Hallmark cares enough to send the very best ... jobs to China

Please ask the gentle spokeswoman, what happened to the Hallmark Security department last year? Did it vanish into thin air?

You should have interviewed some of the employee's at the "red-headed step child" Distribution Center in Liberty, MO.

DEAR PITCH I CAN ALWAYS TRUST YOU ALL TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THINGS GOING ON IN THIS CITY. THANKYOU FOR KEEPING US INFORMED.NOW MY COMMENT IS THAT HALLMARK HAS THIS FAMILY ORIENTED STATION ON CABLE CHANNEL 62 TIMEWARNER, THAT PROTRAYS THEM AS BEING SO APPATHETIC, TO VARIOUS SITUATIONS PERTAING TO FAMILY,HOW DISAPOINTING TO SEE HOW THEY TREAT THE EMPLOYEES THAT GAVE US ONE LINERS,LOTS OF LAUGHS, MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS CARDS OF THE PAST,HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THOSE BRIGHT CREATIVE MINDS HALLMARK WOULD NOT BE HALLMARK,WHAT A SAD DAY FOR THEM,AND REMEMBER HALLMARK ITS NOT SO MUCH THE MONEY,ITS THE LITTLE THINGS LIKE THE JUICE CART,THAT EMPLOYEES LOOK AT IT LETS THEM KNOW SOMEBODY IN MANAGEMENTOR ADMINSTRATION REMEMBERS WHERE THEY STARTED AT GOOD LUCK TO ALL YOU CREATIVE,BRILLIANT MINDS WHEREEVER YOU END UP

What they don't tell you is that when Hallmark "lays off" employees they do everything in their power to place them elsewhere so they are not without a job. Any openings that would be posted externally are put on hold and the internal employees being laid off are given the chance to post and interview before everyone else.

After reading this i will make sure to never buy another Hallmark card or product again...Sending Hallmark would seem to me to be saying you don't really care.

The only thing in the article that I have trouble believing is that Don Hall didn't start the company to make money...but to help mankind. Yeah, I buy that!! He was living in the YMCA and he didn't want to make any money?? Give me a break!!!

The world is constantly changing and companies like Hallmark must make tough decisions to survive. Hallmark is a business, not a charity. Bottom line is if they need to cut jobs then they cut jobs. Just because they employ artists and make pretty ornaments and greeting cards they shouldn't make a profit or close factories that are not cost effective? Layoffs and job cuts are a fact of life...not a fun fact, but a fact.

I am constantly amazed at how much the Pitch loves to trash local companies. First it was Boulevard, now Hallmark. Anxiously awaiting the 'expose' about Garmin where the Pitch discovers that--gasp!--Garmin employees are forced to buy lunches at fast food joints instead of a corporate cafeteria (or other such nonsense).

Pitch, you hit it right on the button! The story was accurate, to the point, and exemplifies what happens in the Hallmark- Crown Center Community.

I was part of Crown Center Security and have witnessed such happenings at Hallmark.

We are called often the escort long-term 30-35 year employees out of the plant to their cars, employees in tears that that had just been terminated, we walked them off property and forever out of Hallmark.

In the 80's the 90's this was the best place in KC to work, it became a hostile work enviroment, cut-throat, it was amazing to see how managing by fear and intimidation did things to people, they wouldn't normally do.

I know of a lawsuit in the Federal Court system involving a Hostile work environment, FMLA violations, and Civil Rights violation involving several former Security Officers.It is public record, Judge Gaitans court, this can be researched and verified, it's public record.

The Kansas City Missouri Comunity has the right to know what occurs in the Hallmark community.

Things change, Organizations change, Managemnt changes, but treating employees with dignity and respect will never change, be it In China, Mexico and at 2510 Grand Blvd.

Pitch Magazine this articl was long overdue, and needed to be told, Great work for getting the Truth out there, employees are so sick of the lies, the cover-ups, "the cliques" and mistreatment of employees within the Crown center Hallmark Communities.

Signed a Rentschler Croonie, P.S. ask the Crown Center Community who Rentschler is, they will have a story to tell.

No one likes to think they are dispensable and that the company doesn't care. I've been through at least 15 different downsizings, layoffs, quality retainment and other names with several businesses across the country.
Competition is fierce, adapt or go. Is it better to keep everyone here and eventually lose everyone when the doors are shut or lose a few, usually those resistent to change?
Lets face reality there are people in every company that could go and no one would miss their 'work' effort.

For a company that is supposedly all about "family" and "communication".. it has
truely lost it's way. I was there in the good times. I was a victim of the bad times.
I've moved on to a better place. They took my job....not my talent or my spirit. Let's see now...who lost the most?? To others who may be in the line of "fire", there IS a GREAT LIFE after Hallmark.

I wonder what old Mr. Hall would do if he knew that much of the Graphics & Animation work which Chinese companies bid for is actually produced by studios in North Korea. Industries in China are trying to accelerate outsourcing of graphics work to North Korea.

Visit the website "North Korea Economy Watch"
http://www.nkeconwatch.com/category/civil-society/art/animation/

China seeking to outsource animation to DPRK…
Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
People’s Daily (h/t Go East)

US cartoons ‘made in North Korea’
Wednesday, March 14th, 2007
Asia Times

Thank you,

Alan B. Barley

Might want to do a follow up on the Crown Center side of the complex and how Hallmarks property management company handles it's affairs.

No wonder they are having "trouble" making a profit, imagine all the lawsuits and paying "released" employees "promise not to sue money" takes a chunk out of the bottom line

You might want to stop by and refill The Pitch racks around the complex.All current issues have been relocated to the nearest dumpster. Good thinking management, now no one will know!!!!!!

Step four Hallmark/ Clown Center, your fired!!--- Hi Pete

I am getting tired of this out sourcing. I shall avoid buying Hallmark and I call upon all those of like-mind to do the same 5e4b23

Dear Pitch THANK YOU!!! People always say oh you work for Hallmark that's a GREAT job. UGH unless you work there you have no idea!!!!!! I'll put it this way it is so bad there i am leaving to go to a retail job making apx $ 200.00 less a week just to get out of the Hell known as Hallmark!!!!
Ask ANYONE at the Liberty plant 90% will say the same thing

Why is Hallmark being crucified for running its business like a business? What the story fails to tell is that yes, it was a good year last year, but one of the first growth years in many. Despite last year's progress, Hallmark is still SIGNIFICANTLY below it revenue levels from the early 2000's. The older employees bitch about how "it's not like it used to be in the good old days". Well, guess what...it ain't the good old days anymore people. Hallmark ran fat and happy for decades and frankly, it's about time the company stepped up and did something to reverse the steeply declining revenue and profits, and wasteful processes to put out a product.

With all the other forms of communication used by society these days, it is tougher and tougher to sell greeting cards. With that decline, a company must make decisions to improve the business model. This includes streamlining the operation and doing some outsourcing. If you streamline and outsource, you are going to lose some jobs. The Halls are really good and genuine people, but they have a company to run, and yes...those evil profits must be made. Go do a hack story on Sprint or some other company that lays off far more employees than Hallmark.

P.S. You idiots put Irv Hockaday in the caption, yet put the picture of Don Hall, Sr. in the magazine. Might want to try proofing your story before going to print next time and do an interview with Irv about how he nearly ran the company into the ground.

P.P.S. Some of the people who posted here really should take the article with a grain of salt...or do you honestly believe everything you read? There are two sides to every story.

Who needs a Hallmark card when you can buy the same thing for .99$

I will never shop at Crown Center again!! Spend my hard earned money there, or attend any of there events or festivals.

JW must be Mnagement back there, he sounds like a "political spinner"

I had friends that worked for Hallmark and there property management company K-H, the horror stories they told, I was told this K-H had a level 1-2-3-4 step process to eliminate employees? can anybody verify this?

I was told that they (Hallmark) have the same mentality and are supporters of Bush and Chaney regime, wasn't Bush back there last October on a tour of that complex?

From what I was told upper management are supporters of Bush and Chaney, that should explain things if they adhere to that political mind-set. why would Bush be at Hallmark? again; enough said if he was there!

Corporate America shouldn't treat hard working, loyal workers the way this outfit does. it's a pretty simple management philosophy, treat your'e workers good, and your'e workers won't spill your'e company "dirt" to the public.Are you reading these?

I'm an HR Rep, it's pretty obvious there are management problems here, there is bad management everywhere, even at Hallmark and that mickey mouse property management outfit they have,(That's what my friends who worked there referred to it as) I've heard about them when I've interviewed potential applicants that used to work there.

