Pros
-Flexible schedule- usually they'll work with you in terms of time availability. This is useful if you have another job or are going to school. Be careful though, by saying you can't work certain hours, your status will be set to 'limited' which means they get the option of scheduling you for only 16 hours a day (they'll only do that if they don't like you though) -As a courtesy clerk, you don't have any responsibilities beyond the tasks you're assigned to do. So no long term project stress, no solution finding, no nothing. You basically don't need a brain to work. All you need is: >>stamina >>appropriate uniform -a white, collared, button up shirt -non denim, black pants that are loose in the calf area (for some reason, form fitted pants aren't allowed) >>tolerance/patience for •crying babies •angry customers If a customer is yelling, just zone out. After a minute, zone back in when they stop talking for a moment and say 'would you like to speak with a supervisor?'. Bam, that's it. You put in the amount of effort you're getting paid to out in- minimum) •the strength to: --lift the heaviest container of cat litter (40lbs) --push/pull at least 5 carts at a time. --crazy hobos •varied shifts --your sleep schedule is gonna be terrible, I guarantee it •if you're a girl, the following apply: --male co-workers WILL hit on you, where as customers will just make remarks (like 'smile, you're beautiful', 'hey baby', 'aww shut, your boyfriend is a lucky guy' (baiting- they're hoping you say you don't have one), etc --during night shifts, between 6pm-6am, be aware that on occasion you may encounter creepers who will follow you around the store, and will either try to hit on you or pretend like they're not following you •dumb/slow customers (you say 'soap is on aisle 5' and the customer reacts with a confused facial expression, looks up at the aisle numbers, wanders back and forth a little, then comes back and asks 'where's that?' •non-English speaking customers --they demand you understand what they're saying through hand gestures (eg. a customer points at the cuffs of their sleeves and their collar, says 'clean', and does a scrubbing motion. What are they looking for? That's right-- oxy clean! Or a similar pre-laundry stain remover)
Cons
>>Management will be over demanding, you'll be pushed to exhaustion and then some >>Management does not care about you >>You can't call in sick without a doctors note >>Calling out sick is highly unrecommended, do it twice per year or less >>Don't be late, ever. If you're late once and they catch you, you'll be on their target list for weeks >>Old hires are on an old contract and make ~$22 an hour. Pay raises back then were by $1 every 6months-year. Now, pay raises are by $0.10-$0.25 per 6 or so months. $0.25 are for those working in departments. Your starting pay will be $10.10 and as a courtesy clerk, you cap out at $10.30 (meaning you can't make more than that unless you're promoted to something else) >>Management, especially supervisors, play favoritism. To the extent where if they don't like you, they won't ever promote you to a position beyond courtesy clerk, even after years of working there. Then a new hire will come along and 2 weeks in they're already a combo clerk, a year later they're a supervisor. And suddenly 2 years down the road from their start date, they're making at least $15 an hour and you, with your years and years of experience, are making $10.30. >>They're always cutting hours to save money, especially around payroll season >>if you care about work quality, have a good work ethic, are witty and have some brainpower going for ya, don't work here. You'll find yourself feeling worthless and trapped PS you get a small discount when you shop there. 10% off store-brand items (like Safeway trash bags), 5% off non-store brand items (like Glade or Hefty trash bags).