So here in the Atlanta market, about a month or so ago we courtesy clerks 'lost' our cooler of water by the main entrance. Yea.
So we're back to paying for our own drinks (Gatorade, Kickstarter, bottled Kroger-brand water, etc.) to help keep hydrated and cool while bringing in those goddamned shopping carts.
This afternoon I was assisting another courtesy clerk with our main entrance. Must have pushed at least a quarter-ton of those things in about 20-25 minutes. No joke.
Didn't have anything to drink. Those tiny cups Kroger provides are about the same size as what a doctor's office provides you for a urine sample. And are just about as desirable.
I went into the store, picked up a Kickstarter for myself and bottled water for my fellow courtesy clerk. Suddenly, I am ambushed by our Front End Supervisor at the time (we have about five on payroll, and at any given time there are two on the floor). Tells me that I can't buy anything while on the clock. That Loss Prevention and store management frown upon it.
Trying not to be rude, I pull out my collar a bit to show the sweat, and basically say "If I don't get something to drink, I'm no good for the rest of the hour." Which was true. I always push myself and end up exhausted; in this case, I had come off the lot pushing probably 35-50 carts in about 20 minutes. I really did need some hydration, if anything else to just have something to drink.
So, yea, misleading subject...wasn't necessarily "denied" (hence the quotation marks) but I was told that I can't buy while on the clock.
"So buy before you clock in for the day, problem solved" you say. "Good idea, and I've done that before," I respond.
But I did not do it today. And yet I needed a drink. Management does not want me as an employee buying it on the clock.
I ranted to a cashier co-worker whom was promoted from courtesy clerk a few months ago that there needs to be a policy on that. Basically, I was told that if I do that, I have to go to a FES and request to purchase on the clock.
As a courtesy clerk working my A$$ off, getting NO extra pay, for at least AN HOUR STRAIGHT, in almost ALL conditions, I should be able to purchase a drink ON THE CLOCK when out in the parking lot WITHOUT having to worry about someone above me thinking I am stealing time, stealing inventory or otherwise stealing or manipulating something. Damn it, that parking lot (ranted about it before) is not an easy task and yes you will sweat, you will get hot, you will want and probably get or have something to drink at some point.
I just feel as if it's been eight months working there now and I am just now hearing about this, it's pretty stupid it's taken that long. I plan to continue to purchase drinks on the clock, btw, but only if I'm on the lot. I will continue to try to buy them before I clock in for the day, but I can't always remember or have the time.
Pretty stupid policy that you are going to send an employee out to those conditions to do that work yet you have a problem with that employee trying to keep themselves hydrated and healthy. I know this company tries to ignore the human factor but that is going too far IMHO.
EDIT: I was thinking about this to myself after work and decided that next time I'll just grab a cup from the deli, go to the meat department's ice machine, fill the cup then go to the nearest water fountain and fill up with cold water. Problem solved.
-- Edited by FrontEndSlave on Wednesday 8th of October 2014 08:32:25 PM
Then what you do is this, bring in your own water from home. That way they can't say anything to you on buying on the clock. So you're good to drink in hot weather
I've been told about this before and I normally don't need anything while on the lot, but I don't push myself like you seem to do. Take care of yourself man. Be safe.
__________________
Would you like fries with th... I mean, your milk in a bag?
What is wrong with Kroger? They took our courtesy clerks water away last year. I'm not sure if they buy theirs on the clock or not. If I was a courtesy clerk I would walk all the way to the back of the store, taking the frozen aisle where it's cooler, taking my time and get a drink from the water fountain. At this point I would realize I needed to buy some paper cups to keep in my locker in the break room where it's nice and cool. Then I would have them handy when I needed a drink from the water fountain. I would encourage my coworkers to do the same. I would also make sure I acknowledge, assist and appreciate as many customers as I could while inside in the air conditioning. As long as I'm in the back of the store I might as well go to the bathroom too! I know they paged me twice but I was with a customer or in the restroom!!!!
Well, technically, the rule has always been there: no purchases while on the clock. However, it's one of those "rules" that is selectively enforced depending on the employee doing it/the supervisor(s)/co-manager(s) that are there. It's not right, but that's the way it is. Some people can get away with "more" depending on if they're good friends with the supervisor. Here, occasionally, one of the supervisors will buy a 24-pack Kroger water out of his or her pocket and put it in the floral cooler for the courtesy clerks or a co-manager will store expense a pack of water, if it's particularly hot/busy, but not everyday. Grocery usually finds a "way" to get water/Kroger soft drinks into the break room more often than not, too.
I know it's hot outside, but it can get hellishly hot in the back too.
