Please help! Asda employee

Lizz.Madden.BCU

Hello,

I am new to this site, And have a problem and wondering if anyone could shine a light or give me any advice.

I currently work at asda, And have since around April, I have under a years service, However, On applying for the position of W/House nights, I did state that i would be returning to university in September, And that my contracted hours may have to be changed, Just move days around. I have been told that other than having two absences, I am a good worker and get the job done (which in ASDA seems the hardest task in the world for some people) I fulfill my job role, And aspects of others, I accept any overtime given, And have gone beyond the call of duty on a few occasions, I do my job by the book, The only thing i do "wrong" is that i don't wear the correct ASDA trousers on the nights, As i find it is too cold.

So, Returning to University in September, I found that i could no longer work thur/fri/sat, Due to having university Fri morning, At the time i thought they could offer me a career break, Since having been told that i have no worked there long enough, Though i was told and well informed ASDA that i would be returning to university. I also spoke to my other colleague and *WORKER1* (Cannot disclose) said they would be happy to rearrange nearer the time, However it is now november, And after talking to *WORKER1* there is still no luck, Infact i have had to drop a shift, Due to me having to drop a shift because *WORKER1* wouldn't re-arrange they're shift, I am now effectively voiding my contract, And have been more or less told that i am running the risk of loosing my job, Concerned about this issue, I had a conversation with my line manager to which *LINEMANAGER1* told me that they "Didn't know" weather or not my job was secure, And in the same instance has told me that the quality of job that i produce is better than that of someone who has been working there for three years (same position), Again, This is leading to my thur shift going down as absence on the system, As the ASDA system? Cannot accept anything else, Which is soiling my employee record, I was told that ASDA could facilitate for these things (going to university/college etc) and have shown so far, No signs.

It has since come to my attention that there is a lot of tit for tat going on, *WORKER1* told my *LINEMANAGER1* that i could not work thursday shifts due to having another job, (I do have another small (2hrs per evening) job, But it never affected my working from April when i started - Until now, The only thing that has changed is the addition of university) I have told my line manager that i would be willing to transfer my thursday shift for another one more suited to me, E.g a Sunday, But due to *WORKER1* not wanting to, I cannot

In retrospect, i do not know what to do, And i do not know how to go about what or who to talk to, *WORKER1* have family in the business and if mentioned in a grievance proceedure, I stand to upset alot of people *LINEMANAGER1* has noticed that *WORKER1* makes mistakes and doesnt fulfil they're job role, And cannot say anything due to upsetting other people.

Other factors are;

- I signed up my contract originally to warehouse, And have been told to work on grocery also, Without notice
- I am now TOLD i must work extra days where *WORKER1* are on holiday, No asked to pre-arrange or agree.
- Mislead information is being passed around about me like nobody's business
- I feel that though i enjoy my job, That my job is threatened
- Subsequently to the above, I am now not happy in the position, And want to transfer departments
- I am treated differently in the respect that *WORKER1* don't do anything for grocey, Where as i am TOLD to do tasks for them, Which if i have time i do not mind, But running a warehouse on your own, With frequent deliverys to accept, And trying to perform magic tricks for grocery, Is adding stress to the job to the extent where i feel ill
- I cannot trust *WORKER1* or *LINEMANAGER1* as they discuss the matter between themselves without contacting me as i only work two days a week

I do not know weather to put in a grievance to ASDA, And if i do so, Who do i have the grievance with, Technically i feel it's with *WORKER1* and *LINEMANAGER1* and *GROCERYMANAGER1*, And face to upset *WORKER1's FAMILY MEMBERS, Who also work in the same branch x 3* And feel that 6 people could make my life very uncomfortable

And i feel that as i am not happy with Warehouse nights, I would transfer over to grocery nights, And upsetting *GROCERYMANAGER1* wouldn't exactly be the best idea, Although *GROCERYMANAGER1* has already said i am good on the shop floor, Though i feel that statement many change once i put in a grievance.

I also feel that if i was to go and talk direct with the GSM, Or assitant GSM (Manager of Managers), That i would upset *LINEMANAGER1* Which is never a good thing to do.


Please please please, Somebody help. I do not what to do, I need to know my rights and have no clue where to start, And need advice as i feel really unhappy in the position i was in, I was also descriminated against when i first started for sexual orientation, When none of the night team had met me, But had chosen to take it no further due to lack of understanding about the disciplinary processes, And not wanting to cause problems so i could keep my job

Any information/help/advice would be must appreciated.

