By George Anderson
It's not a surprise, but Sears Holdings Corp. is deciding which of the 4,000 employees at Sears' headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill. and the 2,000 at Kmart's offices in Troy, Mich. will stay with the company and those it will let go.
According to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times, Sears Holdings has already begun laying-off some department managers and administrative assistants.
A former employee told the Sun-Times that the majority of cuts appear to be coming from those in support functions and not involved in store operations.
Chris Brathwaite, a spokesman for Sears Holdings, told The Detroit News, "This particular activity is aimed at creating a new organizational structure. Stores will not be affected."
At least half of those working in Kmart's executive offices can expect to be let go as Sears Holdings goes about consolidating its headquarters' operation in Hoffman Estates.
Moderator's Comment: How long will it take for Sears Holdings to get its headquarters and store operations performing optimally? Are there other business cases that offer the company lessons on how to minimize the disruption caused by the merger? - George Anderson - Moderator