not sorry to be gone

I left Saks last November after four years.

I took with me:

• Some good friendships.
• Memories of mostly great customers.
• The thrill of a big sale.
• A closet full of gorgeous, high-end designer clothes, some still unworn.
• And an appreciation for how difficult it is to work as a retail sales associate.

Saks closed on March 18. 

On June 24 it re-opened.

Some associates went back from being furloughed. Others didn't.

The stores have been empty.

Tourists are gone from NYC. 

No one is getting dressed for any major socializing. 

And shopping is no longer a destination sport. 

Sales are way down. Store traffic is non-existent. 

And yet sales associates still get paid the same way: 100% commission with 100% returns deducted. It is difficult, near-impossible, to make a livable wage.

Last week I was told that Saks is laying off thousands of employees throughout the country.

A friend of mine — a hard and dedicated worker — is one of them. She was called last week and told, "We are severing ties with you." 

In my opinion, this is a company without a conscience. 

And not because of the layoffs. Those I understand. 

But because of everything else.

In my four years there, I met some smart, committed people. But I never felt that the people at the top showed any concern or appreciation for those most important — the salespeople who are the face of Saks.

I've worked for many companies over the years. And Saks is the only one that made me feel dispensable. It is a company that puts no value on the back-breaking work of its sales associates.

There is much not to miss. Like for instance:

Having to sort, hang and return the clothes disrespectfully left behind in dressing rooms.

Staying late for customers who end up buying nothing. The store closes at 7 on Sundays.

Getting a surprise return of $4,000 and then realizing I'll earn next to nothing for the week.

Being written-up and reprimanded because I didn't know there was a policy against writing about customers; I had posted something nice about Joe Biden who, by the way, was even posing for selfies that day.

Getting little support.

Being tempted to spend money on expensive clothes, shoes, or, in this case, a pair of Marco Bicego earrings.

I am glad to be gone. I would have been let go anyway — I am told that all part-timers were.

It's hard to know today what the future of Saks will be. 

I only know that it won't include me.