I applied for grocery clerk, did orientation, did the computer training, but once I got to the Kroger I was working at the manager introduced me to one of the wandering cashier. I was supposed to clock in at a specific time, however I had some time left so he told me to wander around the store so I did, and ran into the manager, and assistant manager where I was directed to clean a shelf near check out, and move some stuff from the shelves and move it somewhere else. This is my first job, so I don't know the cleaning supplies are or where the ladders are at. Nor did anyone tell me how to use the clock in thing. Luckily one lady helped me (because I didn't have a schedule to clock in with) so she told one of the other ladies that deal with the schedule so I didn't have to. (I have no idea what to do). Then while moving the stuff from the shelves the guy ask me about a coupon because the sign says$2.99, but the coupon says $2.49. (I have no what I am supposed to do) . (Go look for a manager?) Ok; wait I have no idea where the managers are nor do I have any way to contact them. Eventually I go to one of the cashiers and tell them, then she just tells me to direct the customer over there. Then the same guy ask me again where the pot pies are. (I don't know where anything is at the store). (No one gave me a tour of the store or gave me any direction I guess they assumed that I have worked here before). So eventually I find it and direct him to it; then he tells me these aren't the ones, so I just tell him "I think those are the only ones". Then I am directed by the assistant manager to blow up some balloons, and move them to isle 1. While blowing up the balloons I was asked by on cashier to help bag. (I didn't get any training on bagging). I applied for Grocery Clerk, and still not aware of what my position entails. Even though it was my first day I still don't understand what I am supposed to do unless I just so happen to run into a manager. [Sorry if it seems a little scattered, I had to get this down to see if someone has had the same experience, and see if someone could help me or give me advice].
Here's a piece of advice. Find another job. I'm assuming you're a teenager. Go to a fast food place. You'll probably get more hours and better pay. When you get the other job, be sure to tell the managers at Kroger why you're leaving. By the way, when the manager told you to clean the shelf, were you on the clock. if you weren't , you should have said so.
That's Kroger for you. They expect you to know it all coming in. Just find someone to help you out when you don't know where something is or how to do something. Most all of the employees are willing to help a new hire out. Sorry your first day was so horrible. They do get better.
Here's a piece of advice. Find another job. I'm assuming you're a teenager. Go to a fast food place. You'll probably get more hours and better pay. When you get the other job, be sure to tell the managers at Kroger why you're leaving. By the way, when the manager told you to clean the shelf, were you on the clock. if you weren't , you should have said so.
It does get better. But what this guy says is partly true. You will get more hours outside of Kroger, but the pay may not be better.
You're thrown into the fire and expected not to go down in flames. That being out of the way... Being a grocery clerk your responsibilities are:
1) stock shelves by working blue totes and anything on a 6 wheeler. This stuff is in the back,
2) help assemble displays
3) fill end caps
4) work bread
5) sometimes mark things down
6) help direct customers to product
7) interact with customers on the floor
8) when you're able to.... go to the front and help bag. normally you'll be called for over the speakers to come help on the front.
9) if you're here long enough, pull reports and do pre prime time scans.
Also, anything your grocery manager, store manager, and assistant manager wants you to do.
You need to talk to your manager about getting your numbers (and how to fill out the time corrections sheet) to be able to clock in and your username and password for the hand scanner(telex/RF gun).
Never work off the clock. Never sign anything but your paycheck, If you get called to the managers office always ask for union representation.
Best of luck, newbie :)
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Would you like fries with th... I mean, your milk in a bag?
The tasks you were doing sound like a Utility Clerk(cleaning shelf part). You don't want that position. The pay stops raising after a $1.
Find or call the person that hired you. Ask what your specific position is. I want to make it clear. A store manager or co manager can have you do any task in the store that needs to be done. From Cleaning bathrooms, to cleaning up spills to collecting carts to blowing up balloons.
The food chain pecking order is:
Store Manager, Co manager, MD1. They are salaried employees. Then you have Department Managers, Department Leads, and then regular employees(that is what you and I are). Most of these employees are part of a unionized bargaining agreement.
Generally, a grocery clerk puts stock on shelves. Daytime grocery clerks from my experience stock Dairy, Frozen, bread, blue totes and occasionally backstock. But your store might do things differently. Drug GM, Bakery and Produce/floral Departments are separate from grocery. We are allowed to help those departments when needed. The meat, seafood, Deli Departments are under a different contract. We are not allowed to help them at the stores I have worked at.
You need to make sure you are a grocery clerk. Next time you work, you need to meet the Grocery Department manager. They will instruct you on what to do during your shift. Keep a notepad if you need to. The Grocery Department manager might have had the day off and the store managers gave you things to do to keep you busy. Or, they had you mixed up with another new employee. Trust me, it could happen.
Don't panic yet. Lack of communication is the norm for Kroger. You are a few steps ahead of most new people if you figured out that what you were doing didn't sound like grocery clerk tasks.
I am a night grocery clerk with 7 years. I enjoy getting carts and doing go backs if the need arises.
Good luck with your new job. I am curious what you find out and if you are a grocery clerk.
Find out who your store's associate manager is, or the ASP. Associate manager oversees grocery/dairy/frozen and helps with store operations. ASP is secretary and has access to a wealth of information.
