Yesterday while I was on break I was sitting at one of the starbucks tables... like I always have since I was hired three years ago. And then the new manager they hired comes storming over and starts yelling at me about how I'm not allowed to sit there and how it's for customers only. "What if a customer wanted to sit there?!" There are five tables and I was the only one sitting at any of them. I told him I was a customer too (I had bought food) and he started saying "there's a breakroom for a reason!" I told him I wasn't moving and he said he was going to report me for it. What?
It's essentially an unspoken rule that, no matter what time of day, you'll never be a "customer" in the same store that you work in.
Yes, you bought something from Starbucks. Yes, you also bought something from the deli, grocery, and meat/seafood. However, those in management see you as being "in on the system" and expect you NOT to take advantage of perks that customers get.
Do I think it's fair? Abso-****ing-lutely not. Unfortunately, that's just how it is. And that is why I never did any "major" shopping in the store I worked in. I either went to the one just a bit closer to my home, or go to an entirely different chain. Sometimes management start small-talk with me about how I should by whatever they're pushing at the moment (ribs, peppers, etc.) and the first thing that always runs in my mind is "well, if you didn't treat your employees who actually put their money in this store like second-rate entities, I'd actually think of shopping here!".
Yesterday while I was on break I was sitting at one of the starbucks tables... like I always have since I was hired three years ago. And then the new manager they hired comes storming over and starts yelling at me about how I'm not allowed to sit there and how it's for customers only. "What if a customer wanted to sit there?!" There are five tables and I was the only one sitting at any of them. I told him I was a customer too (I had bought food) and he started saying "there's a breakroom for a reason!" I told him I wasn't moving and he said he was going to report me for it. What?
Would you have gotten up if all the other tables were occupied and a customer wanted to sit down?
Yesterday while I was on break I was sitting at one of the starbucks tables... like I always have since I was hired three years ago. And then the new manager they hired comes storming over and starts yelling at me about how I'm not allowed to sit there and how it's for customers only. "What if a customer wanted to sit there?!" There are five tables and I was the only one sitting at any of them. I told him I was a customer too (I had bought food) and he started saying "there's a breakroom for a reason!" I told him I wasn't moving and he said he was going to report me for it. What?
Would you have gotten up if all the other tables were occupied and a customer wanted to sit down?
He shouldn't have to. If he bought food he's a customer and should be allowed to eat at the table, end of story.
Yesterday while I was on break I was sitting at one of the starbucks tables... like I always have since I was hired three years ago. And then the new manager they hired comes storming over and starts yelling at me about how I'm not allowed to sit there and how it's for customers only. "What if a customer wanted to sit there?!" There are five tables and I was the only one sitting at any of them. I told him I was a customer too (I had bought food) and he started saying "there's a breakroom for a reason!" I told him I wasn't moving and he said he was going to report me for it. What?
Would you have gotten up if all the other tables were occupied and a customer wanted to sit down?
He shouldn't have to. If he bought food he's a customer and should be allowed to eat at the table, end of story.
But, at the same time, he was on break. Which means that really he's still working his shift and therefore need to accommodate the customer first. If all the tables were filled then perhaps the OP should've just gone to the breakroom instead. Remember, Kroger values the customer more than the comfort and well-being of the customer. Yes, I'm well aware of the whole "uninterrupted break" union crap. The OP wouldn't be interrupted if he went took his break in a proper area.
Besides, say OP was sitting where he originally described and then various customers started hassling him, asking where certain items are located. Is it the customers' fault for interrupting his short break? No, not at all. He was just stupid enough to sit where customers can approach him without any repercussions for themselves. And if the OP were to throw a fit against a customer, then he can kiss his job goodbye. What's he gonna do? Complain to the union about how he was taking a break in one of the most public places of the store and was shocked to have customers approach him? The customer wouldn't give a damn and management wouldn't be obliged to replace his lost time because he chose to sit in that spot.
Now, don't get me wrong. I'd be pissed too if I sat down already whether it's during my break or the end of my shift. The thing is, the way management sees it the OP had a designated area to take his breaks in.
tl;dr: Nothing wrong with where you chose to sit, but deal with the consequences of doing so.
