Gave my third or so "one on one" talk with a guy in my department today. It's been the first in some time - mainly due to not seeing him as he works the evening shift. My aggravation begins when him not doing what he is supposed to at night, which is to fill all tables 2 layers before he leaves. We have a pretty small produce department and it is not difficult or time consuming whatsoever to blitz all the tables and fill them nice and neatly at night before he leaves, especially since I hand him a great, completely full produce department before I leave with cardboard and trash emptied. Yet it's like every morning I'll come in and have to finish what he didn't do last night and it is honestly driving me up a wall. No rotation, product in back to fill low and hole spots, yet there is always at least 2 carts full of product that is loaded every morning that should have been worked the previous night. I'm honestly to the point that I just wish he'd quit and we could get someone else. Because management never holds anyone in our department accountable besides the DH/backup despite our complaints about this guy for the past several months.
I'm only worried about him going to management to complain about me or file a grievance or mention me in his exit interview if he does quit.
And before anyone suggests that I work with him in the evening more - I have, plenty of times. He's been in the department for over a year so he is not "new" by any means. He knows exactly what needs to be done but simply refuses to do it. Lack of motivation is what I think it is.
Your produce department sounds like just about every produce department in Kroger...Other departments may be experiencing the same things, too...
Is he a younger guy? Older guys are not necessarily immune from this, but we've gone through so many younger guys in the past who just couldn't fit the bill...Is there a "lack of a work ethic" epidemic out there or is it just me???
Your produce department sounds like just about every produce department in Kroger...Other departments may be experiencing the same things, too...
Is he a younger guy? Older guys are not necessarily immune from this, but we've gone through so many younger guys in the past who just couldn't fit the bill...Is there a "lack of a work ethic" epidemic out there or is it just me???
Yep, he is pretty young. And immature honestly. It pisses me off. I don't know if managers just let him slide because he is young (despite being the department for over a year) or they know I will simply come back the next morning and do his job + mine. I'm going to start taking pictures of the department every morning and I told him that too. I will take an after picture too. Something's got to give. I wish he would quit honestly or be finally moved to the front end, something that was supposed to happen months ago also. Nobody is held accountable except for DH/backups in this store, LITERALLY. Regular clerks can do whatever the F they want.
I would take pics for evidence then conduct a meeting with your dept head and store manager and bring it to their attention. Tell them that his work is affecting the freshness and instock score which should be a priority to them especially since he is working later in the day which is prumetime hours
And before anyone suggests that I work with him in the evening more - I have, plenty of times. He's been in the department for over a year so he is not "new" by any means. He knows exactly what needs to be done but simply refuses to do it. Lack of motivation is what I think it is.
You just said what the issue is "Lack of motivation". So motivate him! Find out what it is that will get him moving and use that.
As far as I know, we don't get paid for doing nothing, although some people might like to think so...One must EARN their paycheck, as most people aren't just handed money for free without doing SOMETHING to get it! I just worked with my produce manager and a couple of other guys at night (a rarity for all four of us) and I think everything really gelled and all the tasks got done! I think we all kinda prodded each other on a bit more, too! The key is knowing what each person's strengths are and giving them the opportunities to work to their strengths...It takes time and patience, too! Produce is not an easy department, but when you work as a team (that is WITH each other and not AGAINST each other), so much more gets done!
Of course, if your guy shows no improvements in a month, all bets are off! He does need to know what's expected, though! You can't sugar-coat the work involved! If he can't fit the bill, I'm sure there is someone else SOMEWHERE who can!
