zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Sept 6, 2012 9:43:23 GMT -5
Shoot, I have "normal" baggers who can't figure that out. I go through self checkout now because, one, I want ALL my items I paid for and it seems one never makes it in the bag making me have to go back and get it again which pisses me off, and two, stuff isn't packed right.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2012 9:48:36 GMT -5
Do we even know that the little girl is heavy?
You have a belly like a pregnant lady. Are you going to have a baby? You are buying pickles. My mom ate pickles when she was pregnant. Are you going to have a baby? You are buying baby food and I don't see a baby. Are you going to have a baby? My mom talked to me about where babies come from last night and I'm kind of fixated today. Are you going to have a baby?
Unless the bagger actually said "You're fat, are you going to have a baby?" there are any number of scenarios that could have led to that comment. It isn't nice to call someone fat, and that might be a disciplinary lesson. If the word fat didn't actually come out of his mouth, then this could all be a misunderstanding. It warrants a conversation, but not disciplinary action. I liked Tenn's suggestion about career development.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2012 9:52:41 GMT -5
later, if she was making fun, i'm guessing she would have said "you are fat" .... is not like she probably has the skills to give a backward/hidden dig... LOL Oped what is the problem with checking? Who the heck makes a decision on an HR issue without all the information?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2012 9:59:18 GMT -5
Oh yes, I'd check... sorry, i think motivation is key, and yes, if she meant to insult someone, then i can see making a note in her file. But, having worked with the population a lot, i'm guessing it was more awkwardness than anything. There is a young man in our homeschool group who frequently asks if women are pregnant... do you have a baby in your belly? ... (he also likes to 'listen to your heartbeat', although somehow only with women somehom .. ) Not that those things are appropriate, and yes he does have to be given proper skills for dealing with people, especially in a work environment... but I usually just tell him 'not at the moment' on the 1st question, and 'no thank you' on the second.... Again, its harder for a 12 year old to understand this kind of thing... but if he said it to my daughter, i'd use it as a means of teaching her as well...
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973beachbum
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Post by 973beachbum on Sept 6, 2012 9:59:40 GMT -5
Shoot, I have "normal" baggers who can't figure that out. I go through self checkout now because, one, I want ALL my items I paid for and it seems one never makes it in the bag making me have to go back and get it again which pisses me off, and two, stuff isn't packed right. I always go through the self checkout for that same reason. I hate the way most cashiers regardless of IQ bag. The worst part now is that if I am at the self checkout and one of the baggers doesn't have anything to do they are told to come down and bag for anyone checkingout there. I always try and politely tell them I am very OCD about my groceries and I like to bag them myself. Most just laughed but one of them got offended. Wouldn't my going through the self checkout been enough of a hint?
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jaya3300
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Post by jaya3300 on Sept 6, 2012 10:03:09 GMT -5
If other customer have complained about this bagger than she should be talked to, written up, and reassigned to another task. If this is the only complaint, then maybe a conversation with her and the coach is warranted.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2012 10:26:48 GMT -5
Already called the customer and apologized, told her we will handle the situation.
The girl doesn't have an ounce of mean in her, seriously. And yes talk to her for 5 minutes and it is obvious that while she is 25 she has the mind of a kid. She reminds me of my litle brother and sister when they were between 5-9 and would start up conversations about the weirdest thing. She will start talking to you about what she did last night, had for dinner, plans for the weekend, visiting grandparents etc. She is basically a kid in a woman's body.
I talk to the cashier that was with her on Monday and it seems that yes the young girl was heavy set and the associate was as usual just trying to make some contact/conversation. Every tried to tell a 6-9 year girl to stand around and not talk? We've never had any success with my sister and this young lady is the same; she likes interacting with people and talking. Some customers respond well to it, some don't care for it but we never had a complaint about it before.
We called her coach and she will come in with her on Monday so we can go over it on Monday and also called her mom to give her a heads up.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Sept 6, 2012 10:31:50 GMT -5
cawiau-give the talk a positive spin. I would imagine the 25-year-old would also have the emotional level of a 5-9 year old too. Easily upset if spoken to sternly.
All performance conversations should be uplifting to make them want to do good.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Sept 6, 2012 10:32:10 GMT -5
So, I know my job as a manager is very different than yours. But, when I "talk" to someone because they did something wrong, I almost always document it. It is a CYA for me, for them, for the company - it just helps if I have some notes on anything that is important. Granted, I don't document every conversation I've ever had with every employee - but if someone we work with from outside the department asked me to talk to one of my peeps about something, I would jot down a few notes and put it in my files.
