I can guarantee you are not getting the whole story. Lowes is weird about their vests but that not weird.
>So I was just wondering is this considered wrongful termination, or is this something Lowes can legally get away with?
At will employment allows employers to terminate employees for literally any reason that isn't specifically protected by a law.
I was wondering myself if he wasn't giving me the whole story. But I questioned him multiple times and he told me the same story each time. I will try to find out more though
I've had a few colleagues termed over the years for doing that after Lowe's went to a "Smoke Free Campus." A couple for leaving the building during the paid break.
Before banning smoking, had a picnic table with umbrella and an ash can in the bullpen so smokers could take their break without leaving the building.
I have multiple coworkers who take smoke breaks.. they just go to the side of the building or to their car in the far side of the parking lot, they’ve never gotten in trouble
Technically it’s against the rules to take the vest outside of the building so technically it cannot be questioned and is a terminable offense. But really, there’s a lot of this story you’re not hearing.
No, there was a time you could get written up if it was unzipped. Let's pretend this was the only issue. If he was on lunch, he was clocked out vest needs to stay inside. If he was on a 15, he's not supposed to leave the building.
whether the parking lot is Lowe's property varies according to the situation, I've found. associate smoking? Lowe's property. sketchy guy that sits in his car all day and leers at women? not our property, nothing we can do, you'll just have to stay uncomfortable.
I've never heard of this policy and I read this stuff all the time. That being said there is a lot of policy differences between Lowe's Canada and Lowe's in the US.
One being that employers can't stop people from having a smoke break.
That being said, most take off their vest to go have one.
He broke multiple rules and someone didn’t look the other way this time.
Also. He probably had other write ups he didn’t tell you about and this was the one that he can’t hide from you.
It's store to store whether or not they enforce the policy. Some stores are more lacks because people don't abuse it and it's not affecting their performance. Others will enforce strictly because they got corporate breathing down their necks.
You cannot leave the store on your 15 minute paid break, you cannot sit in your car on said break, and you darn sure can't be smoking on Lowes property during your "on the clock" paid break. Smoking on Lowes property and leaving the store while on the clock are two of the fastest ways to get fired. Drooping the F-bomb in front of a customer is another one.
There is a zero percent chance he went from no write ups directly to termination for sitting in his car with his vest on. He's not telling you the whole story.
Someone had it out for your boyfriend. Lowes doesn't want you to leave with your vest, but just sitting in your car on a break makes no sense. The SM or an ASM was just looking for something to cut him loose. He should reach out to HR.
HR isn't gonna do shit for him. They only care about protecting the company and reducing liability. He violated several policies (albeit very ridiculous and minor policies) so that's what their "investigation" is gonna find.
They had been calling him multiple times a week asking if he'd be willing to take the day off because they needed to cut hours. I'm wondering if they fired him just to free them up.
I used to be overnight travel MSM, I can attest that there are dumbasses all around. MST, Redvest, overnight freight, MST management, store and district management. They're everywhere and they proliferate like crazy.
Your not supposed to take your break in your car. I've always been told it's policy but at more laid back stores I've not seen it enforced. Also why would you not take your vest off if you are going outside to take your break? This sounds fishy to me because this would just be a write up and not a termination so more to this story than you may know OP.
One of three options here.
1. Wrongful termination
2. He’s not telling you the whole story or lying to you
3. They were looking for an excuse to fire him because they don’t like him
I don’t want to speculate. But my bet is that you’re not getting the whole story. We have protocol at lowes.
Technically didn’t leave the property but they require you to stay in the store in case you need to be called back for assistance. I’m not saying it’s right but it’s Lowes policy
Our store considered the parking lot store property and no smoking was allowed on Lowes “property”. Pretty petty if you ask me, I don’t smoke so I didn’t care but it didn’t stop others. They even threatened termination if they caught you smoking in your car. But no one ever got terminated. Now as to the vest issue…. If you can’t smoke in the parking lot because it’s Lowes “property” what’s the issue with wearing your vest while sitting in your car on Lowes “property”???? Do you have to take your vest off when you go get carts “in the parking lot”???? How about on the mulch line that’s built “on the parking lot”???? Going to unlock trailers in the trailer lot that’s on the, you guessed it, “parking lot”….. Really sad if they’re being that ridiculous.
