One of our baggers who is "special needs" was supposed to work until around 5PM today. He came in at 11AM worked two hours clocked out and said he quit. He quit about a month ago and his mom said he could not quit because he was in some kind of program that required him to work. Now today he just walked out. He will NOT be hired back hopefully. Has this ever happened at your store with these individuals? It seems like in our division our managers are being forced to hire these folks (usually thru "Just" People.)
You can't just go around assuming that every special needs employee (I don't know why you put it in quotes either) is terrible because of one employee. Yes, the situation sucks with that individual, but he doesn't represent the entire special need community. Who are you to judge? Intolerant people like you make Kroger and the world a terrible place. Some of our best baggers and cart pushers have been special needs. Be kind to people. Don't make assumptions. Also, refering to them as "these individuals", makes you sound like you're not seeing them as people like everyone else. You sound like a pig and disgust me.
Ok, the above response is slightly out of line. The term "special needs" is a widely used term to refer to anyone needing specialized assistance. If you would like to use a more legal term it would be "reasonable accommodations". The original poster is upset because of a double standard with individuals not being reliable. I have nothing against individuals needing assistance or working in a special program, everyone will have tasks they are good at and others they are not good at. The issue here is reliability, dependability and being hired to perform a specific task. The double standard is: someone being hired not because they are qualified for a position, but rather because they are in a program. I'm not saying being a baggers needs a college degree, but like every job, you have to fill the basic requirements. I have worked with a lot of associates with special needs, some more functioning, other less. The frustration occurs when an individual is given a free pass after free pass just because of their mental ability(when others would be fired, written up, etc), every after coaching. If you want to be politically correct, why are other companies not hiring people of differing abilities? The company is great community leader for doing this, but the frustration occurs with hiring because of the job coach/program and not the individual.
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Anonymous
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RE: THIS is why Kroger should not hire "special needs" people!!
One of our baggers who is "special needs" was supposed to work until around 5PM today. He came in at 11AM worked two hours clocked out and said he quit. He quit about a month ago and his mom said he could not quit because he was in some kind of program that required him to work. Now today he just walked out. He will NOT be hired back hopefully. Has this ever happened at your store with these individuals? It seems like in our division our managers are being forced to hire these folks (usually thru "Just" People.)
I'm going to back you up on this. With respect to the above humanitarian-based sentiments, at day's end, you're trying to do a job. These people (YES, I said it just like that) are designated special needs for valid reasons, and even tho it m o s t l y works out ok having them around, their disabilities drag down the morale and productivity of everyone around them, all who are expected to carry the lost load.
Only reason they're there is because employers get government subsidies. Maybe it's time for y'all to act special needs too
So are you saying that someone not "special needs" cant be unreliable and do this either? anyone could just walk off a job. I think you are judging everyone with special needs by one individual and that is so unfair. This is ugly and you're making a sweeping generalization here. This kinda stuff makes things hard for people like that. Also I doubt this person did this just because he's special needs tbh.
One of our baggers who is "special needs" was supposed to work until around 5PM today. He came in at 11AM worked two hours clocked out and said he quit. He quit about a month ago and his mom said he could not quit because he was in some kind of program that required him to work. Now today he just walked out. He will NOT be hired back hopefully. Has this ever happened at your store with these individuals? It seems like in our division our managers are being forced to hire these folks (usually thru "Just" People.)
I agree to a point. A company wants to stay in business and doesn't want to have to babysit the disabled. We have an employee in our department, that literally said to the manager "**** you. I'm not doing it." The manager did nothing about it because that employee is ADHD and forgot to take their medicine. I said to another employee "I won't be talked to that way, again in front of a customer" and I got my ass chewed. Now that is where it is unfair. I guess I should use the fact that I'm Bipolar and forgot to take my medicine.
The law says 'no discrimination what so ever'. In order to prove you aren't a prejudice company you have to hire a variety. Besides. the disabled don't threaten to sue a company as much as the able.
One of our baggers who is "special needs" was supposed to work until around 5PM today. He came in at 11AM worked two hours clocked out and said he quit. He quit about a month ago and his mom said he could not quit because he was in some kind of program that required him to work. Now today he just walked out. He will NOT be hired back hopefully. Has this ever happened at your store with these individuals? It seems like in our division our managers are being forced to hire these folks (usually thru "Just" People.)
