Thanks Anonymouse1, our security cameras don't view the picnic table or that would be an easy way of proving what's going on.
Other 'whistle blowers' have been demoted and then fired. Our manager doesn't stand up to them, and is now on
vacation, so the mice are playing big time.
It's really not affecting my job directly, except when quevision wants more 'package help up front' and we've been told
not to expect them as they're too busy. hahaha
For whatever reason, they are allowed to continue because everyone in the store isn't deaf, dumb and blind, and it's common
knowledge.
It becomes a morale problem when the employees that are following the rules are systematically called upstairs to be
berated for not working hard and fast enough.
Mutiny is not possible as most employees have bills to pay.
I really like Kroger and my job, but this is hard to handle day in and day out......
The last person who spoke out loud about this was brought upstairs and told that 'we would hate to lose you' , inferring that silence is golden.
I am considering keeping a 'log' of dates, times, and first names, but if I got caught I'd be fired.
I'm guessing that I would need specifics in order to report it on the website ?
Going directly to our store manager is ineffectual, and has proven 'fatal' to others.
What I can't understand is how no one from corporate has noticed what a mess these departments are in, I'm guessing
Its just overlooked?
The safest path for me personally is to do like I was told and just shut up about it.
Doesn't every store have it? The "click", favorites who get away with it while others ca: -)
n't?
yes, mswhite, i think you're right,
thats kind of why i included a poll with this post, as a litmus test .
It would be so much easier for all if that damn nasty picnic table was placed out back, out of sight. This goof off group is always there in your face laughing, eating, smoking, and spitting at least twice an hour.
I work hard, never been late, never called in sick once in over four years - its hard to watch ...
Doesn't every store have it? The "click", favorites who get away with it while others ca: -)
n't?
yes, mswhite, i think you're right,
thats kind of why i included a poll with this post, as a litmus test .
It would be so much easier for all if that damn nasty picnic table was placed out back, out of sight. This goof off group is always there in your face laughing, eating, smoking, and spitting at least twice an hour.
I work hard, never been late, never called in sick once in over four years - its hard to watch ...
Well there ya go! Ya gotta learn to SPIT!!!! Twice an hour LOL!
We're not the perfect store, or close to one, but my bosses won't tolerate that crap, even the FES won't. We fired a cashier for taking too many unauthorized smoke breaks. Unfortunately, the union got her job back because "everyone was doing it" (completely false, by the way). Anyway, thanks to karma, she's been diagnosed with cancer and several of her internal organs are failing.
Another was fired for always hiding in the dairy cooler to avoid work. One was fired for "waiting" for a propane exchange for an hour.
Yeah... just need some fairness and backbone. But reading on about your store's management, that's not likely, so go with what others have said: do your own work, and if they give you **** or ask questions, tell them to look at the lazy bums.
Thanks BagBoy and NutritionWhore !
I went shopping at a different Kroger today, and wow what a difference.
You could feel the happy energy in the air, not like our store.
At our store the intercom is cluttered with frantic cryptic messages constantly blaring (used to be 'one plus one' all the time, now it's 'customer needs assistance') with
a definite sound of desperation and pleading....
At the other store, everyone was smiling at each other and working at a good pace.
There was only one employee sitting at the picnic table and he looked lonely (compared to our crowd).
It's good to know that the whole world isn't screwed up, only our part of it....;)
Thanks BagBoy and NutritionWhore ! I went shopping at a different Kroger today, and wow what a difference. You could feel the happy energy in the air, not like our store. At our store the intercom is cluttered with frantic cryptic messages constantly blaring (used to be 'one plus one' all the time, now it's 'customer needs assistance') with a definite sound of desperation and pleading.... At the other store, everyone was smiling at each other and working at a good pace. There was only one employee sitting at the picnic table and he looked lonely (compared to our crowd). It's good to know that the whole world isn't screwed up, only our part of it....;)
Our store is one of the more "lively" ones as well. The "older" people normally work in the mornings, but there's only two of them. The rest of the older (30+) are scattered about, yet down to earth. They really know how to relate with us twenty-year-olds and the minors as well. Our FES is 25 and knows how to balance urgent needs vs. what we really need, while being very understanding of a our scheduling needs (for some miraculous reason, he manages to make things work). Our management team will leave all departments alone unless they see work not being done (only happens when we're shorthanded due to KMA ridiculousness). Really, the only negative things we have are things outside of our control (hours, requirements, CBT's, etc.).
Customers will actually notice that we're laughing about and joking amongst ourselves, sometimes we even invite them to join our bantering especially in the evenings to liven things up. Again, management doesn't mind as long as work is done and there's no trouble.
