Pressure is mounting on Quickmart Supermarket as former and current employees expose a grim reality of unbearable working conditions, aggressive management practices, and an oppressive workplace culture.
These allegations paint a disturbing picture of an organization where profit takes precedence over employee welfare, pushing staff to the brink of despair.
One of the most concerning revelations is the recent decision to suspend all annual leave, off-duty days, and shifts until after the back-to-school season next year.
Outsourcing firms tied to Quickmart have reportedly been forced to comply with this draconian policy under threats of severe repercussions, including contract termination.
This has left employees, especially those in lower ranks, struggling to balance work-life responsibilities during the high-pressure festive season.
Accusations against key figures in management, including Steve Boro, Muindi, and Susan from HR Operations, have emerged, alleging harassment, intimidation, and the deliberate targeting of long-serving employees.
According to whistleblowers, the company is pursuing a cost-cutting agenda by pushing out experienced employees with higher salaries.
A former employee shared how the toxic culture drove a senior manager, Julius Momanyi, into depression, eventually leading to his dismissal and personal downfall.
The oppressive environment has reportedly pushed many employees to their breaking points, with cases of mental health deterioration becoming rampant.
Depression, substance abuse, and emotional distress are recurring themes in these testimonies, underscoring the toll taken by the unrelenting demands of Quickmart’s management.
The allegations also shed light on the misuse of power by certain staff, such as Mwai, who allegedly wields his authority as a security officer to harass employees.
Reports claim that Mwai has wrongfully accused employees of theft, labeled others as gay to tarnish their reputations, and threatened them with handcuffs in a bid to instill fear.
One such case involves an employee from the CBD OTC branch who was falsely accused and subsequently suspended without due process.
Promotions within Quickmart are said to be marred by favoritism and inappropriate practices.
Female employees reportedly face harassment, with some being coerced into inappropriate relationships to secure career advancement.
Those who resist or challenge these unethical practices risk being targeted for dismissal on fabricated charges, ranging from theft to integrity violations.
The fallout of these allegations places Quickmart’s top leadership, including its HR and Virtual Management teams, under intense scrutiny.
Former employees have called for the intervention of the supermarket’s owner to overhaul the toxic management structure.
Figures such as Steve Boro, Muindi Peter, Susan from HR, Muli, Mwai, Mercy, and Willie are repeatedly mentioned as enablers of this toxic environment.
Their collective actions, as per the allegations, have not only degraded the working conditions but also created a culture of fear and distrust.
A particularly damning account mentions Kerich, a former Regional Manager who advocated for equitable staff treatment.
His efforts to address workplace inequalities were reportedly met with resistance, ultimately forcing him to resign.
Such incidents reveal the extent to which dissent and reformist ideas are suppressed within the organization.
Quickmart’s reputation as a leading supermarket chain in Kenya now hangs in the balance, tarnished by these deeply troubling allegations. Without urgent reforms, including a transparent investigation into these claims and accountability for those implicated, the company risks alienating its employees and customers alike. The silence from Quickmart’s leadership on these issues only serves to amplify the growing discontent among staff and the public.
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