No drinks (incl. water) allowed at cash registers for cashiers

offSaturdays · Member

No drinks (incl. water) allowed at cash registers for cashiers

BagBoy · Guru

It is a policy from corporate. Some stores are just very lax at enforcement of the subject.

GenesisOne · Guru

It's a policy that is sometimes enforced, sometimes not enforced. Our previous CSM absolutely, positively forbid any food/drink around the register and if she caught you doing it, you were firmly instructed to "get rid of it". At the time, it was selectively enforced by some supervisors, with some being more strict than others. Our current CSM pretty much lets people do what they want, including eat/drink while on the register even though in packets he recently gave everyone it's outlined that no food or drink is permitted when on a register.

store815 · Guru

We have that rule but no ones follows it..

Date: Feb 23, 2013

Keep asking to go get a drink until it annoys them enough to stop enforcing the policy. Encourage your fellow cashiers to do the same.

Date: Feb 23, 2013

Bring in a note from your doctor stating that you need acess to fluids during your shift.

offSaturdays · Member

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions! It's good to know it's not a csm making this up entirely. We've had a new one lately and some people probably have turned their station into a personal cafeteria at times, lol, so I can somewhat understand the enforcement if they have that rule established by corporate already.

Date: Feb 23, 2013

We've had this policy for months.

I notice some don't strickly follow it because I find have consumed drinks wrapped in receipts with 'paid' stickers on them.

4hourrush · Guru

I don't think anyone in the store is following that. They told us no drinks in the bakery and yet everyone still brings one, and just hides it under a counter. :P

Date: Feb 23, 2013

4hourrush wrote:
I don't think anyone in the store is following that. They told us no drinks in the bakery and yet everyone still brings one, and just hides it under a counter. :P

Well thats one way to fail the health inspection

Date: Feb 24, 2013

My store is pretty relaxed about water. Some cashiers have even asked baggers to buy starbucks water for them

thedude · Guru

this will all blow over in a few days. then one person will bring a soda to the register; then another; then everybody will see them two and will bring theirs. next thing it will be back to normal.

Date: Feb 24, 2013

It's funny how places get these things wrong all the time.

Health codes are different in every state of course, but generally, there is only a restriction on food and drinks in food prep areas. Cashiers definitely aren't included. Not eating makes sense, as thats messy, and what do you do when customers come up? "Sorry let me swallow my food first!". But no water? Thats actually an OSHA violation.

The rules for food prep areas (produce, meat dept. etc) are only that there be a designated "Drinks" area, and that all containers must have A) a lid and B) a straw. That way there is no risk of saliva or beverage being transfered to your hands, or to food products. I've had it both ways, some store directors etc. that go on hunts to find drinks in peoples coolers or areas, even if they're set up properly, and throw fits if they find any. Others could care less and just say hide them when a FSR is coming.

Where I work now is totally on the other end of the scale! There are no FSRs. Of course the Oregon department of agriculture or the USDA could come, but we have no internal or company-paid inspections to come check up on us. Drinks? Who cares. We all have water, coffee, soda, etc. Not even in "proper" cups either!

thedude · Guru

to the anon poster above me... i hear what you're saying but if Kroger doesn't want the cashiers to have drinks at the registers then thats the rule. i really doubt its an OSHA issue but if you show me the source i'd love to see it. anyways - the cash register is a damn computer. you shouldnt be guzzling coffee and such around them. not to mention the mere unattractiveness of employees drinking. now i bring my cup of coffee in all the time. as a matter of fact, i just remembered that i left my cup in the damn microwave in the deli! CRAP

Date: Feb 25, 2013

I can remotely understand saying no beverages at cash registers, ie no coffee or soda or anything. Water is a whole different can of worms.

This is from the OSHA FAQ :

Question: Can an employer refuse to allow workers to drink water, make workers pay for water, or not allow water under any circumstances?

Employers cannot refuse to allow employees to drink water or require employees to pay for water that is provided. However, employees may not consume beverages (including water) in a toilet room or in any area exposed to a toxic material.

OSHA's Sanitation standard states that "potable water shall be provided in all places of employment, for drinking, washing of the person, cooking, washing of foods, washing of cooking or eating utensils, washing of food preparation or processing premises, and personal service rooms." See OSHA's Sanitation standard for more information.

techelite · Guru

From what I have seen, most front ends have a storage closet somewhere close to the registers. Store management can definitely keep food and water away from the register as long as they can store at least water in that closet and not have any harmful substances close by.

thedude · Guru

Fishy wrote:
Question: Can an employer refuse to allow workers to drink water, make workers pay for water, or not allow water under any circumstances?
Employers cannot refuse to allow employees to drink water or require employees to pay for water that is provided. However, employees may not consume beverages (including water) in a toilet room or in any area exposed to a toxic material.

ok so the employer must let you drink water. that is why there is a water fountain by the rest room. it doesnt mean that the employee can have bottled water at their work station.

4hourrush · Guru

But when someone's running register, they can't be going back and forth to the water fountain can they?

nocturnia · Guru

A question: Where the fk did common sense go?

Date: Feb 28, 2013

just get a doctors note that you need water, thats what cashiers at my store do. that or just tell your supervisor you need to get a drink of water, they can't say no.

it's annoying but i do see why it's enforced, especially with food. i know a cashier who was eating candy between customers and, lo and behold, with all the interactions with customers money, keys, meat products, etc. they got some sort of bug and they were puking for a few days!

thedude · Guru

damn it! this is what's fundamentally wrong with the american work force. people who need to eat, drink and go sh+t every 1/2 hour. COME ON!

