Joined: 13 Aug 2008
Posts: 3
| Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 8:57 pm Post subject: New Employee, Random Questions | |
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Hello everyone! First post, although I've been perusing the forum for a week or so. First off, thanks to you all for your brutally honest perception of all things Lowe's. I appreciate the heads-up. I've only just taken the drug test so I'm awaiting word on the orientation date.
Reason for writing: Wanted to see if anyone could give me a heads-up on approximate hours for Lawn/Garden. I'll be working as a Team Lead but I'm also a single parent with a son who starts Pre-K tomorrow. Could I be so lucky that the majority of my hours (being as it's outside) will be during the morning/afternoon? In other stores it seems that although the Lawn/Garden is still accessible in the evenings, it is quite unmanned and all purchases are made inside at the main registers. Is this the case at Lowe's as well? Secondly, I'm told this is a non-smoking store; policy being that you can smoke on your lunch break if you so desire but not on Lowe's property which includes your vehicle in the parking lot. I guess after 15 years it's time I had a reason to quit but does this policy violate some type of anything??! Even hospitals around here permit their employees to smoke on their 15 minute breaks. From what I've read on here so far, I have the feeling I'm gonna need a smoke or two. 
Thanks for any and all info. I've got lots more questions and replies but I just wanted to say hello and get in the game on this forum. Again, all advice is appreciated. |
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Joined: 22 Dec 2007
Posts: 90
| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 12:02 am Post subject: | |
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The problem with the questions are that there's corporate stuff and then there's what the store might do itself.
with the schedualing will have hours that would go all over the place. opening would be 6-3 or 7-4, mid could be 10-7, closing could be 2-11. They call this stuff corporate schedualing but in reality it's made to make people more dependent on their job since there's no chance in getting a part time job to suppliment things etc. If you are full time this stuff is supposed to apply but frankly much of it is illegal in my state since in mine you cannot force someone to work sundays or holidays. If you are part time you can tell them whatever. The store itself might level with you and try to work something out or maybe do so for awhile. I was in inside garden for a summer with a fixed schedual. Positions that are more fixed are rtm, receiving and psa's. In terms of smoking...this is what I've seen 1) never ever smoke in the building...this includes outside garden, receiving, pullpen etc. Definatly not in the delivery truck etc. There's much in the store that is flammable and fires can and have happened 2) outside...off clock I'd say it depends. I've seen a chunk of management smoke outside off clock and nothing happened. It's one of those laws that frankly unless they totally enforce it and put the resources to do so chances are it won't happen. LP is not going to zoom into peoples cars outside to see if they are smoking, they have more and better things to do. Besides if the place is packed with cars how would they know? However I think there are some things that the company might have to help kick smoking that and you can write off the patch and other stuff on your taxes. |
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Joined: 18 Mar 2005
Posts: 235
Location: 3rd coast
| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 2:09 am Post subject: Re: New Employee, Random Questions | |||||
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Welcome to the forums, Carpe. Hope you get to keep your schedule, but since it's retail, you never know. I agree with mdovell on the schedule variances/chaos and why management/corporate prefers to keep your life tethered to their needs, as opposed to supporting yours. My experience with OSLG (albeit for another company) is gardening is primarily a daytime thing, especially for landscapers and contractors, the majority of whom place orders and pick up merchandise during mornings and afternoons. Payroll allocated for a team lead in that dept. is better spent during those hours.
As for smoking -
So far hospitals in my area are banning employees from smoking on the property during their breaks, so things may be trending that way for most major companies. If you quit, great, but don't feel bad if you can't. Retail will drive anyone to puff on the legal weed, so it's hard to enforce the policy without HR facing a mass exodus of staff.
I think what you have to watch out for is the brown-nosing snitch co-worker who happens to pass your parked car while you sit inside of it and smoke on your break. Just be savvy to the politics and personalities in your entire store. Best of luck to you. 
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Joined: 13 Aug 2008
Posts: 3
| Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:16 pm Post subject: | |
Thanks for the replies, all  Just found out that our orientation is set for Friday. I'm psyched. It's been a while since I've been in retail ... heck, in ANYTHING really. Been a stay-at-home mom for four years. I'm thankful for you both for the advice and the well-wishes. I'll keep you posted and here's to hoping that the ol' J-O-B is all it's cracked up to be!
Til next time 
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Joined: 01 Feb 2008
Posts: 226
| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:48 am Post subject: | |
| Welcome to the company. | |