Every now and then I hear about things that aren't allowed except for emergency situations, such as managers running registers and stuff. I'm in a situation right now that I've never heard of, though I don't mind it. Our meat department has been short-staffed for quite a while, and just had 2 people quit at the same time last week. They were down to just 5 people when they need 8 to run the department, meaning the department got to a really bad state. There were holes everywhere, and it was the worst shape I've ever seen the department in. They managed to get someone transferred into our store from another store, and at the same time, they're having me help them out now for the meantime until they can hire someone else.
My store manager told me she's only able to schedule me for that department since it's an emergency situation, and that normally it would have been an issue because of them being under a different contract. Has anyone else ever heard of a situation with someone working in meat department while not being under their contract?
I'm completely fine with it, since I'm pretty much just a floater right now until I recover from my recent surgery. I just thought it was unusual. I've pretty much been moving from department to department right now, filling in as people quit until they can find replacements, while keeping file maintenance as my consistent shifts I do every week.
"Needs of the business" trumps several contract agreements.
Normally, they will bring in help from other stores on overtime until they recover. With the weather getting nice, Meat Departments are busy everywhere.
If the manager was doing anything wrong, someone from another department or the meat department would have filed a grievance by now.
If you are a member of a union, don't let anyone find out you are working under a different contract. Don't you have to be trained or certified to work in the meat department? I didn't think you could just walk in and start working.
"Needs of the business" trumps several contract agreements.
Normally, they will bring in help from other stores on overtime until they recover. With the weather getting nice, Meat Departments are busy everywhere.
If the manager was doing anything wrong, someone from another department or the meat department would have filed a grievance by now.
I do know that several people in the meat department have been working 48 hours a week, and the head has had some weeks recently where he's worked 7 days a week. They're all just happy that I'm there to help them out.
Anonymous wrote:
If you are a member of a union, don't let anyone find out you are working under a different contract. Don't you have to be trained or certified to work in the meat department? I didn't think you could just walk in and start working.
I have no idea if I'm supposed to be trained or anything. All I'm doing is stocking lunchmeat, sausages, breakfast, etc. and that's it. I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not. The first day I worked it, they just brought out a load of backstock, and asked me to work it.
Stocking is fine. But, we had a meat department manager that got all in the manager's face one or two times. The manager kept straightening up the meat, steaks, ground beef etc. Meat dept. mgr told him to keep his hands off the meat or else....actually threatened him the second time he caught him. He used to tell me all about it on our smoke breaks.
I would think as long as they aren't having you cut meat or anything like that it'd be ok.
I might be wrong, but i know we've had a couple deli employees help out in meat/seafood before.
I think what the OP is doing is what everyone starts doing in the meat department.
The Utility Clerk was cleaning the meat cases as directed by the store manager. The Meat Department manager and Seafood Manager forbid him from doing it again because he is under a different contract.
It just depends on who the Department head is and how much they like OT. 7 days a week for months gets old very fast. I bet they are happy to have the help because the OP is a perfect example of "team player". :)
The situation is glaringly obvious: you're being screwed! Kroger management is bending you over the proverbial barrel, and it's time they pay the piper. That means h.q. gets SUED! There is a little known codicil in the law known as the Chatham Statute that allows for single case tort action---and THAT, my friend, is where I can help you!
Contact me IMMEDIATELY to set you on your way to a BIG FAT PAY CHECK!!!
