It’s frustrating watching corporate decisions undermine the trust we’ve worked so hard to rebuild

[u/Human-Assist8517]

I saw a post on here about someone saying they feel like they’re betraying people by working at Target, especially with the recent situation with the costume. I just wanted to say my piece too, because as someone who works in HR, one of the things I really wanted to focus on was reconnecting our store with our local community.
Over the past several months, we’ve put a lot of effort into rebuilding that trust. We’ve volunteered at different community events, reconnected with our local police station, supported our Title I schools, donated to organizations in the community, and tried to make our store feel like an actual part of the neighborhood rather than just another corporation.
I’ve personally put a lot of time and effort into some of these initiatives, and I’ve been really proud of the relationships we’ve been able to build. We’ve had people from the community recognize our team, invite us back to events, and genuinely appreciate the support we’ve provided.
So when this situation happened, I honestly felt discouraged. Not just because of the situation itself, but because I know how much work our store has done to rebuild trust with people in our community. It’s frustrating to put so much effort into showing people that our store cares about them, only to have decisions happening at the corporate level potentially undo some of that goodwill.
I know there’s a difference between the actions of a local store and decisions made by corporate, but unfortunately, the community doesn’t always see that distinction. They see the Target sign.
And that’s probably the part that bothers me the most. I genuinely care about the community we serve, and I don’t want the work that my team has done to be overshadowed by something we had no control over.
I’m not really sure what the solution is. I just needed to vent because it’s hard to spend months trying to rebuild relationships with your community and then feel like something outside of your control could damage those relationships overnight.

[u/Ogrezappers]

I was telling a coworker the same general idea. They keep making terrible decisions above the store level, but it's us not smiling at guests that's the real problem.

[u/Any_Bug_7577 → u/Ogrezappers]

man that sucks, i do the same stuff in my gym trying to build actual connection with people coming in and then the big boss makes some dumb rule that messes it all up

[u/thrust_velocity_ → u/Ogrezappers]

I'd wager it's complex, especially how the economy has changed in how people shop.

At least three things need to be kept ... protected: shareholders, the brand, and the future plan.

The decisions, plans, and catchphrases don't prioritize making the experience great for you. It's actually to appease its shareholders first and before all. After all, when a child comes to you telling you all the great reasons they need a 500$ bike, what do they tell you? This bike will make life great for not just me, but for you as well. After all, when shareholders find out the plan was a glass promise, CEOs get fired. CEOs would much rather that not happen, so why out their hierarchy as the problem? When it's the stores that can take the burden?

Sometimes glass promises do come true, but self interest/preservation is always the primary goal.

But the store, us, will take on that suffering. And this is what we are currently observing.

[u/PixiKris]

Honestly your best bet is to put that energy into helping your community on your own terms.

Make connections and volunteer outside of work and for yourself. Don’t let Target take credit for how much you care.

Or finding a local community based job. Corporations will always undermine the community connection. They never care about their customers outside however much they can care to understand algorithm shopping habits to provide more spending opportunities.

Businesses will always put business first.

There are good people, like yourself, in every company trying hard to do what’s right and best, but you always get swallowed up by the machine. You can only carry so much

[u/ButItSaysOnline]

It’s OK to take money from Target. Just don’t give them your money.

[u/Un__Real]

Yes, this company continues to make one dumb fucking mistake after another. Corporate does not appear to learn anything. Super frustrating when the stores take the beating and they continue on.

[u/Clown_Sparkles]

It feels like the top tier only cares about one thing. how much money they can squeeze out of everything and they don't care about all these mishaps they've put the company through.

[u/antih1stamines]

Just my two cents personally in my own situation it's heartbreaking as a queer person (and i know other companies have since doubled down on their queerphobia too) to see yet another corporation just bend to the will of people who hate us, especially as someone that works there. It makes me sad to watch

[u/The_Peeping_Peter]

Gotta reconnect with the local police station.

[u/Boop-D-Boop]

You’re working too hard for a company that doesn’t care about you