I'm guessing that when you say you are in debate on "discipline" for her - I'm thinking there is some formal disciplinary action? What are the consequences of that? And what are the benefits? If she continues to be totally inappropriate and you never documented your discussions about it, would your hands be tied on trying to get her reassigned or something? Does a single write-up cause some harm to her career path?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2012 10:33:19 GMT -5
And make sure she wears a helmet from now on.
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WholeLottaNothin
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Post by WholeLottaNothin on Sept 6, 2012 10:43:27 GMT -5
Our local price chopper employs special needs people as baggers, and it is obvious which ones they are. The one in particular talks about the same 3 things every time. Idk if she was coached that way or someone told her its polite to talk about the weather and it just stuck. My uncle was special needs and was about the same as an 8 year old developmentally. He had no filter. If the girl was heavy set this is probably not the first time something has been said to her, and her mother may be overly sensitive about it. When I was 12 I looked about 16 or 17 so the employee may have not been aware of the girls real age.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2012 10:58:45 GMT -5
Thyme we have different approaches here:
-> My boss wanted to give her a documentation which starts off with Verbal Warning, First Written, Second Written, Suspension and then termination. ---> for aggravated cases like selling alcohol to a minor, fighting on premises etc we skip all the prior steps and go right to suspension or termination (ex: if you fail a alcohol sting done by us or department of Health you get 3 days suspension, if it is by the state troopers not only you get arrested on the spot but you are terminated)
-> and we also have "discussion" forms which is what I wanted to do and going with where you basically stated that on such date you talk to an associate about a certain situation, associate understand what they did or did not do wrong why, and what are the solutions/steps we are going to take to avoid that going forward --> now if same thing happens again, you go to the documentation forms I listed above.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Sept 6, 2012 11:10:04 GMT -5
Thyme we have different approaches here: -> My boss wanted to give her a documentation which starts off with Verbal Warning, First Written, Second Written, Suspension and then termination. ---> for aggravated cases like selling alcohol to a minor, fighting on premises etc we skip all the prior steps and go right to suspension or termination (ex: if you fail a alcohol sting done by us or department of Health you get 3 days suspension, if it is by the state troopers not only you get arrested on the spot but you are terminated) -> and we also have "discussion" forms which is what I wanted to do and going with where you basically stated that on such date you talk to an associate about a certain situation, associate understand what they did or did not do wrong why, and what are the solutions/steps we are going to take to avoid that going forward --> now if same thing happens again, you go to the documentation forms I listed above. Sounds to me like performance improvement counselings (verbal first (but noted in personnel file) then written)/performance reminders/three reminders in a rolling 12 month period and you're out. Same is true for warning letters unless the infraction is so severe it warrants immediate termination.
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Taxman10
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Post by Taxman10 on Sept 6, 2012 11:17:19 GMT -5
Personally I think the mother is overreacting. Parents need to 1) teach their kids to learn to deal with rude comments and 2) have some understanding for special needs individuals. For your case, I think it is appropriate to talk with the employee (or their coach) about the incident. But I would never go to the point of disciplinary action. how would you even discipline the worker? it reminds me Parks & Rec when Leslie got a "note" in her file...does documenting the incident in the employee file mean anything? It's not like the employee is gunning to be CEO of the supermarket one day. I think the mom of the "victim" should be slapped, and the "victim" should drop a few pounds, IMHO.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2012 12:01:01 GMT -5
Then I agree not to disciplne her. Makes absolutely no sense in the circumstances.
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8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Sept 6, 2012 12:08:31 GMT -5
I had this fantasy that if I ever work retail, I would have a code with my employees if I ever had to scold them in front of the customers. Like I'd touch my nose, or say "hithertofore" or something. Sometimes a customer just wants to feel big to compensate for a deficiency in his/her own life. They want to feel like they can inflict harm on someone else. I'd give them the show they wanted, without them knowing that I'd already told my employees that this is just for show.
I say just tell the stupid customer that the employee was disciplined (which oftentimes is just for show) and leave the poor person alone.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Sept 6, 2012 12:24:38 GMT -5
If the worker girl is never going to have filters - is she really appropriate for this type of work? I just don't think that people should have to be called fat or pregnant or whatever just so someone else can feel good about themselves. When I was in college a very disabled girl worked at the grocery store I went to. The gal had a mouth full of nastiness, and she would hug the customers. She hugged me once and I told the store manager that I do not want to be hugged by her or anyone else in the store. His response was "She's a good person and means no harm." Well, she smells like an outhouse and I don't like to be touched. Why is it my responsibility to hug her? Why do her feelings trump mine? I think it sucks that we are blaming the customer for not wanting someone telling her tween she is fat enough to be pregnant. Sure, we all have to deal with people that are inappropriate - but do we really have to PAY for the privilege of being uncomfortable and insulted?
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happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Sept 6, 2012 15:24:48 GMT -5
I would rather tolerate some unusual behavior (or smells) that sometimes come with mentally challanged people than have my tax dollars pay for them to be warehoused someplace out of sight of the 'normal' people.
