PHOTO CAPTION: Carrefour Nyali Store Entrance Carrefour Nyali Branch is facing allegations of promoting a toxic working environment, with salespersons at the French multinational retailer complaining of rampant mistreatment and discrimination.
The merchandisers say they feel extremely underappreciated for their selfless work, which they strive to achieve despite all prevailing challenges that include performing duties outside their roles.
Sometimes they are forced to offload trucks ferrying Carrefour products from their Two Rivers Headquarters at no extra allowance.
Those that fail to comply are served with harsh punishment on the false basis of uncooperativeness, and a replacement is immediately requested from their employer. “Good morning Nyakundi, kindly highlight this issue. I am writing this mail with a heavy heart as a merchandiser who has been servicing the Carrefour Nyali Branch since it opened its doors to customers in the year 2020 at City Mall, Mombasa. We have been undergoing a lot of ill-treatment and discrimination from the management. W e as merchandisers are seen as nothing but rubbish despite our effort to support the outlet and offer quality services to its customers. When you enter the outlet to perform your normal duties of replenishing the shelves, you feel like a slave due to the unconducive working environment. You will be forced to perform different duties that aren't part of your company's roles and if you refuse you will be harassed and chased out of the outlet and thereafter an email sent to your employer claiming how you are not cooperative. They also request your immediate replacement. Second, male merchandisers are forced to offload the trucks conveying Carrefour products from Two Rivers HQ, failure to do that you are chased from the outlet. Third, route merchandisers are denied the freedom to go to another outlet, keeping in mind they're running to complete their daily routine,” a source informed us on Saturday, October 22.
Sadly, all their efforts to seek an audience from the Carrefour Kenya fraternity have been fruitless.
In fact, on most occasions, any attempt to raise grievances is quickly countered via intimidation, harassment and eventual banning from merchandising in the outlet.
There are also claims of purported sexual harassment of female staff. “We have raised the above issues with the GM, all department managers and supervisors, but we haven't received any help when you complain about harassment you are blocked from merchandising in the outlet with claims that you're inciting other merchandisers. The list of those harassing merchandisers is as follows. 1. Mr Karama Abdun Karama - Head of Security 2. Madam Debra – Second Head of Security 3. GM Stephen Odhiambo Rakara - Very biased and unprofessional. 4. Alphonce - Manager 5. Roggers Nyanchiro Bosire - Market Manager, very arrogant and feels like he owns the outlet. 6. Cyrus Mathenge - OPSS Supervisor. 7. Obina - OPSS stocker, very arrogant and unprofessional. 8. HR – He is very biased in handling complaints. Also, sexual harassment for female merchandisers from Karama and Bosire respectively. Kindly intervene and iron out this matter before it becomes worse because we as merchandisers are tired of the outlet, and we will soon react, and it will be bad. A few days ago, one female merchandiser was harassed in front of customers after shopping, with claims that she may have shoplifted. They searched every part of her body, mind you, this was done by male security personnel, hence they didn't find any evidence to support their shoplifting allegations. If this is how you are treating people, I'm sorry, but I won't be patronizing your stores again,” the source adds.