From this forum, for evey (1)worker that defends them (it must be a Manager) you have 3-4 current or former workers that are bashing them, from my experience the numbers don't lie, those responses are usually pretty honest and truthful.

To the workers back there you can contact The National Labors Relations Board, EEOC, or other Federal Agencies that will represent your'e mistreatment.

The best way to fight such management is to get this out in the public, for doing this "The Pitch" needs to be acknowledged- Pitch- Keep up the good work! From these responses you can continue to do expose's/articles on this organization. I ask? Would all these people lie? Why would they?

People have a right to pick and choose where they spend there entertainment dollar, people of KC that's where you can make an impact, don't go there, shop there or support there events until they treat there workers better!

Bill Lucas, why are you allowing this? Time for you to step up and stop this.

To the workers of that place, Good Luck, I'm sure you are good, honest people-workers you deserve better! Just keep speaking up! Hallmark can make a profit if they treat there workers better, until you do I won't suport your'e organization.

I am a Westwooder-Johnson Countian that won't return to Hallmark or Crown Center.

People generally don't lie when it comes to this, I don't see enough employees or there management defending the "other-way"

If your talking about Crown Center Redevelopement and Bill Lucus! Well, they will tell you they didn't know anything was going on. They all have know for a very long time what happens and when things happen. They also keep things from hitting the Media. Except a few times the Media has hit on the thef problem they had. People getting thier cars broken into, purse snatching and robbers stealing from stores in broad daylight!

I'm an ex employee and I will tell you I will Never Set foot on Hallmark property!!!!! They (meaning the people you once work with or for), see you there and make you feel so uncomfortable when they see you on the property! In stead of saying " Hey how the heck are you?" The think that they are above everything and everyone! That is why there Center, Crown Center is having such a hard time getting people to come there and businees to stay in business!If they would have treated there staff better and not make them feel so unwelcome when you come to there property well they would have some loyalty from employees!

Glad to see that the Power and Light Distric is up and running so that people don't have to go to that slum of a center that they Call Crown Center!

Marketing for Crown Center should all be fired and have new members with all new insights and attitudes! If they don't do that well Crown Center will be less than what it is now!

Hallmark cares less about family and more about how much money they make! What about the locals and families it affects sending jobs overseas?? Come on, I know that this is the new way America but Hallmark was something big and something that Kansas City could be proud of! Not anymore and sad to say never again!

JW # 14 -easy for you to say while you ride that kiss ass train. Sound like a white guy that might have cut grass for a living or maybe a dispatcher until you figured out selling your soul and puffing up might buy you some respect and a girls Harley . Dose the security department still hand out monthly "thank you" awards to keep the black officers happy ? just asking??? greg--step up-got a box- if you need one short shit

I know there are going to be people that don't believe the things in the article about Hallmark could be true. I know for fact they are true and some of the things done were ever worse. I't pretty bad when you're loyal to a company for almost 30 years and they bring in a "cut throat" to downsize so they won't have to pay the salary that they themselves set. I grew up with my mom, who worked for Hallmark, telling me that you gain the most to stay loyal and do a good job. I did that..Got paper to back it up and after almost 30 years got the shaft in more ways that one. Hallmark always stood for the "family" because of the way it was developed and what it stood for. It's turned out to be a very "disfunctional family" if you ask me. Don Senior, I'm sure is turning over in his grave to see how his company is being handled and taken away from the hometown personnel he believed in. I look forward to those who have destroyed what used to be a great place to go and work, to get their just do's!!!!

JW here. By the way, I am not management and I'm not a kiss ass. Just an everyday, regular 9-5er. Things are not done perfectly at Hallmark, but this reaction to a clearly inflammatory article is typical American knee jerk reaction to something they read. For every bitter ex-employee posting here, there's a dozen Hallmarkers who think it's still a great company to work for. Think what you want, don't buy the cards, don't shop at Crown Center, believe everything you read and don't bother to find out any facts for yourself. Rely on the heresay and ignore the positives. Bitter, party of one? Your table is now available.

the problem with your argument jw is that you are assuming hallmark needs to make these cuts so that hallmark can become profitable. noone except for a choice few Hallmarkers at the top know if the company is making money. with the success of the music cards especially i would guess the company is raking in money.

if they need these cuts to make a profit again, why doesn't hallmark just reveal the financial numbers? but they would never do that, because if employees learned these cuts were going to make the Halls one of the richest families in the world, Hallmarkers would rebel. and they should

Okay, look at it this way. Say you take over a company producing widgets. 20 years ago, the company was making a lot of money as the widgets were selling really, really well. So you come in and realize Plant A is making widgets where Plant B could make them with their existing equipment and processes, and you'd reduce overhead and transportation costs. Do you continue to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, perhaps millions of dollars, operating Plant A?

You also look at the company and realize your widgets are behind the times. The process is such that it takes months and months just to make simple adjustments to the process to get a better or newer widget version out the door. You may have 3 people doing the job that 1 person could be doing. You have multiple operations that, upon really looking at the process, are bottlenecking everything and are not necessary to get the new widgets out the door. Do you continue keeping those processes and those extra persons just because that's the way it's always been? That's the way we've always done things and it can never change?

People, society is changing at an ever-expanding pace. Businesses and companies have to change with them and make use of evolving technology. Often times that technology involves not needing as many people.

Hallmark has made some big mistakes with the WAY they handled personnel issues with the Creative Division staff. Additionally, from the folks I know up there, changes needed to be made, but they may have cut too much and are placing too much responsibility on too few people. Sounds highly possible. However, back to my earlier point, business can't operate in the past and the way things used to be. You just can't. Change is hard, especially on the performance management side where, for the first time you actually have to set forth expectations for your employees and hold them accountable. Accountability at this company is better than it used to be, but is still something managers struggle with doing.

Believe me, Hallmark isn't perfect, but if it was a public company, these changes would have happened a long time ago and would most likely be much worse for the employees of the company.

This article was NOT inflammatory, it was very fair. What's remarkable is that no other media in town has been willing to tell this newsworthy story about one of KC's most significant companies and employer. I was not contacted for the story, by the way. Hallmark's Public Affairs and Communication department does a remarkable job of keeping negative stories under wraps and rabidly defending it's hallowed, but now inaccurate reputation.

I was "fired" recently, after receiving the dreaded PIP--Performance Improvement Plan,-- which amounts to a 90-day pink slip after years of fine, experienced performance. I attended the meetings where we were told the creative division would be double-digits smaller by by the end of next year. They spun it as if attrition would account for most of that, but had to address the question when it was raised of "performance management" terminations since it was the 800 lb. gorilla in the middle of the room--as body bags were being shipped out the back door. When I interview, I tell potential employers I was "downsized" because it's more accurate.

Corporations need to change to survive. Fewer people are sending greeting cards. Understood. But at least Sprint is HONEST in the media about downsizing and layoffs, and factors in severance packages in the costs of downsizing. Hallmark's PIP system is a dishonest, insulting way to fire older, experienced and more expensive employees. Not all employees don't receive a severance, but many long-term employees receive a token pittance or nothing at all other than their retirement accounts (if vested), after years of able service, thanks to "performance management," Hallmark's euphemism for justifying firing people in order to reduce headcount. I also chose not to litigate, just to more quickly get the sour taste out of my mouth and move on from such a degrading and insulting experience. I AM grateful to the company who employed me for all those years and provided for me and my family, but I'm disgusted about the dishonest way my Hallmark career ended and the way I was treated.

The story "quotes" a speech by Hall, but be assured every word of senior leadership communications is carefully crafted by speech writers, good, very capable people just doing their job. But it's time Julie O'Dell and Hallmark's media spin people think about adopting "best practices" of companies who are honest about downsizing in the face of change. There's no shame in needing to downsize for the company's long-term health in ever-changing market conditions. Sounds like they begrudgingly were finally forced to address this when Pitch forced their hand. At Halllmark people don't come first, their phony old reputation about not downsizing employees still trumps all. Perhaps this story will help change that and move hallmark back to an honest, respected corporate citizen.

Sorry you were downsized. I don't know about Hallmark's severence packages. I've heard good and bad, but it probably depends on how high up the ladder you are. I agree with many of the WHY's, but I hope this does change the HOW of when they let people go because I know they don't handle it as well as they should. Best of luck in the job search.

Wanna know what it's like to work AT and FOR Hallmark Cards Inc.??

http://www.pitch.com/2008-05-15/news/hallmark-cares-enough-to-send-the-very-best-jobs-to-china/full

Everyday we go to work and wonder.... "Is this the last day?" When we make a mistake, not matter how small, we worry, "Oh Crap, I'm gonna get fired for that!"

