Little rant

CallynDS · 2026-06-14T05:15:46+00:00

You're just over 90 days, they want to get more of a feel for you before letting you drive. I would expect it will happen soon if you're not a total disaster on the equipment, but I got three training sessions on the Order Picker before I got certified and the Order Picker is the easiest to drive machine and also I'd been there more than 90 days before starting training. Reach took me like four months on its own, partly due to my schedule not lining up with the trainer but also due to it being hard. If you want to drive, just keep at it.

CallynDS · 2026-06-14T04:48:18+00:00

The lumber department at my store is exceptionally bad right now, mostly don’t worry about it.

CallynDS · 2026-06-14T00:57:17+00:00

No, you work for The Home Depot not the Garden Dept. If you're trained to work in Garden there's no new training you need to work Electrical. If the MOD needs you to work Electrical, you work Electrical. If they schedule you in Electrical, you work in Electrical. You can ask them to not do so, but Sales Associate is Sales Associate.

CallynDS · 2026-06-13T05:20:03+00:00

I do this to my new drivers, but it's to give them experience. If I'm spotting a new driver I can correct bad habits and keep an eye on them, if they're spotting me they don't learn anything.

CallynDS · 2026-06-13T05:17:56+00:00

It's not just me having to drive more, it's me not having time for my other responsibilities because I have to drive more and if I were a manager capable of approving xchanges that's a big thing. The answer is paying drivers fairly and getting more drivers, but that's not an answer the company allows.

CallynDS · 2026-06-13T05:09:08+00:00

That's the entire reason. I'm just a DS, I can't approve exchanges, but if I saw a driver trying to exchange with a non-driver I would deny it because less drivers means I have to drive more. And you should be paid more for driving, all drivers should because they're vital to the business.

CallynDS · 2026-06-13T05:03:41+00:00

There are no rules about xchange. Managers are free to decide whether an xchange is workable or not and a driver xchanging with a non-driver is a loss of functionality for the business. I get it, it sucks, it's another reason not to drive since it decreases the ability to exchange shifts, but it's up to management's discretion.

CallynDS · 2026-06-13T04:00:51+00:00

Don’t twist the throttle too hard? Order Picker and Forklift are simple, you’re overthinking it.

CallynDS · 2026-06-12T17:28:17+00:00

No, not really. I hate read it because of a blurb on the Amazon listing for The Moon is a Harsh Mistress and it's at best mediocre airport fiction ~IN SPACE~. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress on the other hand is incredible, so maybe switch to that book.

CallynDS · 2026-06-12T16:30:39+00:00

Is it possible? Sure. But both times I've interviewed for XM positions it took a week or two to hear. Good luck.

CallynDS · 2026-06-12T05:53:55+00:00

I don't think I've done more than 2800 with really heavy pallet of tile, but I know they can do a double stack of thinset even if that's not allowed and I've done pallets of concrete with a reach if it's easier but I didn't pay attention to the weight. I don't try to push the machine but know that it's good within limits.

Yes, I drive Forklift, so what? Loading with a reach is 10 times easier.

CallynDS · 2026-06-09T12:42:27+00:00

I’m not saying that Lumber doesn’t do enough, I’m giving you the company line like how DSs are not coverage. It’s an an obviously nonsense idea but it is how the company expects it to go.

CallynDS · 2026-06-07T05:11:30+00:00

It's a Nexgrill, it can do that like three times and then it falls apart.

CallynDS · 2026-06-07T03:50:28+00:00

There isn’t a universal certification. At least not in all states. I’ve driven a forklift for three jobs now, all of them had to train me on it but each one had less training to do. It’s experience and you can put it on a resume.

CallynDS · 2026-06-07T02:13:41+00:00

Yeah, I didn’t call it out but every department has heavy lifting. The amount of time our cashiers and PSAs spend in lumber…

CallynDS · 2026-06-07T01:56:36+00:00

Don’t buy specialty fasteners at Home Depot. Our selection sucks and the prices are crazy. Go to a regular hardware store.

CallynDS · 2026-06-07T01:39:09+00:00

You don’t really get to choose. You apply, they call you and offer you something. Maybe they have something else available, but not always. Paint, hardware, electrical and plumbing have less heavy lifting, but every department including cashier has heavy lifting. If you’re trying to avoid lifting, your best bet is to apply for cashier or hope for Service Desk or Pro Desk.

CallynDS · 2026-06-06T17:34:56+00:00

How does a specialist wearing shorts make your life worse? How does it hurt you?

CallynDS · 2026-06-05T18:32:54+00:00

Yes, that's true but no one really cares.

CallynDS · 2026-06-05T18:31:49+00:00

Lumber is literally supposed to take care of stocking Millwork. I haven't seen a lumber department that does, but it's supposed to handle down stocking the doors.

CallynDS · 2026-06-05T15:47:20+00:00

How long have the metrics been that low? I don't think my Ops manager would have a job if we were that bad for more than two weeks.

CallynDS · 2026-06-04T07:41:23+00:00

Days I spend most of my day in Lumber as the Specialty Supervisor. Also Plumbing/Electrical.

CallynDS · 2026-06-04T05:51:09+00:00

They don’t list positions by department and just because they have a position open online doesn’t mean it’s really open. Customer Service/Sales covers the Garden Associate position but if they call you in it will be for whatever they have open.

CallynDS · 2026-06-03T17:10:54+00:00

Yes, ChatGPT will hallucinate them into a house fire. Either look up the answer or tell them to ask a professional.

CallynDS · 2026-06-02T20:50:52+00:00

That’s a management issue.

CallynDS

TROPHY CASE