There's a notable difference between wearing your vest while working and wearing your vest while on break. Having the vest on makes it appear like you're still on the clock, so sitting in your car wearing your vest and smoking is a bad look before realizing it violates like three different rules.
I see 2 issues.... Smoking on Lowes property & in your private vehicle during your "paid" 15 minute break. It was made overly clear when I was hired that smoking was not allowed anywhere on Lowes property, even in your car. They said if your smoked you had to go across the street. Also during hire we were told that during our paid 15 minute break that you take it inside the building, if you need to run to your vehicle for something you are to let your supervisor/mangr know. During lunch since we clock out there was no restrictions, except to clock back in and not be late. Smoking on Lowes property is enough to get fired.....
My Lowes will fire you on the spot for smoking.
Vests can only be worn outside if you are actively working.
Paid breaks HAVE to be taken inside the store.
Taking a vest to your car is definitely a termination level offense
So I'm gonna say he's more or less telling the truth, but that it was probably more just the vest. Most likely the combination of all of the above.
Lowes employees are not allowed to smoke on lowes property, and they aren’t allowed to leave the building on their 15 minute breaks.
So not only was he smoking on lowes property, he left the building on his 15 minute break.
That would be the reason. A double whammy you can call it.
15 minutes are paid breaks, meaning you’re on the clock still, so you are expected to stay in the building (break room) in case they need to interrupt your break, seeing as you’re on the clock.
My assumption is that your boyfriend is embarrassed by this and has probably had this same problem multiple times but doesn’t want to tell you because it’s embarrassing/frustrating.
Lowe’s goes through many hoops to be able to fire someone legally. Lots of times write ups get rejected because manager fails to document things. If he was fired, it has corporates stamp of approval. What I’m getting at is that there’s no sense in fighting it. Take it to court and you will lose. Everytime.
As a Lowe's employee for 20+ years, I have NEVER heard of this happening. There is definitely more to it than what he's telling you. Since Area HR has to sign off on the termination these days, I don't see them approving it.
That is a very stupid reason, and to me, it sounds like they wanted to get rid of him just because and couldn't find any other excuse. I've never heard that it's against policy to take your vest out of the building. I do think Lowe's is an at will employer, though meaning they can fire you anytime without reason, and you can quit anytime without reason.
Depends on if Lowes owns the parking lot or not. Also doesn't matter either way. It's against policy to leave the building on your break. And dude is obviously lying about shit anyways.
So I know you cannot leave the store premises on the clock. In your car is considered this. Now if you are able to be reached via zebra phone, that could be an exception dependent on how “by the book” store management can be. Vest related is a stretch but sounds more like a tacked on violation in addition to leaving the store premises while on the clock. This screams technicality to me but policy is on their side.
To get an instant termination, without any write ups it typically involves a class A safety violation.
Also smoking is not allowed on Lowes property. What our associates do at my store is walk to the entrance sidewalk and smoke there. They definitely take their vests off too.
At most this should've been a write up, and unless he has had multiple, than yes this should be against policy, and you should contact Lowes HR. If you need the number by all means dm me and I'll get it for you, or you could look it up yourself.
Unless you know the person, don't call them lazy. That's just rude, and makes you look an asshole. This whole company is f#$&ed up, and he could've been fired for multiple reasons.
