unbelievable statement from my mgr. last night

[Belle2667]

It reminds me of the way Walmart treats their employees. There is a great documentary, I think it's called Walmart:The High Cost of Doing Business, and the exact same intimidation tactics were used on their associates.

I saw that documentary and that is the whole reason I now boycott Walmart. Actually, my husband thought about having some "fun" with them and going in and talking about unions with some of the employees. Of course, out of respect for the actual employee, we could never do that, but it is amazing how quickly they will squash the union-talk.

Good luck sticking it out. I've never worked retail (though I've considered it as a second job) and I appreciate all the hard work you do that most people take for granted!

 

[Fitswimmer]

I saw that documentary and that is the whole reason I now boycott Walmart. Actually, my husband thought about having some "fun" with them and going in and talking about unions with some of the employees. Of course, out of respect for the actual employee, we could never do that, but it is amazing how quickly they will squash the union-talk.

Good luck sticking it out. I've never worked retail (though I've considered it as a second job) and I appreciate all the hard work you do that most people take for granted!

Well, you better be boycotting Target too then. Target does not allow unions for their employees either and an employee will be fired if they try to start any "union talk" with their co-workers. The "benefits" that they offer are too expensive for most part time/floor employees to pay for given their salary-just like Walmart. Most of the goods are made overseas in the same places that supply Walmart. Our local Target was fined HEAVILY early this year for not giving employees mandatory meal breaks-they would have people punch for the break but then make them work through them!

It cracks me up when people boycott Walmart and then go on and on about how great Target is! They do exactly the same things-Target just has better marketing.

 

[Maleficent13]

If the pay is too low, then get an education and a job that pays more.

Leaving all the other condescension aside for a moment, did you perhaps overlook the OP's user name AND the reference to her students in the OP? She is a teacher. Last I checked, teachers are required to have a college degree. This is her SECOND job. If perhaps you still don't think she is working hard enough, I have nothing else to say about that.

 

[mirthmaiden]

Leaving all the other condescension aside for a moment, did you perhaps overlook the OP's user name AND the reference to her students in the OP? She is a teacher. Last I checked, teachers are required to have a college degree. This is her SECOND job. If perhaps you still don't think she is working hard enough, I have nothing else to say about that.

 

[nut4disney]

Leaving all the other condescension aside for a moment, did you perhaps overlook the OP's user name AND the reference to her students in the OP? She is a teacher. Last I checked, teachers are required to have a college degree. This is her SECOND job. If perhaps you still don't think she is working hard enough, I have nothing else to say about that.

Lots of folks of privilege don't think the "working drones" work hard enough in the USA. It comes from a place of economic privelege that looks down on those who are not in the white collar CEO professional classes.

Kinda like Bush telling Ms. Mornin that it was FANTASTIC that she worked three jobs to make ends meet and support her adult son with disabilities.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/02/20050204-3.html

MS. MORNIN: That's good, because I work three jobs and I feel like I contribute.

THE PRESIDENT: You work three jobs?

MS. MORNIN: Three jobs, yes.

THE PRESIDENT: Uniquely American, isn't it? I mean, that is fantastic that you're doing that. (Applause.) Get any sleep? (Laughter.)

MS. MORNIN: Not much. Not much.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, hopefully, this will help you get you sleep to know that when we talk about Social Security, nothing changes.

MS. MORNIN: Okay, thank you.

THE PRESIDENT: That's great.

 

[dzneelvr]

sad but true that managers with poor communication skills and even poorer relationships with their workers deliver such news at the latest possible time......I'm sure your manager delivers alot of information in that way. Number One: MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING PAID FOR ALL THE "CLEANING TIME". It would be a violation of most state labor laws to work without pay performing said duties. That said, once district gets ahold of the salary costs for all this extra time, they may decide it's more cost-efficient to hire a few extra part timers next time. It's not going to help you out this season, but unfortunately organizations sometimes need to be hit where it hurts (in the wallet) in order to do a seemingly logical thing. Please make the best of it at least you now can plan around the "new order".

