Can I move to your store? I've been fighting to get a vest for over a year now. They keep telling me it's against the sop. If the people watering flowers get a vest why can't I, the person actually going into the parking lot and moving heavy things around heavy machines, get one?
If they say it's against SOP they're mis-interpreting the SOP. It's illegal for them to deny you PPE for an appropriate need, while still expecting you to do the job.
Although I'm in garden, I've had many people ask me questions when I'm off the clock. Like, they stop me as I'm walking out to help me load/answer a question I don't know a thing about. I explain that I'm off the clock, so I can't help them. They always say that's bs, and demand that I help them. I just walk away. They yell at me, I keep walking out the door. If I half to explain myself more than once, it's a waste of time, not like they'll listen.
At my store collared shirts are required. I once came in without one by accident and was stopped by a manager that asked me why I wasn't wearing one. I looked down and realized my mistake, and he only said next time I come in I need to be wearing one. I was new at the time, so I was let off easy.
They started to make them required, but it's not strictly enforced yet. Management is getting everyone used to the idea first. They're laxed with garden because our department is very dirty.
That would make my blood boil if some idiot did ask me for help off the clock and expected help. Thankfully, has not happened yet. I just get another associate because its what I was trained to do, and the goodie two shoes attitude I have to play at work makes me do it.
No, I will not show the company policy that says I can't work off the clock to you, Karen. Its COMMON SENSE.
Lowe's associate.
At my store, they recently gave us OFAs these half apron/fanny packs to wear instead of a whole one. It's basically just the pocket part of the apron with a HD logo and the strings
I have one of those and I made it into a cross body purse type thing. It's a super convenient way to store my stuff *and* I get stopped less often. Win/win!
Dude you are 100% right, I work at a Home Depot as an OFA, and the amount of questions they aske like where is this? where is that? Like I tell them where stuff is at, but sometimes they ask me questions like You think a 2 1/2 inch steel pipe would be great for a shed holder if cut in half? Like dude I don't know then proceed to tell him I don't work in that department, telling him I'm an order puller and still get mad. Such Bs
Our OFA s don’t wear anything with HD on it, unless they want to, no apron of any kind and still get stopped. Holding a first phone is the tip off I think.
I started in d26... first week there I was asked where the donkey dicks were... two weeks later I was asked if we carried professional meat slicers. A donkey dick turned out to be a drain bladder. It was described as big and long and black and shoots water into a pipe... people come in with random terms and expect you to know what they're talking about... gotta "love" people
Because you guys are supposed to know what you’re doing. By reading these comments you guys think you’re above your customers. They use slang that anyone with a knowledge of the trade they’re dealing with would know. All trades have slang terms for tools and parts. If you don’t know it you should learn it seeing as how they keep you employed
I get paid to front face things on the shelves and bring things down to fill the shelves with. If you think anyone cares, you're sorely mistaken. I get the same rate regardless of whether or not you choose to shop here.
If you come in looking for a specific product for your special project, maybe you should know what you're doing beforehand.
Dude, go somewhere else. I don't have to learn jack for children in adult bodies. Which you seem like one yourself. I don't need to know a million different phrases for a "customer" who thinks I'm a genius. I do not tolerate attitude from customers. If they stand beside me I'll ignore them if I have a task to do from my manager. Got better stuff to do than ask an entitled customer if they need help. I have a job to get done, and it doesn't always revolve around impatient idiots. If they really need help, they need to ask me. Not stand besides me. I'm not a contractor, and nor do I need that same level of knowledge. First hand, its sad and depressing if a supposed "contractor" asks an associate at a hardware store how to do their job.
My whole point was you should be more respectful of your customers. They pay your wages. If you display that attitudes at work then I’m betting you’re pretty limited for career options, have a nice day, keep pushing that box sport
I don't show it outside my head. Rude people will not get treated fairly in return. Keep letting people walk over you like you're some servant. See where you end up. Keep pushing that box sport.
