Hey i recently was just hired on as a Courtesy Clerk at my local kroger, i had orientation yesterday went well got my uniform and so on anyway i have to go tomorrow for some kind of test and i guess after the test training anyways so i had a few questions ill list below im still pretty nervous about the whole thing.
In my uniform when i go in do i always have to wear that apron / smock ? Where would i go to take the online test? After my test will they train me?
As a professional courtesy, wear exactly what they've given you. When you get down to the real nitty gritty of working in the store, things could change. I've never seen a courtesy clerk wear an apron or smock, nor do they really need one. Uniform policy is different from zone to zone, so you'll just have to wait and see.
The testing.. a series of "modules" consisting of flash based computer videos with quizzes at the end, are usually done wherever it is you did your orientation, unless they direct you to go somewhere else. Your division/zone may have its own training center off site, but I imagine they would have told you about that already.
Training: I hate to tell ya, but we suck at training. We do. Try to retain what you saw in the videos, but most likely you'll be thrown into a live fire situation where you might be next to another courtesy clerk who may have started last week. Just observe what the others do, and do the best you can. Be personable, and try to have fun.
Training: I hate to tell ya, but we suck at training. We do.
True: training is haphazard to nonexistent at Krogrr. The main lesson you may learn is how bad corporations can be toward people.
Bring all the common sense and life-experience learning you have with you, and use it to protect yourself and your coworkers. Any shift you can go home from without having shed blood or tears has probably been a good day.
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Anonymous
Date:
RE: New Kroger Employee Here had a couple questions!
Don't put raw hamburger, chicken etc. in with other groceries, bag them separately. Same with household cleaners, etc. Eggs in a plastic bag with bread on top. I always put the eggs & bread in the kiddy seat part of the cart. Smile and don't complain.
At least in my store, everyone needs to wear an apron all the time. The only exceptions are managers, or if you are wearing something else (such as the red vest or the reflective vests for the parking lot). I would wear it unless someone says you don't need to.
There are about 15 training courses you need to click through on the computers. They take around 5-60 minutes depending on which one (usually a total of 5 hours or so). At the end of each one, there is a "test". They are usually 5-10 questions and are really easy. Things like what part of your body should you lift with (your legs) or what should you do if equipment is damaged (report it to your supervisor). If you fail any, you can do them again as many times as you need to. It will try to make you take the whole course again, but most of the time you can skip right to the test. These don't really have anything to do with what you will do when you work.
At least in my store, before you can start working, you need to go through 28 hours of training. Every single hour is broken down and there is a set list of stuff you will be taught. I don't think they do that everywhere though. If you don't feel ready, tell that to your supervisor. If you have questions, ask. If you have no clue at all, ask them to shadow someone.
As a professional courtesy, wear exactly what they've given you. When you get down to the real nitty gritty of working in the store, things could change. I've never seen a courtesy clerk wear an apron or smock, nor do they really need one. Uniform policy is different from zone to zone, so you'll just have to wait and see.
The testing.. a series of "modules" consisting of flash based computer videos with quizzes at the end, are usually done wherever it is you did your orientation, unless they direct you to go somewhere else. Your division/zone may have its own training center off site, but I imagine they would have told you about that already.
Training: I hate to tell ya, but we suck at training. We do. Try to retain what you saw in the videos, but most likely you'll be thrown into a live fire situation where you might be next to another courtesy clerk who may have started last week. Just observe what the others do, and do the best you can. Be personable, and try to have fun.
My training was exactly like that. I did get one of the better courtesy clerks to train me in the actual work, but when I requested to watch the bagging video again a few weeks after I started, I was basically told that I had seen the video and the video was enough. Any other job, had I requested to re-watch the training video, I would have been able to do so.
Huh, the clerks don't wear aprons at my store. But if they give you one, wear it. You can always take it off later, if they allow it. In the summertime, you may be allowed to wear shorts for cars, so ask about that. And you should be allowed to wear a t-shirt under your uniform shirt, but ask about that too, I think there's technically only certain colors allowed. But you can wear long sleeves when it gets cold. (No jackets or sweaters though.)
Your first day or two, they'll stick you with another clerk for training. It's pretty much learn as you go.
Like the other anon said, keep foods and non-foods separate. Set aside delicate items (eggs, breads, chips, etc) to bag last and put on top. Try to keep cold items together.
Ask if they want paper or plastic, do they want their milk in a bag, and anything you're not sure of. (Is it all right if I put this with this, or set this here?) Always greet the customer and tell them to have a nice day when they leave. If they're elderly, have multiple carts, and/or children, ask if they would like help out. (You will sometimes need to get another cart. Customers like to pile things up and then expect you to get it all back in nice and neat; it's not gonna happen, so just get another cart and help them out.)
At my store, you are not allowed to accept tips. I think it's the same everywhere, but you can ask. Old people will especially try to tip you when help them to their car and tend to be very stubborn about it, so if they shove change in your hand, just take it and be discreet. (I once politely refused, explaining that we weren't allowed, so this old lady shook my hand to slip me a dollar.)
Huh, the clerks don't wear aprons at my store. But if they give you one, wear it. You can always take it off later, if they allow it. In the summertime, you may be allowed to wear shorts for cars, so ask about that. And you should be allowed to wear a t-shirt under your uniform shirt, but ask about that too, I think there's technically only certain colors allowed. But you can wear long sleeves when it gets cold. (No jackets or sweaters though.)
Your first day or two, they'll stick you with another clerk for training. It's pretty much learn as you go.
Like the other anon said, keep foods and non-foods separate. Set aside delicate items (eggs, breads, chips, etc) to bag last and put on top. Try to keep cold items together.
Ask if they want paper or plastic, do they want their milk in a bag, and anything you're not sure of. (Is it all right if I put this with this, or set this here?) Always greet the customer and tell them to have a nice day when they leave. If they're elderly, have multiple carts, and/or children, ask if they would like help out. (You will sometimes need to get another cart. Customers like to pile things up and then expect you to get it all back in nice and neat; it's not gonna happen, so just get another cart and help them out.)
At my store, you are not allowed to accept tips. I think it's the same everywhere, but you can ask. Old people will especially try to tip you when help them to their car and tend to be very stubborn about it, so if they shove change in your hand, just take it and be discreet. (I once politely refused, explaining that we weren't allowed, so this old lady shook my hand to slip me a dollar.)
OMG, what state do you live in? Not allowed to wear a jacket or a coat? That's crazy. Our courtesy clerks are allowed to wear a hat, gloves, and coat when they go out to do carts. That's just abusive. Which state is it?
As far as tips, everyone says no you can't. I checked our employee handbook and it says you can. You just can't solicit tips. We had an employee almost fired for accepting a $20 tip until someone pointed the manager to the rules in the employee handbook. Then the manager said she was selling drugs. LOL!
