![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
When Managers Attack
Jul. 21st, 2006 09:31 amI'm in Weight Watchers. While I think this behavior is abhorrent, it's not going to stop me from sticking around (Losing 65 pounds does wonders for your loyalty).
Having heard several group leaders discuss their employment, it does seem fairly draconian. They have to have been a WW member, they have to have reached their goal weight, they have to weigh-in at least once a month and not be more then two pounds over their goal weight. I didn't realize their was a dress code beyond "business casual".
Having said all that, I can see why WW's management cares about these things. As a member, you want to see proof that the program works and isn't just a reason to soak you for merchandise like some other weight loss plans. The group leader is your primary contact with the organization and they should be profesional about it.
Here's what I do have a problem with - and it's a problem with management in general, not something endemic to Weight Watchers:
First, it's the way "the contract" is held up as the final arbiter. Now most times this is necessary (as in any contract selling things). But this isn't that kind of contract - it's about employment. A manager should have the discretion to look at the situation and say "yes the contract is clear, but the intent is to present a professional look to our clients. As your pantsuit is preferable to people seeing a medical device strapped to your leg, I'll let the skirt requirement slide. Carry on".
This blind adherence to policy (as opposed to an intelligent look at what the policy is trying to accomplish) has always irritated me. It's the primary reason why I'm glad I don't work retail anymore.
The second problem is that the manager is talking to Ms. Moger now, after the media shit storm has erupted. If you had discussed it beforehand, maybe you wouldn't be getting this bad publicity.
WW group leaders have a difficult job. They have to be supportive to a large group of people, they have to have a wide knowledge of diet and nutrition. The best ones are charismatic enough to keep their clients coming back week after week (my own group leader is on vacation this month and her replacement is awful, so I feel for Ms. Moger's clients). if Ms. Moger is like that, then there was never a reason to dismiss her.
*** Late Edit ***
I sent a slightly editted copy of this post to WW Alberta's customer service. We'll see if I get a reply or not.
Having heard several group leaders discuss their employment, it does seem fairly draconian. They have to have been a WW member, they have to have reached their goal weight, they have to weigh-in at least once a month and not be more then two pounds over their goal weight. I didn't realize their was a dress code beyond "business casual".
Having said all that, I can see why WW's management cares about these things. As a member, you want to see proof that the program works and isn't just a reason to soak you for merchandise like some other weight loss plans. The group leader is your primary contact with the organization and they should be profesional about it.
Here's what I do have a problem with - and it's a problem with management in general, not something endemic to Weight Watchers:
Buddy Victor, co-director of Weight Watchers in Alberta, said the dress code is part of the employee's contract. He planned to meet with Moger on Friday to discuss the issue.Do you see the problem here? There's two:
First, it's the way "the contract" is held up as the final arbiter. Now most times this is necessary (as in any contract selling things). But this isn't that kind of contract - it's about employment. A manager should have the discretion to look at the situation and say "yes the contract is clear, but the intent is to present a professional look to our clients. As your pantsuit is preferable to people seeing a medical device strapped to your leg, I'll let the skirt requirement slide. Carry on".
This blind adherence to policy (as opposed to an intelligent look at what the policy is trying to accomplish) has always irritated me. It's the primary reason why I'm glad I don't work retail anymore.
The second problem is that the manager is talking to Ms. Moger now, after the media shit storm has erupted. If you had discussed it beforehand, maybe you wouldn't be getting this bad publicity.
WW group leaders have a difficult job. They have to be supportive to a large group of people, they have to have a wide knowledge of diet and nutrition. The best ones are charismatic enough to keep their clients coming back week after week (my own group leader is on vacation this month and her replacement is awful, so I feel for Ms. Moger's clients). if Ms. Moger is like that, then there was never a reason to dismiss her.
*** Late Edit ***
I sent a slightly editted copy of this post to WW Alberta's customer service. We'll see if I get a reply or not.