Not to sound like I'm on a high horse, timepasses, but I guess we just have a higher morale than you do. Lol, you should come join us! xD
aaahh, NutritionWhore, you give me hope ! Thanks !
I absolutely LOVE the happy, good natured banter ( and sorely miss it ) !
It leads to a sense of comraderie (sp?)
Unfortunately our FES cannot get the concept of cause and effect and she's constantly surprised when
the same problems keep popping up. Her management style is always to run around putting out fires, instead
of preventing them in the first place.
I am amazed that a company the size of Kroger doesn't hire people who have mangerial experience or perhaps
give them training in management (of course maybe they do and she was absent that day, sorry old joke )
We use to have a lot of positive incentives that are now long gone. Like when a customer submits a good report
about you, you'd get praised. Now we only hear about the complaints, never the compliments.
Oh well, the company itself is great. I do like Kroger especially because of their old fashioned values, you don't
see that much anymore.
btw would you happen to know, (OT, sorry) but are they taking away health insurance for spouses next year? TIA
aaahh, NutritionWhore, you give me hope ! Thanks ! I absolutely LOVE the happy, good natured banter ( and sorely miss it ) ! It leads to a sense of comraderie (sp?) Unfortunately our FES cannot get the concept of cause and effect and she's constantly surprised when the same problems keep popping up. Her management style is always to run around putting out fires, instead of preventing them in the first place. I am amazed that a company the size of Kroger doesn't hire people who have mangerial experience or perhaps give them training in management (of course maybe they do and she was absent that day, sorry old joke ) We use to have a lot of positive incentives that are now long gone. Like when a customer submits a good report about you, you'd get praised. Now we only hear about the complaints, never the compliments. Oh well, the company itself is great. I do like Kroger especially because of their old fashioned values, you don't see that much anymore. btw would you happen to know, (OT, sorry) but are they taking away health insurance for spouses next year? TIA
It's because of Kroger's high turnover rate. The good ones knew better and left, moving on to work in better-paying places. The ones who come in the door are either from other companies that went bankrupt, really new, or are just plain dreadful people.
It also helps that our customers tell us how we're doing in person, nevermind the reports. For us nowadays it's those mystery shoppers who actually submit those online reviews. Remember, if customers see you're happy with your job and you're taking care to make sure they're alright, they'll give you a few thumbs up. That's why we've been able to keep up our nightly bantering without interruption unless it's busy.
Health insurance for spouses? As far as I know, they'll try to remove those whenever a union's contract expires and have to be re-negotiated. Somewhat like others have reported on here over the last few months.
Had a kid outside at the picnic table on his cellphone. asked the supervisor if he was on break. got a "no" went back outside and told him to get his ass inside and do something productive for once.
__________________
Would you like fries with th... I mean, your milk in a bag?
I always thought the store manager could 'kronos' it and find out if an employee is actually clocking out, or just walking by the time clock giving it a love pat?
In any event, I've decided to keep my head down and blinders on, for my sanity if nothing else.
I would love to see something happen, but as the anonymous poster pointed out, we're in different departments.
I always thought the store manager could 'kronos' it and find out if an employee is actually clocking out, or just walking by the time clock giving it a love pat?
I've never heard anybody put it that way but that made me laugh.
aaahh, NutritionWhore, you give me hope ! Thanks ! I absolutely LOVE the happy, good natured banter ( and sorely miss it ) ! It leads to a sense of comraderie (sp?) Unfortunately our FES cannot get the concept of cause and effect and she's constantly surprised when the same problems keep popping up. Her management style is always to run around putting out fires, instead of preventing them in the first place. I am amazed that a company the size of Kroger doesn't hire people who have mangerial experience or perhaps give them training in management (of course maybe they do and she was absent that day, sorry old joke ) We use to have a lot of positive incentives that are now long gone. Like when a customer submits a good report about you, you'd get praised. Now we only hear about the complaints, never the compliments. Oh well, the company itself is great. I do like Kroger especially because of their old fashioned values, you don't see that much anymore. btw would you happen to know, (OT, sorry) but are they taking away health insurance for spouses next year? TIA
It's because of Kroger's high turnover rate. The good ones knew better and left, moving on to work in better-paying places. The ones who come in the door are either from other companies that went bankrupt, really new, or are just plain dreadful people.
Seen people there one day then gone the next. Those to do come in that are new usually take some time to see how this company operates then opinion changes. No real incentive to do your job well so either you stay for a while till you can find something else or make this a career (shudders)!
As far as people taking breaks, goofing off, not getting anything done. I have seen my share and i bet everyone that post here has seen their share. Yes it is extremely irritating! At this point i just get in and work my hours because off all the daily drama that i have seen in the store.
-)