I used to love my job, could not imagine working anywhere but Hallmark, and thinking how very lucky I was! Now I just pray that I have a job at the end of the day, and for the Good Lord to help me find something else, like many of my Very Talented Friends/Co-Workers have done!

The new Motto at Hallmark is: "When You Care Enough to Get Rid of The Very Best"

I can't speak for the rest of the Company, but I do know that some of our Best I/T talent have either been walked out the door, or walked themselves out because of the horrible conditions... Micro Managing, harassing, insulting, and the very same evaluations talked about in this article are VERY MUCH TRUE!

I don't even work FOR Hallmark anymore, I work there, but not for them... because about 4 years ago Hallmark sold us to the lowest bidder.... and this summer our entire Helpdesk, here in KC is being let go, and now it will be primarily in Mexico!

The Only Good Thing I can say about Hallmark/ACS is that at least I’m still employed and can pay my bills… but sometimes I stop and think about how life is too short to be this miserable! Occasionally I think about how much money I pay into the government so that they can hand it out to all the lowlifes, Multi-baby makers, illegal aliens, and 3 Ton Soap opera Couch Potatoes who wouldn’t dream of getting a job because they couldn’t afford that big screen TV! And I think, “What the Hell!”

EVER HAVE ONE OF THOSE DAYS???? I, and Many other ACS/Hallmarkers have them EVERYDAY!

I'll give you the IT one. I know/knew several, very talented IT people. The ACS outsourcing has really caused a cramp in getting applications done. Now, rather than building something internally, you have to go with a packaged solution and beg for IT hours to help you get it installed, when you could have built something you wanted, that would do the job, for much cheaper with in-house talent.

I used to attend Crown Center's events on the square.

I'm of Hispanic and Afican American decent, I alway's felt as if the Management and workers who ran and worked those events were snobby, arrogant, and felt they were better then everyone.

I found the Security Officers, the Maintenance staff, the housekeepers, and the event workers, like alway's on edge? I oftened wondered why? Now I know, I remember visiting the Center in the 80;s and 90's as well, people were so friendly back then, I used to know all the shop people, but I've noticed all the older workers are now gone, replaced with newer, sad to say "ruder" shop keepers, Crown Center has changed.

What happened to all the good Security Officers? they were so nice, all the famaliar faces I used to talk to I heard were forced out or fired, why? Now the new Officers look so unprofessional and are rude. I used to know all those guy's, where are they?

The Cleaning personal has changed quite a bit as well, I used to know all of them now they have younger workers that look as if they don't give a damn about their jobs or how they perform their jobs.

I've never worked at Hallmark or Crown Center but I know the place very well,I talk to everyone back there, they all know me, the workers, shop keepers, all say the same thing, after reading these passages, now I know!

I was planning on attending Jiggle Jam this weekend with my family, and the Friday night movies on the square, I won't be attending those or any events from this point on.

They all seem like "upity Johnson County Snobs" who could care less about a midtowner with a family, I've alway's found the Pitch to be a credible publication, I don't doubt the authencity of this article, you don't have to work there to feel the climate back there, everyone walks around so down like they hate there jobs, it's pretty obvious.

Like one of the previous writers wrote, I'll be taking my family and my surplus entertainment dollar to the Plaza or Power and Light District, maybe Legends, I don't support organizations that treat their workers like this, no-way! I'll ask all my family and friends to do the same, To the Management that runs that place let this serve as a wake-up call cause folks in Midtown are talking about this articl, Where are the Pitch Magazines around the complex? Where they removed and disgarded as that one writer mentioned? What are you hiding? Mike in Midtown

FYI - Hallmark does not run Crown Center. It is a management outfit called Kessinger Hunter. All security and cleaning personnel are hired by them. Hallmark does not man any of the shops. Those are all individual store owners or, in the case of Halls, a subsidiary of Hallmark run by a separate management group.

I have also seen what alot of the people in this section have talked about. There are Security Officers, Operations staff and cleaning crew who try really hard to do a good job. But, as soon as you question WHY something is done the way it is, when it CLEARLY makes no sense or contradicts what you were told 2 hours earlier, it leaves you wondering what on earth Management is thinking.

Why do they continue to allow the specific people who work at Crown Center and Hallmark ( and we ALL know who they are) when it is clear they promote a negative and toxic environment. The wrong people are being promoted when the right people are being written out of a job. Why has no one mentioned Ken Nickolay in ANY of these comments. He plays an intregal part in all of this. Mr. Nickolay is the head of Kessinger/Hunter management property.

He has to be aware that these things are being allowed to continue but doesn't do anything about it. And if he DOESN'T know then SHAME ON HIM. Hallmark does not run Crown Center, that is true, but they pay the bills and that is the same thing. All these lay offs are occurring and now the Loss Prevention Manager position is up for grabs for the Halls store in Kansas City. Who was let go this time?

And just for the record, there are MULTIPLE law suits in the works towards Hallmark and Crown Center. Charles Rentschler was gotten rid of, that was a step in the right direction. They back stepped by not hiring from OUTSIDE the company for the new Director of Security. It is the Charles Rentschler regime all over again.

Something needs to be done or Crown Center, no matter how much they remodel or try to make things look "fresh" will have tumbleweeds rolling down Grand.

I'd like to see an article about the thousands of employees that SPRINT has let go over the years.... ramp up for a project, 9 months later, fire the 500 people you just invested in hiring.

Hallmark when we care enough to fire the very best!

ask some lawrence hallmarkers

its funny how no one has talked about hallmarks latest attempt to increase profits while reducing overhead,overhead as in (employees). im talking about LEAN manufacturing. the lawrence productin center was the first to implament lean and for the other plants hopefully the last,basiclly lean is less employees same amount of work,instead of 1 operator for 1 press now its 1 operator 2 presses or 3 or 10 presses if your unlucky enough to be in foil stamp,oh and by the way,we cant pay you anymore money for your extra work,thats not part or lean,(you should just be glad to have a job)thanks don,jr and dave hall. their the grand kids who are now running the company
(into the ground).but they never had to work like their grandfather did or their father,maybe if they had they would realize the employees are the ones that made them rich, but then again just being born a hall is all it took for the grandkids

if you really want to know some sad stories ,check out the lawrence plant. people there live with the real fear of being let go every day. two people fired monday and if you beleive the rumors, there will be 7 or 8 more in the very near future. really makes it easy to get out of bed and go to work every day.

I worked for Crown Center Security for close to 20 years. I am reading these passages shaking my head and saying to myself' What the Hell happened"

Every single comment written on this blog regarding my former Security Dept is true.

Working for Crown Center Security, we were all so proud to work there, in it's day it was the best security Dept. in KC, now; well the letters speak for themselves.

When the former Security Officer's Federal Lawsuit hits the Federal Court System later this year, I will be setting in Federal Court, front row, offering my support, to all of my former co-workers and Officers I invite you to do the same, things are happening for a reason, this article about Hallmark happened for a reason. just keep talking, Talk loud talk proud and talk often!! Don't be bullied and badgered, just keep talking! We have the Truth on our side.

These people are corporate bullies, how do you beat a bullie? you stand up to them as we are, and continue to talk, you know as well as I do, folks all over town are listening, this only confirms what everyone is fighting for and against.

People in KC are supporting this group of fine Officers, I admire there determination, there stregth, there resolve, and not backing down from a corporate empire as they are taking on.Look how far you have gotten, they want you to go away, but you ain't going away, cause you are standing behind the TRUTH!

When this comes to court, I have no doubt all of you will do very well, I'm very proud of all of you and had the distinct pleasure to work with all of you.I'm honored that we all kept Crown Center safe during our time there.

The truth is a very powerful tool, through cover-ups, lies,management cliques, red-tape, The Truth continues to penetrate all of that. Guy's doesn't sound like we were the only ones experiencing hell, look at all the other people that have endured such treatment.

Anyway's as alway's you have my backing-support and I will assisit you anyway I can.

When things are settled I will return to Crown Center and visit with all of you, I miss the people of CC tremendously, but have vowed never to return to CC soil until this Federal court case is resolved, and the truth is revealed, from all the readings we are well on our ways, things happen for a reason, that's while all of this is going down, Toall who have voiced there opinions in this forum, don't stop, you have there attention, change will come, management back can't and won't ignore this, now the entire KC area knows, so if anything happens from this point on, they won't be able to justify such actions. Long time coming guy's,

How does that song go from the band Chicago? "Only the beginning, only just the start"
See you all soon!

In response to JW "bitter party of one, your table is available" looks to me like the reservation list for that one table is getting pretty long. Maybe we could dine at the Crown Room, I hear there are lots of empty tables and chairs up there.

