The Woolworths Thread (7 Viewers)

[babikakez]

Pretty much most of our (large scale - so excluding 600ml Mount Franklin etc) theft is meat...thats why I said it.

 

[lordtopcat]

Pretty much most of our (large scale - so excluding 600ml Mount Franklin etc) theft is meat...thats why I said it.

As with us...Which is why all meat has to have EAS stickers stuck on under the label.

 

[MMacka]

Agree with the service 100 thing - in that once that is called, basically every staff member that is available goes to that store location. Usually it's if they've done a runner or have tried to in the backdock.
Calling service 100's allthe time will get on the nerves of staff and would make it less-likely for staff to respond to a service 100 in the time of an actual emergency.

Yea thats pretty much what it was like in one of my old stores that was in a really rough area. Service 100 means everyone gets up and runs no matter what, apart from leaving one person in deli and everyone in checkouts stays where they are.

The only exception was service 100's for liquor, which didn't attract so many people because everyone knew it was usually just drunks and they happened all the time.

If its not an emergency then we use to have phantom security calls (eg 'security to section c' over PA) and heaps of staff follow them around pretending to do work/facing up.

But my current store doesn't have too many problems, for that reason I doubt that in the event of a serious incident anyone would know what to do. Half the staff probably don't even know what a service 100 is and of the half that know very few would help.

 

[MMacka]

I know! She was like "yes your management shirt, mm you've been waiting on that one a while". YOU DON'T SAY.

You know that dumpster diving incident i was talking about a while back? I got a formal counselling about it today. It was totally fine though, they were really friendly about it (HR and SSM) and the "action" outcome is me being "actively involved" in the waste reduction programs like Food Bank, Second bite, eco ambassador etc. Although that's my third counselling since i started, so i probably should have been sacked, but they must expire after 12 months or something.

Except it was totally awkward because when I sat down with them in the manager's office I had no idea I was getting in trouble so I was like "oh god you've noticed i stole the safe haven't you!" and then they looked VERY awkward and I was like "oh".

I did the most amazing pack up tonight with only one operator on for the last two hours of trade. Everything was spotless.

Next time wear a mask.

Or even better go over to coles and do it.

They shouldn't of counseled you anyway without giving notice? I thought they had to tell you so you could organise a representative to go with you from the union.

 

[killer-cupcakes]

I only have been counselled once, It was when I first started, I found it rather difficult to operate the till, so when It came to spot checks, I was horendous

now I am usually -5 or 5 over or balanced. , actually I haven't had my register spot checked for a while as they usually trust me.

 

[yoddle]

You totally don't have to answer this or anything, but what have you done to get yourself THREE counselling sessions? Totally curious, but as I said, you don't have to answer.

Oh once from punching an old SSS and another for leaving the doors unlocked one night on duty.







Jokes!
For register discrepancies, pretty much the same as killercupcakes, I used to be really dodgy, I accidentally gave away $470 in "cash out" and then a few months later about $100 vanished off the face of the Earth. They brought in this new rule that I wasn't allowed to go on any other register and mine had to be spot checked like every time i went on break etc. Then I started concentrating and everything was fine.

you only get sacked after 3 councilling if its for the same incident 3 times

Ah! Cool.

Calling "security camera check" on the PA is doing no favours for loss prevention though. a more discreet service 100 could be more appropriate.
Sure it will alert the thiefs to their presence, but the idea of loss prevention is to actually find and catch these people in order to 'prevent' any more losses.

I think, when it comes to the crunch, that the number ONE priority for LP is preventing the loss right there and then, which means doing everything to prevent that theft, and they do their job in trying to prevent theft in general through catching repeat offenders etc.

 

[jirwin]

what is the process at woolies for casuals calling in sick?

I called in sick at work this morning cos I have a pulled muscle in my stomach. my supervisor was fine about it but said I had to talk to a manager which in this case was the SSM I think. he asked if I was casual, asked what I was meant to be working, then asked if I was going to the doctors. I said no and he was all like 'next time u should.... need to get on top of it' i was just thinking wtf. so yeah just wondering what woolies is like because in the rare times I've called in sick previously, not once have I had to talk to store management.

 

[killer-cupcakes]

I have only called in sick twice out of the three years, I have been with the company and I just rang up to speak with my department which is service and my old cow of a department manager said, "Oh Fine!" and hung up, While another time, I told my ssm and she was acting as sm that day and said, "Alright thats ok feel better" If they ask you to provide a doctors certificate get one, But I highly doubt you would need one if your casual.

 

[yoddle]

At my old store it was "oh poor you, i'll just put you through to the SM", who then buzzes back and says "replace blah blah".

Here it's "omfg are you OK?" if you're someone nice/trustworthy, but if you smell/call in sick all the time it's "right. yes. mmm. you need to bring in a doctor's certificate ASAP, goodbye"

 

[babikakez]

Half the staff probably don't even know what a service 100 is and of the half that know very few would help.

Case in point: Me.
I know exactly what a Service 100 is, I just don't really care.

Actually no, I chased once, at the orders of my STM. For a $30 olay cream. Waste of time.

what is the process at woolies for casuals calling in sick?

I called in sick at work this morning cos I have a pulled muscle in my stomach. my supervisor was fine about it but said I had to talk to a manager which in this case was the SSM I think. he asked if I was casual, asked what I was meant to be working, then asked if I was going to the doctors. I said no and he was all like 'next time u should.... need to get on top of it' i was just thinking wtf. so yeah just wondering what woolies is like because in the rare times I've called in sick previously, not once have I had to talk to store management.

