I guess I really need to know what takes place at the meeting with HR and my union rep regarding my termination. Is this meeting to tell me why I have been terminated? The union rep says this is the meeting is where the union decides whether my case is worth going to arbitration. What? Okay so what exactly takes place at this meeting? Is there any discussion on my good character or my expertise, my worth? Is time allotted for defending my character? Is there anyway I can prepare for this meeting? Does anyone leave this meeting with their job intact?
I was suspended for swearing in the back room. The MO calls HR to suspend which tells me that I am being targeted. I told her she didn't have to call the office that the store manager would have given a warning to that offense. That was considered a threat and now The union rep said I am terminated. I have seen it happen to other full-timers, all the supervisors, store managers, even corporate heads that I have a good relationship with are not allowed to talk to me. So my character, my expertise, my good work ethics and the fact I have worked in the business for 36 years, Kroger for 19 years is insignificant. SO basically I am screwed. I have seen this unjustice happen to fellow full-time meat department. So September 26 a meeting with with union rep and corporate.
Rodney, is that your name? I didn't offend anyone with my mouth. One person was there, he has a written statement saying he wasn't offended. But the MO around the corner was. No, I have not been perfect. I am a loud mouth that has worked in the company's favor many a time. I get the job done. I am resilient. I am highly respected in this industry. And now I am just a number. F...me. A person of good character would not and could not fire me, after 36 years of service, 19 years with Kroger and awarded countless times, and compatible with most coworkers. It doesn't matter what the lawbook says. The concept is as absurd as the reason for HUNGER GAMES taking place.
What exactly was the swear word you said on the job? I would also get a copy of this from the associate. If its not racial, but a basic curse word I don't see anything in the handbook that would warrant immediate demissal unless it was sexual harassment or a racial slur.
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My Views and Opinions do not reflect that of the Kroger company. I'm an indivdual expressing my 1st amendment right.
II was suspended for swearing in the back room. The MO calls HR to suspend which tells me that I am being targeted. I told her she didn't have to call the office that the store manager would have given a warning to that offense. That was considered a threat and now The union rep said I am terminated. I have seen it happen to other full-timers, all the supervisors, store managers, even corporate heads that I have a good relationship with are not allowed to talk to me. So my character, my expertise, my good work ethics and the fact I have worked in the business for 36 years, Kroger for 19 years is insignificant. SO basically I am screwed. I have seen this unjustice happen to fellow full-time meat department. So September 26 a meeting with with union rep and corporate.
That sounds exactly what happened at a store here. A guy was swearing in the back room and a co-manager by the name of David Stinson heard him and fired him. This Stinson guy is just out of the management training class. He used to work for Walmart and he's basically a dickhead. Nobody likes him. People make fun of him hehind his back from what I've been told.
well, yours may not go like mine, because they were real set on getting rid of me, and my union rep was either useless, or bought off, but heres what happened.
firstly, the zone manager is gonna push for you to be axed, and will use the same arguments he used before.
remember, they have already made thier mind up you need to go, or it wouldn't have gone this far.
the human RS person, will most likely be fairly neutral. they have no personal state in all this, no grudge or such. all they care about, is this bad enough of a offense, to make it worth fighting over.
your union rep should fight thier hardest at this meeting, and so should you.
yall will have a chance to prove your case, so to speak, just play it cool, and look sad and sorry
the store manager wanted you gone, or they would have stopped it already.
zone managers almost always are going to side with the store manager, so cause was kindda lost there.
this time thou, you have a fair shake
human resources are too big to care about petty issues, and grudges. they will go on the facts, long as you don't get a bully plie on you, which is what i got.
I had a small army of people at my last meeting to grind me, Hr had little choice, but to go with them or look like a idiot.
ass. deli manager, deli manager, ass.manager, old stor manager, new store manager, and zone manager were all agaist me, i was doomed.
now, i doubt you'll have that, because your union rep, if they are honest will not ALLOW so many people at the meeting.
you'll have two accusers, one defender, yourself, and Hr as the judge.
thing is, the reason this is happening at all, is your a 'old horse'
kroger shoots old horses.
the reason, is just a excuse.
they have decided you been there too long, cost too much, wanna replace you with two or three part timers.
your saving grace, is HR doesn't get into such stuff, and won't have that against you.