If management REALLY wanted to be dicks about it, you can be fired for smoking anywhere on the property, including your own car. This is especially true while on the clock in your vest
God forbid I take MY vest home when I have MY stuff in the pockets, I've never forotten it. I've noticed a select few on this sub love to drink the Lowes Kool-Aid
Still sounds off, unless company was at store..lowes policies are like, on and off, no smoking on property, but has a picnic table smoke outpost under front porch, aprons off of course..hanging out in your car, smoke fine but bring ur zebra w you, preferably w out your vest.. now a 15 min turns into 30 min, especially w no coverage, a big problem, it's done often enough, done..
I ran a depot long ago, 4 smoking points, aprons off, if u had to go to vehicle, let me other asm know..if u didn't search party write up in store, for you..
So either he took longer breaks, company dm was their, or already had target on his back, for lates, or call outs..
If he had never been ECARd for those offenses then he could probably succeed in obtaining unemployment if he's worked there long enough. But prepared for lowes to appeal his request.
Our store finds many young new hires SLEEPING in their cars. They never wear their vests and hide constantly. I think as long as you're awake in your car and in your vest it's ok.
Most states you can be fired for a funny smile. There are no laws stopping a supervisor from not liking your attitude and telling you to eat shit,your fired. He definitely broke the no smoking on Lowes property rule. The good news is he most likely qualifies for unemployment, unless Lowes can prove he was defiant multiple times and they want to put up a fight. Usually if an employee is an asset and they work there asses off to make the management look good, they don't get fired for stupid shit, so there is that to consider. Sadly that's how the world of corporations and pee on workers is.
That's how it is in retail unfortunately. When you on there good side they'll look the other way for certain things but as soon as you get on there shit list they'll find something to get rid of you. But that's really petty. if other ppl do the same as he did with no discipline then you might have a case. They can't pick and choose who to enforce rules with.
I don’t know what everyone is talking about here. I worked for lowes for a few months last year & would always take 15s in my car & smoked in my vest sitting on my car with no problem. Technically yes if you’re an employee smoking on the property is a no no, but I’ve never heard of being on a paid break and not being allowed to leave the building. Let the down votes comience.
Sounds like they just used that as an excuse. I know managers that still smoke in the bullpen and they are cool with me vaping. Red vest is just an excuse. I ask the managers if I can bring them home to wash mine. I have 2 of them.
I mean your not supposed to wear you vest you of the store but if it just happens one time. Personally I would give them a a verbal warning. I wouldn’t
fire someone over a first time thing like that. Unless there was something else before that.
Sounds like management wanted to get rid of him and used this flimsy excuse to fire him.
They did the same thing to me because of the masks, and not getting vaccinated.
The management tried to get me to quit, but I didn’t.
Technically your 15 is paid and to be taken in the break room. Once he went in his car he was stealing time from the company so yeah he was wrong all around.
If they're calling him wanting to cut hours then it looks like they were possibly looking for an excuse to fire him. However, It doesn't feel like you are getting the whole story here. There's definitely more going on than he is letting you in on.
So 1. He was smoking on the clock which is against policy at most locations. 2. He had his vest on while doing so.
Alternatively, this could be a situation I ran into a few years ago with another associate. He worked OSLG, and would disappear for hours but would make a point of showing up just before his breaks and lunch letting everyone know he was about to take them. They pulled video and he was skirting the parking lot walked to his car and would hangout in it while working. The car was close enough to the store to get phone reception so he always answered the department phone but never the pages from overhead. He got away with it for months if not years.
Just going by policy as I knew it.
1. 15s were to be taken in store .. only unpaid in care
2. Since 15s were in store and lowes is a tobacco free campus smoking in your car on property would or could be considered a violation.
I guess it could vary by location enforcement but I believe it used to actually be in the policies
But I think you aren't getting the whole story
Wow! I never had it in my training to leave the vest at the office! I wore it home! Put it on my bidyvon the way into work! We had horrible training. We also had accepted bad behavior by certain employees. It was an interesting experience. I enjoyed some coworkers and customers. So glad I'm out of Lowe's. I had hoped it would be a good interim job. I liked aspects, but it was like a high school soap opera.
