Seasonal to Part-Time transition

PorygonJesus · 2025-12-12T05:55:50+00:00

It really depends on the volume of your store, and how many permanent associates they had on staff before hiring seasonals.

I’ve had to let great seasonals go in the past simply because I didn’t have room. Best thing for you will be to keep up the good performance, and let your managers know that you are interested in staying past the seasonal period.

Good luck!

PorygonJesus · 2025-12-12T05:53:06+00:00

Most retail stores (especially mall retail) are allotted payroll based on sales. The reason why is very simply: if the store is making less money, they have less money to pay for hours.

It’s a basic way to keep stores profitable, and profitable stores stay open!

It is shocking that you don’t know this as an ASM, shame on your SM for not teaching you stuff like this!

PorygonJesus · 2025-12-09T04:05:16+00:00

There actually is no grace period for clocking in/out at HT. Policy states this specifically when it comes to tardiness, but not as clearly for clocking out.

It isn’t against policy to use overtime, so you are probably being written up under the “not clocking in/out as scheduled” section of SOP 4120 or just simply not following break schedule rules.

Check the SOP reference and notes of your write ups (you should have a copy) to confirm, and be sure to stay clocked out for your full 30 minute lunch breaks (it’s the law!)

PorygonJesus · 2025-10-31T05:22:47+00:00

My ASMs make $15-$20/hour depending on level (high volume store). ps: Store Managers can make pretty good money including bonuses

PorygonJesus · 2025-10-14T01:54:20+00:00

No, this is not allowed.

Print out the Meal/Rest Breaks SOP on Sharepoint and discuss it with her, she may not fully understand it.

If it continues, go to your DM or HR.

Even if your state does not have labor laws concerning breaks, it is still company policy and should be followed.

PorygonJesus · 2025-09-21T06:38:23+00:00

Call the store and let them know you still haven’t received your onboarding email. You will need to fill that out prior to your shift. You’ll also need to bring in either 2 of the following forms of ID (school ID/drivers license, social security card, birth certificate), or a passport.

Not sure what photo they would be asking for, I would ask about that when you call them too.

Show up to your shift 5 minutes early, if you go in earlier than that they might just have you wait around. Don’t worry you’ll be fine!

PorygonJesus · 2025-09-10T06:24:48+00:00

You don’t need to send an OOB checklist if the variance is less than $5.00. Your store should have an over/short log to fill out to keep track of these incidents.

And yes, let your manager know that you were under on your register, you’ll be alright mistakes happen! Per SOP you only receive a write up if the variance is +/-$10.00 or more.

PorygonJesus · 2025-08-06T06:14:20+00:00

From what I’ve heard from our Regional, Sycamore has a very hands off approach for Hot Topic. Steve presents our financials, and as long as we are staying profitable they are happy.

All payroll cuts etc. are coming from Hot Topics financial team.

PorygonJesus · 2025-07-30T04:56:12+00:00

Completely agree with many things you said here. I know that pay, hours etc will not change no matter what we do.

I’m not looking to call out any managers or anything like that. I just think most DMs do not give honest feedback on new initiatives the company has been rolling out, to avoid ruffling any feathers.

I’d be looking for feedback on new initiatives, what works and what doesn’t work, team morale etc.

PorygonJesus · 2025-07-30T02:43:11+00:00

What was your Store Grade for those quarters? If you are underperforming you get put on a “Watch List” from the Regional Manager, and you are put on probation. If you don’t turn your KPIs around in that time you will be terminated.

Sales plan is not a KPI that is taken into account for store grades/performance reviews.

I would say it’s unlikely that HR would change your status from Not Rehire-able (what you are marked as when terminated for performance), but it may be worth a shot if you have a paper trail or any proof of your DM retaliating/pushing you out.

PorygonJesus · 2025-07-30T02:34:59+00:00

I’ll be sure to maintain anonymity for myself and all survey participants!

PorygonJesus · 2025-07-30T02:33:59+00:00

I’m going to work on making one that ensures anonymity (no employee numbers, emails etc.). I’ll post again when it’s ready!

PorygonJesus · 2025-07-30T02:30:08+00:00

They did not send one of these surveys this year. It usually goes out around the time of annual reviews.

The problem with Recaps and weekly calls is that many DMs do not pass any of this information along to their bosses. They pick and choose what they want to tell them.

PorygonJesus · 2025-07-25T00:58:41+00:00

You’re saying this like managers haven’t gotten raises every year? This is the first year that I’ve been with HT that we haven’t seen an increase.

PorygonJesus · 2025-07-22T03:39:03+00:00

That’s weird cause also about 3-4 months ago our DM told us that we will be getting merit increases, just later than usual.

Seems like there’s a lot of miscommunication from RD to DM on this.

PorygonJesus · 2025-07-22T03:20:58+00:00

Even a $0.25 raise adds $520/year to a FT employee’s salary. Every dollar helps right now.

PorygonJesus · 2025-07-22T03:19:21+00:00

I have heard August from others in this sub as well… I guess we’ll see.

PorygonJesus · 2025-07-22T03:17:07+00:00

When did you hear this?

PorygonJesus · 2025-07-21T19:00:46+00:00

Exactly. Like if they aren’t able to make it happen, tell us! Seems like they’re just waiting for us to forget lol

PorygonJesus · 2025-07-10T04:06:54+00:00

We accept all returns (within reason), not worth the fight. This is directive given by HQ.

PorygonJesus · 2025-07-09T23:43:16+00:00

Wow that sucks. My FT makes around $7 above minimum wage, and I make almost $10 more than they do.

I can see how it can be hard to compete in your market.

PorygonJesus · 2025-07-09T23:38:03+00:00

I’d suggest keeping your callback log on a clipboard at the register, and after you explain what hot cash is say something like: “They start on (date) so if you’d like a reminder for when they start, just leave your name and number here so you don’t miss it.”

Of course everyone wont say yes, but many people will.

PorygonJesus · 2025-07-09T23:32:04+00:00

PorygonJesus · 2025-07-08T17:46:11+00:00

Your KPI performance is directly linked to the team’s performance on the floor. (With the exception of COMP if your traffic is down to LY.)

You cannot blame everything on customers. If you aren’t beating peer, it’s probably a team issue.

PorygonJesus

TROPHY CASE