Yes they are. They work 6 days a week generally 9 hours a day and have to deal with corporate, union, and customers breathing down their backs. It was once my goal to become one but I decided its not worth it. Most of them work a long ways from home.
Before being a Co-Manager and Department Head was fun and you liked coming to work. Now, your graded on literally everything in the store, the solution is to just "hold people accountable". If you could find an associate that is capable or not already going 3 things it would easier to get more accomplished.
I've been a salaried retail manager. Here's how it breaks down: You have absolutely no life. You're paid for 40 hrs/week but can work as many as 100. The yearly wage is approx. 40 K before bonuses---which you'd better be earning or you're out (it's like commisioned sales that way).
If you're at all nice you won't make it. Sr. management wants you to be the biggest a$$hole ever born, and you need to enjoy treating people like garbage.
I've seen good people break down with anxiety attacks and bleeding ulcers and heart disease over this line of work. Me? I'll never do it again.
One Store Manager set it right..... when your store is out in the county......you have less visits from the higher ups and long term associates (Kroger is the big business/community center for the town and everyone knows everyone).