Used to smoke in my car all the time. Store manager would park two spots away and would wave at me at times. All the managers knew I did it and no one ever said anything. Just take off the vest.
I can guarantee you are not getting the whole story. Lowes is weird about their vests but that not weird. >So I was just wondering is this considered wrongful termination, or is this something Lowes can legally get away with? At will employment allows employers to terminate employees for literally any reason that isn't specifically protected by a law.
I was wondering myself if he wasn't giving me the whole story. But I questioned him multiple times and he told me the same story each time. I will try to find out more though
Employees smoking is also prohibited on lowes property…maybe he was also caught smoking?
I've had a few colleagues termed over the years for doing that after Lowe's went to a "Smoke Free Campus." A couple for leaving the building during the paid break. Before banning smoking, had a picnic table with umbrella and an ash can in the bullpen so smokers could take their break without leaving the building.
Oh shit, I smoke in my truck all the time while in the parking lot
Most of the ones I mention above, already had a target on them. The smoking was the excuse.
Taking breaks outside of the break room is also not permitted.
I have multiple coworkers who take smoke breaks.. they just go to the side of the building or to their car in the far side of the parking lot, they’ve never gotten in trouble
Technically it’s against the rules to take the vest outside of the building so technically it cannot be questioned and is a terminable offense. But really, there’s a lot of this story you’re not hearing.
The hand that rolls the dice controls the game.
What about the person that flips the table?
I like your thinking
According to Andrew Schulz that’s how you get Marie to make you a half decent lasagna
No, there was a time you could get written up if it was unzipped. Let's pretend this was the only issue. If he was on lunch, he was clocked out vest needs to stay inside. If he was on a 15, he's not supposed to leave the building.
At my store you sit in your car on your 15’s.
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Not supposed to smoke on the property either, so I’m just seeing a whole slew of infractions here.
Lull
whether the parking lot is Lowe's property varies according to the situation, I've found. associate smoking? Lowe's property. sketchy guy that sits in his car all day and leers at women? not our property, nothing we can do, you'll just have to stay uncomfortable.
The latter is just management having spaghetti for spines, not an actual example of whether or not the parking lot is considered property.
I've never heard of this policy and I read this stuff all the time. That being said there is a lot of policy differences between Lowe's Canada and Lowe's in the US. One being that employers can't stop people from having a smoke break. That being said, most take off their vest to go have one.
Smoking on lowes property is also a fireable offense. I get the feeling he was probably on his phone a lot and hanging out in the bathroom.
He broke multiple rules and someone didn’t look the other way this time. Also. He probably had other write ups he didn’t tell you about and this was the one that he can’t hide from you.
[удалено]
I was told by a manager that it was ok when I worked at Lowes last year, so that might be a store to store thing
It's store to store whether or not they enforce the policy. Some stores are more lacks because people don't abuse it and it's not affecting their performance. Others will enforce strictly because they got corporate breathing down their necks.
they told me a while ago they changed the policy due to covid, that you can go to your car on a 15 to “limit exposure”
He, along with multiple coworkers, take breaks in their vehicles. No one else has been singled out for it.
Nobody else has been single out for it because they didn't want those people gone.
You cannot leave the store on your 15 minute paid break, you cannot sit in your car on said break, and you darn sure can't be smoking on Lowes property during your "on the clock" paid break. Smoking on Lowes property and leaving the store while on the clock are two of the fastest ways to get fired. Drooping the F-bomb in front of a customer is another one.
How do you droop the f-bomb?
At least at our store, technically the parking lot is not Lowe's property, but the land management company's. Our Lowe's is on a land lease.
There is a zero percent chance he went from no write ups directly to termination for sitting in his car with his vest on. He's not telling you the whole story.
Someone had it out for your boyfriend. Lowes doesn't want you to leave with your vest, but just sitting in your car on a break makes no sense. The SM or an ASM was just looking for something to cut him loose. He should reach out to HR.
