I work in the Deli and I cut my finger over a week ago while trying to prep and fill up the whole BH food area by myself. I am in charge of making food for the day I come in as well as for the following day. Because my managers are constantly "busy" gossiping with each other, about the other deli employees, right outside of the deli and not attending to customers or helping whatsoever, I not only have to make all of my food on my own, but serve customers at three different counters as well. My managers do nothing but give me a load of orders then fuss when I'm too busy trying to help customers (that they see and ignore) and help my co-workers.. instead of finishing making the many different BH food that I have to lable, price, put out, re-stock, and take down so they can be scanned out. Also, all of this must be done within 3 hours. (I am constantly feeling very rushed and over-worked ) During my Deli training, my manager never instructed me that I was suppose to wear a mesh glove while cutting food, I was told to use it only when cleaning the meat slicers. Also, no one in the whole department EVER wears the glove while cutting food. NEVER. So (Over a week ago) while I was prepping and watching for any customers that might need my help, I glanced up from the food I was getting ready to slice, to look for customers, and accidentally cut my finger. I rushed to the back of the department, called my manager and bandaged myself. After filing an incident report, I had to go see the doctor a few times for the deep cut in my finger and haven't been allowed to use my hand at all during work this whole time so I've been busy doing smaller things at Kroger. Today, I was called into the upstairs office, with one of my managers, and was written up for "Disregard of established rule & regulations". According to a friend, I cannot be written up for something that happened over a week ago. Is that true? Also, I've heard one of my managers speaking with the store manager a few days ago asking him (store manager) is he was going to write me up, however, he said that he would but that he couldn't. (But I don't know why).
Was it okay for them to write me up after so long? Even if the rule about wearing the mesh glove while cutting food was not clearly explained to me?
They usually write you up the day of the incident. EVEN if the have the papers ready for your signature. Usually they can NOT wait a week past the incident. Fight it.
This sounds like an issue of bad training. I'm not sure about deli-bakery but I would have assumed something safety related(such as wearing the gloves) would be taught during orientation or be a required ACT slideshow/training module. If this is not the case for you, then I'd consider bringing this point up to the store manager and see if he can make the write-up disappear.
I had to give one of my people a write-up after a week due to a series of events. It depends on your contract. The best thing would be to talk to the store manager or if you don't feel comfortable with that, then call your local union offices and ask about the policy on time frames.
But given that you work during the day, there's really no excuse for a week to have gone by. Especially with management there everyday. I would fight it.
-- Edited by DeltaGrocery on Monday 20th of October 2014 03:04:30 PM
Usually if you go through some sort of safety training, such as wearing a cutting glove while using a knife, they have you sign a paper stating you've been properly trained. If you did not sign such a paper, then they can't write you up.
Its required that we wear them when cutting in produce as well.
If you already signed the write up, its too late for the union to do anything about for the most part. You could give the union a call, but don't expect them to get worked up about this. Wear the glove on your free hand from now on and you'll be fine.
As above poster stated: "If you already signed the write up, its too late for the union to do anything about for the most part."
What state are you in?
In Mi, the managers have a week from incident to write you up for attendance. Not sure about breaking rules.
I was told to always refuse to sign a write-up. If you sign it, then the union can't help you. I have never needed to be written up so I have never had to refuse. And, I am a wimp at defending myself...
If this is your only write-up ever, I wouldn't worry about it. Be more careful and avoid getting written up anymore.
And, don't lose any fingers. Kroger doesn't pay very much for them. hehe
A good rule of thumb is that if you cut yourself, and it's something that can be covered by a simple band aid, and not need stitches; wash the cut, grab a band aid quickly... and shut the hell up.
I might sound like a jerk, but yes they can write you up. It would have been very impractical to do it the day you got cut because that'd be like rubbing salt into a wound. By the way, never use other people's actions as an excuse for not following the rules. Most people that work here have a rebel attitude and do not make for good role models kid. :/
I might sound like a jerk, but yes they can write you up. It would have been very impractical to do it the day you got cut because that'd be like rubbing salt into a wound. By the way, never use other people's actions as an excuse for not following the rules. Most people that work here have a rebel attitude and do not make for good role models kid. :/
This so much. So many times have I had people that I thought would have made good employees do things that were obviously wrong just because one or two people in the crew did them and were still employed there. I would ask them why they did it, and their response would always be the same, "so and so was doing it so I thought I could too."
Trust me, even though these people may still be employed, they have targets on their backs and are continually being investigated to find something strong enough to stick to remove them. You really don't want an unnecessary target on your back at Kroger. Things can be difficult enough. It'll make your life a lot easier if you stand out by being a good employee or at the very least don't break would-be obvious rules.
A good rule of thumb is that if you cut yourself, and it's something that can be covered by a simple band aid, and not need stitches; wash the cut, grab a band aid quickly... and shut the hell up.
And if it takes more than a band-aid, get it checked out immediately. Unless you want to be stuck with paying for everything yourself.
I got hurt a couple of weeks ago tripping over some clutter in the backroom. At the same I just said 'ouch' and figured I had a bruise or something. When I got home, I looked at it and had a full-blown hematoma on my shin (blood pooling). Went to the clinic. I didn't lie on the paperwork and said, yes, it happened at work. They refused to see me unless I paid the full price (hundreds of course) because it's considered insurance fraud if my insurance pays for an injury that could have been covered by worker's comp.
So I'm stuck with it now. It's healing, but it freakin' hurts and I'm working with it.
A good rule of thumb is that if you cut yourself, and it's something that can be covered by a simple band aid, and not need stitches; wash the cut, grab a band aid quickly... and shut the hell up.
And if it takes more than a band-aid, get it checked out immediately. Unless you want to be stuck with paying for everything yourself.
I got hurt a couple of weeks ago tripping over some clutter in the backroom. At the same I just said 'ouch' and figured I had a bruise or something. When I got home, I looked at it and had a full-blown hematoma on my shin (blood pooling). Went to the clinic. I didn't lie on the paperwork and said, yes, it happened at work. They refused to see me unless I paid the full price (hundreds of course) because it's considered insurance fraud if my insurance pays for an injury that could have been covered by worker's comp.
So I'm stuck with it now. It's healing, but it freakin' hurts and I'm working with it.
You have up to 24 hours to report an injury. Part of the workmans comp law.
) During my Deli training, my manager never instructed me that I was suppose to wear a mesh glove while cutting food, I was told to use it only when cleaning the meat slicers. Also, no one in the whole department EVER wears the glove while cutting food. NEVER. So (Over a week ago) while I was prepping and watching for any customers that might need my help, I glanced up from the food I was getting ready to slice, to look for customers, and accidentally cut my finger. I rushed to the back of the department, called my manager and bandaged myself. After filing an incident report, I had to go see the doctor a few times for the deep cut in my finger and haven't been allowed to use my hand at all during work this whole time so I've been busy doing smaller things at Kroger. Today, I was called into the upstairs office, with one of my managers, and was written up for "Disregard of established rule & regulations". According to a friend, I cannot be written up for something that happened over a week ago. Is that true? Also, I've heard one of my managers speaking with the store manager a few days ago asking him (store manager) is he was going to write me up, however, he said that he would but that he couldn't. (But I don't know why). 