I mean, this is a money board, we're all about personal responsibility and the reduction of entitlements and taxes, if someone can earn a small salary bagging groceries or mopping floors that beats them sitting around coloring or watching cartoons on the government dime all day.
Besides there are plenty of my co-workers that do things I don't like, and they aren't mentally challanged. At least, they pass themselves off as 'normal' (but I have to wonder sometimes). I have to tolerate working with them - unless I can win the lottery instead.
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on Sept 6, 2012 15:44:02 GMT -5
If the taxpayer has to pay salary and benefits to their coaches so that they can work and offset some of their costs, it's probably not actually saving us any money.
That's slightly different. You're being paid to deal with those knuckleheads, not paying for the privilege of having to put up with them.
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Sept 6, 2012 15:52:33 GMT -5
I think we have all been in the situation where we congratulated an aquantiance on her upcoming baby only to find out there may be a baby in the future, but it is not coming within the next 9 months, that is for sure. Uh, no. Most people have more tact than that.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2012 15:55:07 GMT -5
I think we have all been in the situation where we congratulated an aquantiance on her upcoming baby only to find out there may be a baby in the future, but it is not coming within the next 9 months, that is for sure. Uh, no. Most people have more tact than that. Have you been out in the world lately?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2012 15:58:56 GMT -5
I think the intent of the coaches is to get to where that individual doesn't need a coach anymore. An average employee may need a 15-30 minute run through of the time clock and the bagging protocol. A special needs employee may need to practice punching the time clock a few dozen times, they may need a reminder to ask about paper or plastic for a few weeks or months. But that doesn't mean they need a coach forever.
I think in our community, you can get a coach through the school system (if you are lucky - there aren't enough) and they really work with the kids who are going to age out of the public school system to transition to whatever level of independence is possible for that specific kid. You get to stay in the program until you are 21, but after that, the taxpayers give you the boot out the door.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2012 16:02:11 GMT -5
I think we have all been in the situation where we congratulated an aquantiance on her upcoming baby only to find out there may be a baby in the future, but it is not coming within the next 9 months, that is for sure. Uh, no. Most people have more tact than that. Clearly you haven't shopped at walmart lately. The challenged man made a mistake because he is challenged. The mom is being knowingly hurtful to a man that really did not have intent to hurt her chubby daughter.
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8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Sept 6, 2012 16:04:00 GMT -5
...:::" I think it sucks that we are blaming the customer for not wanting someone telling her tween she is fat enough to be pregnant.":::...
I think the dilemma is over whether a formal disciplinary action is warranted, or whether a talking to is sufficient. I'm sure nobody would object to the special needs person being given a reminder on what statements are polite. I just don't think (for a single infraction, without demonstrated intent) that it needs to include scary paperwork and permanent records.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2012 16:06:27 GMT -5
Private companies that draw public funds, or non profits general provide coaches around here... I'm sure I'm simplifying the mechanics, but in general I think the ssi type $ that would go to the individual, go to the group providing service... At least that is how the company I worked group homes for seemed to run, and they ran coaches, sheltered workshops, etc.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2012 16:08:49 GMT -5
I remember a customer wanting my boss to discipline me because her five-year-old wanted to give me "a kiss and a hug," and I said, "No thank you, sweetie." The mother said I was hurting her daughter's feelings and demanded to know "why not." I said, "I don't really hug people I don't know." The mother was really angry and went to my manager.
The manager calmed her down and laughed about it afterwards, but I couldn't believe the customer wanted me written up.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2012 16:11:52 GMT -5
I remember a customer wanting my boss to discipline me because her five-year-old wanted to give me "a kiss and a hug," and I said, "No thank you, sweetie." The mother said I was hurting her daughter's feelings and demanded to know "why not." I said, "I don't really hug people I don't know." The mother was really angry and went to my manager. The manager calmed her down and laughed about it afterwards, but I couldn't believe the customer wanted me written up. That is so out of line. jeeze. I'm glad you had a reasonable manager. I think it is great that people hire challenged adults and of course they must realize that little things like this may happen. If customers make a big deal out of it what will happen is eventually the stores will no longer find a spot for these people and that is sad.
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busymom
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Post by busymom on Sept 6, 2012 16:13:53 GMT -5
Susana, next time just tell the customer,"sorry, I've got herpes, & I don't think you want me to share...."
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2012 16:43:00 GMT -5
Lol (and karma!)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2012 16:45:34 GMT -5
Didin't read the whole thread but I've had non special needs individuals ask me if I was pregnant, when I am not. I think it would be inappropriate to write her up. Sounds like the mom is defensive because her child is overweight and is blaming it on someone else.
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