Thanks

(Undisclosed)

Frogletina

Lizz.Madden.BCU wrote: »

The only thing i do "wrong" is that i don't wear the correct ASDA trousers on the nights, As i find it is too cold.

I can only advise on the above

Wear 100 denier tights under your trousers (I get mine from M&S), no one will know and you will be really warm

SHIPSHAPE

Hello

Right, there is a lot to digest and, to be honest, I'm not too sure what are the specific problem/s.

Could you put the issue/s a bit clearer please?

How old are you? There are certain rights afforded to young workers exclusively.

SarEl

It seems pretty clear to me. OP has worked for Asda for eight months, wants to change their shifts because they attend university and their shifts are no longer convenient to them. Beacuse of this they asked for a career break and were refused (unsurpisingly - you need to have a career before getting a break in it, and six months doesn't exactly consitute a career). But since they are (they say) an excellent worker and do their job better than others it isn' fair that other people won't agree / aren't made to change their shifts to accommodate the hours that the OP wants to work, resulting in the OP being marked as absent from a shift on the very unfair basis that they didn't turn up and work the shift.

And if they can't have their own way the OP will drag up any possible other excuse including discrimination to try to get it because it's not fair that employers don't organise work around the needs of their employees.

I feel that if the OP continues in this vein however, they will get what they wanted all along - a very lengthy career break.

teajug

Have a look in your staff handbook and see how long you have to be in post before a career break is alloowed for staff. Sometimes this can be a year and some supermarkets can be 2 years.

C_Mababejive

I would agree...you need to wear the protective clothing which the company provides.

Do you have a contract of employment? Are you a member of a trades union?

Many big companies have all sorts of policies with regard to facilitating education,child care ,family provisions etc and that is all well and good but much of it is simply corporate window dressing. When it comes down to the coal face, such policies often do not work,do not apply and cause friction with colleagues.

Presumably colleagues also have lives and interests and are not obliged to swap shifts to accommodate your college/Uni attendance?

Are you seeking to cut out a career at ASDA or is it simply a means to an end/to earn money?

You need to be careful about treading on toes..at the front line,work can really be dog eat dog and it is easy to make enemies or get yourself sidelined.

Keep up the good dialogue with your line manager and do not engage in conflict.

Evilm

Go and buy a pair of thermal trousers. Wear them underneath your official trousers. You should no longer be too cold.

Other than that you can no longer do the shifts you signed up to so you either need to go and amend the availability records with your line manager /HR or need to find a new job.

mountainofdebt

Lizz.Madden.BCU wrote: »

Hello,

I currently work at asda, And have since around April, I have under a years service, However, On applying for the position of W/House nights, I did state that i would be returning to university in September, And that my contracted hours may have to be changed, Just move days arounddid it not occur to you that Asda couldn't just magic a shift for you or that you would have to be at the mercy of your colleagues ?. I have been told that other than having two absences, I am a good worker and get the job done (which in ASDA seems the hardest task in the world for some people) I fulfill my job role, And aspects of others, I accept any overtime given, And have gone beyond the call of duty on a few occasions, I do my job by the book, The only thing i do "wrong" is that i don't wear the correct ASDA trousers on the nights, As i find it is too cold.then put on the undertrousers that walkers use - then they will have no compliants

So, Returning to University in September, I found that i could no longer work thur/fri/sat, Due to having university Fri morning, At the time i thought they could offer me a career break,eh what? Since having been told that i have no worked there long enough, Though i was told and well informed ASDA that i would be returning to university. I also spoke to my other colleague and *WORKER1* (Cannot disclose) said they would be happy to rearrange nearer the time, However it is now november, And after talking to *WORKER1* there is still no luck, Infact i have had to drop a shift, Due to me having to drop a shift because *WORKER1* wouldn't re-arrange they're shift, I am now effectively voiding my contract, And have been more or less told that i am running the risk of loosing my jobthings change for all of us - perhaps its not now convenient for them to swop - have you thought of this or do you think the world revolves around you?, Concerned about this issue, I had a conversation with my line manager to which *LINEMANAGER1* told me that they "Didn't know" weather or not my job was secure, And in the same instance has told me that the quality of job that i produce is better than that of someone who has been working there for three years (same position), Again, This is leading to my thur shift going down as absence on the system,so have you dropped the shift or just not turning in? As the ASDA system? Cannot accept anything else, Which is soiling my employee record, I was told that ASDA could facilitate for these things (going to university/college etc) and have shown so far, No signs.yes asda can but not to the extent you are asking for - as I understood it, if you go off to another city to study they may be able to transfer your job there or keep you just for the holidays but its not a God given right whih you seem to think it is