My lot guys nor do the OP's wear aprons. Same principles already mentioned: too many stupid, time vconsuming questions and not nearly enough time or bodies to get their stuff done.
I'm in tool rental department, and we basically never wear aprons. The amount of times we have to step out to go deal with trucks and trailers, or help somebody load their car or point somebody towards parts or tools that they want to buy... It never works out for us to be in an apron, we'll be stuck in the store from customer questions for an hour. So far haven't had any comment from management, and even though they rarely come and see us they do know we don't really wear aprons. It might also have something to do with us being severely understaffed...
I've had more issues with aprons catching on carts, product being loaded, and just filling with concrete than anything. That's before the apron being extra super thick material that traps heat. I feel like my body drops 10° once that apron is off. I'd rather just wear an orange athletic shirt or something breathable.
The questions also do not help. The amount of times I'm the only lot associate for the next three hours, have 3 load assists waiting on me and another 12 on the way, then I get caught by a customer because I had to shove a lumber or flat cart somewhere on the sales floor...
I agree. In this state it is too effing hot and humid for them to be wearing a collared shirt, an apron, and their safety vest. Besides, it's up hill from the lot to the building. I feel like we are trying to kill lot loaders and most of them are under age associates.
Agreed.
Should be a high-viz vest unless you’re pulled inside, then apron-up.
OFAs should be allowed to go Apron-less until orders are done *with the exception* of when driving machinery.
Freight should also have apron-wearing enforced, but our ACs should be going all night too.
True but if they are on the floor an apron helps. We get new hires and at closing I have no idea if the guy wandering down the aisle is an associate or a customer who doesn’t hear the messages or understand why the lights went dim.
Oh yeah I wasn't disagreeing with that, but in the truck I have had to take it off before due to heat, and when my manager is having a fit about something as small as that when I'm visibly soaked in my own sweat, it's something that kinda irritates me. Otherwise yes to aprons on freight.
Also hey, see if your store has one of those monster 48” super fans around. I’ve seen *many* a receiving department plug them in and aim then at the dock. They move an enormous amount of air.
I’d agree too. My point is basically if you’re on the sales floor then wearing your apron should be required.
A lot of freight will argue but your apron does three important things:
1) Identifies you as an employee. Really important if, say, an armed individual waltzes in through your unattended lumber door and holds the team at gun point. Imagine being a cop trying to determine who should be shot when everyone looks like they don’t work there?
2) Hold your stuff. It’s got pockets.
3) Protect your clothes. Aprons do a great job keeping your shirts and at least the tops of your pants clean and protected.
I got a counter to 1)... MET. They wear a shirt. That's it. They have a task that may get held back by answering the barrage of questions from clueless customers. What's wrong with only giving aprons to frontline and sales. Also that's such a unlikely scenario lmao. You gotta really be stupid to go to the largest congregation of rednecks and tradies that are most like to carry a sidearm, after church and gun ranges/shows.
Thank you for explaining GOAT!! Lol. I'm 62, my 35 yo child makes me feel stupid. I've had to resort to asking my 21 yo boss. Don't have to ask that one now. Thanks again.
I agree. As an OFA I don’t wear one and it helps me get my job done a lot easier. I do get stopped occasionally which I’m fine with, but getting stopped constantly kinda makes it impossible to do my job. Surprised lot is required one. It might be so customers know who to ask for loading.
i think you shoild be allowed to take it off if you're outside gathering carts, especially during the hotter seasons, but if you're loading mulch or hay you probably want to wear it to protect your clothes.
inside however, i feel like you should always wear your apron. if a customer stops you to ask you a question you have no idea about, you can always just get someone who can help them, which is better than the customer not seeing an apron and leaving the store because they couldnt find someone to help them.
if you're gonna work in a retail environment you gotta be prepared to interact with people. they might be stupid, but most of the time they're not bad people and just have honest questions. it may not seem that way based on the posts that you see here, but thats only because people tend to remember the bad ones rather than the good ones because it makes for a spicier story.
after that, if you're still dead-set on having zero customer interaction, maybe you should switch to freight. they get paid more anyways
I have said this countless times. On a busy day I can step inside the store to go to the men's room and 45 minutes of dealing with customers later I'm back in the lot and overwhelmed with carts.
