'Sorry Karen, I don't do work I'm not compensated for' : Delusional customer calls employee's manager after being refused service from employee on break

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    Product - r/TalesFromRetail How DARE you not help me when you're not on the clock!! However...I must still be official-looking, because on my way back to the register, a woman asked if I worked there. And, being honest, I told her yes. However, I wasn't on the clock yet- and I could help her with whatever she needed as soon as I clocked in. Meanwhile, the woman spoke to my other coworker - who happened to be one of the managers - and just wanted to "let her know" how I refused to answer her ques
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    Font - r/Tales From Retail . Posted by u/bearsnbutts 12 hours ago 2 How DARE you not help me when you're not on the clock!! Medium This happened Saturday afternoon, busiest day of the week. After taking my thirty minute lunch break, I came back inside the building, went to the back room to drop off my bag, and then back to the register to clock back in and resume my shift.
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    Font - I'm not wearing a name tag or a walkie talkie and our store's "uniform" is a red, blue, or green t-shirt and dark jeans, so while I am wearing the “uniform”, I wouldn't say it's easily identifiable. However...I must still be official-looking, because on my way back to the register, a woman asked if I worked there. And, being honest, I told her yes. However, I wasn't on the clock yet - and I could help her with whatever she needed as soon as I clocked in.
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    Font - She muttered something under her breath, but did follow me up to the register, where two of my coworkers were who WERE actually on the clock. The register was being used so it took me a second longer before I was able to clock in. Meanwhile, the woman spoke to my other coworker - who happened to be one of the managers - and just wanted to "let her know" how I refused to answer her question until I was on the clock.
  • 05
    Font - Love that customers now expect me to do my job ( customer service, helping them find things in the store or answer any of their questions ) for free. Especially since that there were at least four other employees in the store who were all on the clock and available to help her. Maybe you like to do your work without being compensated for it, but I'm not going to lead you around the store without getting paid for it first.
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    Font - shaodyn 11 hr. ago If I could read your mind, I wouldn'... I would suggest telling them that you can get in trouble for working while off the clock, but they probably don't care. 246 Reply Share yoearthlings 11 hr. ago . "But it'll just take a second to find these 40 things and take them out to my car for me." 4 122 Reply Share
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    Font - an_imperfect_lady · 11 hr. ago What she was also not thinking about was that if you stopped to help her and clocked in later, it would look like you were late coming back from lunch. 114 Reply Share bearsnbutts OP. 11 hr. ago That would require her not thinking about herself for thirty seconds, so no. 128 Reply Share
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    Font - Thrikingham1462 - 11 hr. ago I once clocked out for a shift in a supermarket deli. And i was shopping in the store. Pushing a cart. Uniform shirt on but jacket and outside hat on. I was literally on the phone with my mother trying to get things for her and a woman interrupts me to ask where something is. After giving her the most sour look and quickly barking the aisle number she needed I resumed my phone conversation in the most audible guilt inducing tone possible.
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    Font - AnAwkwardStag · 4 hr. ago Yes I've had this too. I was wearing black pants and had my work polo zipped up under a black jacket, hair pulled out, pushing around a trolley and talking to someone over the phone. Didn't look like I worked there at all. I had three different customers come up to me asking for help. First customer I was nice to, but thinking I'm wasting my free time pushing my trolley around skinny aisles with another customer and their trolley in tow, trying to find some super
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    Font - And then being interrupted by other customers who realise I work there and also want help at the same time. The second customer I had to tell to find someone else and they just decided to follow me and customer no1 instead. The third customer wanted a price check and was annoyed that I couldn't do that for him, and directed him towards the front counter.
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    Font - It took me almost an hour to get out, when usually it would only take half because I was interrupted off the clock and I had to keep backtracking through the aisles to do my shopping. Reply Share 9 ...
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    Font - Pikdude 11 hr. ago I worked at a huge chain store and they told us that we were supposed to help customers under these circumstances and just file to have the time compensated, as if anyone was ever going to bother unless ended up taking a really long time. Reply Share 38
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    Font - YellowSphinx - 8 hr. ago See I'm not that nice. If I'm not on the clock, even if I will be punching in soon, my go to response is always "don't bother me, I am not on the clock" i don't go to your job and harass you while you're on your lunch. so don't get in the way of me enjoying mine 20 Reply Share
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    Font - Lietenantdan 9 hr. ago A couple weeks when I was coming back from my lunch when I saw a coworker about to page someone to help someone with a DoorDash order. I told them I wasn't clocked in but would page someone to help them. While I was paging they got irritated and asked my coworker why I couldn't just hand them the order. She explained I was on lunch and thus could not do any work. They then just left, and a couple seconds later the person I paged showed up. 17 Reply Share
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    Font - Erickei 7 hr. ago Our psychic powers only work if the customer ha... The proper response, had she complained to the manager - should have been along the lines of "Excellent! I should commend OP for making sure we are compliant with Federal law!" ...I can dream, can't I? 12 Reply Share
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    Font - New_Somewhere601 10 hr. ago I had a similar experience. I will not work off the clock! Good for you OP! 21 Reply Share 15 : RevealCalm8788 - 7 hr. ago I won't even pee for free. I use the bathroom and then clock out. Reply Share
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    Font - silly69stoner 4 hr. ago That sucks, you're a person and deserve your time to yourself. In these situations what I normally do is tell the customer that I'm on my break and if it's a quick question I'll answer it if they actually need assistance I get a coworker to help them. I only clock out for my meal break but get two other breaks, if I end up helping a customer I just extend my break a little to compensate. Why not be helpful? But I don't go out my way or do any work other than answer
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    Font - mogaman28 1 hr. ago A couple of times, in my way from clocking out at the manager's office to the changing room, a customer at the counter tried to talk to me. I just gave them a faintly smile while going away. Reply Share 2 1kreasons2leave 11 min. ago According to these type of people "You're in the building, you're on the clock" regardless if you're on the clock or not.

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