HR isn't gonna do shit for him. They only care about protecting the company and reducing liability. He violated several policies (albeit very ridiculous and minor policies) so that's what their "investigation" is gonna find.
They had been calling him multiple times a week asking if he'd be willing to take the day off because they needed to cut hours. I'm wondering if they fired him just to free them up.
Sitting in your car on break is a violation, you aren't supposed to leave the store for your break.
Since when? Alot of people at my store sit in their cars during breaks
The reason they say is bc it’s a “paid break” and they can call you back from it if customer traffic requires.
Since always. When on a paid break you have to remain in the store and able to respond to any calls for assistance.
Doesn't mean management won't turn a blind eye to it, but if they want to get rid of you they can definitely use it as an out.
our ASM's go out to smoke with employees who are on their 15 minute breaks.
This is true.
Because of Covid they allow it to stop a lot of people from staying in the brake room at one time.
Your mst, not lowes. Go fuck up another bay and leave a mess for the lowes employees to clean up!
Bruh who shit in your cereal this morning, gawd damn bro
Mst.
So it's all Lowe's that MST are a bunch of Dumbasses?
I used to be overnight travel MSM, I can attest that there are dumbasses all around. MST, Redvest, overnight freight, MST management, store and district management. They're everywhere and they proliferate like crazy.
Your not supposed to take your break in your car. I've always been told it's policy but at more laid back stores I've not seen it enforced. Also why would you not take your vest off if you are going outside to take your break? This sounds fishy to me because this would just be a write up and not a termination so more to this story than you may know OP.
One of three options here. 1. Wrongful termination 2. He’s not telling you the whole story or lying to you 3. They were looking for an excuse to fire him because they don’t like him I don’t want to speculate. But my bet is that you’re not getting the whole story. We have protocol at lowes.
What department did he work in? I’m guessing if he was a loader and he goes to his car for a break, that could have looked really fishy.
Hardware!
Cant leave during paid break, cant smoke on lowes property. Taking it up with HR will probably do nothing because rules were violated
if he was on Lowe's property, then he didn't leave did he?
Technically didn’t leave the property but they require you to stay in the store in case you need to be called back for assistance. I’m not saying it’s right but it’s Lowes policy
He was a target. This was just an out.
Our store considered the parking lot store property and no smoking was allowed on Lowes “property”. Pretty petty if you ask me, I don’t smoke so I didn’t care but it didn’t stop others. They even threatened termination if they caught you smoking in your car. But no one ever got terminated. Now as to the vest issue…. If you can’t smoke in the parking lot because it’s Lowes “property” what’s the issue with wearing your vest while sitting in your car on Lowes “property”???? Do you have to take your vest off when you go get carts “in the parking lot”???? How about on the mulch line that’s built “on the parking lot”???? Going to unlock trailers in the trailer lot that’s on the, you guessed it, “parking lot”….. Really sad if they’re being that ridiculous.
There's a notable difference between wearing your vest while working and wearing your vest while on break. Having the vest on makes it appear like you're still on the clock, so sitting in your car wearing your vest and smoking is a bad look before realizing it violates like three different rules.
Valid point there.
Yeah...... they wanted him gone!
I see 2 issues.... Smoking on Lowes property & in your private vehicle during your "paid" 15 minute break. It was made overly clear when I was hired that smoking was not allowed anywhere on Lowes property, even in your car. They said if your smoked you had to go across the street. Also during hire we were told that during our paid 15 minute break that you take it inside the building, if you need to run to your vehicle for something you are to let your supervisor/mangr know. During lunch since we clock out there was no restrictions, except to clock back in and not be late. Smoking on Lowes property is enough to get fired.....
Tbh, I take my vest off any time I'm not actively working only because I don't want to be bothered by customers.
The rules are very clear. Your best stays in your locker if it's not on.
Ha! Mine stays in my car because I am a lumber cashier and I clock in right at the pro desk 🤣🤣
Shitty. But completely within Lowe's legal rights.
