Off the clock, sorry!

[bean]

A few months ago, I was on my lunch break (COMPLETELY out of uniform, since my "uniform" is a The Whole apron with a nametag, street clothes are fine) with someone in upper management. He was also off the clock, in street clothes, and both of us were standing at the deli counter waiting to get some meats and cheeses.

We heard someone huffing behind us, ignored it and continued talking. We were off the clock and out of uniform, after all.

Finally "ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO HELP ME?" from the person behind us. We both gave her a huge WTF look, and said nothing. She then said "Why aren't you helping me?!"

Upper management type said "We're not on the clock, we're customers just like you right now. Wait your turn just like we did!" then turned back to me.

It took everything inside me not to crack up at that. And bitch huffed some more and shuffled off, probably in search of more employees off the clock and NOT in uniform to harass.

I don't care if you recognize me off the clock or not, but I'm sure as hell not helping you while clocked out unless I REALLY like you. My store actually had a trainer at one point that ordered us to help people while off the clock (she didn't last long for some reason).

[Pagan]

My store actually had a trainer at one point that ordered us to help people while off the clock (she didn't last long for some reason).

Gee, yeah, I wonder. Since that's just slightly illegal!

[Food Lady]

Happens to me, too. But when I'm wandering the store in uniform, no one asks for help.

[bean]

If I have on an apron and nametag, that means I'm ready to help. If I'm on my break, I throw on my jacket and zip it up to cover the apron. If it's too warm for a jacket, I take it (apron) off and leave it under my register.

If I'm shuffling into the store, in my sunglasses, carrying my keys, and carrying my apron, that does not mean I'm ready to help. It means I'm on my way back to my locker and the timeclock. Do NOT stop me, because we have a very small window to clock in before/after our official start time, and I don't need another writeup, I JUST got off "final" a few days ago and don't intend to get back on it.

I've had this happen COUNTLESS times.

[MadMike]

My store actually had a trainer at one point that ordered us to help people while off the clock (she didn't last long for some reason).

So where did you hide the body?

But seriously...

I got called an "asshole" by a customer once when I wouldn't help him, when not only was I not in uniform, but I was also on the way to the breakroom with my lunch in my hands.

Another time I came on my day off to buy something. I saw two people I went to school with standing by the information desk, apparently trying to find someone to help them. When they spotted me, they tried to get me to help them. I told them I wasn't working that day, since apparently the lack of uniform didn't make it obvious. They asked if I could do it anyway, I told them I was in a hurry. So then they asked if I could find someone to help them. I told them if I happened to see someone, I'd send them over, which, naturally, I didn't.

If it had been someone I was friends with, I might have tried to help, or at least find someone, but those guys weren't really friends. The one I didn't really know, other than knowing who he was, and the other one I didn't really like, so screw 'em.

[Retail Associate]

Last year during the Christmas season I was shopping after work to pick up some food for a dinner I had planned for my son and his girlfriend. They were already at the house and I was really looking forward to the evening. I just wanted to get what I needed and get the heck out of there.

Some old ass approached me and asked me where the horse radish is. I told him I didn't know (I really didn't...I don't use the stuff) and continued on.

He bellows, "Thanks a lot for your help. It's your job to give customer service."

I replied, "Not when I'm off the clock. Right now I'm a customer, just as you are and I don't work for free."

Everywhere I went from that point on he was there. He checked out in the lane right next to me and followed me outside the store, then stood and stared at me as I got in my car.

It took everything I had not to run him over.

BTW, he was the 5th person to ask me for help while I shopped. If I'm not wearing my name tag, leave me the hell alone. Why is that so hard to figure out?

[MelodiousBubbles]

I'm too nice for my own good since I'll end up directing people even if I'm just in there on my day off.

Then again, it's a small store and 90% of the people who're in there are regulars and are awesome people, so I don't mind. They're the same people who let me cut ahead of them in line when it's busy and I need to buy my stuff to get on my break

Though I can see where you wouldn't want to run around a large store finding things for people when you're trying to get on your break. That would be a pain in the ass and I would likely tell them to bugger off, myself.

[Ree]

People stop me all the time with my lunch or my coffee for break in my hand.

I usually just help them, but it pisses me off.
Then I take an extra long break.

[Geek King]

I usually just help them, but it pisses me off.
Then I take an extra long break.

I do that myself, but it is a different story when someone is waiting for you to come back so they can go on break. Not really fair to throw their break off for someone else being a boor.

[Ree]

I'm lucky in that the timing of my breaks don't affect anybody else.

[Kogarashi]

I'd get approached occasionally while on my break too. I usually did what I do when shopping on days off: I tell the customer where something is if I know, but don't make any special effort to go find it for them, or pull items off of the shelf, or tell them about features. Just point and say, "I think it's over there, on the baking aisle" or whatever, then continue on my merry way.

Thankfully I haven't gotten any complaints yet, and now that I'm not currently in the workforce I shouldn't. Still waiting to be accused of working someplace I don't, though.

[just_me]

I bought an mp3 player. As soon as it is time for break, the headphones go in my ears.