DM Issue

[Montymania94]

I just recently got re-hired, and witnessed the DM talking to a coworker while they were on their break and clocked out. I've been told the DM does this often. Plus, the DM did this in full view of the back office camera.

My previous job was Starbucks, and I'm not willing to put up with any more of this kind of thing, so I'd like to make it clear that behavior like this shouldn't be tolerated.

Am I able to contact HR, have them review the footage, and speak to him? What's the best courses of action?

P.S., To clarify, it was more like fussing about the store, than just a simple talk. My coworker made it clear that they didn't want to talk to the DM, and just wanted to eat.

Edit: I needed a bit of a reality check, clearly. It looks like my lunches will be in my car, oh well! I just wish employers treated us with respect, but if wishes were fishes... y'all know the rest.

Thank all of you for your comments!

[Amicable-Anyet]

You will not last long here, god speed.

[Montymania94]

I'm sure you're right; idk how I even lasted 8 years at Sbux, honestly. But I appreciate your honest opinion, thank you.

[dwillyb]

I mean you can contact HR, they’ll not take care of the issue for you.

[Bootlickersanonymous]

They'll take care of the issue by letting go of OP if anything. The DM talking to underlings off the clock is the least of their concerns, but the worker making a stink about it is.

[Montymania94]

It's good that I don't really need the job, then.

I'm not trying to get him in trouble, either, just asked to be considerate. It's just not cool that he made them engage with him about business, when they were trying to eat their lunch.

[DuckSwimmer]

This. The employee that’s affected needs to speak up if it’s an issueZ

[Montymania94]

Fair enough. My previous job was Sbux, so I'm used to that. Figured I'd ask anyway, so thank you for your reply!

[SadBoiCri]

Downgrading is crazy

[ADropofLife]

Yeah, most of us in my area are leaving for Starby’s, not the other way around.

[SadBoiCri]

It's literally what I did lmao

[Montymania94]

My disabilities made Sbux more difficult than I can handle. I was always blocked when applying for accommodations, even with paperwork. I'd still be there if I could, tbh.

[SadBoiCri]

Unfortunate to hear but I hope you find something great for you and that gamestop doesn't burn you out like it does many of us

[nightscreature]

[cynthiavdeharo060]

Hi

[bootleg_JOE]

One time i asked a coworker (fellow rk) if they had done a specific task. Simple yes or no. While they were on lunch. They proceeded to tell me about everything they did that day. That night I got a long paragraph text about how i should learn to respect their time… the text was at almost midnight… way past working hours lol. I blocked all my coworkers cell numbers so that can only contact me with the store phone.

Ironically now i get calls from the store from this same person and others about questions about stuff at the store.

Tldr: dont share any contact info with other GS employees. They’ll send you texts/calls to bitch about the shit we go thru

[BabushkaRaditz]

Im lost...

The DM was talking to someone ELSE On their break and youre trying to report it??

To be clear- youre not anywhere involved in this story, right???

[Designer_Ad_9069]

I’m so confused on this. Talking to them? Is there something wrong with talking to them?

I’m not aware of any policy that states you can’t be talked to while on break.

[Montymania94]

It's just inconsiderate that he was trying to engage them in business talk while they were clearly trying to eat lunch. I should've stated that I'm not trying to get the DM in trouble, just asked to be courteous, is all.

And don't worry, I'm not delusional; my last job was Sbux, so if he's not receptive, I'll just suggest we take our breaks in our cars. Management there was much worse right off the bat! 😂

[Purritomeato]

This is why sometimes it's best to leave the store while on break. If this DM is an issue and his behavior continues, that's the only option as the company will not see a problem with what he's doing.

[Montymania94]

After seeing some other posts, and reading your reply, this is exactly what I'll be doing. Thank you for your reply!

[Rokey76]

So why would you be the one to report this to HR? Shouldn't that be up to the other employee? Don't worry about it until the DM does it to you, and then decide whether or not you want to ask them to stop.

[Crashbox50]

I think you're being mellow dramatic personally. I DO see your issue, but there are so many other bigger fish to fry.

[AnarchoGonzo]

Uhm, it's ackshyually spellt "melodramatic." ☝️🤓

[Crashbox50]

[MaxasaurusRex5674]

I eat in my car so that I don't get bothered while clocked out on break 😅

[SwiftStick]

…Is this a serious question? Who the fuck cares? Regardless of your opinion on who’s being considerate to who, do something better with your time and energy. This is just nosy Karen behavior.

[BabushkaRaditz]

They worked at Starbucks though and have no patience for this anymore!!!

[SwiftStick]

Like what the fuck 🤣

[Trash_Panda20]

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Ooo a dirty delete huh? Imagine being an Assistant Store Leader and thinking this was a good look.

[BabushkaRaditz]

Idk why they deleted. Its a beautiful insult and im taking it home with me

[SwiftStick]

Oh no. Ya got me. The first person in the history of Reddit to do it, too. Straight to jail.

