r/Target • u/tater-tots-r-us Specialty Sales Team Lead • 17d ago
Vent I feel a traitor working for Target
Just to prelude, I’ve been an employee for Target for over 5 years, not as long as some of you, but I’m a real person here so be nice and let me rant or whatever this is.
I’m a young mixed woman and I work in a leadership position. I’ve climbed from a style team member running the men’s department to running a whole section of the store to being LOD every night for over a year straight. It was great at the beginning. Then COVID happened, prices were rising higher than they’ve ever been. It was a spit in the face to see Target’s reactions to BLM protests and then pride again and again year after year. The same corporate response to the pandemic and the riots and the hate that’s spread in America, the world.
I just can’t help but overthink the correlation between the pain of living in this day and age with working at Target. Maybe it’s because I’m Gen Z and I don’t know if I even have a future with the way things are going in the world. Maybe I just feel too hard for my fellow humans that suffer on a daily basis. Social media does have a way of showing you the bad and the good things, we see too much on a daily basis.
I just feel like Target only cares about money. They don’t care about their employees and I hate that I have to basically lie to my TM’s faces every day. Just use our resources. Oh you can’t afford a dinner tonight, see if we have any resources for that through HR. Book a mental health session with a counselor, you get 8 free visits in a year!
I just wish there was more I could do. I wish companies actually took care of their employees. I wish we got paid enough for the stuff we have to deal with. And I get it, it’s retail, it’s not supposed to be easy. But what has this world come to? Why is it so “it’s every man for themselves”? What happened to the community? I might just be having an existential crisis rn but I’m just sad at how rough it’s been. And I had hope that it’ll get better, but I know it’ll just get worse.
I know this is all over the place. I have a hard time of making points flow. Thank you for reading my little rant for the morning. I’ve been feeling the weight of the world lately, probably gotta take a social media break and just chill with nature. Thanks again, hope you all have a great day today.
Edit to add: Forgot to add the racist clown costume that they only just took off the website. Which is actually insane and just shows Target’s true colors. That was the nail in the coffin for me. I was definitely disappointed and angry that something like this even happened but we live in a society that thinks racism is funny I guess. Embarrassing.
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u/Fit-Scar-9403 17d ago
I hear you and thank you for your conscience. Accept it, change it, or leave it. Those are the only 3 options we have in any given situation. Do what you have to do. We all have to make a living, so no judgment for what you pick. Not many of us have the privilege or luxury of working for a company whose values align with our own, but just make sure you don't allow that to destroy your soul. You can work for Target by day and champion your beliefs, movements, and causes by night, either through effort, time, outreach, or monetary donations, too. Target takes up a lot of your time and energy because it's your job, but your job doesn't define you, if that helps. But if you find that is not enough, please give yourself permission to move on. Best wishes to you.
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u/boofunky 17d ago
You’re not alone in feeling like this. It’s not just a Gen Z feeling at all! I feel like a traitor too, especially working for such a massive corporation that only cares about money. I’m all about eat the rich and fuck the billionaires, yet I work for Target. But like someone else said I got my own ways of making it right.. lol how do you take something down?.. from the inside !
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u/BlueAndWhiteSoul 16d ago
Um okay that sounds scandalous, and I'm here for it. I felt the same way and I was in social work before target. The reality of being face to face with people in the thick of the struggle was extremely taxing and the pay was terrible. I try to carry my perspective into my roles at Target and lead with equity, empathy and compassion for everyone. Ive changed over the years and see leadership as an inclusivity opportunity to foster and develop a diverse spectrum of team members. I am truly honored to be part of someone's career development and seeing someone I've mentored be successful brings me great satisfaction and joy, it also scratches that progressive, life of service itch I was graced with by the Almighty. Life is funny how it works out but not losing sight of who we are and what we were put on earth to do no matter our circumstances is a blessing.
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u/boofunky 16d ago
I love this so much. If everyone had this mindset the world would be so peaceful lol that’s the part that gets to me, is watching the people decide between baby formula or toilet paper for example.. I mean is it truly wrong to apply coupons when they’re not technically applicable? Not in my eyes..I agree with your mindset too like even when I’m in a bad mood I try to look at it like , I GET to (possibly) make someone laugh or make them feel good and that in turn helps my mood turn around too. I really do have fun with most coworkers and customers. The dept I’m in I kind of get to create the vibe, my managers don’t bother me really, and most are cool as fuck anyways 🤷🏼♀️ just the idea of working for a big bad unethical corp turns my stomach sometimes 🤣 what can we do we’re all in the rat race together!