 

[Fitswimmer]

sad but true that managers with poor communication skills and even poorer relationships with their workers deliver such news at the latest possible time......I'm sure your manager delivers alot of information in that way. Number One: MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING PAID FOR ALL THE "CLEANING TIME". It would be a violation of most state labor laws to work without pay performing said duties. That said, once district gets ahold of the salary costs for all this extra time, they may decide it's more cost-efficient to hire a few extra part timers next time. It's not going to help you out this season, but unfortunately organizations sometimes need to be hit where it hurts (in the wallet) in order to do a seemingly logical thing. Please make the best of it at least you now can plan around the "new order".

Also, make sure that you know the laws about breaks in your state. In NJ, after 6 hours you must be given 30 minutes unpaid, and after 4 hours you must be given 15 minutes paid. If the "cleaning time" puts you into that category and you are not allowed to take breaks-report that to your local wage and hour board. Sometimes the threat of reporting alone changes policy pretty quick.

 

[jobhunter]

I can explain what is happening here, I think. It is the job of the crew, on duty to continuously clean up during their shift. If I were offered the chance to bet on this one, the night crew has been slacking off and leaving the store a mess for the day shift to clean up. That, in turn, has caused considerable justified upset from the day shift and the directive has come down that the night crew cannot leave until the place is looking satisfactory.

They don't really want to pay people extra to stay after when they have already paid them to do the job while they are there. I'm sure that they felt that faced with the idea that they cannot leave until it is done may inspire some to do the job as they go along and not attempt to leave it for others.

There is always another side to every story and as much as we would like to think it, management is not always the bad guy. It has become a trend lately that employees will do as little as possible and determine themselves what is important and what isn't.

If the pay is too low, then get an education and a job that pays more. If, however, one has agreed to work for the money offered then do a good job and perhaps good things will come your way. Hey...it could happen!

Speaking of unbelievable statements...
You forgot to add, "Let them eat cake."

 

[MushyMushy]

Sorry, I used to work at Old Navy, and part of our job was folding and re-folding as the night went on, BUT, around Christmas time, this was nearly impossible! As soon as I would get done folding a sweater, some person would come along and mess it all up. There is no possible way that you can keep the store neat if customers are going to come along and throw things around! That is one thing that used to burn me up, some customers don't care, seriously, you can pick up the piles of shirts and neatly look through to see the size you need, you don't need to unfold them!

While I agree that so many customers are just slobs, you really do need to pick up those shirts to hold them up to you to see if it'll fit. Sizes are so inconsistent, and you never know if the shirt is going to be long or short. I always try to fold it back up neatly and put back in the pile, but I can never seem to do it as neatly as they were to begin with.

 

[Chicago526]

Well, you better be boycotting Target too then. Target does not allow unions for their employees either and an employee will be fired if they try to start any "union talk" with their co-workers. The "benefits" that they offer are too expensive for most part time/floor employees to pay for given their salary-just like Walmart. Most of the goods are made overseas in the same places that supply Walmart. Our local Target was fined HEAVILY early this year for not giving employees mandatory meal breaks-they would have people punch for the break but then make them work through them!

It cracks me up when people boycott Walmart and then go on and on about how great Target is! They do exactly the same things-Target just has better marketing.

Target must have changed over the years then. I worked there in high school (mid-90's) and they offered health insurance to all employee's, part time or not, and my Target at least was very good about getting breaks in according to IL labor law.

They DID try that "closers must stay until store is clean at Xmas time" once with me. I stayed until my scheduled time (11:30, 30 minutes after close) and then told them it was a school night and I was leaving, if they wanted me to stay longer in the future they could schedule me for it (which they couldn't since my available hours ended at 11:30). Being in high school, I didn't give a damn if they fired me or not, and since I was one of their best cashiers/service desk people I wasn't too worried. Let's just say it was the last time they tried that stunt, at least with me. I didn't mind staying an extra 10-15 minutes to pitch in, but I wasn't staying until 1 AM on a school night, 11:30 was bad enough!

 

[Fitswimmer]

Target must have changed over the years then. I worked there in high school (mid-90's) and they offered health insurance to all employee's, part time or not, and my Target at least was very good about getting breaks in according to IL labor law.

