Something I am starting to contemplate seriously, just a little synopsis of what is going on:
I am currently working meat shop/front end. I've been getting between 20-25 hours in meat, which is my preference since I get along great with the department head and backup. I've learned a lot back there but with another full time cutter in the fold, my hours took a hit and i've split time between there and the front end.
The front end is why I am looking to make a change. Without going into too much detail, we have been threatened with writeups for failed mystery shops, which I know is unenforceable because it is heresay (you cannot be brought face to face with your accuser), and also threatening writeups for low ELMS scores. Again, unenforceable since that is considered piece-rate labor.
I am starting to get hours in grocery unloading the trucks at night and joked with the backup grocery about possibly going on midnights. He said there may be two openings coming on midnights and if I wanted to do it to let him know.
My concern is that I am going to be getting married next year. It would be nice to get some consistent hours (about 35-40 a week) and a 50 cent night premium would be nice, but if I ever want to get off midnights to spend time with my wife once I get married, I am likely stuck.
I think I could get a pretty reasonable schedule and probably get some Saturday's off by going on midnights. I also realize that with Key Refailing I am trading in one set of crap on the front end for another. The only concern I have is with getting married, is working midnights a good idea?
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"The postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent the positions, strategies or opinions of The Kroger Co. family of stores."
Drew, overall I'd say: go for it. There seems to be more job security in working midnights as it is a hard shift to fill; plus that is when the majority of unloading, stocking and maintenance goes on.
As for how it affects a relationship, I've done over nights while being settled down with a woman....it can actually work out really good, as long as she's cool with your hours.
It's apparently different at our store. We've had several night stock people move from nights to days and the other way around too. You shouldn't be stuck in any position but I do agree that you should be willing to learn and work in other departments.
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Quote from the Boss: I didn't say it was your fault. I said I was going to blame it on you.
It's apparently different at our store. We've had several night stock people move from nights to days and the other way around too. You shouldn't be stuck in any position but I do agree that you should be willing to learn and work in other departments.
PERFECT response! I'm with Walmart and I too have seen people get locked into O.N. jobs.....but with the $1.00/hr. differential, they quickly learn it's a good incentive to stick with it.
I think the main thing here----and it applys to all jobs, everywhere---is what you said about being flexible. There's nothing more valuable than being willing to be cross-trained~~
-- Edited by nocturnia on Monday 28th of March 2011 03:28:27 AM
It's apparently different at our store. We've had several night stock people move from nights to days and the other way around too. You shouldn't be stuck in any position but I do agree that you should be willing to learn and work in other departments.
I'm actually pretty versatile. I've been with Kroger for over three years now and have worked pretty much every department except DSD, the front office and floor supervisor. I've done meat, produce, drug-gm, file maintenance, worked a couple of times in the deli, dairy, and frozen. Not to mention around the holidays a couple of years ago I did work midnights during those weeks. I considered that my "holiday vacation". :) Of course I was in school then so I immediately went back to days.
Versatility is nice, but it is a catch-22. That's part of the reason I don't want to learn the office or become a red vester. If I work in meat and the floor supervisor needs a lunch, I am the one who has to come up front to cover it. If somebody calls off or they are behind getting the orders worked, you are the first person called.
I guess what is holding me up more than anything is the effect on a future marriage. One of the guys I used to work who recently got married just got his job back at another store in the area but went to midnights. They kept stringing him along and telling him they would bring him back to days and finally did this week, but he has been there since November and has wanted off nights since starting there.
__________________
"The postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent the positions, strategies or opinions of The Kroger Co. family of stores."
It's apparently different at our store. We've had several night stock people move from nights to days and the other way around too. You shouldn't be stuck in any position but I do agree that you should be willing to learn and work in other departments.
I'm actually pretty versatile. I've been with Kroger for over three years now and have worked pretty much every department except DSD, the front office and floor supervisor. I've done meat, produce, drug-gm, file maintenance, worked a couple of times in the deli, dairy, and frozen. Not to mention around the holidays a couple of years ago I did work midnights during those weeks. I considered that my "holiday vacation". :) Of course I was in school then so I immediately went back to days.
Versatility is nice, but it is a catch-22. That's part of the reason I don't want to learn the office or become a red vester. If I work in meat and the floor supervisor needs a lunch, I am the one who has to come up front to cover it. If somebody calls off or they are behind getting the orders worked, you are the first person called.
I guess what is holding me up more than anything is the effect on a future marriage. One of the guys I used to work who recently got married just got his job back at another store in the area but went to midnights. They kept stringing him along and telling him they would bring him back to days and finally did this week, but he has been there since November and has wanted off nights since starting there.
My husband works days. He gets home around 3:45 in the afternoon. I go in at 4:30 and work until midnite, sometimes I do the 12am-6am. It works for us because my soon to be 21 y/o daughter and her 2 y/o son lives with us and no matter what her schedule is (she used to work at Kroger, 4 years, but is now a hair dresser in our mall) someone is always home to watch the booger picker.
Now as far as it taking the guy you used to work with 4 months to switch to days you kinda have to take into account that his position has to be filled and a day position has to open up. Sometimes you can switch right away and sometimes you have to wait for things to progress. And I'm going to say it again...you are not stuck in any position.
Edited to add: There are many people who have moved from the front end can supervise but I have never called anyone up from another department to get my breaks and lunches out. The office person supervises while I'm out for a smoke and a coke.
-- Edited by Oboro718 on Monday 28th of March 2011 12:03:19 PM
-- Edited by Oboro718 on Monday 28th of March 2011 12:03:49 PM
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Quote from the Boss: I didn't say it was your fault. I said I was going to blame it on you.
I don't see why you work the night shift for awhile then when you need to switch back to a different shift you just ask to. Who knows what lies down the road. I am a firm believer that just do what is best for you, work hard for the company then when a change is needed somehow miraculously one appears....
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I am no longer part of the oppressed, evil workforce of Kroger! Can you say "Hallelujah"