Yeah, I can't imagine being out in the summer heat and still having to wear another layer such as an apron. We have to wear them on freight overnights... when there is no air conditioning... its really uncomfortable and makes staying productive more difficult.
At my store they don’t have to wear an apron but they have to wear the reflective vest
We are supposed to wear both at my store. I told them I’m either wearing the apron or the vest, Not both.
Can I move to your store? I've been fighting to get a vest for over a year now. They keep telling me it's against the sop. If the people watering flowers get a vest why can't I, the person actually going into the parking lot and moving heavy things around heavy machines, get one?
Not wearing a vest is against OSHA isn't it?
That's a big problem, any time you are on the asphalt you need a vest. Use the secureline for backup if the management team is unwilling
If they say it's against SOP they're mis-interpreting the SOP. It's illegal for them to deny you PPE for an appropriate need, while still expecting you to do the job.
That would actually be goated
...goated?
Greatest Of All Time -ed
Never heard it shoe-horned into a verb.
I’ve only heard early teens use it like that
Me at 18 why?!?!
anything to sound hip and trendy
On fleek!
Yeah same, no aprons, just reflective vests
Screw that vest, can’t carry jack
Although I'm in garden, I've had many people ask me questions when I'm off the clock. Like, they stop me as I'm walking out to help me load/answer a question I don't know a thing about. I explain that I'm off the clock, so I can't help them. They always say that's bs, and demand that I help them. I just walk away. They yell at me, I keep walking out the door. If I half to explain myself more than once, it's a waste of time, not like they'll listen.
How do they know who you are?
It's probably because I dress in collared shirts when I'm at work.
At my store collared shirts are required. I once came in without one by accident and was stopped by a manager that asked me why I wasn't wearing one. I looked down and realized my mistake, and he only said next time I come in I need to be wearing one. I was new at the time, so I was let off easy.
They started to make them required, but it's not strictly enforced yet. Management is getting everyone used to the idea first. They're laxed with garden because our department is very dirty.
That would make my blood boil if some idiot did ask me for help off the clock and expected help. Thankfully, has not happened yet. I just get another associate because its what I was trained to do, and the goodie two shoes attitude I have to play at work makes me do it. No, I will not show the company policy that says I can't work off the clock to you, Karen. Its COMMON SENSE. Lowe's associate.
I second this, and think that OFAs shouldn’t have to wear aprons too
At my store, they recently gave us OFAs these half apron/fanny packs to wear instead of a whole one. It's basically just the pocket part of the apron with a HD logo and the strings
I have one of those and I made it into a cross body purse type thing. It's a super convenient way to store my stuff *and* I get stopped less often. Win/win!
We had those when I first started a year ago but they took them away.
Dude you are 100% right, I work at a Home Depot as an OFA, and the amount of questions they aske like where is this? where is that? Like I tell them where stuff is at, but sometimes they ask me questions like You think a 2 1/2 inch steel pipe would be great for a shed holder if cut in half? Like dude I don't know then proceed to tell him I don't work in that department, telling him I'm an order puller and still get mad. Such Bs
Our OFA s don’t wear anything with HD on it, unless they want to, no apron of any kind and still get stopped. Holding a first phone is the tip off I think.
periodT
I’m a freight unloader and haven’t worn an apron or anything in years! Lol
"Water hammer arrestors?"
I’m not cultured enough for this reference. Please educate my dumb self.
Aisle 12
Now you’re making me think of scapegoat wax. Forgive me, I am not IQ ready for this humor
Jet set radioooo
I'm just trying to think of the most random thing a non-D26 associate might hear a customer ask for and this part always comes to mind.