I think the empty tables are more a reflection of the prices they gouge us for the Crown Room food than the bitter employees. It's quite good so far as quality, but ridiculous pricing in some cases.

I know JW, he is an ass-wipe- brown noser, kisse's alot of Ass, 6 months to a year from now, when they are done using him, he'll be looking for a forum as this.

JW get to the back of the "Sell-out" I'm a token" "I will sell out anyone to get-ahead" line, you are a reflection of the ass wipes that hurt people back there,

If you were on my team I'd remove you, cause grown men like you that kiss so much ass have no use on my crew.

Hey Security, when the call to escort JW out of the building, to his car and off the property, please call me, I will do this for free.

I know JW as well, he's a disruption at staff meetings, he does kiss ass!

He'll doing anything, say anything, and sell out himself or thers to get-ahead.

When Bush toured the plant, JW's feeling were hurt cause he couldn't hob-nob with the big-wigs.

JW, just "shut up" you are a pest! Everyone know who you are, they were talking about your'e disguise at work today. tell them youre real name you coward.

Unfortunately, it's people like JW that go far in this organization, but eventually there wives leave them, there kids hate them, they get fired and the end up living behind K-Mart on Noland Road, in a rental home with a mistress that will dump him as well. Get back to work JW, do an honest job, that's the real way you should attempt to get ahead, Management thinks you are a brown-noser as well, they consider you a "gopher" and laugh at you behind your'e back, I hear they'd like for you to hit the road ASAP.

JW "what goes around comes around" I've seen many at Hallmark with your'e same mentality only to be shown the door and never to return, before what you say, because you can be next! People like you are a dime a dozen at Hallmark.

Hey "I Know JW", either you have me mistaken for somebody else or you're just throwing out some generalizations to try and be an a-hole just because I disagree with you. If you think you know me, tell me where I work in Hallmark.

On the Crown Center Security issue, I honestly don't know anything about them or their operations and am sorry to hear the state of the union over there. I am friendly with some of the old Hallmark security officers and I believe some of them ended up over there. I have to say the old crew was much friendlier than the new outfit for the most part. I met Charles R. once and was not impressed, and know from several people that not a tear was shed when he was fired. Also, I don't think CC Security is run by Hallmark, but a separate outfit.

I have no affliations of either Crown Center or Hallmark.

I work out @ Legends come see us, our employees are happy, we treat our workers very well! If you don't want to shop back at Crown Center, we'll be more then happy to accomadate you!

I think additional media outlets should be contacted to really get additional insight on this place, who's running the show back there? Man!!

I'm going to make sure everyone on the Kansas side knows about this, great breaking article Pitch, How about a follow up?

I believe these workers! Give em Hell!

We have an excellent Security staff, we can use good Officers!

Who is this Copotelli? That one writer says he needs a short box? He must have little man syndrome and thinks he's tough or something. and JW and Rentschler? We don't want folks like them working out here.

Why don't you guy's put this on the Hallmark Channel on cable, This doesn't sound like anything on the Hallmark channel airs, maybe a sitcom?

Danny Devito can play this copotelli, he's short as well, Will Farrell can play this Rentschler fellow, he's a goofy actor, Jim Carey can play JW, I hear the hollywood types think Carey is a "kiss ass" in the industry, he'd be perfect for JW.

They could call this movie "Dead man walking" you guy's make me laugh, you folks are funny, keep'em coming, I look forward going to this site! Cracking me up in Western K.C.K

P.S. Hey Hallmark perfect idea for a new greeting card, People can send these to their Loved one's that are disgruntled workers and hate there jobs, maybe have a cartoon character stabbing his co-worker in the back, now that would sell and make alot of money!

A group of Lawerence Hallmarkers just returned from breakfast, we have been reading these entrie's, here's the consencious amongst us.

Shit rools down hill, It starts at the top with Hallmark, it trickles down to Crown Center Redevlopment Corporation, from there it travels to that Kessinger Hunter group, then its the everyday Joes, The Press Operators, warehopuse staff The Security Staff, Housekeeping, Maint and Operations, Event Staffers etc. and other entities within Crown Center and Hallmark, be it the hotels, the shops, vendors all are affected.

I've been with Hallmark for 27 years, Management just be honest, if you are downsizing say it, you aren't the only organization in town doing this it's occurring everywhere.

Just don't create such a hostile, toxic miserable work environment, we are the people that helped make you the millions and millions you enjoy now, don't treat us like dirt now that you want to go in another organizational direction.

Jobs are going overseas, we all know that, don't be upset that your'e employees are venting in this forum, like some of the writers have stated, when we bring our concerns to management you work on getting rid of us.

We know things change, but treating workers with respect should always come from 1st, is a very toxic-hostile environment, people in KC should know this, let them chose if they want to spend there hard earned money on Hallmark products, or shop and dine and the Crown Center, don't lie and say it's not like this here, everyone knows it is.

Trust. respect, and a little loyality go a long way, then you can make all the money you want, and everyone in town won't be bashing you as they are.

Walmart took a beating in the press, Sprint has, sad to say we are headed down that road as well, Gas is $4.00 a gallon today, we have a poor President that people can't stand, people are tired of the war, folks are losing there homes, people are losing their retirement's, this is the climate we live in.

Back in the day, Hallmark used to rise above that, I think as tough as times are now in our city and country, how refreshing would it be to see Hallmark take the lead in such a revival instead of just being another contributer to the mindset of America.

I don't enjoy coming to work much anymore, but like many others what are you going to do, I fear being fired everyday, we have no forum to speak up and voice our concerns, cause if we do we will be retailated against, I think that is why many of my co-workers have resorted to this link, it's really the 1st time we can talk freely and openly, get managments attention, and maybe the Kansas City area's as well, sorry it had to come to this, but what the hell else are we supposed to do?

In the eyes of management I'm just a peon hourly worker, it won't change anything, but at least I had a chance to voice my opinoin, something I'm not allowed to do at the Lawerence plant, Have a good day all! A Lawerence Hallmarker

Lawrence Hallmarker - Great post. I do hope management takes it to heart and is more open and honest about what is going on. Lots of change going on in Lawrence - hope you come out on top.

Oh, and I'd go hang out at Legend's any day of the week and twice on Sunday before Crown Center. No competition there.

Seems like the majority of people posting here have some entitlement issues. No company, Hallmark or otherwise, owes an employee anything other than a paycheck. In case you haven’t noticed, that is what a job is. A company pays you for the work you do, beyond that, there is no obligation. Hallmark and the Hall family have done an incredible job of caring for their employees. Bottom line though, it is still a business, and as such exists to make money. If a company can be more profitable by outsourcing, implementing new systems, or trying a new manufacturing philosophy, you can bet it will do so.

I have been at Hallmark for three years and it is an incredible place to work. I have worked for other major corporations and Hallmark is by far the best company I have had the honor to be employed by. There is no forced distribution in place on reviews, or other ulterior means to rank good employees poorly in order to get rid of them. If anything, Hallmarkers have a challenging time being straight forward and delivering tough performance conversations, or just having straight dialogue in general. I have interacted with numerous individuals in the company that probably should have poor performance reviews and not be employed, yet they are still there. I can not tell you how many times I have heard “that’s not my job” with extreme attitude. Wake up! If you acted like in most other companies, you would be fired! No nice severance packages like the ones Hallmark gives, your behind would be kicked out.

The one bad thing I can say about Hallmark is the overwhelming sense of entitlement too many employees that have been with the company for a long period of time possess. The sense these individuals have that the company owes them something is nauseating. I wish there was a way for these folks to be introduced to individuals from Sprint, JP Morgan, MCI, Amazon.com, Qwest, Yahoo, GM, etc.; companies that have experienced major layoffs. I think it would be enlightening. Companies pay you to perform your job and hopefully excel at it. Not stand around and gripe with your coworkers about how unfair it is the free coffee and snacks went away. We have evolved into a merit based society and it no longer matters that you have been draining the company with your half-baked performance for the last 20 years. If you don’t perform in your job, you should move on.

Bottom line, there are two sides to every story and in my opinion, this one borders on sensationalism in the fact it is trying to portray a good company as bad for remaining profitable. Last time I looked, I thought the point of running a business was to be profitable and successful??? Hallmark has handled any reduction of employees with integrity and dignity. Those who disagree need a reality check.

Well said, GVR. There is a tremendous sense of entitlement for the longer term Hallmarkers. "It's not like it used to be" is their mantra. Well, the business world isn't like it used to be, either. You are also dead on about the dislike of communication of negative performance. I think performance management has gotten better over the last several years, however.