I am thinking now that the suspension for swearing was just to open my file. I am a pretty easy target if they are fishing. I am large and loud, no denying that. But I have been this way for 19 years and have for the most part had excellent respectful relationship with everyone big and small. I worked on the bicycle so many years which has kept me safe because I am really good and people like me. Taking that store was a favor to my supervisor, I knew better. When I asked to step down he was prompt...I only had three more days there. Shoot I only have 3 more years to retire.
Thank you for answering my questions. It will be interesting to see what they have concocted . Apparently I am wasting my time on this forum, my union rep said I will not be talking unless I am answering a question. WTF why don't I know what is going on? This is my life! I should know what I am walking into? I can't even prepare for questioning? If I am going to have any chance I need to learn how to play their game. I not used to being at someone else's mercy.
I will let you know what happens. You all have wisdom and another story will give you that much more .
I am thinking now that the suspension for swearing was just to open my file. I am a pretty easy target if they are fishing. I am large and loud, no denying that. But I have been this way for 19 years and have for the most part had excellent respectful relationship with everyone big and small. I worked on the bicycle so many years which has kept me safe because I am really good and people like me. Taking that store was a favor to my supervisor, I knew better. When I asked to step down he was prompt...I only had three more days there. Shoot I only have 3 more years to retire.
Thank you for answering my questions. It will be interesting to see what they have concocted . Apparently I am wasting my time on this forum, my union rep said I will not be talking unless I am answering a question. WTF why don't I know what is going on? This is my life! I should know what I am walking into? I can't even prepare for questioning? If I am going to have any chance I need to learn how to play their game. I not used to being at someone else's mercy.
I will let you know what happens. You all have wisdom and another story will give you that much more .
You're not wasting time here, but you didn't tell me what curse word you used. These are major factors to determine if they would have a "case". This is something that could take up to 6 months to settle. You need to consistently stay on your union representive to get him to carry out his duty.
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My Views and Opinions do not reflect that of the Kroger company. I'm an indivdual expressing my 1st amendment right.
"Im f...en out of here" The regular reciever had been transferred a couple weeks prior and they didn't put a body in his position yet. The MO called me out of my department at 8:00 am to help in recieving. Like I am not busy at 8:00 am. right. Needless to say, I had copped a WTf attitude because I am worried about my own department not being ready yet for the day. I am moving fast and I bumped something that made a lot of noise she came back to get mad but it was just a noise nothing was wrong. She left and I said to the clerk "just three days I am f...en out a here." She was around the corner, out of site and heard me.
I have been through a step 2/termination process before to defend a grievant.
They don't expect you to say anything except to answer a question so that you can't dig a deeper hole. Stay calm, make it clear that you are apologetic for what was an isolated incident and that you won't let it happen again. Mostly the HR person is going to tell you why they don't want to give you another chance, and your BA is going to tell them why they should. emphasize your years of positive working relationships. Answer any questions succinctly, politely, and in an even tone. Never volunteer any information which you weren't asked or speak out of turn.
Breathe deeply, stay calm, if you are friendly with your shop steward, ask them to be there for support. Off you feel yourself becoming upset, ask for a moment to use the restroom or get a drink of water. No matter how much of a stupid jackass the company stooge is being, don't let it show that you are becoming impatient or annoyed.
I hope this helps. Best of luck to you, and I hope you have a BA that is on their game.
I would bring up that you were just having a bad day and that you were sorry for saying, but also imply that others have said it as well. I would also add that there is nothing in the handbook about cursing.
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My Views and Opinions do not reflect that of the Kroger company. I'm an indivdual expressing my 1st amendment right.
I have been through a step 2/termination process before to defend a grievant. They don't expect you to say anything except to answer a question so that you can't dig a deeper hole. Stay calm, make it clear that you are apologetic for what was an isolated incident and that you won't let it happen again. Mostly the HR person is going to tell you why they don't want to give you another chance, and your BA is going to tell them why they should. emphasize your years of positive working relationships. Answer any questions succinctly, politely, and in an even tone. Never volunteer any information which you weren't asked or speak out of turn. Breathe deeply, stay calm, if you are friendly with your shop steward, ask them to be there for support. Off you feel yourself becoming upset, ask for a moment to use the restroom or get a drink of water. No matter how much of a stupid jackass the company stooge is being, don't let it show that you are becoming impatient or annoyed. I hope this helps. Best of luck to you, and I hope you have a BA that is on their game.
