Derek sent a message to J. Paul Raines – Chief Executive Officer of GameStop Corporation – Email Address that said:
Hello, Mr Raines.
I assume you are a busy man and I cannot and do not expect a reply. If I do hear one that would be wonderful.
I am sure you get many emails from employee's, former employee's etc. Alas I am a current one. As is I only work on the weekends but still the same I feel my input matters.
A little about me. I am 26 years old and a combat veteran of the United States Army from 2009-2015 with tours overseas. Upon my medical separation from combat sustained injuries, I was thrown out into the workforce with little skills, I was a Infantryman (11B) for just under 10 years. I loved my job and I loved how I was paid. I wasn't the greatest but I was at least able to support my wife and my son. I decided to pick up a little work at Gamestop because at heart video games are a passion of mine and I believe in the Gamestop values. I currently work a full time job barely scratching 11$ an hour and on top of that am required to work weekends at Gamestop for a measly minimum wage. I understand a vast majority of the employee's are young adults my age and or even younger kids straight out of high school. Alas this company and franchise has about 4% growth for those of us who support families. As I stated before I am a huge gamer and it has helped me cope with many things such as possible alcohol addictions, PTSD, Depression etc. It gets me out of the real world and into a "Safe Place." I am not one to judge, make assumptions or anything of disrespect but I amongst many others at the bottom of the totem poll fight day to day to make ends meet and quite frankly its crap. I for one get a measly 75$ every 2 weeks to sit behind a counter for a whopping 10 hours a day based on the company's policies or so the policies I have been informed of. I would love to make a career here at Gamestop but that could never happen based on two facts. Fact one, based on my terrible pay and terrible hours I am working I have to pick up a full time job elsewhere to pay bills and make ends meet. Second fact I cannot have the time in the company to learn store, regional etc skills to even consider progressing upwards. I understand that politics take a huge part in company's and how the pay scales work but I know that Gamestop is the largest gaming conglomerate in the world with major stocks in all major console companies and some gaming industries. Not many people want to or will say much as far as your employees and staff because fear of losing their jobs has a big factor. Myself am not worried since I make a whopping 75$ every 2 weeks. Mr Raines, I am not expecting much in the way of progress with my email but I truly hope over the next week or two you are able to give me an answer and or something suitable to keep people such as myself around. Mr Raines I hope you have a wonderful day/week. Below is an outline of what I believe the Gamestop retail pay scale should look like.
Store managers should be more selective in the employees they hire. Offer GA positions full time and part time. Save the Full Time positions for citizens who have some or alot of work experience, not necessarily in retail itself but a general basic knowledge on how to work. Save part time (Weekend) positions for the younger adolescents who need to earn the work experience to become full time employees. Senior GAs Should be reserved for members of the Gamestop "Team" with roughly 3-6 months of full time experience if said store manager feels it's appropriate and wants to promote them. Same with your ASL and SLers.
I also included a basis of how the pay scales should work with the outline.
Guest Advisors (Part Time) Min Wage
Guest Advisors (Full Time) $11-$13
Senior Guest Advisors (Full Time) $13-$15
Asst. Store Lead (Full Time) $15-$16.50
Store Lead (Full Time) $17-18.50
This may sound like a lot and probably seem problematic but I can guarantee with better pay scales that are liveable, you will be promoting good work ethics and even create a happier environment for the employees. I have seen my supervisors do things that many people making $20 an hour would refuse to do based on they dont get paid enough.
Sincerely
Derek