When we did have our cooler, and I had to 'clear the 'lot', I would finish at around 11ish and while still in the store see some of the night stockers raiding our front end cooler for water. I never said anything to anyone about it because I figured, the heck, we are all brothers and sisters in arms here when it comes to Kroger. I'm sure they had a reason for needing the water same as I as a courtesy clerk need something to drink while out on and coming off of the 'lot.
I have drank an entire quart bottle of Gatorade coming off of the 'lot. And on some days I have drank two quarts of it. No joke.
people complain about my complaining but let's see your ass go out there and swing carts for an hour, see how you feel when it's done.
Yah, instant termination if buying merchandise on the clock. There are no and, ifs or buts. Not sure what GenesisOne was talking about. Several people have posted about being fired for purchasing merchandise on the clock. Two long-term employees were fired for shopping on the clock at my store(the shopping they did was insane). LP can monitor your kroger card and then compare it to the time clock punches.
It really sux they took your water cooler away. They removed the CC cooler from my store about a year ago. Drink water out of sink or water fountain if you can sneak away to get there! Our water tastes wierd out of the fountain so I always wait until my breaks to get a drink from my truck.
-- Edited by Anonymouse1 on Thursday 9th of October 2014 08:48:53 AM
Yah, instant termination if buying merchandise on the clock. There are no and, ifs or buts. Not sure what GenesisOne was talking about. Several people have posted about being fired for purchasing merchandise on the clock. Two long-term employees were fired for shopping on the clock at my store(the shopping they did was insane). LP can monitor your kroger card and then compare it to the time clock punches.
It really sux they took your water cooler away. They removed the CC cooler from my store about a year ago. Drink water out of sink or water fountain if you can sneak away to get there! Our water tastes wierd out of the fountain so I always wait until my breaks to get a drink from my truck.
-- Edited by Anonymouse1 on Thursday 9th of October 2014 08:48:53 AM
As I said, it's technically a rule that you're not supposed to buy anything while on the clock, but it's not one of those strictly enforced rules, not at my store anyway. I guess at yours it is, but I myself have bought water while on the clock, and nobody, not supervisors or management has said a thing. Management doesn't say anything because if you're just buying a water, it really is no big deal, because it's water, and you're allowed to drink water while on the clock, regardless of department/position.
I would just find the store manager, say heh it's really hot out can I buy a bottled water real quick? Then do it and tell the floor supervisor you have permission. If he says no ask him how you can get a cold drink. Let him handle it.
Floor supervisors tell me $&#% all the time so I just go over their head. I like to get my way lol!
As I said, it's technically a rule that you're not supposed to buy anything while on the clock, but it's not one of those strictly enforced rules, not at my store anyway. I guess at yours it is, but I myself have bought water while on the clock, and nobody, not supervisors or management has said a thing. Management doesn't say anything because if you're just buying a water, it really is no big deal, because it's water, and you're allowed to drink water while on the clock, regardless of department/position.
IC, It is very risky for employees that have 10+ years with the company to do so. The sad part is the two employees that got fired were warned to not shop while on the clock. They were doing serious family shopping too. They still continued to shop on the clock.
I have had the scan coordinator ask me to buy her bottled water while I was on my break. I was more than happy to do so.
The fountain water here is rusty and tastes funny so I don't like drinking from there.
Yah, instant termination if buying merchandise on the clock. There are no and, ifs or buts. Not sure what GenesisOne was talking about. Several people have posted about being fired for purchasing merchandise on the clock. Two long-term employees were fired for shopping on the clock at my store(the shopping they did was insane). LP can monitor your kroger card and then compare it to the time clock punches.
It really sux they took your water cooler away. They removed the CC cooler from my store about a year ago. Drink water out of sink or water fountain if you can sneak away to get there! Our water tastes wierd out of the fountain so I always wait until my breaks to get a drink from my truck.
-- Edited by Anonymouse1 on Thursday 9th of October 2014 08:48:53 AM
That is brutal, man. I can understand getting fired/written up for doing a big shopping trips regularly, but picking up a bottle of water/snack which takes literally less than 2 minutes at uscan seems absurd to punish for given no special circumstances.
We close at midnight and night crew will always pick up a couple of things 5 minutes before the store closes. The only time anybody has a problem with it is when they are abusing it by taking half an hour to shop or something.
As I said, it's technically a rule that you're not supposed to buy anything while on the clock, but it's not one of those strictly enforced rules, not at my store anyway. I guess at yours it is, but I myself have bought water while on the clock, and nobody, not supervisors or management has said a thing. Management doesn't say anything because if you're just buying a water, it really is no big deal, because it's water, and you're allowed to drink water while on the clock, regardless of department/position.
IC, It is very risky for employees that have 10+ years with the company to do so. The sad part is the two employees that got fired were warned to not shop while on the clock. They were doing serious family shopping too. They still continued to shop on the clock.