Date: Jun 3, 2015

Well, I get kidney stones and bladder infections from not staying hydrated. I work in south Florida where it is extremely hot and we are not allowed bottled water at our workstation. it is a known fact that you need to drink water for all of your joints as well. Even a note from the doctor didn't help. They still said no. In season here, there is no leaving your register. It is non stop all day. There is no way there is anyone around to relieve me to be able to go to the nasty drinking fountain. Terrible water and talk about picking up disease! Sorry, but I think it is cruel and unusual punishment to not be able to have a drink of water. As for custiomers seeing you take a drink...I think they appreciate the fact we need to stay hydrated. I would not be offended if a cashier needed a drink of water!

Date: Jun 3, 2015

If you have legitimate medical issues and supply a doctor's note they should not be allowed to refuse you. When I was pregnant I ended up dehydrated because we couldn't have drinks in the bakery. I got a doctor's note and my store and department manager both said they would have let me have the water without a note but they just wanted one for when/if a health inspector came through. It did have a lid and straw.

Date: Aug 12, 2020

What about not allowing cashiers water when we are forced to wear these damn masks???

EUID_Unknown · Guru

So wearing masks make you more thirsty?

mega-kitteh · Guru

We have a "no-food, no- drink" policy. But we ALWAYS keep a CLOSED water bottle policy accepted as well. As long as the bottle is kept closed and under the register it's not a problem. Not everyone can just up and leave in the middle of a transaction just to get a drink.
And like it's been stated, if you have a doctors note saying that you need access to fluids, no exceptions, then there is nothing the company can do.

Date: Aug 13, 2020

Hasn't anyone ever heard of making sure you've had enough to eat and drink before you start your shift? When I was a checker, no one would even think of having food or drink in their checklane. People have become attached to their water bottles the same way a baby becomes attached to its bottle.

Date: Aug 15, 2020

Kill yourself.

Date: Oct 12, 2022

Pretty much this is truth. no common sense and a lot of this is relatively new. Im seeing this at my work. Im retired military I think adults should have a drink at their register. im not offended by it at all as a customer and nobody should. It wasnt all that long ago people smoked at their work inside. Chewing tobacco is a nastier habit and it was common In society. Even movies on civil war to wwII you saw people chewing and spitting while their superours were talking. Chewing tobacco goes back to 1400s or so. Military took till 2007 folks to make it illegal to smoke or chew in non designated areas On base. Its a mess we should be worried about nonalcoholic drinks as well.

Date: Oct 14, 2022

This policy has always been. It's up to management to enforce it or not. No biggy just go to your dr and request a dr note. Legally they can't refuse it so long as it is reasonable to the function of the business. This job gives you health insurance just go to an in-network dr and get one. It takes but your will to schedule an appointment. A lot of companies I've worked for do this.

Date: Oct 14, 2022

Anonymous wrote:
This policy has always been. It's up to management to enforce it or not. No biggy just go to your dr and request a dr note. Legally they can't refuse it so long as it is reasonable to the function of the business. This job gives you health insurance just go to an in-network dr and get one. It takes but your will to schedule an appointment. A lot of companies I've worked for do this.

No drinks period. they can spill on the machine and ruin it. Drink and piss before your shift. End of discussion PERIOD

mega-kitteh · Guru

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
This policy has always been. It's up to management to enforce it or not. No biggy just go to your dr and request a dr note. Legally they can't refuse it so long as it is reasonable to the function of the business. This job gives you health insurance just go to an in-network dr and get one. It takes but your will to schedule an appointment. A lot of companies I've worked for do this.
No drinks period. they can spill on the machine and ruin it. Drink and piss before your shift. End of discussion PERIOD

A doctor's note will override what they say about the No Water. But you must keep it in a spill proof container and store it below the checkstand. That's what we do. We cant have anything other than water in the checkstands.

Date: Feb 1, 2023

Today while working for meijer I was told I could not have a small bottle of water on my person while working. I work pricing and the breakdown half way across the building. Im 70 years old and pre diabetic and need to drink water. I cannot run back and forth to the break room just for a sip of water. Others dont even try to conceal their water containers. Ive seen employees drinking pop and other drinks on them. They even wear iPods which is prohibited but no one says anything. I was told to get a dr. Note, it cant get an appointment for another two weeks so Ill let them know I wont be working u til then. I have never missed a day of work and just the other day 7 employees called in.

Date: Feb 2, 2023

This rule has always been it's up to management to enforce it or not. Generally they do not enforce it. The only time they enforce it is when staff have too many cups scattered and/or are eating on the floor. Big deal juts go to your dr and ask them to write a dr note allowing water at desk/kiosk. I did that and I can legally sue if they take it away from me. So long as it's hidden, out of site and you don't drink in front of the customers it's okay.

A couple of years ago we had a cashier spill a 48 oz drink down a checkstand scale and it destroyed the entire scale. They only enforced the no drinks at post rule for about 6 months then the heat was off.

Date: Feb 11, 2023

I dont care about your machines I have a bit of vodka In my drinks when Im on the registers and its staying we me when I need to drink on. Saps!