Small Business Still Manages To Mistreat Workers Like Large Corporate Chain

MARFA, TX—Employees at Gillman’s Hardware confirmed Monday that despite the company’s small size, single location, and the fact that it has been family owned and operated for over 35 years, it still manages to treat its staff as if they worked at a faceless multinational chain. “Sure, there are only 15 or so employees here, but our supervisors really make us feel like we’re completely valueless and replaceable,” said sales associate Alex Waverly, 27, citing touches like a lack of health benefits, the expectation that he stay late stacking bags of mulch without collecting overtime, and the prohibition against sitting on the sample deck chairs or anywhere else at any point during his six-hour shifts. “It’s a local hardware store; you don’t expect cold, corporate practices like getting patted down whenever you leave for lunch to ensure you haven’t shoplifted, or not earning a single cent above minimum wage, but somehow they’re able to foster that kind of environment.” Waverly added that it was also nice to see the store sticking to its philosophy by holding onto every last dollar earned, rather than investing any of it back into the community.