Lead image courtesy of Home Depot

Do-it-yourself and contractors supplies retailer/distributor The Home Depot will reportedly require corporate employees to work a full day at one of its stores each quarter in a move intended to support and connect with its retail staff.

That’s according to a staff memo from CEO Ted Decker obtained by Bloomberg.

The media outlet said the memo details that the company intends to mandate employees work eight-hour retail shifts at one of its stores every three months.

This policy applies to all corporate employees — including senior management and remote workers — who are expected to begin fulfilling a full, on-site shift starting in the fourth quarter.

“We need to stay connected to the core of our business, so we can truly understand the challenges and opportunities our store associates face every day,” Decker reportedly said in the memo.

“Home Depot has a long tradition of having employees spend time in stores, and this program is just an extension of that,” a company representative told Quartz in an emailed statement, adding, “It’s critical that we all spend time in the aisles engaging directly with customers and understanding the unique opportunities and challenges that our frontline associates face every day.”

All employees, including senior management and those working remotely, are expected to start taking on a full shift on-site at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Home Depot’s recent decision follows its second-quarter earnings report, which showed decreased consumer spending on home improvement this summer, leading the company to anticipate further sales declines in the months ahead. The company is likely to report its 3Q24 financials in mid-November.

Home Depot Narrows Outlook Despite 2Q Sales Bump from SRS (August 2024)

Home Depot said the initiative supports retail workers, but Bloomberg said it might also address concerns over alleged unfair labor practices and compensation. In October 2022, Home Depot Workers United filed a lawsuit claiming unlawful surveillance and worker interrogation in Philadelphia, PA.

For more information, see Bloomberg’s report here.

What do You Think?

Is this a good move on Home Depot to connect its corporate staff with the day-to-day challenges and opportunities of its store staff? Or would this be seen as a nuisance for corporate staff by taking them away from their core duties four days of the year? Does your company do anything similar? We’d love to hear your thoughts at editor@mdm.com, or comment below.