Having said that, there are bad managers out there who probably never should have been managers in the first place. The tact with which they handled some of the dismissals is suspect, at best. I'm not disagreeing with the WHY, but questioning the HOW.

JW maybe you can help me out on this one, I've been reading these blog's, I've been attending the festivals and events at Crown Center for a while, went to the Mexican Fiesta hoping to see Little Joe and LaFamilia but due to weather they cancelled.

Question, What happened to the diverse mix of of Hispanic and African American Security Officers that used to be on the Security Force.

There was Nancy Taylor, there was Ed Herrera, Tinoco. didn't know his 1st name, there was Janice Barbosa, then there were several African American Officers I used to converse with, I don't see them anymore.

I live on the Westside, grew up in the Crown Center Community, I don't make it back there as musch as I used to to, but still enjoy going to some of the events back there from time to time.

I've asked about these Officers, when I ask the current Security staff just shrugs there shoulders and say " I never heard of them" They were there a long time, then just vanished!

One Officer told me that when a man by the name of Ebert was operating things he operated the Security Staff as a reflection of the Crown Center Community, that doesn't seem to be the case anymore, I don't see many African American Officers as well, I think someone ought to0 get ahold of thes former Officers and find out why they left or maybe the were told to leave.

There seems to be issues here, have you read this stuff.

I'm part of the community, thought I'd ask, maybe the Pitch or Dos Mundos should track them down and ask them why they aren't there anymore? JW if you or anyone can answer this for me I'd like to know, maybe I'll call the Administrative Offices next week and see what I'm told, there's got to be something to this? Thank You, Pete Alvarez.

Pete - I honestly don't know a great deal about the Crown Center operations or their security staff. As I said before, I believe it's run by a separate outfit and not by Hallmark. I know that a handful of the Hallmark security folks went to work for that group, but don't seem overly enthused about it. As for the ethnic diversity of the security staff, you probably would be better off calling the admin offices and asking them your questions because I just don't know.

Mr. JW Thank You Sir! I used to like these Officers, they were all really really nice, Janice, Nancy and Herrera were allgood people , they used to say how much they really loved working there, That's why I am having trouble understanding why they are all gone.

I'm reading these comments about civil rights violations, and Federal Court cases' God I pray they aren't involved in that or fell victims of any of that treatment.

This entire blog has me very interested, I know of a couple of media contacts as well in the Hispanic community and plan getting their opinons on this, JW, when these Officers said 'they never heard of these guy's" I wondered, "something's up" How did these Officers work there all that time and now no one ever heard of them? how did people who loved their jobs just vanish, this just doesn't add up.

I'm more then curious at this point, I found that Federal Law suit on-line it's on Justia.com a Federal court case link, so that checked out, and appearently is true, I'm really beginning to wonder about this outfit that ran the Security force.

If anyone knows the wereabouts of these Officers please post it.

JW, I'm definitely going to call the Administrative people back there and see what they have to say, I'm going to try and have my contacts locate them and see what happened. I sure hope they are well, I can't imagine what happened to them. JW, Thank's again, Pete Alvarez, just a concerned citizen and member of the community.

No problem. Looked all over Justia.com and couldn't find any reference to it. Where did you find it?

Mr. JW, my contacts any myself have been placing phone calls on this, here's how we found it. Go to Justia, go to Federal Case's, type in Gerald vs. Kessinger Hunter.

Apperently Gerald is a African American Officer who has filed against them.

What I'm hearing it's three who have filed and several former and current Officers serving as witness's, it's against that Kessinger Hunter outfit.

FMLA Violations, Civil Rights violations, and Hostile work environment, MR. JW maybe some of this is being verified, and is true.

I'm attempting to make contact with these Officer that i used to converse with, wondering if they were victims of this?

I think things are starting to add up, if I find out this is true, I will voice my complaint in the community, and to that organization, rest assured I will.

How about someone getting ahold of this group, if they can discuss any of this? I don't know if they can, I'm glad this is surfacing, because now I'm becoming more upset!

I'm attempting to see what else I can find out about all of this, Pete Alvarez.

HallMark is a big disappointment to all of us. I'm originally from Kansas City and we were always so proud of this ONCE fine company. But I've known for years how they push their older workers out, and this outsourcing of artwork is of absolutely no surprise to me. Pick up any item in a HallMark store, and you'll see "Made in China". Personally, I would rather pay a little more and get a quality item made here in the USA instead of by a 3rd world worker making pennies to our dollars (hard to do, but sometimes I get lucky and find something made in the USA). I'm not buying any more HallMark merchandise...or should I say "ChinaMark".

To be fair, Dottie...what is made in the US anymore? Go to Walmart and check out the toy aisle. Pick out any aisle and see IF you can find something made in the US. Hallmark's cards are produced in the US as is ribbon and bows, party supplies, etc. The stuff from China is allied product and not claimed to be made by Hallmark anyway. If you're going to boycott Hallmark because of overseas product, you might as well boycott every other store in the United States.

The mission to identify and bring to light the problems with management at Hallmark, Crown Center and Kessinger/Hunter, would be much better served if some of the people in this comment area could utilize spell check! Coming across like ignorant, irate former employees is not helpful! What is helpful, however, is letting people know that some of the current legal case information can be located at www.courts.mo.gov/casenet/. Click on litigant name search and presto! You can search the management company name or whatever…

As a person who is familiar with the Crown Center/Hallmark drama, I will verify two things from the other comments: First, there is a management problem (but this happens EVERYWHERE). What this means is that “yes men” were promoted who did not have the mental capacity to manage others. They were promoted because they could be controlled by even further undeveloped senior managers who were afraid to promote someone moderately intelligent for fear of being found out! That said, it happens everywhere (it is the vicious cycle of management), once a bad promotion takes hold, it multiplies like rabbits in the Spring! Second, employees have been unprofessionally targeted across the board, and there are clear violations of a Human Resource nature transpiring daily. Hallmark (Crown Center and Kessinger/Hunter included) has little tolerance for anything. It is their way or the highway, and that is simply not a good approach. It is further evidence of the poor management and obviously results in disgruntled employees. People receive written disciplinary actions because they simply tried to go the extra mile to do a good job (even though they should have only done what was minimally necessary to complete the job because anything else is a violation of policy!). People (former employees) simply need to move on with their lives because this family business will not change… A dysfunctional bureaucracy for the ages that makes the Federal Government look like a simple mom and pop store in backwater West Virginia….

JW, pick a side already. Decide what you believe in and stick to it. How would you feel if one day you came to work, expecting everything to go well and the next thing you know you are escorted to your locker or desk and forced to turn in your gear. Not a comfortable feeling for sure.

The newer Officers don't know about the previous ones because it is "forbidden" to talk about them. They are dismissed and treated as if they never existed. Not a very nice way to treat people.

Fact is, you don't know how it feels until it happens to you or someone close to you. Changes need to made, it's just a matter of how quickly they can be done in order to preserve Crown Center.

To Everyone deserves to be happy, all I can say is this; LONG TIME COMING, and I still work back there. We are treated like scum!!

All there little dirt and crookedness are being exposed! How can you say these are disgruntled ex-employees, they are Human beings first!

That wasn't a very christian thing to say, people back there are so wrapped up in their titles, their money, and their own little worlds in their tiny- little cubicles, they forgot how they got their in the first place.

Again; Long Time coming on all of this, I think folks are just PO'd that this is surfacing, We are nothing like we portray ourselves to be! Money. Money Money, they could care less about us.

I'm glad it is surfacing as things prepare to get busy for the summer season, we needded this wake- up call!! Signed, Glad this out!

To Everyone deserves to be happy, all I can say is this; LONG TIME COMING, and I still work back there. We are treated like scum!!

All there little dirt and crookedness are being exposed! How can you say these are disgruntled ex-employees, they are Human beings first!

That wasn't a very christian thing to say, people back there are so wrapped up in their titles, their money, and their own little worlds in their tiny- little cubicles, they forgot how they got their in the first place.

Again; Long Time coming on all of this, I think folks are just PO'd that this is surfacing, We are nothing like we portray ourselves to be! Money. Money Money, they could care less about us.

I'm glad it is surfacing as things prepare to get busy for the summer season, we needded this wake- up call!! Signed, Glad this out!

To "still work here"

Please reread my comment with a little less hostility. I clearly stated that "employees have been unprofessionally targeted across the board, and there are clear violations of a Human Resource nature transpiring daily." This means I am siding with the employees. They are being unfairly targeted if they are not liked. And you need to know that disgruntled means "to make discontented". There is nothing negative about it... reread my comment and you will understand that I said poor management has led to discontent (or upset employees). I support the employees...not management...

