Management called me in to cover a shift and said I would be rewarded with a pop card. The next day I came in to work and no pop card. So, I said typical. So, I wrote one out for myself to my myself. Thanks for coming in and covering a shift. Well, three day's later I'm now, suspended for misuse of a uplift card and am now waiting a hearing to see if I can get my job of 4 years back. I didn't try and hide it, I could have wrote someone else's name on it. I was trying to prove a point. I don't remember them ever stating a policy on the uplift cards, before. Have any of you?
What is an uplift card? I've never heard of them but it sounds like it might be similar to the Wow bucks here where there's 2 different types, one to buy stuff on the website (random things like tote bags and water bottles etc) or the one where it's $5 off a purchase. It sounds like they tried bribing you into working and then conveniently *forgot* to give you your card........ if it's not mentioned in the contract i don't see how they can suspend you for something like that.
An uplift card, is a reward card for $2 to buy a soda or what ever. All employees can make them out to each other if they helped a customer or another employee.
Although I've been fortunate enough to have never been in any real trouble, I've learned one thing during my 20+ years at Kroger: Don't believe anything Kroger tells you. If they promise you something, don't believe them. If they say something is off the record, don't believe them. If they say any information about you or given by you will be kept confidential. don't believe them.
I don't think it would be considered theft, because I still had to pay the remaining balance of my transaction. Which was $1.77. They have never told us a policy on the uplift cards. Management just told us four weeks ago not to allow anyone to buy cigarettes with them. I don't think it should have been a suspension. I think it should have been a verbal, or even a write up.
Sorry but I'm not sure you'll have a case. While I agree with you on the sentiment, you should've just let it go. Seriously. Kroger will fire you for stealing if you take a sip of pop while standing in line to pay for it, while a customer can eat an entire bag of chips and have you scan the wrapper (if they're even honest enough to do that) and Kroger doesn't bat an eye. I saw a 10+ year employee get fired for stealing a few coupons that probably weren't worth more than a few dollars, which is essentially what you did.
I hope I'm wrong and the union can do something for you, but if not then chalk it up to a lesson learned and not to let your anger or emotions get the best of you. (it's easy to do, i've done it all the time with managers.) 4 years is dedication but if you dont get your job back, it's not the end of the world. You'll find a better job and managers that will be nicer to you and follow through with their incentives.
