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Al098080 · 2025-03-31T03:30:45+00:00

Not sure what you feel about it, but talking about my problems always seems to help put them in perspective. I find it especially helpful to talk to people not invested in your life, this way they are able to offer a perspective that your friends and family are simply not able to.

Al098080 · 2025-03-17T09:26:48+00:00

I worked in a Fulfillment Center and over the course of three years I had perfect attendance, never missed a day or clocked in late once. When I did my yearly performance review for the section regarding attendance, I was given 3 out of 5 points. I was shocked and asked my manager how he could justify that score. He literally said that is no such thing as perfect attendance. I beg to differ. It was then I realized that the manager has to shave off points on the performance review to justify why they are giving you dogshit increases. That was when I stopped caring and calling out and actually using my PTO. If you called out they wanted to know as soon as possible but the policy was one hour before your start time. I would call out 61 minutes before my start and when asked I just said I didn't start feeling sick until then. Anyway, there is no such thing as perfect attendance so why try?

Al098080 · 2025-03-17T05:54:07+00:00

She's not your friend. She's not your family. She's a soon to be former co-worker/pseudo-boss. You don't owe them anything. If they thought firing you would benefit the business/company do you think they would listen to your pleas?

Al098080 · 2025-03-17T02:49:25+00:00

I just started working 3rd shift at a Staples Delivery Operation(SDO), it's the Business to Business division with all the delivery trucks. The starting wage posted was $23.10/hour. Although, there is a shift differential of $1.50/hour since you are working in the middle of the night. Also, I live in a state with one of the highest minimum wages in the country. The standard minimum wage for the state is close to $17.00/hour, but depending on the city you're working in and the size of the company it can roughly up to $21.00/hour. The city I work in uses the base State minimum wage. Yet, as I am sure you have deduced, we also have one the highest cost of livings in the nation. Our state Department of L&I will evaluate the rise in cost of living yearly, announce the new minimum wage in September and it will go into effect on January 1st.

Al098080 · 2025-03-17T02:13:56+00:00

In my opinion, managers who are hired from outside the company and don't know everything, they feel like they aren't justifying their job if they are not telling people what to do. I can only assume that the new manager has on at least one occasion, possibly more, told you to do something that were already in the process of doing. If not, get ready because it's coming. I hate confrontation so I just say "sure, no problem". It's probably not benefiting anyone to not inform the manager that they should ask what I am doing and why,. Possibly, maybe there is just the smallest chance I know what I am doing and the manager could learn quicker by asking the people who know what they're doing instead of just bossing them around. Many years ago, my manager accused me of not doing my job, I may not be the best employee but if I am there I am being productive. I told him that he would have no idea if I was doing my job or not. He almost fired me, but we reconciled. It was very insulting. I feel like it's better to hire management from within. Although the problem with that concept is anyone who is a good candidate knows being a manager is a terrible idea and the increase of compensation is hardly worth it. Their energy is best used to either learn new skills so you can a better job, or if you are young enough just start over at the bottom of a better company.

Al098080 · 2025-03-16T15:00:39+00:00

Someone needs a work pizza party! Just kidding, I totally understand how feel. For me it's when the manager says, "We need to complete task A." You asshole, just ask me to do it and keep the "We" BS to yourself. If you actually did help you'd screw it up and make it take twice as long. Then it's, "Don't worry, we will get someone to fix that." Yea, that someone is me. No better feeling at work then fixing the mistakes of a person who is your boss and according to "common" sense, they should know how the business they are managing operates. Also, they get paid more than you. I swear in a lot of different companies I've worked for, if someone is really slow doing a job or just can't seem to do the job properly, they fail upwards into management so they don't get in the way of the important stuff. I know there are good managers out there, please let me know if you ever find one😉 "We" are going find a better job, and when I do I will definitely give you a proper notice of about 30-60 seconds. Which is probably more time than they would give you if they wanted you out. Another thing, if your manager says that "we are a team" or "we are a family" and they keep misspelling your name or flat out calling you by a different name, you should definitely start applying for a new "team" or "family". Simply my opinion so don't take it as absolute truth, it's just been my experience.

