecessary people on payroll making big bucks while asking the unit level to cut cut cut - sacrificing service to our customers and breaking promises to our clients - oh yes, and then they roll out "clients for life". More crap to lay on the operation level management - but hey, we know you work hard but we need a bigger bottom line before we pay bonus. And by the way, bonus is only paid to the GM. Is that the one that is playing golf while the service manager and the chef are sweating it out. I mean, is it really a fair and just incentine plan??
These are just a few of the many issues that have come up in the last few years under the leadership of SODEXHO ALLIANCE - the parent company. No longer is it about "take care of your employees and they will take care of your customers" No longer is it about "Respect" No longer is it about "training and development" Words like "accountabily" are applying only to those selected to be less than worthy while those that fit the "good ole boy" profile skate by year after year - working from their homes or carrying around an expensive laptop and gadgets (is that why we did not bonus this year? or was it the expensive Ski Resort District Meetings that should have been moved to a unit to save expenses?) or traveling around milking what, $250,000.00 in salary and expenses while we are all waiting on you to retire - I mean - if you want to make that bottom line - why don't you cut them loose instead of making up new titles for them - which by the way - titles that I have NEVER seen postings for. I mean, how do you apply for a job that is never posted. Is this EEO? Is this Diversity? No - it is "good ole boy" all over again. YOu have to to be a what - a WASP MALE! Sure they have their tokens.

And did I hear that you have to pay a fee to be a part of the whole Diveristy Clubs - these support and networking clubs - like "pride". A fee? Is this true I wonder. I mean - I have to pay for support from this company who already took away mine, and many many others incentive to do or give just one more hour of our time to this company.

I now understand when those anti-corporate folks scream about how much profit is enough. I know, when the knife is all the way in and you simply can't breathe anymore.

I hope this gets posted - I hope many SOdexho folks read it. I hope upper management who sit in their offices everyday thinking of new ways to insert the knife - think.