Brandy sent a message to Stefan Larsson – Chief Executive Officer of Ralph Lauren Corporation – Email Address that said:
Hello Mr. Larsson,
In light of recent events of the company restructure happening at the Polo Ralph Lauren distribution warehouses and many Polo Ralph Lauren stores, I'm sure you're being plagued by emails. My email may get lost in the shuffle, but I felt I needed to write you.
Please understand this email is in No Way asking for further compensation to be provided to my mother (a recent employee effected by the restructure), nor is it a plea to ask for her to be given her job back. I am simply asking you to appropriately recognize a dedicated employee's 25 years of hard work, so the last memory she has from the career she happily planned to devote herself to until her retirement will not end so abruptly and without proper recognition for tenure of committed service.
As of May 2016, my mother who will turn 63 years old this December, Shelia (or Faye as she is known to her co-workers) completed 25 years of service as a Senior Analyst in the Distribution Warehouse in Greensboro, NC. Throughout her tenure, she didn't just go to work and come home. She immersed herself in the Polo Community. She played on company softball leagues, joined the bowling leagues, and joined in some of the programs designed to promote employee health.
Since she was hired, when I was 14 years old, there hasn't been a single day when she hasn't been a positive endorser of the Ralph Lauren brand. Even after the events of yesterday, June 8, 2016, she had no anger, just sadness, and not a single negative thing to say of her time as an employee. She was more worried that the man who had to give her the news seemed nervous, so she told him to calm down it would be alright.
She loves the company - trust me - she'll tell anyone who will listen. She wears Polo brand daily, she buys it for her husband, daughters, son-in-laws, and grandchildren. When we collectively joke her for being a walking Ralph Lauren billboard, she laughs it off and says, "Hey, it's job security."
Since January 2016, all she has talked about is the upcoming trip to NYC that she will be given this summer to be celebrated by the company for her 25 years of service, to attend the festivities planned, to shake Mr. Lauren's hand, to be recognized as a value and asset to a company she is proud to call the provider of her career.
The timing of the restructure will deny her of something that may not matter to some, but matters a great deal to my mom.
I would ask that you please consider including the tenured employees effected by the restructure in those recognition festivities. The opportunity to attend the event to celebrate their 25 years of service should not be taken away from them. When asked if she would still be included during the exit interview, she was told no, but that "they" would make sure she was still mailed the watch that is given to the employees at the event. Couldn't they tell that to some people, it's not just about the watch or whatever gift is given?
I would also ask that you not tell my mom that I sent you this email, as she will not be happy with me. She is not one to make a wave, or ask for praise. She is aware that she is but one employee, and many others effected will suffer more from the loss, especially if they are still raising small children.
My mom will never ask for this herself, she isn't like that, and for that reason I felt the need to write you. Faye Smolder, my mom, is truly an exceptional woman and mother. Polo Ralph Lauren should feel fortunate to have had her for the past 25 years.
Thank you for your consideration of my request.
Please enjoy the rest of your day.
~Brandy
