'Should...employees be made to pay?': Craft store employees shocked by manager's note

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Feb 19, 2024 11:00 AM EST

There's motivation, and then there's whatever this is. It's certainly not motivational, that's for sure. 

There was a time not so long ago when credit cards were only used for big purchases. Then, stores evolved to let people use them for smaller shopping trips. These days, it seems like everyone has at least a few cards, and we use them constantly. Regular old cash has taken a back seat. 

Credit cards are ubiquitous at retail locations especially. Many stores offer their own credit cards. That can come in handy if the card comes with perks and you shop at that place all the time. A lot of cashiers are required to ask you once, twice, or three times each time you shop if you'd like to open a card. 

However, many find this practice unethical. The cards often have high APRs, with some as high as 30% or more. That means if you miss a payment, you'll have to pay an extra 30% of whatever you owe. So to my understanding, if you have $200 on your card that month and don't pay it, guess what? You now owe $260, and maybe some additional fees, too. Regular credit cards usually have much lower APRs than that, so opening one of these cards for a mega shopping trip and then forgetting to pay it off can be detrimental. Does that matter to management? No, of course not. They're in the business of selling you credit cards, and business is good. 

Now that you've had your mini-lesson on credit cards and credit card debt, check out the sign below, as well as the commenter's suggestions for what this employee should do. Then, check out this amazing text thread between a sassy lawn care owner and an entitled potential customer. 

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  • 01
    'Whomever gets the least credit card sign-ups has to buy refill snacks'
    via Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash
  • 02
    My friend works for M and asked me to post this on their behalf.
    via u/YankeeMoose
  • 03

    Here's the photo that inspired the post:

    Xoodooshi 19dmsM mesT Abq ESOS-simotile Whomever gets the least ermava 013- tex.not eat not au loca bine booleate liewa ssos del sonst M900: M now.corditegxe giogoile yM0/91013 ballar nors bre tot polool esa toobora ontbituol ovie or alde sw va i tuode eteicos en of eved A loubote si m molni tomo bent ugled view ud aird bre vibonist bra Tecerong ort gulm dead nav oblw profe Credit Card sign-yos has to buy refill Snacks. y bra bagnomA XAOSore not dot new zen belastic Ma hicad Ho mancab boop teema
    via u/YankeeMoose

    It's a little hard to read, but it says, "Whomever gets the least credit card sign-ups has to buy refill snacks." 

    This is petty of me, but I want you to know that this is not even the incorrect usage of "whomever." It should just be "whoever." They're just trying to sound fancy while they bully their employees! Get it together, management! 

  • 04
    "I thought M gave a budget to managers to buy supplies including small snacks for their employees. Well about a week ago this sign was posted in the breakroom.
    via u/YankeeMoose
  • 05
    If we are not budgeted for breakroom supplies and the managers been supplying us snacks and utenzils out of pocket, should we as the employees be made to pay for everyone else, especially if its for a negative reason that is conditional?
    via u/YankeeMoose
  • 06
    Also isn't asking us to pay for things due to not performing the best illegal?"
    via u/YankeeMoose
  • 07
    Hermione Granger15 2 This feels illegal. Idk if there's a specific law against it, but it's worth looking into the laws and seeing if your friend can report it somewhere.
    via u/HermioneGranger152
  • 08
    That's just ridiculous. M does give a budget to managers to buy snacks and stuff. It's up to the manager to spend it wisely and use that money for the benefit of the employees and
    via u/HermioneGranger152
  • 09
    not just themselves or the company
    via u/HermioneGranger152
  • 10
    Select_Coconut1814 Yeah, no. There's a budget for snacks specifically. If this is the SM writing the note, that's something to tell the DM. If it's a different team member writing the note, your friend should tell the SM.
    via u/Select_Coconut1814
  • 11
    This goes beyond friendly competition and it's only going to incentivize people to make shady decisions with asking people to apply for the credit card.
    via u/Select_Coconut1814
  • 12
    OX FeFiFoFephanie. Why does everywhere need to push credit cards these days? It's enraging
    via u/FeFiFoFephanie
  • 13
    Affectionate_Sky_50 9 They don't pay anyone enough for that. That's horrible
    via u/Affectionate_Sky_50
  • 14
    erikagm77. It is illegal to make employees spend their own money as punishment for not meeting metrics
    via u/erikagm77
  • 15
    HopScotchGourd d If it were me, I simply wouldn't. What are they going to do? Take my debit card out of my wallet & force me to purchase snacks?
    via u/HopScotchGourd
  • 16
    crafterafterhours It's completely unethical and I would report it immediately, either to HR or the DM, or the store manager, if it was a lower manager who posted this note.
    via u/crafterafterhours
  • 17
    Aside from the ethics, it's also completely unfair--not every TM even runs register but I'm sure all TMs get access to snacks, with or without getting credit card apps. Why should 'low performing'
    via u/crafterafterhours
  • 18
    cashiers be forced to buy snacks for everyone?
    via u/crafterafterhours
  • 19
    crafterafterhours Actually, what I'd be tempted to do is send out an email to all the stores in the district via the store email and boast about how proud you are
    via u/crafterafterhours
  • 20
    about your new incentive to get credit card apps. See how quickly the DM steps in and watch the manager try to justify their choices.
    via u/crafterafterhours
  • 21
    Even if they are joking or making empty threats, it's still wrong.
    via u/crafterafterhours
  • 22
    Lilianevedesigns. I would let the manager know that I shared his "motivational strategy" when regional showed up unannounced last week
    via u/Lilianevedesigns

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management credit cards worker sign credit card retail retail worker managers crafts sign fail
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