I'm sure we all have that one coworker in our store who we would really like to see fired. Out of curiosity, if you could fire one person at your store/department, who would it be and why?
Here's mine...
I've been with Kroger for two months; I started as a courtesy clerk then got switched to cashier after my first couple weeks. I really like almost all of my FE coworkers, but there is one cashier who got hired a couple weeks after me that I despise. Basically, he acts like a know-it-all but lacks common sense. A few days ago, he called a CC up to check even though that CC isn't even trained to be a checker--he's a minor so he can't be one! During the same shift, this stupid cashier called me up to check three times during my lunch because he was too lazy to glance at the schedule first. He's told plenty of people how to do their jobs, including two CCs who have been at Kroger for 4-5 months and are very good at their jobs--he'll tell them how to bag correctly, etc. We got a new cashier about two weeks ago who has picked up on things really well; she was scheduled to be a CC during an evening shift (around 5-10 pm) and next thing you know, the coworker I hate starts telling her what she should be doing (our FES had already trained her on CC stuff at this point.)
During a busy weekend afternoon, I was checking someone out and this stupid coworker interrupted my conversation with a customer to ask for receipt tape. He was not in the middle of printing a receipt for someone at a check lane or anything, he was running the u-scan and one station (that no one was currently using) was out of tape--not urgent enough to interrupt a checker who's busy with a customer, if you ask me.
I was working at around 9 pm one night at a check lane while he was running u-scan. A lady came through my lane with a big order, and I asked my stupid coworker to help me bag because no one was at the u-scan and the only CC working was not nearby. (My store is small, so the checker who is running u-scan will usually help someone bag without being asked if a CC is not there and said checker isn't busy at the u-scan.) My stupid coworker did come over to bag, but then started arguing about why I should page the CC to bag instead--despite the fact that NO ONE was at the u-scan. I tried to stop him from talking by just not responding to what he was saying and trying to converse with the customer instead, but he kept arguing in front of her.
He trained a new CC recently (why management picked him to train her is beyond me) and he lied to her about how long he had been with Kroger--he told her he had been working at Kroger twice as long as he actually had.
One of my many breaking points with this kid happened a couple of weeks ago when he gave me a stern look and said "you were supposed to work yesterday", as if he was a manager. I then explained to him that our FES accidentally added my name to his unofficial schedule--the official/master schedule in the store said I was off. Another breaking point was when I was checking out a customer and he interrupted me to ask if I took my break and to tell me when my shift ended that day, as if I didn't know.
I have more stories about him but those are some recent ones. I'm sure many of you have had coworkers worse than this kid, so who's the one person you'd like to see fired in your store?
I suggest you be nice to him. He is a prime candidate for a store manager. He likes to delegate tasks, exaggerates facts, constantly reminds co workers of simple things they should know and always right even if he is wrong. He will be enrolled in the MD1 program in no time. :)
He will definitely be a FEM or CSM soon. Most of the ones I have crossed paths with are obnoxious.
Seriously tho, don't let him get under your skin. He might be trying to be helpful but coming across in bad form. He might be one of the few that love their job and wants to do the best job possible for Kroger. It is very tacky to argue or cause a scene in front of customers. That I would discuss with the FEM first if it happens again and then a store manager if no action is taken. The store manager should step in and make sure he understands Kroger has a Customer First policy. They come there to shop not for drama. After that, you can file a grievance with the union. You did the right thing to try and not escalate conversation.
I come across as harsh to my coworkers. I am direct and don't beat around the bush. My goal is excellence from everyone on my team. I can also step back and apologize if I do something wrong.
Just ignore him. If you and your fellow employees know what you are doing ignore him 100%. Don't say "I know my job" as that can and will backfire. That's happened at my store when someone said that to an employee similar to the guy you work with. Now this guy "has it out" for the one who said that to him and goes out if his way to cause minor "problems"