They DID try that "closers must stay until store is clean at Xmas time" once with me. I stayed until my scheduled time (11:30, 30 minutes after close) and then told them it was a school night and I was leaving, if they wanted me to stay longer in the future they could schedule me for it (which they couldn't since my available hours ended at 11:30). Being in high school, I didn't give a damn if they fired me or not, and since I was one of their best cashiers/service desk people I wasn't too worried. Let's just say it was the last time they tried that stunt, at least with me. I didn't mind staying an extra 10-15 minutes to pitch in, but I wasn't staying until 1 AM on a school night, 11:30 was bad enough!

I had a part time job there this spring-I quit after two months.
Our local Target didn't start giving regular breaks until they got fined-then they got interested.

As far as the benefits, I didn't need them because I have a good plan at my main job. What I heard from my co-workers was that the benefit plan they offer was good, but it cost so much that many people couldn't afford to take it. Now, that might be because of the high cost of living in our area. A one bedroom apt here is about $1000 a month, so a minimum wage worker is spending a LOT of their income on housing. I can see how it would be hard to afford benefits, food and car expenses on top of that.

 

[Belle2667]

Well, you better be boycotting Target too then. Target does not allow unions for their employees either and an employee will be fired if they try to start any "union talk" with their co-workers. The "benefits" that they offer are too expensive for most part time/floor employees to pay for given their salary-just like Walmart. Most of the goods are made overseas in the same places that supply Walmart. Our local Target was fined HEAVILY early this year for not giving employees mandatory meal breaks-they would have people punch for the break but then make them work through them!

It cracks me up when people boycott Walmart and then go on and on about how great Target is! They do exactly the same things-Target just has better marketing.

I don't go to Target either (the closest is 20 miles away). I hear what you're saying about Target as well, and let me tell you what a crimp it is in my life to not go to either of them! Unfortunately, I'm sure every business has it's problems, but I will avoid them if at all possible. Fortunately, we don't buy much outside of food.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I don't go to Target either (the closest is 20 miles away). I hear what you're saying about Target as well, and let me tell you what a crimp it is in my life to not go to either of them! Unfortunately, I'm sure every business has it's problems, but I will avoid them if at all possible. Fortunately, we don't buy much outside of food.

I still go to both when I need to. I would like to see them treat their employees better but the brutal fact is-I need the low prices because I don't make that much either.

The sad truth is, there are a great many employers who treat their workers badly and if we all boycotted all of them-none of us would be able to buy anything. Even though I'm a strong supporter of capitalism, I do believe in some governmental oversight and I think worker's treatment needs to be addressed on the federal level.

 

[Poohnatic]

I can explain what is happening here, I think. It is the job of the crew, on duty to continuously clean up during their shift. If I were offered the chance to bet on this one, the night crew has been slacking off and leaving the store a mess for the day shift to clean up. That, in turn, has caused considerable justified upset from the day shift and the directive has come down that the night crew cannot leave until the place is looking satisfactory.

They don't really want to pay people extra to stay after when they have already paid them to do the job while they are there. I'm sure that they felt that faced with the idea that they cannot leave until it is done may inspire some to do the job as they go along and not attempt to leave it for others.

There is always another side to every story and as much as we would like to think it, management is not always the bad guy. It has become a trend lately that employees will do as little as possible and determine themselves what is important and what isn't.

If the pay is too low, then get an education and a job that pays more. If, however, one has agreed to work for the money offered then do a good job and perhaps good things will come your way. Hey...it could happen!

First, I have to ask if you saw this in the original post:

I told him I was leaving at 10:30, and that I would see if I could schedule a field trip for my kindergarteners to come back in the morning so I could finish folding pants.

So, do you work retail? Do you know how many times the day crew leaves things for the night staff to do 'because we were too busy'? I'm sorry, my staff works their butts off, the night crew has more to do in less time, when you add in the straightening and filling that hasn't been done during the day.

Get an education? She HAS one! The reality of life these days is that many people need a second job to make ends meet. Teachers have had second retail jobs for years, for the twenty plus years I have worked in the field.

The expectation at most retailers is that you give word that you're not coming in as soon as you know you can't work. It has to work both ways in your store, Kteacher, the manager needs to give you as much notice as possible if they expect you to stay beyond your scheduled shift.

