45. The "NO" Policy

Employee Innovation & Idea Review Policy

Applies To:

 All Store Managers, Assistant Managers, Department Heads, and Employees

1. Purpose

Westside Market recognizes that innovation and creativity are essential to our continued success as a leader in retail marketplaces. This policy establishes a formal process ensuring every employee’s idea is respected, reviewed, and properly presented to executive leadership.

2. Policy Statement

Westside Market encourages all employees to share ideas that can improve operations, customer experience, member satisfaction, sales growth, and community engagement.

To ensure transparency and fairness, management must not dismiss any employee’s idea without proper consideration and documentation.

If management chooses not to advance an employee’s idea to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for review, they are required to prepare a written explanation outlining the rationale for the decision.

3. Scope

This policy applies to all ideas, proposals, or recommendations submitted by employees or team members at any Westside Market location, including but not limited to:

• Operational improvements

• Marketing and branding initiatives

• Member relations or sales programs

• Technology or system enhancements

• Customer service initiatives

• Sustainability or cost-saving measures

4. Procedures

4.1. Idea Submission

• Employees may submit ideas in writing to their supervisor via email or through any designated internal system (e.g., BMBerry).

• The receiving manager must acknowledge the submission within 5 business days and initiate review within 10 business days.

4.2. Management Review and Decision

• Management shall review each idea objectively, considering potential benefits, feasibility, costs, and alignment with Westside Market’s mission and values.

• If management determines the idea has merit or potential, it must be presented to the CEO (or designated executive) for final consideration.

• If management determines the idea should not move forward, the manager must prepare a minimum two-page written explanation detailing:

  1. The idea and its intent.

  2. The analysis performed.

  3. Reasons for rejection (e.g., financial, operational, legal, or strategic).

  4. Any alternative recommendations.

4.3. CEO Review

• The CEO reserves the right to review all employee ideas, regardless of management recommendation.

• The CEO may approve, modify, reject, or defer the idea for further evaluation.

4.4. Documentation & Recordkeeping

• All idea submissions, decisions, and written explanations must be recorded and stored in the central Innovation Review Log maintained by Human Resources.

• Failure by management to comply with this process may result in disciplinary action.

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5. Accountability

• Managers are responsible for timely acknowledgment, fair evaluation, and written documentation of all ideas.

• Employees are responsible for presenting ideas constructively, with clear objectives and potential benefits.

• HR will audit submissions quarterly to ensure compliance and transparency.

• The CEO has ultimate authority on final decisions and may revisit previously declined ideas.

6. Non-Retaliation

Westside Market strictly prohibits retaliation against any employee for submitting ideas or participating in this process. Any concerns of retaliation should be immediately reported to HR or directly to the CEO.

7. Policy Enforcement

Failure by any management member to comply with this policy, including failure to forward ideas or to produce the required written justification for rejection, may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

8. Review Cycle

This policy shall be reviewed annually to ensure it supports Westside Market’s culture of innovation and employee inclusion