Here at my store, we have a new policy regarding entering birth dates for alcohol and tobacco. Now we must ID and type in the birthday for EVERY customer regardless of how old they are. If someone is obviously over 21 it's a little awkward asking for their age, especially the women since they never want to say.. Also they said we'll get written up if we put a date ourselves instead of asking. I find this kind of stupid.. it's like they think we don't ID at all so they're now making us ID every single person no matter what. I do my job and ID when I have the slightest doubt that someone could be around the age of 21 (or 18 for tobacco). I shouldn't have to type in dates and look like an idiot asking a 50-something year old for their birthdate when they've been shopping at the same place for years and never been asked for it before. My store has never failed any type of test to see if we sell to minors.
Also, they're making cashiers and customer service sign a paper saying that we follow this policy for the next month. I refuse to sign because I think it is completely unnecessary for me to sign that i'll do something that's part of my job already. It's like making the bakery signing a sheet that says I promise to decorate cakes.
-- Edited by SCO on Saturday 16th of October 2010 04:24:20 PM
Two things to think about here. One is that it my not be your store but a problem in your district and your district manager may be wanting all his stores to do it to make sure everyone is complying with the policy.
Our District manager as done a few little things with the problems of dates in out district as far as Meat and produce. When out of dates becomes an issue then they will push things to make sure that all his stores comply with the same thing to get the same results.
The other thing to consider here is this. Every time the company tries a new policy and passes down a sheet for everyone to read and sign, you start the process of circumventing your Union contract. As a union business agent once told me, there are times that these notes come down and they want everyone to read and sign right away. Now if for some reason the policy states a disciplinary action can or will be taken then the company will look at this and say the hell with the contract language and the proper procedures, because this employee already has read, understood and agreed to the changes and even signed off on it regardless of the or any language in the contract.
grumpy1 wrote:Now if for some reason the policy states a disciplinary action can or will be taken then the company will look at this and say the hell with the contract language and the proper procedures, because this employee already has read, understood and agreed to the changes and even signed off on it regardless of the or any language in the contract.
that said, let me ask you this, are you implying that we shouldn't sign anything until a member of the union says it's 'reasonable' or declares it a fair rule?
IMO, it doesn't matter what the store or division throws at us, we will feel like we must sign it or there will be consequences. And there's a line in the contract that says something like "stores may make rules as the see necessary" or something to that affect, which to me means that the contract is a waste of time and the stores and divisions can pretty much do as they please because it's "for the good of the company"
Anonymous wrote:grumpy1 wrote:Now if for some reason the policy states a disciplinary action can or will be taken then the company will look at this and say the hell with the contract language and the proper procedures, because this employee already has read, understood and agreed to the changes and even signed off on it regardless of the or any language in the contract.
that said, let me ask you this, are you implying that we shouldn't sign anything until a member of the union says it's 'reasonable' or declares it a fair rule?
IMO, it doesn't matter what the store or division throws at us, we will feel like we must sign it or there will be consequences. And there's a line in the contract that says something like "stores may make rules as the see necessary" or something to that affect, which to me means that the contract is a waste of time and the stores and divisions can pretty much do as they please because it's "for the good of the company"
When anything comes down and they want it read and signed, I will read it and have the others in my department also read it. But I will not sign or if I do I will sign my name and state that I disagree with it and do not recognize it as a policy or standard.
An example it the cutting gloves that must be worn in the meat department. If you do not have it on and get a cut then they can discipline you and they could refuse to pay the cost. Probably may not happen but with Kroger anything is possible. I signed it after the third time they told me I had no choice to do it but I also signed on it that I do not recognize this and that it may violate our contract.
A number of years ago , out business agent, told me that they once had problems in grievances because Kroger would have employees sign new policies that would state disciplinary actions if not followed. Once they signed that paper or form, they agreed to it and it usually circumvent the union contract on disciplinary actions. Made it hard to win any grievance when you ( as an employee) already signed a paper that agreed with the company without ever checking with the union as to if there is any conflict with the contract.
If not sure then always ask your union rep if you should always sign everything Kroger sends down. See what they say first.
