My experience working here was incredibly poor. After having previously worked for Salt Lake Community College, where I felt valued and respected, it was a harsh transition into this climate.
Prior to the first day of work, I was given zero applicable training, minus standard store procedural training. Nothing specific to how the deli operated. My first day was overwhelming, as I was pawned off on a fellow coworker, who seemed incredibly disenchanted with having to train me. I was expected to learn how to make countless deli dishes without so much as an instruction sheet, and consequently criticized when I told my manager I didn't know how to make the dishes having been given zero adequate training. I had initially applied for a cashier job, which seems markedly easier in comparison. There were SO many expectations about what you needed to learn in the deli, and zero patience as you tried to navigate a very confusing, and multi faceted, landscape with on the spot training.
My biggest gripe is aimed more towards corporate. When hired, they will give you a large sales pitch about how much they value being a "community first" establishment, despite their large amount of growth over the past decade. They make you believe that employees are treated like family, and are given all sorts of opportunity for growth. One thing I've learned in my job experiences, is that good companies don't need to sell you on the fact that they treat their employees well. They just do. None of the full time deli workers were eligible to receive overtime, despite many nights I recall having to stay 30 minutes to 2 hours past closing time just to properly clean. Not only is this immoral, but likely illegal.
I did not feel I was respected by my coworkers in the slightest. Many who had been there over 5 years, had an air of entitlement, and were not kind when you made mistakes. Even if this occurred during the learning process. I felt like I was treated and talked to like a naive teenager. I even saw a fellow coworker of mine have a full on breakdown during my time there, talking about how much she "dreaded" coming to work and "hated the job". I could not agree more with that sentiment.
Harmon's makes you feel like a number. Coming from a company that claims to be local and community based, this is even more insulting. At least in other chains you expect to be treated a certain way. While it's not illegal, they made us pay for our own uniforms. Which I found pretty tactless, considering the small wages they pay to begin with. It made me greatly appreciate how wonderful my position was at the college.
I would not recommend a position here to anyone. The only people who seemed to enjoy it, were the people who had put in multiple years. They seem to get a large priority over new sign ons. While this is to be expected in some circumstances, I came from a previous job where all employees were valued. Making it a hard pill to swallow.
