Customer Reported Me For Not Working Off the Clock

[Pixilated]

I wouldn't say, "I'm off the clock" or "I'm on break" for the reasons given by several posters -- it makes it sound like "Get lost." Slayer's got a good idea: "I'm sorry, I don't know; [somebody else] would be able to tell you."

When I was at the supermarket it wasn't unusual to be asked for help as I was heading off for break. Sometimes I'd help them, but if I needed to keep moving (i.e. bathroom break NOW!! LOL) I'd try to divert them to somebody else. At least it makes them feel that you've tried to help them. If they thought I was stupid for being an employee but not knowing where everything is located ... well, I can live with that.

[Android Kaeli]

I've had to tell cashiers that unless I've been told to stay later, when I'm standing up at the front waiting to turn in my stuff to a manager I will NOT help a customer. A question or two, yes, but I'm off the clock and on my own time.

[Thatgirl71]

I think you did the right thing.
I once had a sc ask me to help him while I was standing outside waiting for my dad to pick me up after my shift was over. My answer? Uhm, no, sorry I'm off the clock. He did the whole cat butt face and looked pissed. I didn't budge. Wanna complain? go to that big desk in the front of the store that is under the sign that says customer service. I don't get paid enough to care.
Your manager is in the wrong on this one. I just read about a couple of stores (abercrombie maybe?) in California that were sued for making their associates work off the clock. They got in big trouble.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

I think, in this regard, I am fortunate.

Once I enter the door of the swamp, it's only ten steps to the employees-only door leading to the breakroom and the time clock. No getting stopped by impatient customers on the way to punch in for the day!

And likewise, no SCs to bug me as I'm heading out the door.

Also, if I need to do some shopping there, I never do it in uniform at the end of my shift. I come back later in street clothes.

[veniteangeli]

I had a customer recognize my work uniform once while I was walking down the street on my way home. I had a hoodie on, just not zipped up, I had earbuds in, and my bag over my shoulder. I was at least a block away from my place of work (a supermarket), and I got stopped by someone asking me what the specials were that day.

I will admit I lost my temper. I wasn't even in the fucking parking lot, let alone the building! I told the guy to take a hike. I said, "The people who are ACTUALLY THERE might know better than I would. And even if I did know, I wouldn't tell you - I'm in the fucking street. This is basically harassment, do you get that?"

Funny enough, I never heard from my bosses about it. Guess he must have realized what an idiot he was and not complained, despite my (justified) rudeness!

[blas]

Thankfully, she's never had the nerve to try and drag my ass in earlier than what I felt like, but if you happen to come in at a time that isn't right at shift change, you can't even walk into the production area to grab your tools or put your frock on before my lead is screaming where she wants you and what you need to do right away quickly now!

[Food Lady]

Our management tells us, "Tell them you're on break or off the clock." I guess "I don't know" sounds apathetic. Bottom line is we are not to work on break or even really talk about work, and management backs us up. Work duties for me include helping customers.

[EricKei]

I was trained in customer service back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and Christ was a small child going to school, so I had it drummed into me that it just looked bad to tell a customer that you were on a break, or not on the clock yet.

Same thing for me ^_^ But, as you mentioned, if you're on a *paid* break, it's allowed. It's if you're not getting paid for it that it becomes an issue.

When I worked in a grocery, I did the same thing -- tho tbh it would generally be limited to pointing out the correct aisle for a product or grabbing a manager, as needed. Not gonna go cut meat or bag up an order, both for the "not allowed" reason as well as for liability reasons.

[PepperElf]

did they document this counseling in writing or was it just verbal?

cos if it's in writing, it's something you can bring to the labor board

[downforit2008]

What an idiot. Time spent off the clock is YOUR time, not the company's. You wouldn't be representing the company if you went shopping at your store on your day off and refused to help a customer who RECOGNIZED you. That's part of the reason why I won't shop at my store as well! And we all know how the retail giants feel about overtime, helping the customer or not. They have no right to tell us what to do with our personal time. They don't own us!

[EricKei]

You wouldn't be representing the company if you went shopping at your store on your day off

You may be surprised at how many places disagree with this, especially if one is in uniform >_< No matter how ludicrous it may sound

They don't own us!

see above comment. 8p

[veniteangeli]

You may be surprised at how many places disagree with this, especially if one is in uniform >_< No matter how ludicrous it may sound\

I'm sorry, but that's bullshit. Slavery was ABOLISHED. Jobs is jobs. You roster me on, you pay me for my time, and then I go home and we are DONE. You want more from me? You ask me nicely, and you pay me EXTRA for the trouble. There is no demanding, no expecting, and certainly no pissiness when it turns out that I'm a living breathing human being underneath my uniform.

I think this is why I get along so well with most of my management - we're not legally allowed in the building if we're not working!

[EricKei]

I'm sorry, but that's bullshit. Slavery was ABOLISHED.

Agreed, 110% ^_^ Hence my usage of the term "ludicrous"

However, I'm not gonna elaborate, so as not to veer into fratching territory.

[cashierbex]

I don't mind pointing out items to people. But nowadays I have my earbuds in going from clock to breakroom (I have to run fast lol). I come in every once in a while and sometimes bring my dog (I don't work at a pet store, we just allow small dogs in) and people recognize me but don't bother me thankfully. And if my managers want to tell me something they wait till I'm clocked in. And I get paid for the meetings we have. I have 2 extra hrs on my check next week

[Lace Neil Singer]

This is why I wear another fleece (or shirt, in summer) to work, and change into my uniform in the ladies' room - I got fed up with constantly being stopped either before I had started my shift, or afterwards when I was going home.

^ This, this, thisity this. I always get changed into my regular clothes in the locker room before I go home, and wear my own clothes to work to change into uniform there. Why? Cuz of the SCs who just refuse to accept that anyone in uniform is not there solely to be their personal servant. -.- Off the clock? Nonsense! You lowly drones don't get time off!