Bernadette sent a message to Bob Sasser Chief Executive Officer and President of Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. Email Address that said:
Dear Dollar Tree:
I am a current employee of Dollar Tree, Store #4081. This morning I was scheduled to work from 12 am to 5 am at my designated location for stocking. A request was made by the Freight Manager to load my UBolt which I refused due to the unsafe working conditions in the stock room. Upon my refusal I was promptly sent home thereby loosing my pay for this particular shift. After reviewing your current Code of Ethics online, I am compelled to send this communication.
I have been working at this location since mid-October 2015. I'm really concerned by the practices during my tenure that continue to be prevalent in this store.
Firstly, I have knowledge of at least two employees being injured in the stock room in the last two months due to falling boxes while trying to prepare UBolts to be placed on the sales floor.
I personally witnessed one employee that had many very heavy boxes fall on her while trying to load freight from a stack of boxes at lease 10 feet tall, after this occurred the employee approached the Manager of the Store to report what had happened and was ignored. Upon re-approaching the Manager about this incident he told the employee to clock out instead of at least taking a work incident report or to further investigate. For the Manager to tell her to clock out instead of addressing this incident immediately, clearly puts Dollar Tree at risk.
Secondly, there has been no regularly scheduled work shifts. This Friday, March 18, 2016 was the first time I have ever been given a documented schedule in advance. Prior to this shift times have been communicated at the last minute or not at all and I have went to work many times to find out the shift was cancelled without any notification.
Thirdly, the designated break room is inaccessible due to freight boxes either blocking or narrowing the path. Additionally there is a clear rodent problem in this area as well as throughout the store.
Lastly, the Store Manager has created a hostile working environment. I have witnessed as well as personally experienced being treated in a condescending and demeaning manner for asking for clarification on instructions.
This has occurred with most of the stock team over my time Ive been at this store. I have approached the Manager offline to discuss this as his inability to answer questions impede the employees ability to clearly understands tasks being asked to be executed or store policy.
I have asked to apply for Store Management positions as well as being transferred out of this store on several occasions and the Manager can never give me any comprehensive information to any of my inquiries at any time and never follow-up.
I am attaching a few pictures to this communication to further bring home everyday life at my Dollar Tree.
I hope you will investigate and swiftly address these concerns for all Dollar Tree family members as soon as possible.