I am a long time Retail Shop Manager-Owner in the Crown Center shops. I know just about everyone in retail within the Crown Center community.

I must admitt I long for the day of the Old Security Regime. You knew the Officers, you knew their names, their families, their kids, where they went to college, they all stayed with the Dept. forever, They were so loyal to Crown Center. I remember some went 5-6-7 years without calling in sick.

When Rentschler came on board he cleaned house (Why?) and got rid of everyone (again why?)

This new group of Officers, they don't stay long with the Dept. tons of turnover, bad attitudes, most of them are overweight, one has bad hygene, they don't speak, who's this Mario and Gregg, we never had Officers like those two in the past, where'd they find them?

I know things change, that is industry, you have to change, my question? Have we changed for the better? Or did we just change cause Rentschler had his agenda, how were these guy's such bad Officers, I think it was alway's personal with him and the old Officers that used to work for us.

There's only 1-2 left from that period, why does Kessinger Hunter just get rid of people for the sake of turnover, again; I'm management, what type of loyalty do expect to build when you have massive turnover numbers.

It appears there is alot of division, it's like the Supervisors are "the haves" the regular Officers protecting us are "the have nots"

I know K.C.P.D. does not have alot of respect and trust with this new group, especially the Security Supervisors.

I know alot of my felow shop owners and workers feel this way, we've had numerous discussions involving this, I plan on keeping tabs of this dept. after reading all of these passage's, I'm not the only one that feels like this.

I went to the web-site, I remember the three that have filed against Kessinger Hunter, all three were good people, debra was so professional and well respected.

I hope the truth comes front and center, and if these Officers and others involved in this case are found to be telling the truth in this case, we'll then someone with Kessinger Hunter should be held responsible.

I have always observed in life, things do happen for a reason, frankly, I'm glad the Pitch did run this article, and this blog-page has been created, all of my fellow shop owners are keeping up with this. We need to get to the bottom of this!

Gary Hill and Ken Nicolay, I hope both of you gentlemen are proud of all of this,look at what has been created, i hope there's a reasonable, honest explanation for all of this, take note of your'e current and former employees, you have some really upset and hurt people out there, can they all be lying? I don't think they are.

As mentioned, I'm going to watch this very closely from this day on, to my fellow Crown Center Merchants, I ask you to do the same, again; you guy's know who I am, we've discussed this on numerous occassions, have a good evening all!

To "evryone deserves to be happy" my mistake, I took the time to re-read your'e passage, I misinterprted a couple of your'e comments, My fault!

We are co-workers we feel the same way about our work surroundings., I just hope things do get better for everyone, let's stay united on this, maybe if we keep talking, (as many of us are!) change can occurr.

I went to that web-site you mentioned, that's what upset me, I'm glad you posted this, I think someone is attempting to cover-up some stuff,maybe we can make this place great again; if people were hurt, well, the people that hurt them must be held accountable! On that we agree.I just want everyone to be happy- like wise on my end!

Pete, from what I'm told, that arrogance is exactly how those folks act and operate.

To whoever wrote that passage of arrogance, You want to "stir-up" the Hispanic community? Go-ahead, awake the sleeping giant, track me down Pete, if they want a wake up call, we'll give them one, I'll get the word going! Steve Tinoco

Thanks to the Pitch for publishing this article. It is about time someone in KC media was willing to take on the Hallmark empire. Everything in this article is true. My only disappointment is that there are other facts that could have been included. You might want to check on the policy that every employee is forced to sign regarding disagreements with management; strong encouragement given to employees who are mugged, robbed, beaten up, or victims of any type of crime not to contact law enforcement; and how the Hall family always spins reductions in work-force and plant closings.
I'm unsure why some recent blogs want to direct attention away from the facts of the article to attack other bloggers. Is this another spin by Hallmark personnel? I do want to address #47 who claims there isn't a forced distribution on reviews. You are completely mistaken. I know for a fact there are forced distributions and if you haven't experienced it your time will come. If Hallmark is the best company you have worked for, you have my sympathy.
I am happy to read that there is a court action involving the former Security officers. All of them were great folks and they received the shaft when Hallmark outsourced their jobs.
To everyone who has blogged that Hallmark operates the same as every other corporation, I have to disagree. Why does Hallmark have a beliefs and values statement that "their employees are their most valuable asset"? Their actions indicate otherwise, but this is another example of the Hall's attempt to keep their public personna untarnished. Sorry -the crown is losing its luster.
I know the article contents are true because I experienced them for over twenty years. I am so happy to be out of Hellmark and I pity anyone who is still there.

Pete, you got my #, get-ahold of me on this, later, J.J. Valdevia

Pete, John called me this evening on this, I finally had a chance to read all of these, Right On! I'll call you in the morning and we'll discuss this. S.Arias

Guy's, I'm good on my end! RD.

After tonight, I'm feeling pretty good on this, great night guy's, made awesome progress and great strides- great dialogue and info. See you tomorrow, RE

I was once a Hallmarker. I was forced to leave. Yes they did away with my job and only had a production floor job available for me. When would I use my MBA? They hired 4 new managers in LV off the street, because they needed "fresh idea". I have an idea for them stop tring to eliminate production jobs and start looking at middle management or members of the "good ol' boys club". I seat near a good ol' boy and overheard him talk about KSU football with 2 other managers for 4 hours. That was salary well spent. They are always talking about "adding value", what value to these managers add? Most Hallmarkers are great workers and can manage w/o their dept heads. Lets start laying them off. Hallmark benefits are not good! My new employers benefits are 100% company paid and make Hallmark look like a second class company. For everyone who still works at Hallmark there is life outside Hallmark, don't be scared to leave on your own terms. It was the best decision I ever made.

Awesome stuff! Looks good to me! That'll give us more to work with, anyway's, I've got everything on my end, anyone called Jennifer on this? see you guy's next week, should be interesting, later guy's, Jessie

There's a little more info. follow-up material in the current issue of the Pitch, Great Article, "Right on the Button!! To those at the Pitch, as alway's, excellent work on your'e end

If you want one from Crown Center, better get down there before they place them in the dumpster again, I was down there yesterday, those folks walk around like they're in a daze, spoke with a couple of workers as well, they said this was a pretty accurate account. Mike from Midtown.

It breaks my heart to read through these. It's a sad fact, this is all true.

I am a long time employee of the Westin Hotel, the whole organiztion is all about the bottom line, it's so driven by money! We have lost our way!

How about a back to the basics approach, remember the Magic Moments program? We are no-where close to that philosphy anymore.

People will quit coming here, this is hot talk here at the hotel, we need to keep our good workers, and quit acting as if we are above everyone, I think this a great wake-up call, we don't want to admitt it, but it is.

Let's do something before it's to late, there's more competion, other busines's fighting for people's disposable income, we need to learn from this, Thank You a long time employee of the Westin Hotel.

Dottie Beth, you are so right! They do push the older workers out the door, How do I know? I was one of them? We used to have a saying at the downtown plant, when you turn five-ol (50) it's time to go, trick is, you want to do it on your'e terms, not in there's.

Lot of us weren't so lucky, such is change I suppose! To all my friends back there, "Hang in there"!

These Dept. Heads, Managers, front-line supervisors alway's get there's in the end, to those I just mentioned, alway's remember it is the "regular hourly Joe's" that will catch you, or probably let you slam head-first into the ground, when you descend from the top back to the bottom! seen this many many times back there! JM

I've just finished reading the article. I've been in management for close to 27 years, retail, restaurant & sales end.

The workers are what makes us, not our ego's, our fancy offices or titles.

To all managemnt back there, learn from this, trust me I did the hard way!

I know Hallmark is big, proftable and maybe has a tad bit of an ego, but this stuff can spread like a wildfire, your'e organization is getting alot of play on this, that can't be good for anyone, at any level or in any dept. back there.

That one writer wrote, "It is a hard landing to the top to the bottom again; I've been there!

Take heed, lsiten to these people, this has got to be a blow, no-matter how management back there attempts to"spin" there way out out this, put ego's aside and make changes to save your'e once proud reputation.

Regarding Hallmark and Crown Center, I used to hear about this stuff, this only confirms it now. Frank Singleton

I won't be at the Irish Festival this year, won't return until you folks clean-up your'e act! You people act like you are all of that, and a bag of chips, you really aren't! Disgusted in Waldo!

Come to the shops of Town Center, 119th & Roe, where you're find happy - respected employees, we'll be glad to service you! Come on over!