This is some of the best advice I've seen on this forum, and it can apply to union or non union jobs equally.
Thank you for your advice. It is interesting how everyone says like be humble. be apologetic, be remorseful. Do these people actually have a conscience that I should be appealing to? I can do this. I will take your advice to the meeting. Amos, did you get your job back?
If this is your first offense for anything then you should also point this out as well. In reality you should of only gotten a write up/verbal warning.
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My Views and Opinions do not reflect that of the Kroger company. I'm an indivdual expressing my 1st amendment right.
Swearing didn't even come up. I have been accused of Unlawful Harrassment. News to me. I passed a coworker and brushed her with my paperwork while sh was bending over in the aisle. They have a security camera capture the whole pass. I am not allowed to see it. I remember the incident because after I passed he she said Jim, that wasn't right. I didn't know what she was talking about, she repeated it and I said what I am sorry. I went on. I had things on my mind and didn't pay attention to her words. In any case, I am 330 lbs. 6' tall. So sometimes I might plow to my distination and scare people. I am friendly to everyone even if I am busy so she probably wanted my undivided attention to the matter and I went on. The film has been interpreted many ways, in my favor and the contrary. The the HR makes the final decision, but at this point I have been terminated. Union Rep spoke few words in the meeting. They started talking about my writeups in my file and I was allowed to speak. I said oh yea they found 2 out of codes since 2001. And I forgot to mark a 0 in my 3 grind report one day, back in 2009. There was nothing for them to scare me with. The women I alledgedly hassassed is a nice flower woman early 60's that I was always cordial to, I always respect my elders and she is the Store Steward, how about that. No wonder my union rep is ineffective, she has a relationship with the accuser.
HR told me they will be making a decision to reinstate me by the end of the week. Union rep's comment after the meeting was it doesnt look good and she said she will take it to the tape to the union big guys to see if they want to go forward. HR randomly asks me "you have hit Golden 85" haven't you? Call me paranoid, but I think the answer yes to that question has lost me my job.
Comments welcome. As we speak my family and friends(co-workers) are petitioning to get my job back. One thing about working the bicycle at all the stores within 4 miles to my home. I have back up. I can't get involved myself but I am surrounded by good people who believe in me. With this support group, I couldn't give up this fight even if I wanted to. Have you heard of this being effective?
I have to add something interesting that happened after the meeting. HR is turning a corner as we were adjourning the room a lady is around the corner and they almost crashed head-on , he grabs both her shoulders to stop the collision. he turns to me and says now that was an accident. I said, "I know and I wouldn't look at it any other way." Maybe that was a sign to him from the MAN upstairs....accidents happen. The job has warped his idea of what is wrong and right,
So today I went down to the union and watched the security tape. My job is riding on that tape. It shows me avoiding her completely but as I passed one single lose paper brushed her. They are on a mish, clearly. I should get my job back now, but they need to use this opportunity to try to remove me. I will, however, get my job back one day. I don't care about the job it is the principle.
My rep said Monday I will know yey or ney. If no, the next meeting is with all the important players. If it is still no, arbitration.
One thing people haven't talked about...something this devastating and unexpected causes chaos at home. Imagine 5 adults trying to make sense of this allegation and the more you think about it the madder you get at the blantant disregard to your worth and loyalty. It really disrupts the household. Well, today my family came with me and got to drill my union rep, see the tape and now we all agree, it is what it is, it happens to people all the time. We all agree we want to shake the idiot in charge violently until he wakes up and sees this is not right. A deadly bunch we are hahha.
I will continue to post because other posts helped me.
I do believe you have a case and you should urge your union representative to push the issue to arbitration. If all that happened was some paper brushing against another employee and that's considered "harassment" that is quite bogus. I would simply say that accidents to happen even though the actions seem differently on tape. That you should be given a second chance for your job or have arbitration figure out if its human nature to become discoordinated and accidentally drop paper near somebody. You could easily say that you believe said person doesn't like you and that makes you nervous therefore you were trying to avoid her and in doing so you dropped papers because you were nervous. You could also possibly claim that Kroger is trying to discriminated against you on being a clumsy robust guy who accidentally dropped paper on the ground.