I have had the scan coordinator ask me to buy her bottled water while I was on my break. I was more than happy to do so.
The fountain water here is rusty and tastes funny so I don't like drinking from there.
I feel that's different though. There's a difference between buying a bottle of water to drink while bringing in carts or stocking shelves versus doing any sort of shopping for after work. It takes less than a minute to grab a bottle of water and pay for it through self-scan, but to do actual grocery shopping while on company time, that's a lot more serious. That wouldn't be tolerated at my store, either. The employees that you mentioned, quite frankly, deserved what they got. No reasonable manager or supervisor though should make an issue out of an employee buying a bottle of water now and again.
-- Edited by GenesisOne on Thursday 9th of October 2014 03:02:25 PM
I work for Ralphs in California, a Kroger company. In California the employer is reqired to give employees doing exhaustive work bottled water. And as of Jan 1st of 2014, all workers are entitled to a "recovery break" to rest up from their hard tedious work. This recovery break is not one of their regular breaks. All you Kroger people need to check with your state as to what the laws are.
I work for Ralphs in California, a Kroger company. In California the employer is reqired to give employees doing exhaustive work bottled water. And as of Jan 1st of 2014, all workers are entitled to a "recovery break" to rest up from their hard tedious work. This recovery break is not one of their regular breaks. All you Kroger people need to check with your state as to what the laws are.
And you people wonder why everything in California costs so damn much. You people basically get paid for SITTING ON YOUR ASS.
I work for Ralphs in California, a Kroger company. In California the employer is reqired to give employees doing exhaustive work bottled water. And as of Jan 1st of 2014, all workers are entitled to a "recovery break" to rest up from their hard tedious work. This recovery break is not one of their regular breaks. All you Kroger people need to check with your state as to what the laws are.
And you people wonder why everything in California costs so damn much. You people basically get paid for SITTING ON YOUR ASS.
Cali is spendy because they tax the hell out of themselves. When people move up here they always say "OMG everything so cheap!" Then its "OMG jobs don't pay crap up here!".
my FEM shops on the clock. I don't. Some of the cashiers and many of the courtesy clerks do. I don't like it as a practice. We keep water in a cooler and it's usually kept stocked. the FEM has also paid for water out of her pocket if there isn't any.
the store manager we have now would probably throw a fit.
I don't get why this is such a big deal. First day it happens, lesson learned, bring some water from home or use the water fountain.
For a good laugh, ask the nearest plumber, electrician, or construction worker if they're entitled to go get water because they work outside.
Be prepared. Kroger doesn't have to give any more than the 15 minute breaks and lunch breaks... which you can use to buy water. Some stores will provide water as a courtesy. Others won't mind you purchasing water. Others, like OPs, consider on-the-clock purchases the same as stealing time. I bring my own water and keep up with it on my own. And I don't have to buy it from Kroger, either.
I work for Ralphs in California, a Kroger company. In California the employer is reqired to give employees doing exhaustive work bottled water. And as of Jan 1st of 2014, all workers are entitled to a "recovery break" to rest up from their hard tedious work. This recovery break is not one of their regular breaks. All you Kroger people need to check with your state as to what the laws are.
Oh god damn, I hate your California employees already. The lucky suckers actually get to rest for a few minutes after bringing in carts, a.k.a. doing "'lot duty".
Here, we are expected as baggers ("courtesy clerks") to just put our wenches and safety vests on the hooks in the lobby and go immediately back to bagging. Seriously. We get NO chance to rest at all. The only chance I would have is if I grabbed a go-back when I came inside OR if I went on break immediately or within a few minutes after finishing my hour.
And today for instance I was out there three hours out of a six hour shift. One of my fellow courtesy clerks had it four hours once. I've had it four hours before; that time, one hour, then someone else, then two hours, someone else and finally another hour. I worked 3:30 - 10 today. I was on lot 4 - 5 ; 6 - 7 ; and 9 - 10. At no time did I have (much of) an opportunity to rest and catch my breath.
Tell me...you guys got any openings in California? :P
I work for Ralphs in California, a Kroger company. In California the employer is reqired to give employees doing exhaustive work bottled water. And as of Jan 1st of 2014, all workers are entitled to a "recovery break" to rest up from their hard tedious work. This recovery break is not one of their regular breaks. All you Kroger people need to check with your state as to what the laws are.
And you people wonder why everything in California costs so damn much. You people basically get paid for SITTING ON YOUR ASS.
I have worked as a background extra for multiple movie and television projects. I know this is a different field, but your complaint can be transferred to it. We may be in Extras Holding for six hours. Used in filming for 30 minutes. That means we got paid to "SIT ON OUR ASSES" for six hours. And here in Georgia the law states that even if you get used for less than eight hours you still get paid for at least that amount of time.