You weren't kidding! Man! What happened back there! Should give us lot's of room for discussion F. Padillo

Shame! Shame! Shame! People, Gotta treat folks right! I won't be back to your'e facility as well! Steve Long, Stillwell Ks.

It's the end of the world as we know it!

Hallmark got "called out" and I fell fine! Thank's REM!

chimming in from the Plaza- Lisa.

I remember last Christmas season the KC Star ran a couple of stories of the "lopsided Mayor's Christmas Tree" doesn't seem to me that it's Christmas tree is the only thing tilting in a crazy state back there.

Hallmark, what do you guy's plan on doing to corect this?

Until you come out and make a public statement ( I don't see that happening!) on all of this, dido on me as well at the Irish Festival, I can't support such an organization that's treats it's people this way. M.A. Williamson- Olathe

I'll just come back to the fact that I stated in my first post on here - this is a business and the owners of the business have every right to run it how they choose. I've met the Halls on multiple occasions and I will tell you they are very kind and genuine people - not the evil doers portrayed here. Am I privvy to every business decision made? No. Do I think streamlining the business the way it is being done is necessary? Yes. Do I think it has been handled well in all cases? No. Are there bad managers in Hallmark that should never have been managers in the first place? Yes. Are the workplace and attitude changes necessary at Hallmark? Yes.

Are there forced performance rankings? Yes. Why? Because accountability at Hallmark has been pathetic. Honestly, how can you have 50 people in a department and every one of them gets an achieves plus or an exceeds? If everyone in the company is doing a better than average or stellar job, why has the company performance been so poor? Have some people been given an unfair performance evaluation? Possibly. It's simple statistics...the laws of probability are such that everyone can't be the best.

Next, if you're hacked off about the Westin, Crown Center and Kessinger Hunter...quit blaming Hallmark. They don't run those organizations! Complain to their management.

Finally, STOP BELIEVING EVERYTHING YOU READ, PEOPLE! Geez...you think the Pitch is the most credible, unbiased publication in the world? You don't think that maybe...just maybe...and I'm going out on a limb here...that they might slant their article just a wee little bit to slam a well-respected local company and increase their distribution numbers? Are you those people who forward on email chains without bothering to dig a little bit for yourself to find out if it is accurate? I know for a fact that they took out of context some of the interviews, that they asked their questions in such a way to get the answers they wanted, that they labeled someone at Hallmark as a hatchet man when it wasn't the case, and that they can't even get the dang pictures right in the article. Interview a bunch of disgruntled employees and guess what kind of article you're going to get?

How about the Pitch doing a cover story on the good Hallmark does in the community? How about the $70+ million the Hall Family Foundation gives away to non-profits every year? How about a story on the thousands of hours of community service Hallmarkers donate every year? Nah...wouldn't fit with the hack and slash profile of the Pitch.

Look, is Hallmark perfect? Absolutely not. You name one company the size of Hallmark that is. I'm not saying mistakes haven't been made by some of the decisions or the way things have been handled. I do know this - I know a ton of people, managers and hourly employees, who care about the company, its performance, the well-being of their co-workers and of the employees who work for them. I know some idiots as well, but you're going to find them anywhere you go. Anywhere. I am truly sorry if you are one of the people who have to work for them. I'll be one of the few to say it, especially on here, but I'm damn proud to work for Hallmark Cards. As some of the disgruntled have posted on here...there is life beyond Hallmark. If you're so freaking miserable...go work somewhere else. Life is too short to work somewhere you hate.

That's just my two cents.

I have to agree with the comments posted in #83 and #47. Having first hand knowledge of the inner circle of Hallmark, there are some days I drive by the plant and just shake my head and ask myself what sort of screwed up people are managing that joint? Who do they think is going to take the fall for helping the company to fail? If I had managers AND employees like that working for me, I would have writer's cramp from filling out so many performance management plans for staff. Entitlement is the prevailing attitude. The disparite impacts, the underhanded dealings, the ineptness of the managers....LEAN manufacturing may be too late to save this company in America. Instead of trying to be creative on how to make the company more efficient, employees are more worried about how many extra dollars they can make working overtime to fix rejects. I think Hallmark's downhill slide lies in the huge lack of accountability from the top down. You can still be nice to employees, respectful, and create a family environment. However, when the "kids" start getting spoiled and think that everything is a "gimme," then it leads us to where the company is today. It's never a pleasant task to let people go, however, what company IS in business not to make money? Hallmark's production plants have perpetuated families and generations of slackers. Where is the merit? Pay for performance, I say. (Interestingly, Hallmark doesn't have a merit program for employees' annual reviews, and once you're are topped out on your scale there isn't an incentive to keep performing other than the threat of a bad review.) Show me the value; no one rides for free. Everytime I buy a Hallmark Card or other gift acceccories, I think of how much cheaper that card or product could be if someone wasn't sitting on their butt sleeping while the machine was kicking out skids of rejects. Don't get me wrong...there are hard-working, socially responsible people working in Hallmark,at all locations. But, unfortunately, the prevailing attitude among line staffers is still what it is -let's not change a thing - I'm comfortable with the status quo. And, you have managers that don't seem to be taking this LEAN business seriously. I mean, LEAN is sort of old hat by now in manufacturing circles. What sense does it make to keep people in jobs that they physically cannot perform, only to "make" a job for them? Where I work, you do the job or apply for a different one, or leave. It's that simple. What sort of company can afford to have their supervisors snoozing on shift after several rounds of video games? These are the kinds of people that Hallmark employes, one right after the other. From supervisors,machine operators to quality checkers. Now, you tell me why they are sending work to China? Hallmark should not be a halfway house for unmotivated production workers. I don't like it, and I don't like reading or hearing about it. It affects my family's survival, too. I think it is horribly sad. As I said, it makes me so angry that in this day and age, a company thinks they can run a business like that and survive. Where is the corporate accountability to the workers, and communities they are operating in? Actually, I think the layoffs or terminations are occurring in a backwards fashion. The leadership team needs a good housecleaning. Get some people that can actually make some good decisions about managing people for change and survival, while finding some supervisors that are actually a little enthusiatic about coming to work. The good ol' boys' club needs to be disbanded; and, yes, they have allowed women to join.

To the Pitch, Please keep digging! There are so many stories within these stories.

I'm in & out of there all the time, know alot of the people that work there, and visit there often as I do.

That Mike from midtown stated they walk around like they are in a daze, I think that's an accurate analogy.

I was in the shops for lunch on Monday, I spoke to a couple of workers, I asked them about this article, "they looked around" to see if anyone might be watching, and said "Yes" also indicated they were glad this came out.

I heard about this link at work today, thought I'd check this out, Man!

I'm glad we moved the Italian Festival out of there, reading here about the Irish Festival, you folks would be wise to do the same.

Whoever is running this place has lost his grip, that person is so far out of touch, he should be held accountable, I think it's time for major housecleaning at your'e facility, My family won't return there as well!

You folks have issues! SL

KCTV 5 reported on the news tonight Hallmark is laying off 335 of it's workers in various regions.

This is beginning to add up!

Why aren't you just honest with people? I think the truth is coming full circle on all of this. It still doesn't give you the right to treat honest- hard working, loyal workers & people like this.

I'd be interested in hearing from those that lost their jobs today how you were told the news and how they treated you before you lost your'e jobs. Please write in, I want to hear such stories.

I bet that JW and all of his propaganda didn't lose his job, it's people like him that get on my nerves, characters like him are alway's guarded against such cutbacks.

This info is also on KCTV5.com just in-case the powers to be back there deny another claim at them.

I am very disappointed with Hallmark, just be honest!People can respect that, I won't be at the Irish Festival as well, your'e dishonesty is ruining your'e once fine name.

I used to be a big supporter of Hallmark, not anymore!

Pitch magazine placed in dumpsters? What's next? Are you now going to ban KCTV 5 from your'e property for reporting the truth and the facts, who's not telling the truth now?

This site was discussed on talk radio the other evening, listeners calling in and all, so I thought I'd check it out.

To the people running that organization and doing such things, you should be very proud of yourselves! (sarcasim)

It's amazing what our corporate work structure has become, hopefully good change is coming for the workers that remain back there, and for all of those losing their jobs, being layed-off and displaced.

Jobs to Mexico and Asia? what about our people right here in America? B. Taylor

The truth of it is this. Certain people at Kessinger/Hunter think they are untouchable because they are buddies with the boss. The truth of it is that they should be held accountable for their actions. Making money is nice but when you have to lie about other people and make false statements just to get other people in trouble to make yourself look good is wrong. In the end those people will get what they deserve. It's just how long it will take to make them accountable is the question.