-- Edited by NutritionWhore on Sunday 2nd of November 2014 09:54:06 PM
-- Edited by NutritionWhore on Sunday 2nd of November 2014 09:54:21 PM
It's essentially an unspoken rule that, no matter what time of day, you'll never be a "customer" in the same store that you work in.
Yes, you bought something from Starbucks. Yes, you also bought something from the deli, grocery, and meat/seafood. However, those in management see you as being "in on the system" and expect you NOT to take advantage of perks that customers get.
Do I think it's fair? Abso-****ing-lutely not. Unfortunately, that's just how it is. And that is why I never did any "major" shopping in the store I worked in. I either went to the one just a bit closer to my home, or go to an entirely different chain. Sometimes management start small-talk with me about how I should by whatever they're pushing at the moment (ribs, peppers, etc.) and the first thing that always runs in my mind is "well, if you didn't treat your employees who actually put their money in this store like second-rate entities, I'd actually think of shopping here!".
Once again Whore you've nailed it! If an employee is off the clock and buys items from the store, they *should* be treated like any other customer. In reality though, Kroger management (not so much cashiers/clerks) treats employees like they should always use uscan, buy the dented can, and avoid deli/cafe seating. Well when management expects that of employees, the employees will shop at Walmart, Super Target, or another Kroger so that they are at least treated with SOME respect. Every customer should be appreciated, regardless of whether they are employees or not. Otherwise those 340,000+ employees will take their money elsewhere.
Yesterday while I was on break I was sitting at one of the starbucks tables... like I always have since I was hired three years ago. And then the new manager they hired comes storming over and starts yelling at me about how I'm not allowed to sit there and how it's for customers only. "What if a customer wanted to sit there?!" There are five tables and I was the only one sitting at any of them. I told him I was a customer too (I had bought food) and he started saying "there's a breakroom for a reason!" I told him I wasn't moving and he said he was going to report me for it. What?
Is the new manager the STORE manager? If so who is he going to report you to, the DM? LOL! I would love to hear that phone conversation! Do it again. And next time tell him you would appreciate his not making an ass of himself in front of you and the other Starbucks employees. Then shoo him away like a fly.
-- Edited by Ms White on Sunday 2nd of November 2014 11:31:33 PM
Yesterday while I was on break I was sitting at one of the starbucks tables... like I always have since I was hired three years ago. And then the new manager they hired comes storming over and starts yelling at me about how I'm not allowed to sit there and how it's for customers only. "What if a customer wanted to sit there?!" There are five tables and I was the only one sitting at any of them. I told him I was a customer too (I had bought food) and he started saying "there's a breakroom for a reason!" I told him I wasn't moving and he said he was going to report me for it. What?
Would you have gotten up if all the other tables were occupied and a customer wanted to sit down?
He shouldn't have to. If he bought food he's a customer and should be allowed to eat at the table, end of story.
Exactly my point. I wouldn't have gotten up to give them my seat. The ONLY reason I would do so however is if:
I find that if you are in a uniform you will be treated like a second class human being no matter what. When I'm on lunch or just clocked out for the day and am standing inline at uscan I can not tell you how many customers have cut in front of me and management just wants you to smile and take it. They feel that as long as you are in the uniform you need to act like a representative of the company and even if you are purchasing something you are not a "true" customer. It's bs but it's the way it is. On my days off I never shop at my store.
Would you have gotten up if all the other tables were occupied and a customer wanted to sit down?
He shouldn't have to. If he bought food he's a customer and should be allowed to eat at the table, end of story.
Exactly my point. I wouldn't have gotten up to give them my seat. The ONLY reason I would do so however is if:
They were elderly
pregnant
had difficulty standing for long amounts of time.
if they weren't any of the above, they can wait.
Is this an unpaid lunch or a paid 15 minute break?
Is this in 'street' clothes, or a Kroger Uniform? (As mentioned earlier, customers will still see an employee just sitting there and being lazy that could be useful and help them. True or not, it IS what the customer sees.) One customer tells a few others 'don't go to Starbucks at Kroger, the employees are crap', and word can spread fast.
Does the Union contract allow for breaks to be taken in the location of the employee's choosing, or require being in designated areas? This is usually done (by every employer, even non union) to separate employees that are 'on the clock' from those 'on break' for a variety of reasons. (See post above about 'uninterrupted breaks'.)