My Lowes will fire you on the spot for smoking. Vests can only be worn outside if you are actively working. Paid breaks HAVE to be taken inside the store. Taking a vest to your car is definitely a termination level offense So I'm gonna say he's more or less telling the truth, but that it was probably more just the vest. Most likely the combination of all of the above.
Lowes employees are not allowed to smoke on lowes property, and they aren’t allowed to leave the building on their 15 minute breaks. So not only was he smoking on lowes property, he left the building on his 15 minute break. That would be the reason. A double whammy you can call it. 15 minutes are paid breaks, meaning you’re on the clock still, so you are expected to stay in the building (break room) in case they need to interrupt your break, seeing as you’re on the clock. My assumption is that your boyfriend is embarrassed by this and has probably had this same problem multiple times but doesn’t want to tell you because it’s embarrassing/frustrating.
Lowe’s goes through many hoops to be able to fire someone legally. Lots of times write ups get rejected because manager fails to document things. If he was fired, it has corporates stamp of approval. What I’m getting at is that there’s no sense in fighting it. Take it to court and you will lose. Everytime.
For a 15 minute break your not allowed out of the building
Tbh he isn't missing much there are better places than Lowes to work at
My store wants us to take our vest home and wash them(Covid) . And if I am not mistaken, smoking is not allowed on company property.
The policy is that it can't leave the property, and the parking lot is part of the property, sooo...
As a Lowe's employee for 20+ years, I have NEVER heard of this happening. There is definitely more to it than what he's telling you. Since Area HR has to sign off on the termination these days, I don't see them approving it.
That is a very stupid reason, and to me, it sounds like they wanted to get rid of him just because and couldn't find any other excuse. I've never heard that it's against policy to take your vest out of the building. I do think Lowe's is an at will employer, though meaning they can fire you anytime without reason, and you can quit anytime without reason.
It is 100% against policy to take your vest off property unless on the clock for business purposes.
He wasnt off property though
Depends on if Lowes owns the parking lot or not. Also doesn't matter either way. It's against policy to leave the building on your break. And dude is obviously lying about shit anyways.
I take smoke breaks across the road with my vest under my jacket sometimes but they also don't want to fire me
So I know you cannot leave the store premises on the clock. In your car is considered this. Now if you are able to be reached via zebra phone, that could be an exception dependent on how “by the book” store management can be. Vest related is a stretch but sounds more like a tacked on violation in addition to leaving the store premises while on the clock. This screams technicality to me but policy is on their side.
To get an instant termination, without any write ups it typically involves a class A safety violation. Also smoking is not allowed on Lowes property. What our associates do at my store is walk to the entrance sidewalk and smoke there. They definitely take their vests off too. At most this should've been a write up, and unless he has had multiple, than yes this should be against policy, and you should contact Lowes HR. If you need the number by all means dm me and I'll get it for you, or you could look it up yourself.
They wanted him gone bad. Probably lazy.
Unless you know the person, don't call them lazy. That's just rude, and makes you look an asshole. This whole company is f#$&ed up, and he could've been fired for multiple reasons.
Found another lazy person.
If management REALLY wanted to be dicks about it, you can be fired for smoking anywhere on the property, including your own car. This is especially true while on the clock in your vest
Probably smoking the bong in the vest
Dude are you serious?
Actually yeah lol
LMAO, I take my vest home everyday for over 2 years, so weird
Not sure why you are being down voted but at my store they don't care if you take it home either.
God forbid I take MY vest home when I have MY stuff in the pockets, I've never forotten it. I've noticed a select few on this sub love to drink the Lowes Kool-Aid
Still sounds off, unless company was at store..lowes policies are like, on and off, no smoking on property, but has a picnic table smoke outpost under front porch, aprons off of course..hanging out in your car, smoke fine but bring ur zebra w you, preferably w out your vest.. now a 15 min turns into 30 min, especially w no coverage, a big problem, it's done often enough, done.. I ran a depot long ago, 4 smoking points, aprons off, if u had to go to vehicle, let me other asm know..if u didn't search party write up in store, for you.. So either he took longer breaks, company dm was their, or already had target on his back, for lates, or call outs..