To B. Taylor, I agree, it was great radio the other night, great calls!

As far as this years Irish Festival, maybe they can move that inside of Town Topic on Broadway, from the responses I'm hearing,that place should be big enough on the inside to hold this years expected crowd!

Corporations like Hallmark do this to themselves when they treat people like this, "what's the saying- you reap what you sole"!

That was such a good place to work at one time, I can't imagine why anyone coming out of college wanting to go & work there?

Hallmark, the days of living off your'e past (the 60's-70's 80's)accomplishments are over, get with the program, these days people coming out of college aren't neccessary chasing the almighty dollar, people want jobs that are self-fulling, that have a purpose, a good environment, good management, where loyalty is a two-way street. I can't believe the Hall Family is allowing this to go on, makes me wonder?

Just hate to see people losing out on I'm sure great jobs at one point,I enjoyed the show as well. The Lost Leprechaun

To # 91, I agree, Kessinger Hunter is very cliquish, Most of their managers or dept supervisors don't have college degrees, which by the way doesn't always make for a successful supervisor, but it should stand for something.

If you aren't part of the "good ol boy network" or photographed with the VP at the Kansas Speedway, drive a corvette,or a motorcycle, part of that group, it's difficult to fit in here.

From my time here, and from what I've seen, that's where we have lost alot of good people, cause they couldn't or weren't allowed to be part of the clique, which ain't right.

Anymore, when I come to come to work each day, it's all I can do to keep my mouth shut so I don't get terminated. I agree with you 100% on the rest of your'e statement, I see alot of that as well, money IS the motivating factor on this, why workers do this to their co-workers to get-ahead is beyond me, like you said, they will eventually get theirs in the end, you only hope they don't take down alot of good people before there turn comes around, seen alot of this as well. Signed, In agreement.

I heard the radio show as well the other night, Question?

When will upper management within Hallmark & Crown Center that are in charge back there step in and stop this bleeding?

Someone at the top should be taking names and kicking ass for those that are embarrassing your'e once fine organization,or; maybe it's those at the top that are responsible for making these decisions and causing this chaos, I don't know.

There appears to be major problems up and down within your'e organizational structure forum. I'm curious, are Dept. Heads and Front Line Managers and supervisors being eliminated with the job cuts? Or; is it just the front line hourly workers?

This must be terrible for Hallmark and Crown Center, you guy'are getting alot of unwelcomed media play and exposure off of this, that's not good for anyone, no matter their rank and file in within your'e organiztion.

This must not be only embarrasing for Hallmark and Crown Center,it's embarrassing as well for the Kansas City area.

It's really sad to see a once proud organization being so mismanaged and ran into the ground. How are these decision makers keeping their jobs?

I think you guy's need an organiztional "shake-up from the top to the bottom" just to keep the ship afloat and not sinking to the bottom, then maybe you can rebuild from within and attempt to move forward, with new philosphies and approaches. It appears that some of youre management techniques are worn and outdated, like some of the writers of the entries have noted and the callers stated, your'e organization need to get current and not rely so much on past accomplishments and the Hallmark name.

I don't think this is an option, I think this has to be a recipe for organizational survival. David Blair, Olathe Ks.

I've read through most of what was said regarding this "institution" of Kansas City, and unfortunately, it seems as though it is following the current (ill-fated) business model demonstrated in most Fortune 500 companies.
But there is a point I have not read yet.
Where do these companies think the monies generated by their products and services is actually gleaned from?
It certainly is not coming from China, Mexico or any other country. People right in the US buy and support these entites, and if WE are not good enough to employ (especially under duress, intimidation, and fear), then we should consciously consider not buying their products.
I certainly can survive not sending (or receiving) a greeting card or two...Or better yet, I can run over to my neighborhood "X" store, and pick up one for 99 cents.
Hmmm....

I work for Kessinger Hunter @ Crown Center, in church this morning I heard the following passage, it made me think about things down at work, it reads like this: Jesus said to the twelve: " Fear no one". "Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, go out and speak the light, what you hear whispered, proclaim on the doorsteps.For those that are persecuted shall speak loud and speak mighty, do not be afraied, for you have the truth on your'e side! I thought what a beautiful and profetic reading.

As of yet, I haven't voiced my opionon on this blog, I was waiting for the right oportunity and the right words to express my feelings, this hit me this morning.

With the Pitch article, the prior messages folks have written, the radio show, the media attention we are recieving, the pending legal proceedings, daily discussions I have with my co-workers regarding all of this, I felt these words from the Apostle Matthew spoke the message I wanted conveyed to Kessinger Hunter, Crown Center and Hallmark.

With the climate around the complex, I feel these are powerful, honest, truthful words that our management should listen closely to.

I'll sign this "Matthew" from the scripture the above passage came from, I feel good that such a perfect passage spoke for what I'm feeling these days at work.

To the Pitch, Thank You for allowing me the time and opportunity to voice my feelings about my employeer, we aren't given much of a chance to do this back there without fear of retaliation, seen alot of my former co-workers endure such treatment. Have a beautiful day! Reading from the book of Matthew

To Matthew, Amen! my Brother, of all the prior postings, this was the most honest, heartfelt and truely exemplifies what many have and are enduring. trust me, I've been there!

Great Post! JSE

To Matthew, You are so right! Great words to live by!

Hope youre letter reaches the masses. I've heard at work that Bill Lucas is reading these writings often, he's approached workers on this.

Hey Bill if you are, take this to heart, you haven't stopped any of what we are experiencing, so I hold you just as responsible! Now folks are quoting the bible and it's teachings, maybe that what you guy's need to hear. A worker.

Hallmark, you guys are getting sloppy maybe you are all getting old? (You are the organization that pushes out it's older work force, are you not?)

First the Pitch Article, then the radio shows, the lay offs, you been on KCTV 5, now the Kansas City Star nailed you guy's.

For those interested in reading there latest "shaky" dealings, please go to the Business Section of Mondays, July 1st's 2008's KC Star, page B10, Hallmark got called out again, more illegal dealings, that seems to be right on time these days with these people.

Or you can access this article by going to: www.thekansascitystar.com on the left go to the business link, type in Hallmark Cards, it will show up as the 1st entrie.

Hallmark, I really do think this is just pay back for over a long period of time on how you have treated past employees and workers, things are just coming around on you this time,that's all!

10 - 15 years ago you would never have been exposed as you are, again; must be getting up there in age, maybe it's time for new younger blood, at the end of the article it stated that Hallmark officals could not be reached for comment, How suprising is that?

Serves you people right! Signed, A resident of the Crown Center Community

I heard that when Kessinger/Hunter hires people in they tell them that their pay scale will progress a certain way. When the time comes the progression doesn't happen. When the employees ask about it they are told that they would never have been told anything like that and that they must have been mistaken. Who wants people like this running a company? They lie to people to get them into the job and then proceed to treat them like crap. If you question them on ANYTHING they will stop at nothing to get you out of there.
I certainly hope the right people are paying attention to these comments. I also heard that two security people "resigned". Guess they don't want the turn over rate to look just as bad for them as it did for Mr. Rentshler. At least you knew where he was coming from. He didn't hide the fact of what he was doing. The new guy likes to sick his dogs on people and play Mr. innocent. Got news for ya, if you think that people aren't aware of what's going on in that place than you are too stupid to be in that position in the first place.

I've been reading these daily and often, keeping up with this since the beginning. Does anyone think this Mario dude will apply for reenstatement ala Brett Favre in the NFL.

The Pitch is running an article on the Brett Favre saga, I thought of this Mario fella i just read about.

Are people really saddened by his departure or is that just a line of shit? If he was so valuable, why was he let go? Who are you Mario Moore? Write in, tell the world what these bastards did to you, you have a forum to do that, Mario, those people sound like a bunch of Assholes, I bet you were done over, and you are a pretty decent person, just reading about those jerks back there running that place, I bet that's what happened.

Maybe his old dept will clear him to return. He sold out his best friend (according to # 103- a Tinoco guy?) for a job and some money? Is that true? You folks sell each other out? It's mentioned a bunch of times that you'all do.

Damn, what kind of soap opra is going on back there. Let me tell you something people, if you don't know this already, these big corporations like Hallmark and Crown Center don't give a shit about their workers, it's all about the bottom line and the almighty $ sign, why do folks sell out there friends for money?

I've been to some of those Friday Night Movies on the square, maybe Hallmark Productions can make a movie for next years film series about that place, you guy's are crazy, but very entertaining! Mike in Midtown

Well, we lost another dispatcher in the "Great" Kessinger Hunter security department the other day. A very nice lady that did her job very well. As the story goes, she had poison oak