I agree to a point. A company wants to stay in business and doesn't want to have to babysit the disabled. We have an employee in our department, that literally said to the manager "**** you. I'm not doing it." The manager did nothing about it because that employee is ADHD and forgot to take their medicine. I said to another employee "I won't be talked to that way, again in front of a customer" and I got my ass chewed. Now that is where it is unfair. I guess I should use the fact that I'm Bipolar and forgot to take my medicine.
The law says 'no discrimination what so ever'. In order to prove you aren't a prejudice company you have to hire a variety. Besides. the disabled don't threaten to sue a company as much as the able.
The law does say "No Discrimination", but the law does not say to go against the job requirement or company policies. All companies have established policies/rules and job descriptions to eliminate a double standard that address requirement for employment (following Gov. Laws, etc). The law states "Reasonable accommodations" only in job duties, if an associates is unable to perform the duties or tells an employer they are not going to perform their job duties, it does not matter what mental abilities they have. People forget to realize no employer has any requirement to keep any associate if they do not meet the job requirements. Employers only get in trouble when they are not following their own rules /laws and establish a double standard. There is a reason why only a few companies employee people with differing mental abilities, mostly because job duties/requirements do not allow it.
Again, I'm not saying the company should not hire people with different mental ability. But the original poster is describing someone that really does not want a job and is only there because their mother/program. The company has unfortunately hired low functioning associates, which has cause a bad impression at times.
Reminds me of one a few years back when I went to Kroger. He was bagging my groceries, when he picked up my ketchup bottle and asked the cashier what time it was. She told him and then he placed the ketchup bottle back down on the table and walked away, without saying a word... or even bagging the bottle of ketchup... I was like, wtf? The cashier told me he was hired through some program - probably like the one mentioned here - and that he had to stick to a strict schedule or he would freak out or something, and it was time for his break. I said, "Is he autistic, then?" And she said, "Something like that. I'm not sure." Still could have finished bagging my groceries. That's nonsense. I might even argue that a problem that serious (100% complete lack of any flexibility) should disqualify you from employment.
At least we aren't as bad as [a certain competitor grocery store chain], though, who seems to hire 50% special needs. They have so many weird-acting employees there... Had one cashier there once talking incessantly to the customer in front of me, about nothing at all that made any sense. I was like, oh boy i'm not in the mood for this. Then I picked up a big bag of pet food from the bottom of my cart to hand to him to scan, or scan with the gun, and he said, "Doooon't... eeeeeven... try it!" wtf does that even mean?! I could only assume he thought I was too weak to life the bag or some crap. Then he enters the entire UPC number while i'm holding the darn bag up there, instead of scanning it. Then he said some other strange things to me that made no sense - something about the numbers were running through his head and they were getting him confused... I know which register to not go to in the future.
They have others that talk to themselves, and others that never stop talking to you about nonsense. smh
"Besides. the disabled don't threaten to sue a company as much as the able."
Yeah, someone suggested that [a certain competitor grocery store chain] hires them for that very reason.
Original poster here. Does anyone know if Kroger gets tax credits for hiring these people? I know when I was at Office Depot they got credits for hiring people on welfare (Food Stamps, WIC, etc.)
Yes, I believe every associate hired is screened for the available WOTC (Work Opportunity Tax Credit) when their paper work is processed. Again, the company is going the right thing with hiring ANY qualified individual for their task/job. The issue is hiring just to get bodies in the door and seeing if anything sticks. In reality, I would question how a low functioning special needs person would get past the normal questions in the interview. CORE is actually part of the fix/problem, CORE mandate is to select the most qualified from the available applicants, but the monthly job fairs seems to attract the less qualified.
Yeah! I don't want to be made uncomfortable by "those" people! I'm in a hurry and have places to be! If they "must" work, at least tell them not to speak or make direct eye contact! They should designate "special" checklanes for the "special" cashiers and "special" baggers, to make it easier for ME to know which checklanes to avoid!
Yeah! I don't want to be made uncomfortable by "those" people! I'm in a hurry and have places to be! If they "must" work, at least tell them not to speak or make direct eye contact! They should designate "special" checklanes for the "special" cashiers and "special" baggers, to make it easier for ME to know which checklanes to avoid!