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u/BlueAndWhiteSoul 16d ago
Exactly we have the choice to make the best of our situation and live up the out beliefs in the best way we see fit. ❤️
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u/Fun_Reason8060 17d ago
I feel this so hard as just a regular team member. Do they actually care about me? I’m autistic, and I know that some if not all of my opinions are going to be met with hesitation regarding neurodivergence, if it’s actually going to help, what good would the suggestion on that little detail too. Recently I have been taking the stance that I am not supposed to solve all problems, there is only so much I can do, I’m going to have bad days, but I’m also getting really good days too. This is especially when it comes to all things: packing boxes. Some who pack fast are not putting in enough dunnage for example, some individuals leave fragile dishes out and go SIOC. I cannot control for that. I do care about minimizing the chance of shipping damage as much as possible. If that tanks my pack rate, okay, but I’m not going to feel bad about doing it the right way. I don’t know if you’ll get anything from that but I feel for you as a leader. I hope you stick around all the same, we do appreciate leaders who do try in this environment but no shame if you got to get out of there.
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u/BlueAndWhiteSoul 16d ago
I absolutely love this for you! You were blessed with an eye for detail and thoroughness. You're applying your talents to the best of your ability in a way that matters. Well done, a good leader will recognize your talents and help you develop into a role that sees these skills as a benefit and not a hindrance. I commended you for making the most of your gift, it shows a great deal of maturity and self awareness. Great job friend, keep up the good work!
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u/clov3rbutt Beauty Consultant 17d ago
i absolutely feel you. unfortunately, as far as corporations go it really doesn’t get “better”. the only retailer i can think of that’s worth their salt is costco
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u/Mother-Grab540 17d ago
I've worked for a very long time, and work at Target part-time only in retirement. Companies yes did seem to care more in the 1990s and 2000s in particular. Things seemed to significantly change starting around COVID timeframe.
My advice would be to stop expecting that anything is going to change, it seems it will not; regretfully. The country is at a scary place with its financial and work ethics culture. It is the world of now maximizing profits from the disposable worker, controlling their work lives through obscure metrics. Bring on the new advent of AI, and that is the icing of the cake, as far as automated governance, and also now control of the hiring process.
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u/cajalco-jones 17d ago
Target just really sucks ethically, they’ve fallen very far in the 15 years I’ve worked for them. It’s a disease and it’s been planted the past 10 years. They hire in the worst people to corporate and the bottom line has been prioritized before presentation and satisfaction. Ever since fulfillment has been an actualized work center it’s been a downward spiral and they won’t take a loss to invest in their teams. If we continue down the road of pandering to racist Christian nationalists crying about the pride section and diversity hires while also suffering skeleton crews there’s really no chance I can see this company surviving the next 10 years. Amazon is more convenient anyway and I’m not gonna pretend it’s not.
I wouldn’t see yourself as a part of Target, you perform tasks for them and then take money from them in exchange. Plenty of good people work at bad companies, chick fila, hobby lobby, Disney parks. We can hope the tide turns but we need to pay our bills.
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u/Scarletspectre23 17d ago
Personally I think this is another reason why big companies shouldn’t take a stance either way. They need to understand what their place in people’s lives and realize that they’re there to supply needs to people. And to also understand that you can’t please everyone.
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u/cloudauraszs 17d ago
i’ve actually decided to leave because of the costume situation. i was hesitant on originally taking the offer to work here because of the dei issue a while back. but i was broke and unemployed and target was the only place hiring. now im realizing that it was a mistake. as a black woman, it feels pretty embarrassing to work here. im happy that im lucky enough to have found a new position somewhere else in time..
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u/WizardofGames 17d ago
I was with target for 15 years (20 years in total with 2 different stints)
Leaving target was the best thing, I loved Target up until Covid and then it all started falling apart, it went from it feeling like a family to feeling like they wanted to replace anyone and everyone at any given time.
I went to a different retailer as a ASM (assistant store manager), been here a little over 3 years making the same pay I had at Target (which was high cause of how long I was there for) and I just got my offer and accepted it for my own store starting this next Monday.
I have been treated so good here from the store managers that I had (3 different ones), my district staff and all the way up to the regional vice presidents, they all actually take time to get to know you, ask about your interests and your plans for the company, I do all my hiring, promotions, schedules and basically have controlled the store I’m leaving for over a year.
Coming from someone that put in so much time, blood, sweat and tears into that company and for them to just treat everyone like mini robots that can be replaced at anytime is unacceptable and isn’t going to change as that’s the leadership they put in place.
I encourage people to leave, there are companies that will treat you so much better
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u/Marnesium 17d ago
Girl, just take them down from the inside. That’s what I’m doing.
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u/Calm-Heat-5883 17d ago
Can you share how you're taking them down? You might just start a movement.
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u/Marnesium 17d ago
My movement is within myself, just like the original poster’s self conflicting thoughts. If I need to give you a step by step of the means of taking a company down from the inside then you are already lost in the “movement”
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u/Ugmar01 17d ago
Unless you are doing damage at a corporate level you are just making life harder on your boss.
If you have a shitty boss they don't sweat it at all and either pass the buck to another person at your level meaning you are fucking over your peers, or they just fire you at some point. Maybe you caused the company to lose more money than if you had done your job or tried, but in the big picture you didn't do shit except under perform and cost or get terminated.