It really depends on the store/person/attitudes of management.

Technically, all sickies must go through to the SSM or SM. I generally don't bother with this though UNLESS its someone who's a bit of a repeat offender or I don't believe them.
Its a bit of a waste of time though. I got absolutely interrogated by my SM once but I think thats more because I was calling in sick for a supervision shift when the other supervisor had also called in sick (I didn't realise I was supervising, turns out everyone had swine flu).

For register discrepancies, pretty much the same as killercupcakes, I used to be really dodgy, I accidentally gave away $470 in "cash out" and then a few months later about $100 vanished off the face of the Earth. They brought in this new rule that I wasn't allowed to go on any other register and mine had to be spot checked like every time i went on break etc. Then I started concentrating and everything was fine.

I never knew they counselled people for register discrepancies, though $470 is pretty massive.

 

[EVAN162]

No, as if I'm going to
a) pay for postage
b) get caught stealing the bag with the explanation "oh i'm sending one to this guy from the internet"

I rang totalimage and i'm getting my mang shirt "in the third week of this month"

Oi, I would pay for it. hahaha.
I desperately want one =D

We had our upgrade today, and they obviously didnt think it through very well. We had to put cigarettes through self serve but NOT in training mode, because we had to make sure it didnt print out the fuel docket..but how were we meant to put the money in? Me and the 2IC were just like WTF? But we figured it out..by ringing other stores because IT said they didnt know how to fix it..good HELP desk they are aye.

 

[shinji]

I haven't called in sick for over a year, and when I did yesterday, i still had to work coz of stupid staff not covering my shift. >=/

Pissed me off badly.

@Babikakez - you probably have it better with working as a supervisor on front desk, than working in the deli as a normal ppt staff with people that do shit all, and you constantly have to tell them to do stuff. And when they do, they do it so slow >=/

 

[jirwin]

unfortunately it currently looks like I'm a repeat offender cos I've been sick once a month this entire year. but I'm usually very reliable and suervisors at work know that. "call Jess she'll work" etc but we have new ssm and CSM. they seem much stricter. ssm didn't say I need a cert for this time, next time though which I hope will never occur!

I just find it weird to need a cert as a casual for a single shift. if I was ppt then it makes sense cos I would be wanting payment still... as a casual I'm not /rant

 

[lordtopcat]

Never called in sick. Been with the company for just over a year.

 

[killer-cupcakes]

unfortunately it currently looks like I'm a repeat offender cos I've been sick once a month this entire year. but I'm usually very reliable and suervisors at work know that. "call Jess she'll work" etc but we have new ssm and CSM. they seem much stricter. ssm didn't say I need a cert for this time, next time though which I hope will never occur!

I just find it weird to need a cert as a casual for a single shift. if I was ppt then it makes sense cos I would be wanting payment still... as a casual I'm not /rant

Your casual, you shouldn't need a doctors certificate. Thats what I have always been told

 

[jirwin]

Your casual, you shouldn't need a doctors certificate. Thats what I have always been told

I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks this. Mum was all like 'Sorry but our casuals at work have to have a doctors certificate'. Bit different though - she works at a bowling club with a staff of like 10 people - compared to the 77 people just on Service at Coles. I would understand if it was like more then 1 shift in a row though. Mum was like 'this will be put on your record blah blah blah'... makes me wonder what is in my record!

If anyone knew the crap I cop from my mum about cancelling/not saying yes to shifts then they would know that my sick days are genuine. She is like a nazi when it comes to work!

 

[lordtopcat]

From what I understand, contracted employees who will be absent for 3 or more of their working days, require a doctor's certificate, otherwise it could be classed as an abandonment of duty which can result in dismissal.

I don't think casuals need a Doctor's certificate in the same circumstances. But don't quote me on that.

 

[yoddle]

I just can't believe you're female. I always thought you were a man, and obviously never looked anywhere near below you avatar.

 

[jirwin]

From what I understand, contracted employees who will be absent for 3 or more of their working days, require a doctor's certificate, otherwise it could be classed as an abandonment of duty which can result in dismissal.

I don't think casuals need a Doctor's certificate in the same circumstances. But don't quote me on that.

As I said, I could definitely understand if I was asking for payment (sick leave as a ppt) or it was more then 1 consecutive shift, or I was a repeat offender. Just took me aback a bit because usually its just 'oh thanks for letting us know, get better soon' - which is what the supervisor said when I called but she said I had to be transferred to either SM or SSM - which has never been the case before. She said something about 'so a manager' knows - I guess my CSM/2IC weren't there yet.

Argh well, he said for a doctors certificate 'next time' and something about 'need to get on top of it' << I have no idea about what I/them are trying to get on top of.... I figured the worst thing that will happen is I need to sign a Stat Dec.

 

[PyroTek]

From what I understand, contracted employees who will be absent for 3 or more of their working days, require a doctor's certificate, otherwise it could be classed as an abandonment of duty which can result in dismissal.

I don't think casuals need a Doctor's certificate in the same circumstances. But don't quote me on that.

I'm not sure about your state, but our agreement is:
Missing three consecutive shifts without reason is classified as abandonment,
You need a doctor's certificate if you call in sick for a shift either side of your two days off.
You need a doctor's certificate for the 2nd (or was it 3rd?) day off sick per year, and every day after that.

If no certificate and you have got none without certificates, you can be docked for the shift.