Workforce Management

Using walkie-talkies for in-store communication is old school at The Container Store.   The retailer is rolling out voice-controlled wearable devices that enable hands-free communication over Wi-Fi networks to its store employees chainwide following a successful pilot.   

The blockbuster $26.2 billion purchase of LinkedIn by Microsoft may benefit retailers trying to effectively recruit and manage employees who typically do not stick around for long.   The acquisition is being touted as Microsoft’s entry into social networking, an area where the tech titan has not been that active besides holding a stake in Facebook. However, LinkedIn is primarily a professional services platform and will probably not become a major consumer touchpoint anytime soon.  

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is pleased so far with how many members of the House and Senate have reacted to the proposed new Labor Department rule that would expand overtime eligibility for employees.

David French, senior VP for government relations, NRF, released the following statement on the hearing by the House Education and Workforce Committee on the proposed rule:

Saving for retirement is like exercising or eating right. We know we’ll feel better when we do it, but many of us fail to make it a priority. It’s all too easy to put off such matters until tomorrow. But after a string of tomorrows, we’ve lost valuable opportunities that would have benefitted us in the long run.

Recent advances in floor care technology have made matters more complex, as retailers must decide what combination of cleaning procedures provide the best value. Today’s retail Facility Manager must determine the materials (from machinery to matting), the schedule (daily, weekly, monthly and even yearly), and the

The long-awaited changes to federal overtime rule will be unveiled later today at an event in Columbus, Ohio, headlined by Vice President Joe Biden, Labor Secretary Thomas Perez and Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown (D). The most notable change is a nearly doubling of the current salary threshold from its current $23,360 to $47,476 under which virtually all workers will be eligible for time and a half pay. The dramatic change would make nearly five million currently exempt employees nationwide eligible and will go into effect Dec. 1.

The Department of Labor's (DOL) proposed overtime regulations are one step closer to becoming a reality for the American workforce. On March 14, 2016, the DOL submitted their final version of the regulations to the White House's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, signifying the last step in the regulation becoming law.

The Kroger Co. is looking to hire 14,000 associates. The supermarket operator is holding a nationwide hiring event on Saturday, May 14, to fill open jobs across all its store brands. Interested candidates can also apply online at jobs.kroger.com. The openings are for part-time and full-time associates.