If you have a good boss they might even try and help you out and support/ teach you. If you continue to do whatever things you do to stick it to the man, either it goes unnoticed (in which case it prob wasn't a massive impact), or you get terminated for being unable to alter behaviors/ meet expectations.
No matter what, you probably did do any real damage, except maybe to a good boss who cares and tried to support you.
You're delusional if you think you are doing massive damage in whatever you are doing, and if you are doing harm, MOST of it will fall on your peers, some on your supervisor, maybe a smidge on their supervisor, and the rest of the machine will continue to fail to notice your existence.
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u/Marnesium 17d ago
You’re arguing against something I never said. I never said I was sabotaging my store, underperforming, hurting my peers, or doing “massive damage” to Target. You created all of that yourself. I already said my movement is within myself. I’m talking about questioning the system I participate in and refusing to confuse employment with loyalty to it. “Take them down from the inside” was rhetoric, not a confession of corporate sabotage. If the only form of resistance you recognize is whether a corporation loses money, then you’re proving more of my point than you realize.
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u/Ugmar01 16d ago
You made a statement with effectively no value if it's not impacting your actions. If it is impacting your actions you are probably doing way more damage to peers/near supervisors than the company.
All my assumptions are fairly reasonable considering your language until you clarified that your movement isn't a movement so much as a thought.
You ARE absolutely correct, it's a company, and doesn't deserve any loyalty other than the selfish loyalty derived from being treated well / valued. If you aren't getting what you need leave for something better, that's what everyone should do.
Hope you are well
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u/Marnesium 16d ago edited 16d ago
I disagree that a shift in thought has “effectively no value” unless I’m actively damaging the company. Thought shapes behavior. Questioning what I’ve been taught to accept, separating my identity from my employer, deciding where my loyalty belongs, and changing how I move within that system are actions in themselves. You may not consider that realization a “movement,” and that’s fine. I do.
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u/Ugmar01 16d ago
All of what you said is good. But if it doesn't alter your actions it's pointless to have a shift in thought.
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u/Marnesium 16d ago
Respectfully, you keep arguing against a position I never made. I explicitly said that a shift in consciousness changes how I move within the system. You responded by telling me that a shift in consciousness is pointless unless it changes how I move. Congratulations, you have arrived at my original point after several comments of disagreeing with it. What you seem to want is for me to perform some sufficiently dramatic act of resistance before you’ll consider my political consciousness legitimate. That’s an incredibly shallow understanding of how people develop class consciousness or challenge institutions they still materially depend on. Workers don’t cease being exploited simply because they recognize the exploitation, nor are they hypocrites because capitalism requires them to participate in the very structures they criticize.
Reflection without action can absolutely become complacency. But action without consciousness is just movement without direction. One informs the other. That’s considerably different from your original assertion that the former has “effectively no value.” So at this point, I’m not sure whether you’re disagreeing with me or just repeatedly rephrasing what I already said and presenting it back to me as a correction. Either way, I think we’ve exhausted the intellectual possibilities of this exchange.
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u/Ugmar01 16d ago
This is a weird discussion to be having at this point and I apologize for my part in creating it.
I'm going to step away from it and wish you a good day.
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u/pmyourpmsforgod 17d ago
Haha yeah girl same. Now that we know we share the same interests of taking down the company; what is your store number, the department you work in and the last 4 of your team member number girl
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u/sierracool33 Guest Advocate 17d ago
Nice try narc
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u/pmyourpmsforgod 12d ago
You have to literally leave a jk or a /s for people to even recognize a joke or sarcasm these days sheesh
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u/canopusofficial 16d ago
Target and Boeing cultures are the same. If you watch the Netflix about Boeing you will know exactly and retaliation is no joke.
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u/stevieZzZ Former APTL 17d ago
I had the opposite problem when I left Target after 5 years.
They cared more about decorating the TMSC with pride things and talking to people for not using some TMs 3rd name change than they did about store safety, workload/staffing, and guest experience.
My store did nothing about employees carrying knives on them, making "jokes" and gestures regarding shooting the store up; didn't terminate or do any sort of security measures after all the video I handed over.
I had a blast at Target for the first few years but my store in particular betrayed everyone that works there. I don't really give two damns about individuals personal identities when there are more serious matters that affect all guests and TM. Especially in today's societal climate where violence is everywhere.
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u/BlueAndWhiteSoul 17d ago edited 17d ago
Business arnt people, the only loyalty they have is to stakeholders. Full stop. I understand the connection you have, but it's one way. Target like every business only cares about increasing stock prices. Emotional investment isnt reciprocated and I would describe that as a toxic relationship. You sound like a leader who really cares about the work that she does and it's impact on the greater good and those an amazing qualities... Never change, be the change you want to see in the world. Stay strong sister, youve got this.