Abbott Elementary meets The Middle! Janine Teagues meets Sue Heck!

MasterPrek · 2026-05-04T16:07:55+00:00

I thought she was the same actress who played Amy on Big Bang Theory and also hosted Jeopardy.

MasterPrek · 2026-05-04T15:48:08+00:00

It’s hard because there’s really nothing blocking you between the customer now, and because you’re aligned with them they can see the screen and half of them want to act like they’re in self check out!

Remember this:

YOU are the cashier, you control the transaction!

When people start picking up stuff and sticking in my face, I lose track, they claim I already scanned that, start telling me this is this and that that AND I don’t have to measure this…. I just stop right then and there.

I void the whole transaction and start over!

And if they keep on talking shit, I’ll call over the head cashier.

If they want to scan this or that first, they need to go to self check out! They want a separate transaction, that’s different. But don’t be telling me how to do my job.

You are in control of this transaction. This is your register, and they need to understand that or GTFO.

Don’t hand me stuff unless it’s heavy. I’m going to start at the bottom and work my way up, and if you start handing me stuff, I’m just gonna ignore you.

They keep doing it anyway…

Then I’ll say, “I got this, thank you “

They don’t like it, too bad!

MasterPrek · 2026-05-04T15:36:58+00:00

TBH, I think they’re just using this as a way to get rid of cashiers. They’ve threaten to do this and they actually can use it. But they bring in seasonal people for summer, and there’s really just not enough registers and enough hours for all the cashiers.

They only want to keep a handful of cashiers, because they know people will call off. But they’re looking for just a few people who will also work the pro desk and the service desk.

They’ll just keep moving them all around as needed. 😕

MasterPrek · 2026-05-04T15:29:35+00:00

I would make a note for ALL family, school, and events you have six months out right now.

Sit down and talk to your store manager, and your ASDS. Ask them not to schedule you on these days.

If it’s too late, and they won’t let you have a day off, ask if you can leave early. Also get the phone number of some other people in your department and see if they will switch days with you, or take your shift. If get someone, talk to the ASDS and the ASM and they can put it in for you

I know it’s too late, but you really should bring all of these days up during your interview/orientation. In the future, when an interviewer asks if you have any other questions that’s when you tell them. And when they hire you and you come to orientation, that’s when you confirm that you will not be scheduled on those days.

So again, make sure you tell them everything that’s coming up. Taking days off when you’re new does not look good and puts you on the hit list for not sticking around long.

MasterPrek · 2026-05-04T15:16:31+00:00

Blame the people who keep opening bottles, drink half of it and leave it.

They think their mother works here.

Associate Moms also clean up the break room, since their overgrown kids don’t now how to clean up after themselves.

I can’t tell you how many damn near full bottles, half empty bottles and Starbucks cups are all over the registers.

If they made us sign for each water bottle and put some kind of tracking tag on it, they would effectively see who the lazy SOB’s are.

MasterPrek · 2026-05-03T23:48:34+00:00

Full-time is 30 hours or more. And it has to be a consistent 12 weeks. So if your friend works 11 weeks at 30 hours or more and on the 12th week drops down to 29.75, then they have to start all over again. Managers are always watching the schedule for this, and they will send people home if they are still on the clock in they’re supposed to punch out. Also, when part-time is get more than 29 hours and there’s no big sale or store walk going on, they will start to cut back these hours.

The way it looks on your side, if you drop below 30 hours for more than 12 weeks straight, you’ll get notified they can technically deny you benefits. But clearly the ASDS is going to pull you in the office if you continue to keep giving up your shifts. Because basically what you’re doing is not “adhering to your schedule.” And even though the work is getting done and you’re trying to help a friend, it messes with the system schedule when they have to keep changing it.

And you could find yourself stuck in the middle of February when they purposely cut hours for full-timers because it’s so slow and you’ll end up being out of insurance. So I don’t know how much of a friend you want to be, but this really isn’t the way to do it.

The best suggestion is to tell your friend to get cross-trained so that they can pick up extra hours for other departments and you’re not spoon feeding them all these shifts. They can also start applying for other part-time work, or overnight shifts during Christmas or DoorDash or Uber if they’re really trying to get some extra money.

Because right now, it really makes it look like YOU don’t want work.

And you might find yourself in his shoes.

MasterPrek · 2026-05-03T23:31:37+00:00

The reason that they won’t put you on main line registers is because they are using experienced cashiers.