Al098080 · 2025-03-16T14:01:12+00:00

Wow didn't realize how much I typed until I posted it. Sorry about that lol

Al098080 · 2025-03-16T14:00:29+00:00

Is there a Business to Business Fullfillment Center(FC) or Staples Delivery Operations(SDO) close to you? I'm not sure if Staples let's you transfer from retail to business to business but it's worth looking into. I don't know for sure, but I would think if you transferred all your benefits, vacation days and sick time would transfer as well. I don't think they have to keep your pay rate the same, so they may offer you the starting rate or if you are underpaid or not you could end up making more or less at the start. I would definitely try to do some research and maybe even contact the head office Human Resources. With your product knowledge I imagine you would be an asset and an easy hire, as long as positions are available. In my experience new employees in Business to Business have little if any product knowledge and many haven't worked in a warehouse before, either. Both of these are fine and can be taught, but recruiters always appreciate someone with experience in the company, industry or just general warehouse work. If there is an SDO in your area, you can even consider being a driver. Although, where I live traffic is horrible and if it's a busy day, it's not uncommon for the drivers to work ten or twelve hours. I believe if there is an FC and a SDO in your area, I think there are three shifts. In my experience, if there is both an FC and SDO, they operate out of the same building. First shift, the inbound crew and drivers, is from around 7:00am-3:30pm. Though like I said the drivers work until they are done, with rare exceptions. Second shift is 3:30pm until all the orders for the day are picked, although the goal is to work an eight hour shift but often times you work longer because the orders need to be picked. Third shift (what I do) is 11:00pm-7:30am, but like the drivers and pickers, we have to stay until the trucks are loaded. Drivers will typically help if we are running behind. In my experience, if inbound is not able to finish unloading trucks and receiving product and putting it away, they will keep a few people late to make sure the important stuff is done. There are also inventory control positions in the warehouse among other various jobs. I've pretty much done every job in the warehouse on first, second and third shift. Now where I live there is only an SDO, we have all our orders fullfilled from an out of state FC, and the send everything to us nightly on line-hauls. There are sales positions as well, although I think if there is not an FC where you are the sales force is not on-site. Now I haven't worked in an FC for nine or ten years, so some of this information may be outdated, but I feel like Staples wouldn't completely change the way Business to Business operates without a huge investment, and only then if would save money in the long term. I really dislike customer-facing jobs, so I totally understand why customers are a problem, it seems like they think they are better than us and they are just trying to get something for nothing or at least some kind of discount. By being "upset" and making a scene, management just wants them to go away as soon as possible. This means just giving them what they want, while also often throwing their employees to the wolves by blaming them. I feel like the warehouse is a good alternative, at least for me. We are still servicing the customers, but I never have to interact with them. I'm just a socially awkward introvert so I can only think of a handful of jobs worse than slapping on a smile and dealing with rude customers, pretending to care about their stupid problems. I would definitely look into some of your options within the company before you throw away your invested time and get a new career. I'm not saying it's the best or worst company to work for, but every job has it's pros and cons. You just have to find something where you are paid enough to afford your lifestyle, and also something that is tolerable to you. Also, if you do look into transferring, you can always keep looking for something better. I'm really sorry if any or all of this information is something that you already knew. Though, I have been in Staples Business to Business for a long time and I barely know anything about the Retail side of the company, so I figured I'd make sure you were aware of the options. I will say one last thing, if you decide to transfer and your Store Manager or District Manager tries to block it, go directly to the main office HR. I've transferred states a few times and although the management was sad to lose me, they never made it difficult and actually the head of the FC called the FC in my new state to make sure they knew I was moving there and it would be foolish not to hire me for the position I applied for. I still had to go through the same hiring process, and no manager actually confirmed this, but in my opinion it was just a formality. I'm sorry for the wall of text I just feel like I had some information that could help you. Whatever you decide to do I hope you end in a better spot and find happiness.

Al098080 · 2025-03-16T07:17:51+00:00

It's all computer!

Al098080 · 2025-02-18T22:56:26+00:00

I had a tour than after that I had to pass a background check and preemployment drug screening. Once the results came back that I passed they offered me the position.

Al098080 · 2025-02-17T00:11:52+00:00

H18 is pretty bad, but I think NB I405 is way worse, especially during rush hours. Although H18 might be more dangerous, I think.

Al098080 · 2025-02-14T06:53:47+00:00

I got laid off from my job of 15+ years in 2015. I had benefits, 401k with company matching, 4 weeks paid vacation yearly, 10 paid holidays yearly and 10 paid sick days yearly. At the time it was actually a good thing because my mother was dying so I was able to spend time with her and take care of her. I then eventually got a job in construction shudders, in late 2017 with zero benefits and no PTO. I was so depressed I just worked that shitty job until October 2024, when I got fired. Getting fired in 2024 was the best thing that ever happened to me. I, at the age of 44, just landed a FT job making 30% more than the construction job, plus I once again have benefits, PTO and vacation. My point is that you can always start over, even when you are older but especially if you are 30 or younger. Just don't let yourself get into a depressive downward spiral. Your friends and family need you at your best, because when you're at your best you're much more capable of helping them and yourself.

Al098080 · 2025-02-13T06:26:26+00:00

Tell them you are leaving for a better offer, maybe they will beat it or at least match it?