Yikes.
I can't really tell if you're serious or not, I sure hope not. Sorry that everyone isnt perfect or "normal" enough for you.
I am under that "umbrella" of special needs. I have ADHD, borderline personality disorder and anxiety. I do a good job but there are issues I have that make me unable to do certain things, like cashier.
Yeah! I don't want to be made uncomfortable by "those" people! I'm in a hurry and have places to be! If they "must" work, at least tell them not to speak or make direct eye contact! They should designate "special" checklanes for the "special" cashiers and "special" baggers, to make it easier for ME to know which checklanes to avoid!
Yikes.
I can't really tell if you're serious or not, I sure hope not. Sorry that everyone isnt perfect or "normal" enough for you.
I am under that "umbrella" of special needs. I have ADHD, borderline personality disorder and anxiety. I do a good job but there are issues I have that make me unable to do certain things, like cashier.
Hi Dragoness, that poster wasn't serious, they were just being facetious, by imagining what those kind of people might say/write IF they were perfectly honest with us, showing their "I am better than you!" attitude toward special needs employees.
Yeah! I don't want to be made uncomfortable by "those" people! I'm in a hurry and have places to be! If they "must" work, at least tell them not to speak or make direct eye contact! They should designate "special" checklanes for the "special" cashiers and "special" baggers, to make it easier for ME to know which checklanes to avoid!
What a cruel person you must be. I have a special needs son (NOT A TARD!!!) for you to make a comment like that is very uncalled for. He is a wonderful person and works harder than most people, he is always on time and looks forward to doing a good job. Maybe you should take some time to get to know some Special Needs people, they are the most genuine people that you could ever come across. They can't help that they have different issues. just think if you would have had issue like that or your Child. All I can say is you must jut be an awful person to write something like that or very insecure. When I started this reply I really wanted to start yelling at you but instead I have to pity you for your ignorance.
What a cruel person you must be. I have a special needs son (NOT A TARD!!!) for you to make a comment like that is very uncalled for. He is a wonderful person and works harder than most people, he is always on time and looks forward to doing a good job. Maybe you should take some time to get to know some Special Needs people, they are the most genuine people that you could ever come across. They can't help that they have different issues. just think if you would have had issue like that or your Child. All I can say is you must jut be an awful person to write something like that or very insecure. When I started this reply I really wanted to start yelling at you but instead I have to pity you for your ignorance.
I agree. They are the most kindest people on this planet. They deserve and have a right to work just like the rest of us. And usually, not always, depending on the severity of their handicap, they have a job coach that helps keep them on track. If you dont want to work with these individuals you have one option: Quit. If you dont want to quit, deal with it.
Kroger is NOT going to stop hiring special needs people. You might as well get use to it.
One of our baggers who is "special needs" was supposed to work until around 5PM today. He came in at 11AM worked two hours clocked out and said he quit. He quit about a month ago and his mom said he could not quit because he was in some kind of program that required him to work. Now today he just walked out. He will NOT be hired back hopefully. Has this ever happened at your store with these individuals? It seems like in our division our managers are being forced to hire these folks (usually thru "Just" People.)
It sounds like the guy is in the Easter Seals program. Kroger gets some kind of tax break for hiring these people. I actually was in Easter Seals at one time but I was out when I was hired. Kroger was still getting a tax break not all "special needs" are bad. Some are good and I was there for 25 years and there are a few others that have been working one for like 20m years and the other has been there longer than me.
Some things they just have a hard time doing like lot duty they should me exempted from doing that and should only be allowed to work when other baggers are scheduled.
They should not be told to clean the restrooms because of chemicals they may mix them wrong. They just have to be watched. I disagree with you saying they should not be hired.
If they are able to work they should to keep from sitting at home on their butt. I worked it 25 years I am not exactly "special needs" but I do have other disabilities and health issues.
I had to leave because of a some things was stressing me out there is another post on that. But just wanted to say not all "Special Needs" are bad workers.
-- Edited by i386 on Sunday 1st of November 2020 10:17:39 AM
Some of our best baggers and cart pushers have been special needs. Be kind to people. Don't make assumptions. Also, refering to them as "these individuals", makes you sound like you're not seeing them as people like everyone else. You sound like a pig and disgust me. 