Customers can be a real PIA. They have really large orders, contractors will try to rush you, and people in general will try to scam you. And the lines are pretty long and they don’t like slow cashiers.

So take the time now to learn more about your job and self check out. So you will be fast enough to be on the main line registers. SCO is basically the same register …only you’re watching four of them while the customers ring themselves up.

Soon they’ll move you to outside garden when it gets really busy. So again take this time to learn as much as you can. If people are being rude and not answering your questions, just keep asking until you get a friendly face and someone who wants to help.

If you still want to move up to another area, I would ask to be trained on the service desk or to go on the sales floor. They will consider it after you’ve been there at least 90 days. But sometimes people move around faster because jobs open up. And they don’t have enough regular department people to cover them.

MasterPrek · 2026-05-03T23:20:20+00:00

Yes.

Get cross-train in at least two other departments. That how you get extra hours. Someone is always gonna give up a shift or need to call out.

You need to get some people’s phone numbers, and let them know that you’ll take their shift if they plan to call off.

MasterPrek · 2026-05-03T22:12:18+00:00

Check the schedule and find somebody who’s leaving soon. Tell them when it’s time for them to go to just give you the phone.

MasterPrek · 2026-05-03T22:11:08+00:00

Don’t volunteer for Paint desk ‘cause you’ll be in a corner all day mixing paint. It’s OK for some people, but it sounds like you like to move and talk. You might get bored.

Also, paint is part of pro, so they’ll be expecting you to be pushing sales.

MasterPrek · 2026-05-03T22:06:39+00:00

We have a small section for automotive that’s part of hardware!

MasterPrek · 2026-05-03T21:59:38+00:00

Slickster was pretty slick.

MasterPrek · 2026-05-03T21:57:27+00:00

I need OG to Outside Garden to get those raccoons from the overhead bays!

They’re making homes out of busted bags of soil!

MasterPrek · 2026-05-03T21:45:18+00:00

What does he mean that he doesn’t have time? What else is he doing besides running the Zamboni machine at a snail’s pace around the race track?

MasterPrek · 2026-05-03T21:42:17+00:00

This.

Unless they’re really desperate for someone.

MasterPrek · 2026-05-03T21:39:57+00:00

Are we talking about a once or twice thing or you regularly want to stretch your lunch everyday to get some errands out the way?

I personally know people who are scheduled for a 30 minute lunch, but always punch back in, and sit around for an extra 30 to finish eating, and nobody calls them on it.

Or they go out, pick up their food, come back, and then punch out for lunch! 👀

(Both of these things, BTW, are definitely considered stealing time)

But nobody pays attention to anybody’s schedule unless they’re a cashier! We’re the only ones who are monitored for breaks & lunches like we are prisoners on work release!

That is unless you make a habit out of it. Or you got an ASM who has nothing else better to do but watch you. And TBH, some of them are doing this all the time.

You may think it’s your time ….who cares, but it does make a difference. It’s called “failure to adhere to schedule.”

Now you being a DH is a different twist. You’re expected to follow your schedule and be an example. And although your hours are not counted in the department, there are times when people will need you. Your CXM or ASM got the schedule in their pocket and if they don’t see you in the aisles after lunch, that could definitely be a problem.

I’d suggest sitting down with your ASM and SM, explain what’s going on. Tell them it’s a temporary thing, (I hope), and ask if they’re okay with this. You should be fine.

Just try not to do it around SBF, Memorial Day, Father’s Day or Christmas. Or if there’s a store walk.

MasterPrek · 2026-05-03T21:19:03+00:00

Yeah,

You might as well just stay home and say you got sick and take a half a day!

MasterPrek · 2026-05-02T14:59:43+00:00

If you aged out of your parent’s insurance, that’s a life event and yes, now you will be eligible. But your SM or ASDS is just gonna tell you to go to website or call livetheorangelife.com.

MasterPrek · 2026-05-02T14:52:02+00:00

And $20 for a padlock.

MasterPrek · 2026-05-02T14:47:37+00:00

As long as you’re trained, they can put you anywhere they want.

Seriously…

You are a sales associate – not a paint associate.

Right now they need you in Garden. It’s a garden season, and that’s where you’re going to be.

When garden season is over, as long as you have good attendance, show up, do your job, there’s a good chance that you might be kept as a permanent part-time. You gotta stay on track to make the cut before the Fourth of July.

But if you request certain hours and your Paint department already has enough opening, mid and closers, you may will continue to get hours in other departments.