It has since come to my attention that there is a lot of tit for tat going on, *WORKER1* told my *LINEMANAGER1* that i could not work thursday shifts due to having another job, (I do have another small (2hrs per evening) job, But it never affected my working from April when i started - Until now, The only thing that has changed is the addition of university) I have told my line manager that i would be willing to transfer my thursday shift for another one more suited to me, E.g a Sunday, But due to *WORKER1* not wanting to, I cannotBut they can't magic a shift for you neither can they force someone to change just to accommodate you

In retrospect, i do not know what to do, And i do not know how to go about what or who to talk to, *WORKER1* have family in the business and if mentioned in a grievance proceedure on what basis that they won't change their shifts to accommodate you?, I stand to upset alot of people *LINEMANAGER1* has noticed that *WORKER1* makes mistakes and doesnt fulfil they're job role, And cannot say anything due to upsetting other people.you really think the linemanager is scared of an underling? Get a grip

Other factors are;

- I signed up my contract originally to warehouse, And have been told to work on grocery also, Without noticeboo hoo
- I am now TOLD i must work extra days where *WORKER1* are on holiday, No asked to pre-arrange or agree.ditto
- Mislead information is being passed around about me like nobody's businessand you wonder why?
- I feel that though i enjoy my job, That my job is threatenedditto
- Subsequently to the above, I am now not happy in the position, And want to transfer departmentsno you're not happy because the world of warehouse isn't revolving around you
- I am treated differently in the respect that *WORKER1* don't do anything for grocey, Where as i am TOLD to do tasks for them, Which if i have time i do not mind, But running a warehouse on your own, With frequent deliverys to accept, And trying to perform magic tricks for grocery, Is adding stress to the job to the extent where i feel illget a grip and man up
- I cannot trust *WORKER1* or *LINEMANAGER1* as they discuss the matter between themselves without contacting me as i only work two days a weekditto

I do not know weather to put in a grievance to ASDA, And if i do so, Who do i have the grievance with, Technically i feel it's with *WORKER1* and *LINEMANAGER1* and *GROCERYMANAGER1*, And face to upset *WORKER1's FAMILY MEMBERS, Who also work in the same branch x 3* And feel that 6 people could make my life very uncomfortableyou don't have a grievance - you're acting like a spoilt brat

And i feel that as i am not happy with Warehouse nights, I would transfer over to grocery nights, And upsetting *GROCERYMANAGER1* wouldn't exactly be the best idea, Although *GROCERYMANAGER1* has already said i am good on the shop floor, Though i feel that statement many change once i put in a grievance.then apply for a role there then if there is a vacancy or do expect them to magiic you a vacancy?

I also feel that if i was to go and talk direct with the GSM, Or assitant GSM (Manager of Managers), That i would upset *LINEMANAGER1* Which is never a good thing to do.no not when you'll be told to sling your hook because you're acting like a spoilt brat


Please please please, Somebody help. I do not what to do, I need to know my rights and have no clue where to start, And need advice as i feel really unhappy in the position i was in, I was also descriminated against when i first started for sexual orientation, When none of the night team had met me, But had chosen to take it no further due to lack of understanding about the disciplinary processes, And not wanting to cause problems so i could keep my jobyou nees to man up, stop acting like a spoilt brat and build a few bridges - you'll get further that way

Any information/help/advice would be must appreciated.

Thanks

(Undisclosed)

Welcome to the grown up world - now start acting like a grown up

ViolaLass

By the way, OP, your name and university are a little obvious from your username. You may want to change that.

tori.k

Have you asked to go seasonal?
Its quite common that you will be asked to help out other departments when its needed, im contracted to chilled, last night i worked grocery as they were a man down i just see it as its nice to be able to do something different then my actual contract.
Asda has a policy that everybody has to work a weekend day, you can't blame you co-worker if they would rather work the Sunday then the Saturday night. I think most of us would prefer the Sunday

thorsoak

Hi Lizzie - instead of talking to X, Y and Z, write a letter addressed to your HR Dept at the store at which you are employed, CC it to Leeds, just setting out the facts that because you are now at Uni, you are unable to do the shifts for which you were originally contracted, and ask them if it is possible to rearrange them during term times.

Don't go into all the whys and wherefores - let them sort it out. Asda works far better that way, ime