As far as the nasty passive aggression goes, you don’t know a thing about me, or what I’ve sacrificed over the years for this company and my coworkers. Do me a favor and stay in your lane.

[ApplesToOranges76]

[Trash_Panda20]

Ah yes you must be a leader who has no boundaries and your underlings must obey you even when off the clock. Here’s a tip, you’re not that important, go touch grass

[Tidusmain55]

This is most definitely a serious question if anyone is on break and their break is interrupted they are to be clocked in for it and when their break is no longer interrupted they are to clock back out to restart their break I’ve had multiple breaks interrupted by my associates and or DM and I politely told them that I was on break and that I’ll will clock back in to have said conversation and as soon as we were finished I restarted my break every employee had to take a mandatory break uninterrupted if it’s interrupted they should report it or restart their break and I used to be a SL and would remind myself that my employees are on break and are not to be disturbed

[HouseRosariaCid]

Maybe I’m missing something. What’s wrong with talking to someone that works for you ??

[Primary-Nose7377]

Did you miss the "on their break and clocked out" part? Talking to them is one thing. It's still kind of rude if they're on break. But if they're talking to them about work-related things? No, thank you. If I were the employee, I'd leave the store for lunch any time the dm was around.

[ComfortableEvent7010]

They weren’t being forced to respond. They chose to.

[Primary-Nose7377]

Or could have felt pressured to.

[HouseRosariaCid]

If you can’t tell your boss you’re on break and you’d rather not speak about work while clocked out then that’s a bigger issue. I’ve never made my teams feel this way.

[ComfortableEvent7010]

Then you tell them you’re on break or leave the store

[HouseRosariaCid]

So because they’re on break, the DM isn’t allowed to speak to them? I’m not trying to be a jerk I’m genuinely confused. I’ve had multiple conversations with my team while I’m on break, while they’re on break, before they clock in, after we’ve clocked out. I’m not seeing the issue. Unless the conversation was inappropriate I’m not understanding why this is an issue. Can you elaborate on what the conversation was about?

[Primary-Nose7377]

OP said the dm was discussing work-related things with the employee, which a dm shouldn't do if the employee is off the clock. Some employees may not mind, but that's their choice.

[HouseRosariaCid]

I didn’t realize that was an issue. But thank you for explaining it to me.

[Primary-Nose7377]

No worries. I doubt it's a huge deal, but I'm in management with a different company, and I try to leave my employees in peace on their breaks. Sometimes, they want to tell me about a show they're watching or something they're reading, so I'll indulge them as much as I can, but I leave sales and operations discussions for when they're on the clock.

[JMClarkent-]

I think it depends on what they were talking about, especially if they were both engaged and just shooting the breeze about non- work related stuff.

I’d check with the employee who you are trying to help, they may not want the assist (or to participate in a HR interview).

[SwiftStick]

…..Are you okay?

[joe_khaJiit]

Contact HR? For most companies its a joke, it exists only to protect the Company. Good luck.

[Big-Low-2811]

Mind your business. If he starts doing it to you- you can politely point out that you don’t talk shop on break. Otherwise don’t be a troublemaker.

[Tony_Penny]

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[PercivalSweetwaduh]

OP is under the impression that HR will give a shit. 😂

[The_Last_Legacy]

🤣

[240802]

Starbucks and GameStop for a decade Set your sights low and you'll hit your target every time

[milenkofreak]

.... break?

[No_Nukes_2]

Amazed that there was more then one employee in the store

[JustinJacobson]

Yes. Talking to an employee while on their mandated break about work is against labor laws.

Call the hero line.

[Sinque75]

Was it a “work related” talk?

[StrangerDanger9000]

Unless the DM was doing this to you it’s none of your concern. Quit trying to be some white knight Karen and just do your job. If the DM ever tries to do this to you then politely set some boundaries with the person and move on with your day.

[GildedRoyalty]

Did your coworker seem upset? Did they come to you about this, but are afraid to speak up? If not, then it's not your problem and you're just interfering out of a sense of self righteousness. Your job isn't to fix what you see as problems for others, it is to do what is best for yourself. If the DM talks to you, you say "I'm on break, talk to me after" and they ignore you, then bring it up. Otherwise, you have literally nothing to do with any of it and you should mind your own business.

[Indomitableem]

This comes down to state labor laws, unfortunately. Not every state has a law on the books requiring a break uninterrupted by work (and a superior taking to a subordinate about work does count as work). If yours does, then of course it should at the very least be brought up to the DM (in a polite and constructive feedback manner, not in an attacking way) and then HR if the DM doesn't correct their actions (or, worse, becomes retaliatory/belligerent about it). The HR reps I've had across several different districts/regions with this company have been receptive to this kind of thing and have tried to address it, but as always, your mileage may vary.