Suzanne

 

[Arielle22]

I worked as a retail mgr for 5 yrs in a union store. My associates were required to stay and recover the store. Some complained but management was covered in the union contract. The only employees we had to watch were under 18 yrs old, they had to be out by 10pm. This store did have a night crew but it wasn't big enough to recover the entire store and then put out new merchandise.

For the person who mentioned breaks, many states don't mandate a break at all (some are specific to under 18). In MA you get 30 minutes for over 6 hours worked. It doesn't matter if it is 6.10 or 16.10, all you are entitled to is 30 minutes.

OP, I do not think that management handled this correctly. It should have been announced at the start of the season that this may be required. The store is required (in all states) to pay you for the time worked.

 

[Kteacher]

Wow, I just returned home from my f/t job, the one NCLB says that I am highly qualified for, to see so much support for my situation . Thanks to all of you . I've been in retail for over 30 years, so I know what's required during the month of December. What I have a problem with is mgt. announcing 5 minutes before the sceduled end of my shift that I'm expected to work additional hours. BTW, the doors were locked, so we were locked in, but I've worked at the store long enough to know how to let myself out

 

[manning]

If the pay is too low, then get an education and a job that pays more.

Sadly, too many jobs have the requirement for higher education (college) in order to get a better job. Hopefully this is what was meant by this statement.

Many times I have seen people passed over because they didn't have that college degree, and many times those people could do the job better...much better.

I had an uncle who retired from Lamson and Sessions. He held the title of treasurer.

His first job in that company was janitor.

We had a conversation in the early '60s. He commented the first thing we told a college new hire was "forget a lot you learned in college, we will train you in what you need to know. There is no way you can learn everything needed in four short years".

Back then they hired both high school and college grads who were both successful.

 

[Octoberbride03]

Step One: take video documentation of that with my cell phone for a few months.

Step Two: hand over video documentation to my lawyer.

Step Three: The next time the management locked me in and refused to let me out I would call the police and tell them I was being held at the office by management and wanted to exit the building peacefully. The police don't like it when people are being held against their will.

I don't know about her Target, but at mine we are scheduled to stay for usually about 1/2 hour after closing but closer to Christmas they do schedule us for an hour after closing.

Locking the doors is an insurance company requirement for teammembers' safety, and believe me ppl have tried to get in after closing or try to hide and stay past. When I'm closing I want those doors locked after the registers are shut.

My management is pretty good about keeping the schedule to 8hr shifts so even if youi're there after closing odds are you've only worked round about 8 hours. If her management wasn't scheduling ppl the same way then that's a huge mistake on their part.

Of course Target isn't perfect but some locations are better than others.

 

[Octoberbeauty]

Haven't read the whole thread, but I've certainly put in my years with Penney's back in the day. We were NEVER allowed to leave before the whole store was clean. Everyone left at the same time when they announced over the loudspeaker. If you finished cleaning your area, then you moved on and helped another dept clean up. That's just the way it always was.

 

[maxiesmom]

I have worked at Kohl's before and at Christmas time. That has always been their policy, that the people that work until close are supposed to remain until the store is picked up. During the Christmas season you may be there a couple of hours extra and the manager decides when everyone may leave. Sometimes even after a couple hours things were still messy. I did not enjoy this policy-not knowing when you would be finished for the night. That was bad enough knowing ahead of time that this would happen, I cannot imagine what this Penny's manager was thinking to just announce it on the day he wanted you to stay later. My sister still works at Kohl's and I think a couple years ago someone from upper managment went to work for Penny's.

A few years ago, Kohls went to a half an hour after close schedule. We get out of work a half an hour after close, no matter what. Seems like they couldn't hire enough people willing to sign their lives away. In years past, at Christmas we would be there till 2am. Of course at that time would could work as much overtime as we wanted to, so lots of people liked to stay. Now we are lucky if we get 40 hours a week.

As far as that manager who lied told someone to cut their brake short, I would say "Fine, then I will call the labor board." You are entitled to your breaks by law. They can get in to big trouble if they force you to miss them!