Hypocritical managers of employee's workplace break their own rules regarding strict water breaks, employee is fed up: ‘I feel like this is completely unethical’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Jul 14, 2024 4:00 PM EDT

"No one is happy about it, but one of the people above me on the 'front end' always hides her own drink behind customer service, while also getting on everyone else if they have a drink."

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  • Ah, water. The gift that keeps on giving. The nectar of life, if you will. It's important to get enough water every day to help our bodies stay hydrated and healthy. Sometimes, it's really easy to forget to drink enough water because our lives can get so crazy and unpredictable. In other cases, factors at play may prevent us from getting the water we need to thrive. Have you ever heard of a workplace having designated “water breaks”? Sounds like a micromanaging tactic that could easily backfire. How does one plan when they need water? It's not like lunch or dinner. Most workplaces leave it up to the employee when they decide they're thirsty. But, not this grocery store.

    The person in this story is expressing their grievances regarding workplace rules that make employees pick times when they'll drink water. To be truthful, they aren't even choosing their breaks; the designated times seem like they are assigned to them. It's common sense that you shouldn't leave open liquids near a register or other company electronics, but closed water bottles should be ok—right?

  • 01
    AIO my work wont let us have water
    via alex_munky
  • 02
    So, I work at a grocery store in Kansas, and we've never had issue with drinks before, but lately they keep changing the rules First we could have a drink only if it had a lid that could close, fair enough, less risk for spill at the registers Then it had to be a water bottle or a personal bottle, alright I have a lot of those and many of us just put our own drinks in a personal cup But then
    via alex_munky
  • 03
    we couldn't have water because we put like energy drinks and soda in our personal cups, and because we didn't hide our water bottles from costumers and they should see it and I quote "drank nonchalantly" we have to take water breaks to drink water, but when we're busy we can't leave the registers so most of the time we go up to 6 hours without
    via alex_munky
  • 04
    water. No one is happy about it, but one of the people above me on the "front end" always hides her own drink behind costumer service, whole also getting on everyone else I'd they have a drink. A coworker walked out because she's diabetic and was told that she "should've brought a doctor's note" when we don't get updated on these rules until
    via alex_munky
  • 05
    we go in for a shift. People are just hiding their water better, and/or just taking really long "drink breaks" but I feel like this is completely unethical, and stupid. So are we overreacting?
    via alex_munky
  • 06
    Update: I was just got in trouble because the rules changed again, and no one told me. I went to our break room for a "water break" but one of the really mean supervisors came up to me and asked what I was doing, I said "water break" and she said "oh we get water breaks now?" In a really condescending voice I replied "yeah, we talk for hours,
    via alex_munky
  • 07
    we need water" and she asked how long it took, and I said however long it takes to chug a bottle, she got more upset and said "get back downstairs where you're supposed to be" and when I went down that was when she told me that one of the higher managers said we have to use this little water dispenser with those paper cone cups. She proceeded to name me and
    via alex_munky
  • 08
    when I told her "that's not my name" she tried to say that she goes off the schedule for names (and excuse she's used every time I remind her) I told her that my name on the schedule is my preferred name, and she just kinda shouted "your name is Iname" it made me cry and one of the managers talked to her about it, this place
    via alex_munky
  • 09
    WhimsicalError • 20h ago . Not overreacting at all, especially in the heatwave. It would be such a shame if you reported it to osha.gov/form/osha7 and also contacted dol.ks.gov about it.
    via WhimsicalError
  • 10
    GoodWaste8222 • 21h ago I feel like this has to be some sort of labor law violation. How can they restrict access to water?
    via GoodWaste8222
  • 11
    Efficient Theme... 19h ago work? Can my employer prevent me from drinking water? No, your employer cannot stop you from drinking water. All employees must have access and freedom to drink whenever they need to. Access to clean drinking water is not only a basic human right but it also improves the health and productivity of employees.
    via Efficient_Theme4040
  • 12
    cameronshaft 20h ago . As a consumer, I'm not offended when a salesperson takes a drink of water. This is utter nonsense. Some half pint wannabe marketing person thinks they're going to lose business if you have water at your station. Now I
    via cameronshaft
  • 13
    could understand if they trained employees to say to the customer, "Please excuse me, I need to stay hydrated" or something along those lines. That's just being polite.
    via cameronshaft
  • 14
    Yiayiamary 17h ago . NOR! City of Phoenix just passed a law that airport workers must have access to water out on the tarmac. They had been forced to go into the building to get water and had to ask permission! If it's 115 outside, the tarmac will be at least 20 degrees hotter. Sheesh! Common sense really isn't common!
    via Yiayjamary
  • 15
    Quirky-Inside1116 • 18h ago What's the punishment if you ignore the new rule and continue to drink water at the register? In a business that's already known for being short staffed (especially with teens and young adults about to start back at school) I'd be interested to know if they could really hold the line and enforce the rule if you all went against it. In other words, they can't fire all of you.
    via Quirky-Inside-1116
  • 16
    • julesk 18h ago NOR, I'd have a clear water bottle at your station that you drink from and if any supervisor says anything, look them in the eye and tell them you're not able to go six hours without water when it's busy so you'll be drinking water at your station. Or they can fire you and you'll explain to the
    via julesk
  • 17
    unemployment commission people that violating labor laws isn't a reason to deny you your unemployment. Or scout out other employers, get a better job and tell these idiots you're quitting. because you require water.
    via julesk
  • 18
    • matchafoxjpg 17h ago osha says that not only do they themselves have to offer free water to the workers, but in every location, job type, activity, etc. this is why a lot of jobs. have drinking fountains. legally they can prohibit whether you can place water at your station or not, but if they do that they still need
    via matchafoxjpg
  • 19
    to make it available for you when needed, meaning you need to be allowed to go and get water when needed. go to that dang site and report them so they can be fined and investigated. they're literally doing something illegal and it's bad for living beings, regardless of the time of year.
    via matchafoxjpg
  • 20
    Ginger630 16h ago You aren't overreacting at all. I'd call the main headquarters and put in a formal complaint. Have your coworkers do the same. Or go to the doctor and get a doctor's note.
    via Ginger630
  • 21
    MapachoCura • 17h ago Sounds unethical and dangerous. I would challenge whoever is making these rules, explain why it's so dangerous, report to higher ups or workers rights groups etc....
    via MapachoCura
  • 22
    MissyGray Gray • 17h ago Find out what the labor laws are in regards to breaks and water. I thought you had to have a break when working 4 hours or more.
    via MIssyGrayGray
  • 23
    lookingformiles 17h ago . Walk out. All of you at once. Bring your drinks with you.
    via lookingformiles
  • 24
    TricksterSprials • 15h ago My store puts front end water bottles in the pick up fridges since they're like 10 feet away. Usually have enough time between rushes to drink some.
    via TricksterSprials
  • 25
    FroginYerPocket 13h ago • There aren't any other grocery stores in your area? that aren't run by How about gas stations, retail stores, or even factory work (light assembly is not hard at all)? Quit being ok with people who treat the people doing the actual work like they're dog We know which people are actually dog.
    via FroginYerPocket

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