Hannaford Brothers Supermarket
Proposal suggesting the implementation of four day work weeks
Prepared for Liz McMillen- Chief Operating Officer of Human Resources
Prepared by Meagan Dawson- Human Resource Manager, Waltham Hannaford
July 14th, 2013
Ms. Liz McMillen
145 Pleasant Hill Road
Scarborough, ME 04074
Dear Ms. McMillen
I would like to submit the following proposal for your review and consideration. As the
human resource manager for the Waltham Hannaford, I am concerned about the overall welfare
of our salaried managers surrounding the topic of their work schedules. I have prepared the
following proposal to explain the issues surrounding this topic as well as its overall effect on
managers, the business, and the customer service we provide.
There is a solution that will not inflict any costs to the company. I have included my
suggestions as well as supportive data. With this proposal, I hope you will take this request into
consideration as well as share with our corporate partners. Salaried managers are the backbone of
our business and it is important to take their welfare outside of work into consideration. I am
eager to hear your overall feedback, questions, and concerns and look forward to speaking with
you soon. If there is any further assistance I can provide please feel free to contact me by email
or at the store and I will be more than happy to assist.
Sincerely,
Meagan Dawson
Human Resource Manager
Waltham Hannaford
mdawson@hannaford.com
(781) 893- 6776
Table of Contents
1.0 Purpose of the proposal Page 1
1.1 Statement of the problem Page 2
1.1.1 Survey data Page 3 & 4
1.2 Solution Page 4
1.2.2 Work schedules Page 4&5
1.2.3 Benefits of less commuting Page 5
1.2.4 Benefits for Hannaford Page 5
1.2.5 Benefits for the salaried manager Page 5
2.0 Oppositions Page 6
1
2.1 Salaried managers not wanting a four day work week Page 6
2.2 Effects on the business Page 6
3.0 Conclusion Page 6
1.0 Purpose of the proposal
The purpose of this proposal is to introduce the idea of a four day work week to
management. Salaried managers are now required to work 50 hours per week over the course of
five days (different from 2011 when the expectation was 40 hours per week over the course of 5
days.) Additionally, most managers commute from different areas of Massachusetts. With this, an
additional 2-3 hours per day are added to a manager’s schedule to commute. Work standards for
salaried managers also require them to be present at the store until their department is properly
functional in their absence. If an associate calls out sick and the department is short staffed, if the
store is busier than normal, etc., the expectation is for the salaried manager to stay as long as
needed. With the expectation of a 10 hour work day, additional hours to commute to and from
work, as well as business needs adding hours to a manager’s work day, the amount of time a
salaried manager is away from home can be between 12-15 hours per day.
1.1 Statement of the problem
