Worked for Kroger since 2008. My boss hates me. What to do?

Date: Aug 4, 2015

Worked for Kroger since 2008. My boss hates me. What to do?

Lord_Uboat · Guru

I'm amazed someone who has remained a bagger 7 years was able to earn a degree. Most people become cashier within 3-6 months.

kroagrr · Guru

You tell a compelling story that, assuming you can do the cashiering work, suggests possible discrimination.

Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits employers of 15 or more workers, employment agencies, and labor organizations of 15 or more workers from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities. -- http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/discrimination/disabilitydisc.htm

It's always "We're working on bringing in more baggers first," . . .

Meanwhile, in seven years, how many other folks have been made cashiers?

If your contract is like the one I'm familiar with, the company has kept you at stagnant $7.XX an hour and off the ascending wage scale for seven years.

What does your union representative say?

Have you made your request to be a cashier in writing? If your contract specifies something like copies to district manager and union, do that, too.

My boss saw me ringing up a customer and immediately went over to my supervisor and--as she described to me--chastised her using profane language and ordered her to take me off the register.

Get a statement from the supervisor if you can.

Document; get your evidence together, and make your case. I'd want to ask for the promotion, top-scale wage, and back pay.

Good luck.

Date: Aug 5, 2015

Lord_Uboat wrote:
I'm amazed someone who has remained a bagger 7 years was able to earn a degree. Most people become cashier within 3-6 months.

Well let's see. Minimum wage at Kroger doesn't really pay for college does it? So maybe he worked hard and long and never gave up and got his degree! As far as most baggers becoming cashiers in 3 to 6 months? That's simply not true. I understand the intent of your post was to demean the OP, but you never really stated why? Why do you want to attack him? Do you know him? Just having a bad day?

thestruggleisreal · Guru

I like to applaud the OP for sticking it out, getting their degree and working on bettering themselves despite disability. However, what Kroger is doing to you is very much discrimination if they're not putting you on the register yet. Get the union involved, talk to some folks.

Gmwolf · Veteran Member

I call discrimination...why why why, if you wear braces would they do that? That's just mean.

4hourrush · Guru

Yeah, this sounds like discrimination to me. Someone with leg braces being forced to get carts for 7 years? your boss is a horrible human being and why hasn't he been transferred by now is beyond me. at the very least, they seem to transfer the CSMs at my store a lot.

i hope you fight to get moved to being a cashier. and i also wish you good luck in your career too, it sounds like you do have ways out of Kroger forever, even though i do applaud you for sticking it out. :)

Date: Aug 6, 2015

if there is another kroger in the area, transfer.

Nerk · Veteran Member

From the sounds of things, your boss may or may not be a good old fashioned bully. While you said you want to avoid talking to him, I'm afraid this is going to be your only recourse. If you want a cashiering position, you're going to have to talk to this guy about his concerns (assuming there are any). Generally speaking, bullies tend to deflate when you address the issue head on. When I say head on, I don't mean go all "Han****" on the guy, instead phrase it as a) a desire to cashier, b) getting the sense he has some concerns, and c) would he be willing to share those concerns with you so you might get a better understanding. From the sounds of things, no offense intended, you're both playing the passive-aggressive game, and he's much more skilled at it. Forcing the situation, claiming your disability (while valid) would be toeing the line of passive-aggression and will not win you any points with this guy. What WILL win you points is calmly and assertively be like "hey man, I've applied for a cashiering position several times and keep missing out... can/will you clue me in to what's up with all this?" If he gives you a douche bag answer (these sound like or is a variation of "you always"), it's all about him and his warped perspective on the world. Nothing to do about that. HOWEVER, if he splutters or gives you actionable issues, in all likelihood he isn't such a bad guy and at least now you know where you can improve and set about your own personal action plan to do as much! Both worst and best case scenarios, you're going to get some valuable information.

Just my thoughts. Apologies for the annoying level of detail, but it just all seemed like it needed saying as I'm a recovering passive-aggressive myself and can sniff it out right quick!

Nerk · Veteran Member

ok, seriously? I reference a Wil Smith movie and the message board edits me? whatever.

Date: Aug 6, 2015

4hourrush wrote:
Yeah, this sounds like discrimination to me. Someone with leg braces being forced to get carts for 7 years? your boss is a horrible human being and why hasn't he been transferred by now is beyond me. at the very least, they seem to transfer the CSMs at my store a lot.

i hope you fight to get moved to being a cashier. and i also wish you good luck in your career too, it sounds like you do have ways out of Kroger forever, even though i do applaud you for sticking it out. :)

OP was hired on as a courtesy clerk. He was not forced to do this job, he was hired and accepted the job. His complaint is that they will not let him move up to a cashier and keep coming up with excuses when he asks. (Or she, sorry, don't know if op is he or she lol)

I would ask the manager to explain exactly why you were being passed over for the cashier position. In front of a witness. If it's because of your leg braces then I hope he is dumb enough to say it. One Kroger employee sued Kroger for discrimination and won. $400,000 dollars!

