I received a "verbal warning" at work.

[no_hypocrisy]

A customer accused me of not smiling and that I told her to bag her own groceries.*

Aside from allegedly performing my job duties pleasantly without a broad smile, I would never tell a customer to bag groceries. Even if s/he brought in his/her own bags, I always ask if s/he would prefer if s/he bagged or if I should go ahead. The second accusation never happened. (Trust me, I've been working almost 50 years and I own my mistakes/transgressions.)

I had to sign a paper (with a witness!) that I had been addressed to this matter by my supervisor. It's in my permanent personnel file.

Aside from the outrage of both having a customer make unfounded accusations against me and my supervisor remonstrating me for this **, the takeaway is that 1) I can kiss away any hope of a promotion from cashier, and 2) I can get fired at the whim (and amusement) of any given customer.

* The customer is unknown to me. For my five hours, I had no difficult customers with complaints, looking for arguments, etc. None.

** Even if I didn't smile, I'm wearing a mask. My mouth is hidden. I am not sullen or bad-tempered.

[hlthe2b]

1. How can you be accused of not smiling if you were wearing a mask?

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Thank you!

Maybe my eyes weren't crinkled . . . . .

[True Blue American]

11. I was once reading a letter that a customer

Turned in telling Personnel what a pleasure it was for me to wait on her, how many good suggestions I always provided, earning my first diamond. I was getting rubies.

A customer complained to Personnel I ignored her. She was not even in my area. Way across the aisle. Personnel thought it was funny.

High/ Low.

[mitch96]

3. Have a friend write a letter to the company saying what a good employee you are

and they are lucky to have you.. Don't do it right away so as to not point suspicion.. Then have a customer tell the manager who wrote you up how helpful you were.. Get a geezer not your age... Two can play at this game...
m

[COL Mustard]

4. At My Local Grocery (Giant, Northern VA)

There are signs stating that if you bring a reusable bag, the store employees will not bag your groceries. They will only bag for you if you use the store bags. I guess it's a safety issue.

I use the scanner and self-checkout, and it usually makes things easier and faster.

[Fla Dem]

24. Local Winn-Dixie doesn't allow their baggers to bag if you bring reusable bags

I guess because of the pandemic. I don't really care, I don't mind bagging myself. I do find it ludicrous though. They don't let the baggers/cashiers touch reusable bags, but have no problem with them handling money all day that has been touched by many, many people.

[captain queeg]

5. Hmm. Did you have any article of clothing that indicated your political leanings?

Kind of sounds like a set up but I don’t know all the details. Things I read makes it sound like groceries are hard pressed to find employees right now so makes it doubly strange.

[no_hypocrisy]

7. Nothing. We are required to wear jeans or khakis, white sneakers, and

store-issued Tees or sweatshirts with a logo. I don't talk politics or anything about the store or even personal nonsense during my breaks. I try to fly under the radar as that's what I've learned from past job experiences.

The thing that bugs me is when you have a "difficult customer," you remember that incident, what was said, etc. I had zero yesterday or for a week, actually.

[True Blue American]

12. No, some people

Are just like that. I once was in line behind an older woman. She criticized everything the young girl did. I could not stay silent. I told the woman to quit hassling the girl, she did not get paid enough to treated that way. She quit while the girl had to hide her smile!

[Hotler]

6. Next time you're asked to sign something like that with an employer tell them

my attorney has advised me not to sign anything like this until he is present or has reviewed it. And as a reminder, never, ever talk to a cop unless you have an attorney present.

[safeinOhio]

8. +1

[True Blue American]

13. I was told to never sign anything that was deregatory

To me. Of course I was only working part time, because I enjoyed selling cosmetics. It is a whole lot different when you need the work. I know what people go through. Reason I always thank those who wait on me. And explain on the phone when upset that I know and make it clear I do not blame them..

[TigressDem]

9. HOW ABOUT...volunteer to have your actions video taped so you can prove your innocence going forward

It will show your boss you are an above and beyond type of employee committed to transparency.

AND that if in a 30 day period your behavior is in 100% compliance as you know it will be, then the item gets removed from your record.

BONUS if the person tries it again, you WILL have proof of their lies.


Just a thought.

[True Blue American]

15. You can not do that in a grocery

If they have no Union. One reason I shop Kroger and Meijer. Both have Unions. Others are at the mercy of their employer!

