Do any other stores have issues with managers refusing to allow you to drink water? I work in the deli department, and up until this past week, we were allowed to leave cups in a certain place (out of customer sight) because we were the farthest from the break room and very rarely have time to take our normal breaks. Then last week our manager has decided that consuming water anywhere but the breakroom is now a fire-able offense. Is that okay? I don't see how he can deny a basic human right to his employees, especially those working in an environment where we're frying food, so it's hot.
I thought company policy was a resealable water bottle was okay now? I had the same issue, when I had kidney stone surgery. Management will likely claim food safety violation trumps all. Get better at hiding water.
If you really want to fight it, get a doctors note.
Definitely call the Union. I'm not sure if this is a federal violation, but I know that it is illegal for them to deny you water if you are at risk of having a heat cramp or a heat stroke, especially if you work in a humid area like that.
Something similar happened to us. We used to have a lunch box area in one of our coolers where we were also allowed to keep drinks. Then one day the chicken shop got a bad report for not cleaning behind their table or whatever and they took the lunch box away from us as a punishment (even if some of us never worked in chicken shop) and said we weren't allowed to have drinks anymore either. I had a little laugh and then started hiding my drink. I've gotten caught and yelled at a couple of times but I still do it. I get dizzy when I can't drink when I need to.
Another girl keeps her water bottles in her apron pocket now. They can't really say anything to her since she has it on her person and not in the deli.
If you're really that thirsty, why don't you just grab a deli cup and get some water out of the tap?
Even that can get you in trouble.
Sorry, but especially in the summertime, you are gonna drink water back there. So pretty sure this is a violation of human rights. Not gonna risk getting sick (then when you do have to take off work due to illness they get all snippy) because I'm working the fryer/oven and I'm parched.
The deli head yelled at me once for having my water back there. Meanwhile she walks around with her starbucks coffee sipping at it.
This is what bothers me. Whenever managers will tell you "You can only get water from the fountain!" and then they walk around drinking Starbucks, a milkshake, or some other luxury drink barking at you that you can't have a human necessity.