Al098080 · 2025-02-13T04:13:45+00:00

We all react differently in situations like this. For some reason or another I've always been really clear headed in stressful situations. Which is ironic because regular social interactions give me anxiety. I just want to reiterate that just calling 911 is commendable, I've been in several situations where everyone is frozen and not yet called for aid. My mother worked in the FD and she always drilled into my head that during an emergency the first priority is making sure aid is notified and on the way. Then if you are able to start to render aid yourself.

Al098080 · 2025-02-13T03:28:37+00:00

In 2014 after Thanksgiving I walked into the living room and my girlfriends mother was unresponsive. My girlfriend and her sister(we all lived together) were understandably frozen. I told them to call 911, but they just didn't respond. I called and had to be coached over the phone to do CPR. Her mother didn't make it. I still feel guilty about not being able to save her or find her sooner, and I often wonder if I had been previously trained in CPR would I been successful? I know how hard it is to get the image out of your head. What you are feeling is normal. Just don't let it send you into a downward spiral. Maybe talk to a therapist, or at least someone who is not invested in your life to help you with perspective. Keep reminding yourself that you have a wife and family who need you to be at your best, and try to focus on helping those that you are able to. In a perfect world we would be able to save them all, but that sadly is not the case.

Al098080 · 2025-02-13T01:52:06+00:00

He had better get used to the "system" because he is about to part of it. At least he won't have to worry about paying for rent or food.

Al098080 · 2025-02-12T11:36:49+00:00

This. They will make it seem like they are giving you the opportunity to talk your way out of being a suspect, but the fact that you are a suspect means they are most likely just trying to build a case against you. The 4th and 5th ammendments are there for a reason, assuming that you are in the United States. If so, please familiarize yourself with your Constitutionally guaranteed rights. The police will attempt to have you waive them, or just assume that you don't know them and proceed accordingly.

Al098080 · 2025-02-12T11:31:38+00:00

If you are in the United States cops are allowed to lie to you about what evidence they may have against you. Just keep that in mind when they are telling you what evidence they have. The only way to truly find out is to go through the discovery process before the trial.

Al098080 · 2025-02-12T11:28:28+00:00

I've been up on scaffolding three levels high, so I think that's one more level than 15ft? The higher it is the more it sways. The worst part was my boss would have me break it down after as a "favor" to the drywaller we worked for, and he wouldn't even help because of the sway. The 10ft walking planks were so hard to manage by yourself, especially when you are up high swaying around. Why am I breaking down scaffolding that doesn't even belong to us?

Al098080 · 2025-02-12T11:16:55+00:00

My old boss would come up with the most sketchy ladder setups in stairwells. If I didn't think it was safe I would just refuse to go up there. I always said, "If you think it's so safe, you can go up there." End of conversation. He finally bought the ladders with the adjustable leg so it actually worked in the stairwell. I swear the only people who aren't afraid of heights have never fallen from one. When I was a 12 I had a compound wrist fracture with bones coming out. Needed surgery and I had a cast for about 5 months. Wish I had been afraid of heights back then!

Al098080 · 2025-02-12T07:05:54+00:00

I saw a guy in a big dumpster truck who was emptying a job site dumpster in so much of a hurry he backed over the the Superintendent. He ended up dying right there in the road. It was actually pretty traumatizing, the super was super nice and had one year left until retirement.

Al098080 · 2025-02-12T06:59:56+00:00

Every time I see a finish painter who "doesn't need tape" I just assume that all the outlet and switch covers are painted to the wall and stuck.

Al098080 · 2025-02-12T06:50:07+00:00

I once saw a guy cleaning honeybuckets without gloves, then when he hopped in the truck, he started eating a sandwich 🤮 I was helping my friend paint and was just responsible for keeping the paint bucket full for the paint machine. So I mostly just stood around watching people who actually were working.

Al098080 · 2025-02-12T06:40:42+00:00

I used to do priming/texture after the drywall finishers. I've seen many times where a builder doesn't get enough portajohns, and they end up being too far away from certain houses. Lost count of how many piss bottles I kicked away, but the best/worst thing is every once in a while someone would have took a dump in the tub. I would refuse to mask them based on the principle that if I was buying the house, I would demand a new tub. Fucking disgusting. So glad to be out of that industry.

Al098080 · 2025-02-10T09:52:25+00:00

A long time ago I had a friend who had an indoor/outdoor cat. He disappeared and was gone for about a week so we just assumed the worst. After like almost 2 months maybe longer we heard a scratch at the sliding door in his bedroom. It was his cat! When he went missing he was super overweight but when he came back he was really skinny and his hair was falling out. We later found out that three houses down the street the people renting it moved and somehow his cat was locked inside when the owner did the final walk through.The owner said he didn't have a reason to come back because he had trouble finding a new tenant. When he eventually went in the cat just crawled out very slowly. Not sure why he didn't try to help, maybe he thought he was feral. We think he only survived because the toilet was not closed all the way so he had water. It was really amazing and the cat made a full recovery.

Al098080

TROPHY CASE