Guess this is normal for the new year, but outside of full timers and myself (lucky me somehow), baggers and cashiers have less than 20 hours this week. Today, QueVision was at max 13, and we had 4 baggers for 13 lanes. Someone complained, or we'd only have 12 open, before a front desk person hopped on register to reduce the pileup. Isn't it breaking a rule to put a FES/manager on register because actual cashiers aren't on the clock? We even had co-managers and THE manager bagging, loudspeaker'ing for all baggers to the front. Only had four in the clip! SCO line was curving as a result.
But today? Just a regular day. Nothing too crazy going on. I can't wait until Friday and Saturday when football happens. It's gonna get bad, but kids don't have shifts and school just started again, so it's even worse during school hours.
Yeah, usually they expect less shoppers after the new year until football playoffs/Super Bowl time, then it picks up a bit. Then there's a small dip until Easter, where it picks up some there as well. Basically any holiday that you're expected to eat a lot is where they project they'll get the most business and usually, hopefully hours go up to reflect it. Of course, things can change.
As for it being against the rules for an FES being on a register? I've seen one on a register before when I was there. It happens, not even just because of scheduling, but the turnover rate is madness over there.
FES's can and do run register here all the time, not sure why it wouldn't be allowed if the service desk isn't busy. i'm not sure if thats in our contract or not though. And we had our store manager bagging groceries too for a while during the holidays.
13 lanes though sounds like you work in a pretty big store, you guys definitely need more than 4 baggers.