[TigressDem]

28. I don't know all the legalities, but if it is voluntary vs mandatory, I think it can happen.

I can see how Unions would monitor such and make sure it was equally and fairly applied.

I also know that Wal-Mart does video their Money Center team. Does Wal-Mart have a union?

Maybe grocery and money center are under different laws. Not sure.

ANY WAY. A person could ask. If you don't ask, the answer is ALWAYS NO.

[Phoenix61]

10. I had something similar happen working express lane.

Rang customer up. Bagged their groceries. Customer’s friend comes up with something she wanted to add to the order, obviously can’t because it’s already been paid for. They go back and forth on whether or not to get item so I engage the next customer in line. First customer says she’ll get back in line. All of two customers. Next thing I know the manager tells me a customer told her I made her get back in line to add an item to her order. Argh. Most folks are nice but dang... there’s some doozies out there.

[True Blue American]

14. Probably voted for Trump.

Delusions of Grandeur!

[Phoenix61]

16. Considering where I live that is pretty much a given. nt

[niyad]

17. Is your store Union? If so, where was your union rep?

[no_hypocrisy]

18. Not only NOT union, but during Orientation, we had to watch a video

that "warned" us not to even consider speaking in private about forming a union.

[niyad]

19. Oh my word. Is that sort of intimidation even legal?

[no_hypocrisy]

22. I suppose it is as the message required extrapolation, connecting the dots.

It didn't outright say Don't Form A Union Or Else.

[niyad]

23. I am so very glad that my grocery store is Union.

[Freddie]

20. How's the job market in your area?

Brush up your resume.

[Niagara]

21. Never sign anything that contains false accusations against you.

Never sign anything that contains false accusations against you. You most likely lost all of your human rights by signing this piece of paper. I honestly don't know if you can do anything about it now since you signed.



Never sign anything that gives up your human rights. You don't need to give them a reason, you just tell them I'm not signing this!



Also, if a supervisor goes up to each employee and wants them to sign a piece of paper saying that you won't file a lawsuit in the future for breathing in ABC chemical, you don't have to sign that either. When you sign, you actually give up your human rights.

[stevil]

25. Are you asking for opinions or help here?

I can help if you need some. Not a lawyer but familiar with progressive discipline in the workplace.

[no_hypocrisy]

26. Thank you for your offer, but no thank you.

Just venting.

[stevil]

27. Ok

Sometimes it's necessary to document even the best people especially when an "incident" is reported by a guest. I wouldn't lose sleep over it especially if it's the first one.

[True Blue American]

32. This is the place to do it!:)

[Phentex]

30. I thought this was a parody thread for a moment...

you know how someone vents in the lounge and then another poster posts something about that vent?

Then I realized you are serious and the thread I thought about was actually on my Nextdoor app. Someone just posted about an unfriendly cashier who also told them to bag their own groceries. They complained to the manager. They criticized the store in general.

Your manager sounds awful. Is there no one above them to appeal to this warning?

[no_hypocrisy]

31. No, this is serious and it really happened.

And no, unfortunately this is what it is. No appeal. I'd change my attitude if it weren't irrelevant.

[no_hypocrisy]

33. Phentex, I need a favor:

More information. Was this store in NJ and what was the date of the post please?

[Phentex]

34. No. I'm in Atlanta and I think it was posted yesterday...

I went to the thread and it's got 106 replies with everything from comparing grocery stores to who to blame for the vaccine rollout! Typical Nextdoor.

How strange that the topic is so close to what you experienced!

[no_hypocrisy]

35. Was it a local Atlanta store or just stores generally?

And where can I find that post on Nextdoor? Under what category and heading PLEASE . . . ?????

[Phentex]

37. a local store...

it's on a neighborhood app and now it's dragged the mayor into it and several posts have been deleted. It's too big to wade through at this point. Not sure how it would help you. It was just such a strange feeling to read yours here after seeing that one there.

[no_hypocrisy]

38. I agree. A lot of parallels.

I'm up here in NJ. I looked for criticism on our version of your app. Nada. Looked for it on Angie's List, Facebook page, Twitter.

Tomorrow is my first time back at work since my dressing down. I'm going to play it cool. I can only hope that whoever made that complaint doesn't return and lies again about me.

[GoneOffShore]

36. check out the website 'Not Always Right' about customer interactions.

[Stuart G]

39. Kick for visibility...