4hourrush · Guru

Forced wasn't the right word maybe - they willingly took the job, and it sounds like they CAN do it so that part's ok. But after 7 years there's no reason why they haven't been promoted yet.

Date: Aug 7, 2015

Have you tried transferring to a different department all together? Pretty much anywhere is better than the front end.

Date: Aug 7, 2015

4hourrush wrote:
Forced wasn't the right word maybe - they willingly took the job, and it sounds like they CAN do it so that part's ok. But after 7 years there's no reason why they haven't been promoted yet.

Could be his availability. He was in school and now has two other part time jobs.

BagBoy · Guru

From my perspective the only way you're going to be moved to a "better" position is to go through your manager. He's obviously the one holding you in your current spot and is the only one who can get you out of it.

In all honesty being a bagger isn't all that bad unless you get cross trained. Your job is simple and you don't need to worry about anywhere else in the store. Once you get numbers you're not going to become a cashier you're going to become a cross trained bagger and will be expected to do the job of a cashier and a bagger on a regular basis.

Is it really worth that headache?

Date: Aug 8, 2015

BagBoy wrote:
From my perspective the only way you're going to be moved to a "better" position is to go through your manager. He's obviously the one holding you in your current spot and is the only one who can get you out of it.

In all honesty being a bagger isn't all that bad unless you get cross trained. Your job is simple and you don't need to worry about anywhere else in the store. Once you get numbers you're not going to become a cashier you're going to become a cross trained bagger and will be expected to do the job of a cashier and a bagger on a regular basis.

Is it really worth that headache?

So true. The more you learn, the more they make you do. I started as cashier at night and I always had two baggers, one on carts one inside bagging, cleaning, etc. Then it was one bagger and me so I had to cashier and bag all the groceries. Fast forward to three years later, I was having to run the floor, cashier, and bag groceries. That's three peoples jobs. When I transferred to Drug/GM I was repeatedly called up front to for surge help because I was a cashier. Of course I had to complete my drug/gm work too. When you are all the way in the back room and you have to stop and walk all the way to the front over and over and over again it flat wears you out!

BagBoy · Guru

Anonymous wrote:
BagBoy wrote:
From my perspective the only way you're going to be moved to a "better" position is to go through your manager. He's obviously the one holding you in your current spot and is the only one who can get you out of it.

In all honesty being a bagger isn't all that bad unless you get cross trained. Your job is simple and you don't need to worry about anywhere else in the store. Once you get numbers you're not going to become a cashier you're going to become a cross trained bagger and will be expected to do the job of a cashier and a bagger on a regular basis.

Is it really worth that headache?
So true. The more you learn, the more they make you do. I started as cashier at night and I always had two baggers, one on carts one inside bagging, cleaning, etc. Then it was one bagger and me so I had to cashier and bag all the groceries. Fast forward to three years later, I was having to run the floor, cashier, and bag groceries. That's three peoples jobs. When I transferred to Drug/GM I was repeatedly called up front to for surge help because I was a cashier. Of course I had to complete my drug/gm work too. When you are all the way in the back room and you have to stop and walk all the way to the front over and over and over again it flat wears you out!

I regularly train new cashiers, baggers, and supervisors all while being classified as a bagger. I run the floor all the time when i'm there watching for backed up lines, opening, yelling for help, cash checks, run breaks (yes, even supervisors), clear the lot, clean registers, do gobacks, AND markdown product the grocery/DSD clerks didn't get to that day.

All in a single shift. I'm a superman, i know.

GenesisOne · Guru

BagBoy wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
BagBoy wrote:
From my perspective the only way you're going to be moved to a "better" position is to go through your manager. He's obviously the one holding you in your current spot and is the only one who can get you out of it.

In all honesty being a bagger isn't all that bad unless you get cross trained. Your job is simple and you don't need to worry about anywhere else in the store. Once you get numbers you're not going to become a cashier you're going to become a cross trained bagger and will be expected to do the job of a cashier and a bagger on a regular basis.

Is it really worth that headache?
So true. The more you learn, the more they make you do. I started as cashier at night and I always had two baggers, one on carts one inside bagging, cleaning, etc. Then it was one bagger and me so I had to cashier and bag all the groceries. Fast forward to three years later, I was having to run the floor, cashier, and bag groceries. That's three peoples jobs. When I transferred to Drug/GM I was repeatedly called up front to for surge help because I was a cashier. Of course I had to complete my drug/gm work too. When you are all the way in the back room and you have to stop and walk all the way to the front over and over and over again it flat wears you out!
I regularly train new cashiers, baggers, and supervisors all while being classified as a bagger. I run the floor all the time when i'm there watching for backed up lines, opening, yelling for help, cash checks, run breaks (yes, even supervisors), clear the lot, clean registers, do gobacks, AND markdown product the grocery/DSD clerks didn't get to that day.
All in a single shift. I'm a superman, i know.