I like the idea of allowing courtesy clerks to rest for a few minutes. If the store is busy yea you could get screwed. But a five-minute respite would certainly be helpful.
Not to attack you but you complain that they are getting paid for "SITTING ON YOUR ASS." How about you try moving nearly half-a-ton or a ton of carts into the store for an hour and see how you feel when it's done. oh and by the way you will make the same amount of pay for doing it and get absolutely no thank yous for it at all.
For a good laugh, ask the nearest plumber, electrician, or construction worker if they're entitled to go get water because they work outside.
Most of them are unionized and have the capability. The ones that are not unionized or work privately or within the private sector are generally able to do so. Also, I'm sure that their hours are a little more stable than the HAL 9000-ones inspired by Kroger.
So here in the Atlanta market, about a month or so ago we courtesy clerks 'lost' our cooler of water by the main entrance. Yea.
So we're back to paying for our own drinks (Gatorade, Kickstarter, bottled Kroger-brand water, etc.) to help keep hydrated and cool while bringing in those goddamned shopping carts.
This afternoon I was assisting another courtesy clerk with our main entrance. Must have pushed at least a quarter-ton of those things in about 20-25 minutes. No joke.
Didn't have anything to drink. Those tiny cups Kroger provides are about the same size as what a doctor's office provides you for a urine sample. And are just about as desirable.
I went into the store, picked up a Kickstarter for myself and bottled water for my fellow courtesy clerk. Suddenly, I am ambushed by our Front End Supervisor at the time (we have about five on payroll, and at any given time there are two on the floor). Tells me that I can't buy anything while on the clock. That Loss Prevention and store management frown upon it.
Trying not to be rude, I pull out my collar a bit to show the sweat, and basically say "If I don't get something to drink, I'm no good for the rest of the hour." Which was true. I always push myself and end up exhausted; in this case, I had come off the lot pushing probably 35-50 carts in about 20 minutes. I really did need some hydration, if anything else to just have something to drink.
So, yea, misleading subject...wasn't necessarily "denied" (hence the quotation marks) but I was told that I can't buy while on the clock.
"So buy before you clock in for the day, problem solved" you say. "Good idea, and I've done that before," I respond.
But I did not do it today. And yet I needed a drink. Management does not want me as an employee buying it on the clock.
I ranted to a cashier co-worker whom was promoted from courtesy clerk a few months ago that there needs to be a policy on that. Basically, I was told that if I do that, I have to go to a FES and request to purchase on the clock.
As a courtesy clerk working my A$$ off, getting NO extra pay, for at least AN HOUR STRAIGHT, in almost ALL conditions, I should be able to purchase a drink ON THE CLOCK when out in the parking lot WITHOUT having to worry about someone above me thinking I am stealing time, stealing inventory or otherwise stealing or manipulating something. Damn it, that parking lot (ranted about it before) is not an easy task and yes you will sweat, you will get hot, you will want and probably get or have something to drink at some point.
I just feel as if it's been eight months working there now and I am just now hearing about this, it's pretty stupid it's taken that long. I plan to continue to purchase drinks on the clock, btw, but only if I'm on the lot. I will continue to try to buy them before I clock in for the day, but I can't always remember or have the time.
Pretty stupid policy that you are going to send an employee out to those conditions to do that work yet you have a problem with that employee trying to keep themselves hydrated and healthy. I know this company tries to ignore the human factor but that is going too far IMHO.
EDIT: I was thinking about this to myself after work and decided that next time I'll just grab a cup from the deli, go to the meat department's ice machine, fill the cup then go to the nearest water fountain and fill up with cold water. Problem solved.
-- Edited by FrontEndSlave on Wednesday 8th of October 2014 08:32:25 PM
In atl one supervisor said "since its not hot out, you all Don't need any water." It was hot out, lol. When is it not hot in atl?
At Mid-Atlantic store 783 , in Ashland, Kentucky, we make it a point to keep water and breakage drink items in the employee breakroom refrigerator, in the hot months of the year.....and when I was in the office and in charge of the service desk, I make a point of checking to make sure there was something in the refrigerator for the baggers/lot guys even if it had to be charged off to store expense....with not comment from store management.....wish you all the best and hope your situation improves.....ask your shop steward about this situation.
Hot or not, I WILL get water when I feel I need it. Temperature does NOT dictate when I can have water.
We have those plastic cups that are about five inches tall. Seriously.
It got to the point where I just buy the water myself, usually skipping over water to buy a $1 Gatorade. One of the few times I am grateful for the Kroger card and 10 for 10. But drinking a quart of Gatorade in an hour isn't always pleasant.