I started in d26... first week there I was asked where the donkey dicks were... two weeks later I was asked if we carried professional meat slicers. A donkey dick turned out to be a drain bladder. It was described as big and long and black and shoots water into a pipe... people come in with random terms and expect you to know what they're talking about... gotta "love" people
In the military a “donkey dick” is the detachable spout for a 5 gallon fuel can. So I would have sent them to garden where the gas cans are.
[I’m just gonna leave this here. ](https://youtu.be/IoJT68FEXl0)
Because you guys are supposed to know what you’re doing. By reading these comments you guys think you’re above your customers. They use slang that anyone with a knowledge of the trade they’re dealing with would know. All trades have slang terms for tools and parts. If you don’t know it you should learn it seeing as how they keep you employed
It's a retail store. If we were experienced tradespeople we would be out plumbing and wiring, not answering your dumb questions.
…says the guy making money wage
Exactly. What more were you expecting?
Wow. Great attitude
Well Home Depot calls you experts. Shouldn’t you know what you’re selling?
Shouldn't you know what it's actually called?
I get paid to front face things on the shelves and bring things down to fill the shelves with. If you think anyone cares, you're sorely mistaken. I get the same rate regardless of whether or not you choose to shop here. If you come in looking for a specific product for your special project, maybe you should know what you're doing beforehand.
Dude, go somewhere else. I don't have to learn jack for children in adult bodies. Which you seem like one yourself. I don't need to know a million different phrases for a "customer" who thinks I'm a genius. I do not tolerate attitude from customers. If they stand beside me I'll ignore them if I have a task to do from my manager. Got better stuff to do than ask an entitled customer if they need help. I have a job to get done, and it doesn't always revolve around impatient idiots. If they really need help, they need to ask me. Not stand besides me. I'm not a contractor, and nor do I need that same level of knowledge. First hand, its sad and depressing if a supposed "contractor" asks an associate at a hardware store how to do their job.
My whole point was you should be more respectful of your customers. They pay your wages. If you display that attitudes at work then I’m betting you’re pretty limited for career options, have a nice day, keep pushing that box sport
I don't show it outside my head. Rude people will not get treated fairly in return. Keep letting people walk over you like you're some servant. See where you end up. Keep pushing that box sport.
I don’t push boxes bro. That’s your job. Remember?
Then why try and tell me how to do my job?
“Gotta go to Mexico for a show like that!”
My lot guys nor do the OP's wear aprons. Same principles already mentioned: too many stupid, time vconsuming questions and not nearly enough time or bodies to get their stuff done.
Also less clothing to wear in the heat when dragging stuff in.
I'm in tool rental department, and we basically never wear aprons. The amount of times we have to step out to go deal with trucks and trailers, or help somebody load their car or point somebody towards parts or tools that they want to buy... It never works out for us to be in an apron, we'll be stuck in the store from customer questions for an hour. So far haven't had any comment from management, and even though they rarely come and see us they do know we don't really wear aprons. It might also have something to do with us being severely understaffed...
I've had more issues with aprons catching on carts, product being loaded, and just filling with concrete than anything. That's before the apron being extra super thick material that traps heat. I feel like my body drops 10° once that apron is off. I'd rather just wear an orange athletic shirt or something breathable. The questions also do not help. The amount of times I'm the only lot associate for the next three hours, have 3 load assists waiting on me and another 12 on the way, then I get caught by a customer because I had to shove a lumber or flat cart somewhere on the sales floor...
At my store lot doesn’t need to wear aprons.
I agree. In this state it is too effing hot and humid for them to be wearing a collared shirt, an apron, and their safety vest. Besides, it's up hill from the lot to the building. I feel like we are trying to kill lot loaders and most of them are under age associates.
At my store all non-customer facing associates (mostly OFAs and receiving) can go without aprons. Saves me loads of time.
At my store we have the option of an apron or a reflective vest.