If you are classified as a bagger, your store management/CSM can get into some deep you-know-what with the union if the union is made aware of you performing higher-paying jobs that aren't a part of your job classification. When you are classified as a bagger, all you are supposed to be doing is bagging/carts/go-backs/cleaning and that's it.

They are really exploiting you, more so than the typical employee, and that's saying something considering this company's treatment of its employees.

Date: Aug 9, 2015

Thanks for all of your feedback and suggestions.

I've sent a complaint to the ethics website and I've gotten a hold of the witness who was a previous supervisor. Once I get her statement in writing and on audio via my smartphone, I will be talking to a lawyer and taking the necessary steps to bring forth a lawsuit. I absolutely believe that there is discrimination happening.

I will update to let you know if anything changes.

Thanks.

BagBoy · Guru

GenesisOne wrote:
BagBoy wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
BagBoy wrote:
From my perspective the only way you're going to be moved to a "better" position is to go through your manager. He's obviously the one holding you in your current spot and is the only one who can get you out of it.

In all honesty being a bagger isn't all that bad unless you get cross trained. Your job is simple and you don't need to worry about anywhere else in the store. Once you get numbers you're not going to become a cashier you're going to become a cross trained bagger and will be expected to do the job of a cashier and a bagger on a regular basis.

Is it really worth that headache?
So true. The more you learn, the more they make you do. I started as cashier at night and I always had two baggers, one on carts one inside bagging, cleaning, etc. Then it was one bagger and me so I had to cashier and bag all the groceries. Fast forward to three years later, I was having to run the floor, cashier, and bag groceries. That's three peoples jobs. When I transferred to Drug/GM I was repeatedly called up front to for surge help because I was a cashier. Of course I had to complete my drug/gm work too. When you are all the way in the back room and you have to stop and walk all the way to the front over and over and over again it flat wears you out!
I regularly train new cashiers, baggers, and supervisors all while being classified as a bagger. I run the floor all the time when i'm there watching for backed up lines, opening, yelling for help, cash checks, run breaks (yes, even supervisors), clear the lot, clean registers, do gobacks, AND markdown product the grocery/DSD clerks didn't get to that day.
All in a single shift. I'm a superman, i know.
If you are classified as a bagger, your store management/CSM can get into some deep you-know-what with the union if the union is made aware of you performing higher-paying jobs that aren't a part of your job classification. When you are classified as a bagger, all you are supposed to be doing is bagging/carts/go-backs/cleaning and that's it.
They are really exploiting you, more so than the typical employee, and that's saying something considering this company's treatment of its employees.

I'm classified as a cashier. If I wasn't getting raises I wouldn't be doing all that other stuff.

Date: Aug 10, 2015

BagBoy wrote:

I regularly train new cashiers, baggers, and supervisors all while being classified as a bagger. I run the floor all the time when i'm there watching for backed up lines, opening, yelling for help, cash checks, run breaks (yes, even supervisors), clear the lot, clean registers, do gobacks, AND markdown product the grocery/DSD clerks didn't get to that day.
All in a single shift. I'm a superman, i know.
I'm classified as a cashier. If I wasn't getting raises I wouldn't be doing all that other stuff.

Bagboy - you stated you train while being classified as a bagger. Then in a later post, you state you are classified as a cashier. I'm not sure you even know your classification. I'm also having a hard time believing you are a superman LOL!

BagBoy · Guru

Anonymous wrote:
BagBoy wrote:

I regularly train new cashiers, baggers, and supervisors all while being classified as a bagger. I run the floor all the time when i'm there watching for backed up lines, opening, yelling for help, cash checks, run breaks (yes, even supervisors), clear the lot, clean registers, do gobacks, AND markdown product the grocery/DSD clerks didn't get to that day.
All in a single shift. I'm a superman, i know.
I'm classified as a cashier. If I wasn't getting raises I wouldn't be doing all that other stuff.
Bagboy - you stated you train while being classified as a bagger. Then in a later post, you state you are classified as a cashier. I'm not sure you even know your classification. I'm also having a hard time believing you are a superman LOL!

i've always been classified as front end/clerk. aka cashier. i did start out doing bagging for the first week :P

the_outlaw2011 · Veteran Member

If you end up filing a lawsuit, management will retaliate. They will watch you like a hawk so they can catch you violate some rule so they can call you upstairs, tell you to close the door, then fire you and send you home. And knowing how Kroger hates whistleblowers, they will most likely "red flag" you.