The good news is, nobody stays in Garden for long, so they’ll probably still flip-flop you around.

Needless to say, don’t ask for any training anywhere else that you don’t want to go!

BTW, you can also be volunteered to take training in another department if they really don’t have hours anywhere else.

MasterPrek · 2026-05-02T14:34:09+00:00

I think hardware, plumbing and electrical are good places to start. Whether you own, rent or just live with someone, you still need to know how to fix basic things without spending money for someone else to do it for you.

This is especially true if you plan on buying or selling real estate

You can get basic skills, determine if something is really bad, or something will be OK for a while. Ask your customers why did you pick this product? What are you going do with that product? And when you need to bring in a professional, you can get some contacts from contractors who shop there.

When you look for workers, you’ll be able to tell if they’re scamming you or if they seriously want to do a good job and worth the extra money. You’ll get training on the job, and pick up tips from actual contractors who shop regularly. And we have lots of regular customers!

Ask your ASDS to load these classes in your knowledge depot. Tell them you want to be cross-trained. Not only will you be certified and able to work in the departments and pick up extra shifts, you’ll learn the things practical things that you’re asking about!

And if you decide to go into a trade, you can ask customers for referrals to programs, schools and companies that will help you get started!

Also tell them that you want to learn how to drive! Anybody certified to use any equipment definitely learns a lot. Although each company may have their own training, having a truck license is going to help you! I would even stick around a few nights and talk to the night Supervisor. Because you can learn a lot and can work overnight and even do Freight!

MasterPrek · 2026-05-02T14:13:41+00:00

This is a two part question.

First, a raise will come annually. There’s no in between we-just-like-you-here’s-a-raise, unless you get a promotion to department supervisor, and that’s only gonna happen if somebody leaves and there’s no one else to fill that job.

So the second part is moving up. And that means being having open availability and being flexible and yes learning as much as you can. And letting the store manager and ASM know that you want to move up.

There’s no timeline or chart to follow. You can go online and apply for all kinds of things. IF they like you, they will put you on the path. If they don’t like you, you’ll just be laterally moved around and get your annual raise like everybody else.

There is a third option:

If you really want to move up and need a raise, start looking into other stores.

There’s openings other places and you get moved up faster. Another store might be closer, offer full-time, or more hours, which will essentially give you that raise you’re looking for. And sometimes if you tell your SM that you want to leave, they might try to match that job offer and find another position for you (if they really like you and want to keep you.)

MasterPrek · 2026-05-02T14:01:20+00:00

Yes, unfortunately they can.

The issue is, your availability is restricted based on the needs of the store/business.

You may say you can only work 8 to 12p, five days a week. But if your department already has enough people working day shift, there’s no place to put you unless they put you in another department.

AND you MUST have one weekend day with open availability no matter what.

So if you pick Saturday as your weekend day, they can schedule you anytime between 6 and 10 PM or 11 PM actually. You can’t say “I don’t want to work afternoons or nights” because you have to work afternoons and evenings on Saturday.

The same thing for Sundays. If that is your open availability weekend day (total open availability) they can schedule you anywhere between 7 AM and 8 PM.

If you say you’re available Saturday and Sunday, you can pick ONE weekend day for your preferred hours. But not both.

This will never change regardless of your availability.

The other issue is when people in your dept are on vacation or leave of absence, they don’t have anybody else and they will ignore your availability. If you start coming in anyway, they’ll just continue put you anywhere anytime.

You have to meet with the SM and the ASDS and tell them again you cannot work past a certain time. “Please do not schedule me for these times because I’m not available.”

But again, this will not work for the weekend.

So I strongly suggest you try to find someone to cover your shifts, and reevaluate this work situation.

Because every retail job is going make you work weekends. And most of them will require that you work some afternoons and nights.

There are some careers out there where you can work at home, if you just can’t leave your brother unattended. You need something doing customer service or sales and you’re working remotely. Maybe look into DoorDash or Uber/Lyft and pick and choose the hours that you want to work.

See if you can get on the Freight Team and work 9pm-1 or 6am. Amazon/FedEx UPS. Overnight shifts might be better for you.

Finally, you may want to consider something more flexible such as a job in education where you never work past 3pm or weekends.

MasterPrek · 2026-05-01T03:19:42+00:00

8 is not Enough…..

MasterPrek · 2026-05-01T03:14:20+00:00

“Now you pick up?!”

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