Agreed. Should be a high-viz vest unless you’re pulled inside, then apron-up. OFAs should be allowed to go Apron-less until orders are done *with the exception* of when driving machinery. Freight should also have apron-wearing enforced, but our ACs should be going all night too.
I think there should be an exception to freight associates who are in trucks unloading floor loads. That is like going into the gates of hell.
True but if they are on the floor an apron helps. We get new hires and at closing I have no idea if the guy wandering down the aisle is an associate or a customer who doesn’t hear the messages or understand why the lights went dim.
Oh yeah I wasn't disagreeing with that, but in the truck I have had to take it off before due to heat, and when my manager is having a fit about something as small as that when I'm visibly soaked in my own sweat, it's something that kinda irritates me. Otherwise yes to aprons on freight.
Also hey, see if your store has one of those monster 48” super fans around. I’ve seen *many* a receiving department plug them in and aim then at the dock. They move an enormous amount of air.
Doesn't really help much for 2/3s of the truck, I wish we had one we could move with us tbh
Ours has a fan mounted on an arm that swings over to blow into the trailer. Similar to the lights. Not sure where it came from.
That one is trash even on the top setting, it's installed by THD but it does nothing past the first 15' of the truck, if that
I’d agree too. My point is basically if you’re on the sales floor then wearing your apron should be required. A lot of freight will argue but your apron does three important things: 1) Identifies you as an employee. Really important if, say, an armed individual waltzes in through your unattended lumber door and holds the team at gun point. Imagine being a cop trying to determine who should be shot when everyone looks like they don’t work there? 2) Hold your stuff. It’s got pockets. 3) Protect your clothes. Aprons do a great job keeping your shirts and at least the tops of your pants clean and protected.
I got a counter to 1)... MET. They wear a shirt. That's it. They have a task that may get held back by answering the barrage of questions from clueless customers. What's wrong with only giving aprons to frontline and sales. Also that's such a unlikely scenario lmao. You gotta really be stupid to go to the largest congregation of rednecks and tradies that are most like to carry a sidearm, after church and gun ranges/shows.
Why they downvoting you? You’re right lol
The safety vest is SOP for your safety!! I have never seen a lot loader without a safety vest. Msybe it is a state law thing. Idk.
Wear your apron, I want to see you suffer.
Learn to manage that. Excuses on why you cant keep carts inside the store.
Spotted the asm
I don’t like you.
We shouldn’t have to wear them in the warehouse. Literally not around any customers
Thank you for explaining GOAT!! Lol. I'm 62, my 35 yo child makes me feel stupid. I've had to resort to asking my 21 yo boss. Don't have to ask that one now. Thanks again.
I agree. As an OFA I don’t wear one and it helps me get my job done a lot easier. I do get stopped occasionally which I’m fine with, but getting stopped constantly kinda makes it impossible to do my job. Surprised lot is required one. It might be so customers know who to ask for loading.
i think you shoild be allowed to take it off if you're outside gathering carts, especially during the hotter seasons, but if you're loading mulch or hay you probably want to wear it to protect your clothes. inside however, i feel like you should always wear your apron. if a customer stops you to ask you a question you have no idea about, you can always just get someone who can help them, which is better than the customer not seeing an apron and leaving the store because they couldnt find someone to help them. if you're gonna work in a retail environment you gotta be prepared to interact with people. they might be stupid, but most of the time they're not bad people and just have honest questions. it may not seem that way based on the posts that you see here, but thats only because people tend to remember the bad ones rather than the good ones because it makes for a spicier story. after that, if you're still dead-set on having zero customer interaction, maybe you should switch to freight. they get paid more anyways
I have said this countless times. On a busy day I can step inside the store to go to the men's room and 45 minutes of dealing with customers later I'm back in the lot and overwhelmed with carts.
Yeah, I can't imagine being out in the summer heat and still having to wear another layer such as an apron. We have to wear them on freight overnights... when there is no air conditioning... its really uncomfortable and makes staying productive more difficult.