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My Views and Opinions do not reflect that of the Kroger company. I'm an indivdual expressing my 1st amendment right.
NOW my union rep is telling me a final decision still hasn't been made, and that I have to wait another week to hear if I have gotten my job back. Meanwhile, I am still technically terminated. I wish they would just tell me one way or the other, so I know whether to start looking for a job. It may be a good sign that they're taking so long to get back with a final decision, but what on earth could they still be trying to figure out over a week after reviewing my case?
I said I would continue to post about my termination. I am back to work and I should be thankful...I am thankful...however Kroger really won in the end and that bothers me. It went like this: I last posted they were deciding on whether to give me my job back. Well the my union rep called me and said we were going to arbitration. Two weeks passed from that point and had not heard anything. Then my union rep calls and says I can start back to work Monday, but I have to sign some papers. So this is the deal, Back to work with status intact...same pay, benefits, seniority etc...that's good. No back pay for the time I was terminated. They said to consider it as if I was suspended without pay. I also had to sign that I admit to what I was being accused of and if it comes up again instant termination. I couldn't do that. So I signed a statement that basically says I will get fired for doing anything against company rules. That sucks big time and when I think about it, like right this moment, I get really mad, really mad, but I will take a deep breathe and say to myself...I got my job back. It helps only a little.
So been working 3 weeks now, back on the bicycle but have been scheduled in one store as second cutter. The meat manager, young, smart, and excellent to the "man" is my boss. He is quiet, and I am fearful. On the first day, an old customer from another store happened in and saw me, came running over and gave me a hug. She said someone told her I was fired. She said she sent a letter to human relations about me. Think that letter went into my file? Anyways, the boss witnessess the hug and I am like Floppin A now I am really going to be fired. Nothing has happened...it is the sh living with this fear. So that is all. The moral of this story...don't have loyal customers, don't talk to co-workers, and whatever you do, don't walk down the aisle that gets you where you are going faster if someone is stocking shelves and is a member of the opposite sex. Don't age, don't hit "Golden 85" until you can actually retire, respect your young boss because they have the authority and are encouraged to f with the old-timers. I LOVE MY JOB, I CAN'T WAIT TO RETIRE.
Wow I'm sorry for the way you were treated, that's really not right. And as for you getting your job back... you probably shouldn't have signed that. Now they will be looking for any little thing to fire you over, even though it sounds like you are actually a good employee who the customers love.
This is just pathetic that this is how the company treats it's employees :(
Thank you for your comment. It is sad how these big micro-managed corporations do business. It is a dog-eat-dog world out there. Every manager is afraid of their job. Every supervisor is afraid. Everybody blames everybody for mistakes. Management uses fear as motivation. It has been so long since I have worked with a satisfied, contented store manager, it is not in their job description. In fact, if a manager is caught being pleased with accomplishments of the day then they are not doing enough.
Children are taught character building in school these days. The children that have good character traits are definitely not candidates for hire in Krogerworld.
[QUOTE]I said I would continue to post about my termination. I am back to work and I should be thankful...I am thankful...however Kroger really won in the end and that bothers me. It went like this: I last posted they were deciding on whether to give me my job back. Well the my union rep called me and said we were going to arbitration. Two weeks passed from that point and had not heard anything. Then my union rep calls and says I can start back to work Monday, but I have to sign some papers. So this is the deal, Back to work with status intact...same pay, benefits, seniority etc...that's good. No back pay for the time I was terminated. They said to consider it as if I was suspended without pay. I also had to sign that I admit to what I was being accused of and if it comes up again instant termination. I couldn't do that. So I signed a statement that basically says I will get fired for doing anything against company rules. That sucks big time and when I think about it, like right this moment, I get really mad, really mad, but I will take a deep breathe and say to myself...I got my job back. It helps only a little. [/QUOTE]
I wouldn't of signed anything like this if it was up to me and if Kroger didn't like it then we would move forward with arbitration. If something does every come in and i'm sure it might in the future now you have no chance. Even if the union went to arbitration in the future Kroger would hold up that piece of paper and say you signed it and that would be an instant case lost. Don't worry about your job, but do your job. Show them how much you can cut and how good of a worker you are in the market.
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My Views and Opinions do not reflect that of the Kroger company. I'm an indivdual expressing my 1st amendment right.
