Hi, So I work in the deli and have a 'friend' who works in the Meat dept. He has been getting 0-15 hours in the meat dept (Even though he is full time) So I thought I would be nice and give him one of my days this week. This is something we've done in the past (he is cross trained) I got my ass. manager to approve it as well as a co-manager. So today my manager calls me freaking out saying that she specifically told me our store manager would not allow this, thus I was going to have to answer to him tomorrow when I go in. I was just trying to be nice to this guy and stop him from filing for unemployment. As an FYI, dude showed up today, so it's not like I screwed them over or anything. He did try to claim my hours and they denied him (bc it's cross depts which made sense to me) Apparently I was suppose to take that denial as a denial of him having my hours period? I talked to our HR person who shrugged it off and told me to talk to our store manager but that there shouldn't be any issues. I'm just wondering how to approach this meeting tomorrow and also wondering if there is any way that I can actually get into some sort of trouble because of all of this.
aww i wouldn't worry about it. just shrug it off like the HR did. If he calls you in, and as of now you havn't been called in, just keep it short and say I was just trying to help him gain some hours. I did not perceive such a big deal over it. i will not do it again. Then just shut the hell up.
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I am no longer part of the oppressed, evil workforce of Kroger! Can you say "Hallelujah"
OH GOD YOU ACTUALLY HELPED SOMEONE AND GOT IN TROUBLE FOR IT? Screw them. As long as you had approval on it and he showed up there is no problem here. It's just them wanting to cause a ruckus.
Unless your friend is on limited availability then he should be getting 16 hours min schedule. Technically speaking if you were to give up your hours they are suppose to go up for "auction" based on seniority.
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Would you like fries with th... I mean, your milk in a bag?
In my Union Contract, meat Department is separate from any other department in the store. They can not be worked in any department other than meat. As a result of that, you often have guys from Meat who will work at two or three stores in order to get hours.
In the event that hours become available, those hours are to be offered up by seniority to another employee who works in that department. Failure to do so can get Kroger in trouble with the union. So by you trying to give your Deli hours to the Meat dpt, you have given every single Deli Employee an excuse to file a grievance against the store, if the store allows the meat Dpt guy to work your hours.
I can understand you were just trying to be nice, but the rules are in place to make sure that everyone gets treated fairly. It isn't fair for another deli employee to miss out on deli hours to someone who doesn't even work in their department.
If someone tries to talk to you about this or punish you, FIRST, ask for your union steward to be present. SECOND, explain that you did not realize that you were breaking any rules, and just wanted to be kind. It's likely that nothing will come of this.
Also, advise your meat department friend that if he has any restrictions on his schedule (ie: I cannot work any sundays, or I cannot work before 3pm) then Kroger is not required to give him any hours at all. They hire people who are available to work, not people who they have to struggle to schedule around. Secondly, advise him that if he has no restrictions to his schedule, he ought to check him Meat Dpt contract and see if Kroger is allowed to do this, and possibly call his union Rep. Then, suggest to him that he call around to other stores and see if he can pick up any hours from them.
