Does anyone else ever feel like that at Kroger, many positions are allready filled BEFORE they are even posted? I have first hand knowledge of some positions that were selected prior to being posted. They only go through the motions when they post them. The irony is that they go ahead and waste the time of the people who applied .
Not uncommon, happens everywhere. It's to stave off law suits and keep down accusations of favoritism.------And no, it can never be proven, nor will management admit it.
Oh yes. This is standard in the business world, anyway. Nocturnia is right, its all about preventing lawsuits. So the person responsible for hiring a position might have someone in mind that they really want for it. However, if they just re-assigned that person to the job, then there could be accusations of quid pro quo, bribes, favors, blackmails, discrimination, etc.
So if they post a job as an open-to-apply for all employees, they can fend off any claims of such. Usually there is a bit of favoritism, but thats to be expected! If a regional thinks someone is an appropriate fit for a particular position, they should be able to put them there. That person could of course screw up their interview, or do something weird, so you never know. Also, by applying for jobs even if you know someone is "pre-selected" for them, you let the higher-ups know you are interested, and they'll probably ask you the next time a similar spot is open.
There's also the "shuffling around" aspect to consider. You might apply for lets say a dept. head job at a particular store, but not get it. They may offer you a different store because that gave them the opprotunity to move someone elsewhere, opening a spot. You'd miss out if you hadn't applied for the first one!
I've been guilty of it myself. Two months ago I had a dairy position come open; I knew damn well who I wanted for it, and she was ready for the transfer, but I had to jump through all the hoops. Open the requisition, interview all the applicants (there were eight)......Then turn around and give the job to the girl I'd already lined up.
Another way of looking at this: let's use my example of the eight dairy applicants against the one I'd already chosen. Of the eight, five had chronic time/attendance issues, two were on active write-ups and the last one---while a solid performer---was still in his ninety day probation period. I needed somebody, like, THE WEEK BEFORE.
On the other hand, I've seen cases where some manager's sex toy or drinking buddy or nephew of the store manager's got a transfer or promotion......and yes, THAT is bull sht that I'll never practice.