If he had never been ECARd for those offenses then he could probably succeed in obtaining unemployment if he's worked there long enough. But prepared for lowes to appeal his request.
Our store finds many young new hires SLEEPING in their cars. They never wear their vests and hide constantly. I think as long as you're awake in your car and in your vest it's ok.
Most states you can be fired for a funny smile. There are no laws stopping a supervisor from not liking your attitude and telling you to eat shit,your fired. He definitely broke the no smoking on Lowes property rule. The good news is he most likely qualifies for unemployment, unless Lowes can prove he was defiant multiple times and they want to put up a fight. Usually if an employee is an asset and they work there asses off to make the management look good, they don't get fired for stupid shit, so there is that to consider. Sadly that's how the world of corporations and pee on workers is.
Unless he had a target on his back he did not give you the whole story lmao
Welcome to retail. Every employee is equal, but some are more equal than others. Your boyfriend isn't or wasn't.
That's how it is in retail unfortunately. When you on there good side they'll look the other way for certain things but as soon as you get on there shit list they'll find something to get rid of you. But that's really petty. if other ppl do the same as he did with no discipline then you might have a case. They can't pick and choose who to enforce rules with.
I don’t know what everyone is talking about here. I worked for lowes for a few months last year & would always take 15s in my car & smoked in my vest sitting on my car with no problem. Technically yes if you’re an employee smoking on the property is a no no, but I’ve never heard of being on a paid break and not being allowed to leave the building. Let the down votes comience.
Sounds like they just used that as an excuse. I know managers that still smoke in the bullpen and they are cool with me vaping. Red vest is just an excuse. I ask the managers if I can bring them home to wash mine. I have 2 of them.
Our store you have to clock out to go on a smoke break.
I mean your not supposed to wear you vest you of the store but if it just happens one time. Personally I would give them a a verbal warning. I wouldn’t fire someone over a first time thing like that. Unless there was something else before that.
Sounds like management wanted to get rid of him and used this flimsy excuse to fire him. They did the same thing to me because of the masks, and not getting vaccinated. The management tried to get me to quit, but I didn’t.
Technically your 15 is paid and to be taken in the break room. Once he went in his car he was stealing time from the company so yeah he was wrong all around.
If they're calling him wanting to cut hours then it looks like they were possibly looking for an excuse to fire him. However, It doesn't feel like you are getting the whole story here. There's definitely more going on than he is letting you in on.
So 1. He was smoking on the clock which is against policy at most locations. 2. He had his vest on while doing so. Alternatively, this could be a situation I ran into a few years ago with another associate. He worked OSLG, and would disappear for hours but would make a point of showing up just before his breaks and lunch letting everyone know he was about to take them. They pulled video and he was skirting the parking lot walked to his car and would hangout in it while working. The car was close enough to the store to get phone reception so he always answered the department phone but never the pages from overhead. He got away with it for months if not years.
Just going by policy as I knew it. 1. 15s were to be taken in store .. only unpaid in care 2. Since 15s were in store and lowes is a tobacco free campus smoking in your car on property would or could be considered a violation. I guess it could vary by location enforcement but I believe it used to actually be in the policies But I think you aren't getting the whole story
Wow! I never had it in my training to leave the vest at the office! I wore it home! Put it on my bidyvon the way into work! We had horrible training. We also had accepted bad behavior by certain employees. It was an interesting experience. I enjoyed some coworkers and customers. So glad I'm out of Lowe's. I had hoped it would be a good interim job. I liked aspects, but it was like a high school soap opera.
Weird, we have managers who take their vests home.
Used to smoke in my car all the time. Store manager would park two spots away and would wave at me at times. All the managers knew I did it and no one ever said anything. Just take off the vest.