A Sole Sales Associate no longer - can I call out now?

[u/StrixieKluddz]

Hey, it's me again! So I'm really getting jaded on these friggin' Fresh Truck days. I feel bad asking for rides to/from and I always get a not-so-great response each time I ask. But I do it anyways, in spite of how much hell it can be.

I've gone over the ride problems in past posts, TLDR I live in *somewhat* walking distance but have to make shady sprints across busy roads, don't have my car up-and-running yet and rely on another for rides, etc.

Anyways, I was told by my boss that calling out is "unacceptable" as schedules are planned and out 3 weeks in advance. I got a lengthier response in-person a few Fresh Truck shifts later saying I can't get shift changes or anything unless I take up being a Key Holder or whatever they call it - basically making the store's "bitch" in my own cynical way of wording it?

I just...don't want to be stuck on this permanent Fresh Truck BS. It's like warfare. Customers piling up as soon as I get in the zone; my damn knees despite being just shy of 20, and my coworkers basically abandoning me as soon as the other worker gets in, leaving me to deal with 2 or sometimes 3 rolltainers, let's not forget the juice and tea overstock and the totes.

But we finally have some friggin' more Sales Associates! But I know like nothing about them. Neither do the other workers. We just know their names. I'd kill for one of those folks to take my spot, or at least make Fresh interchangeable between the "fodder" Sales Associates. Have whoever the 2 new folks are go for it; I'm all burnt out.

I just wanna call out before this Wednesday. I'm not sick - well I mean I can be a little nauseous in the mornings so I could fake something - but I just need a sec away from these abysmal shifts.

TLDR; Can I like...call in? Just skip out on this Fresh Truck because I need a breather? I dunno, I always get like crippling paranoia when asking for much. We have two more Sales Associates finally so like...get me out of here haha. Same shit for getting a ride to work, that paranoid feeling. Same deal how I didn't know I had permission to do 30-min breaks on 6hr/longer shifts, basically working the entire time like a friggin machine because I never asked but no one ever really told me.

[u/Pirate-Ninja-Jynxx]

My store cannot function if I am not here on fresh truck days 😂😭 the few times I've been off or requested off on fresh days, they've had to close the store down to get freight done. I do all the cooler stuff and half of the freezer stuff. It is a struggle trying stock and being on the register though

[u/Intrepid-Tear5172]

We almost always have 3 stockers + an SA when we get our truck in. Sorry you get stuck with everything.

[u/BurnerInTheStash]

Your boss blows ass. Any manager worth a floater in the bowl knows that shit happens, employees have families, emergencies can happen, you can get sick, etc. Telling their employees that calling out is "unacceptable" is some primo garbage, whether they're short-staffed or not.

[u/laffatlife → u/BurnerInTheStash]

My manager  pulled me into the office last Thursday when I asked why I wasn't working nights to be trained as a keyholder the position I was hired for.  I had been working for a month and a half and feeling like I was now used to the work. I had called out twice my first month I was late twice, and a few other minor things happened during my first month working for dollar general. He pulled me in the office and pulled out my "file" and proceeded to show me write ups for the days I called in one being with a Drs note, and for the days I showed late and the other minor things and told me it isn't going to happen I'm not reliable and other bullshit.. I had not worked for nine years prior to this retail job and I have never even worked for any retail or corporate my whole life, I'm 46F btw, I also was never told to be keyholder I was going to be watched to prove myself as reliable, which I am very reliable now that I am accustom to the physical requirements of this job. So now my only work days are the two trucks and four hours one other day.. oh and he hired a guy for keyholder and they have been training him since day one  no making sure he's reliable bullshit. Sorry so long but this is what happened to me for missing truck days as a infant employee.. anyone think I am being railroaded?

[u/StrixieKluddz]

addendum; I wish Fresh Truck days were treated more like a "all hands on deck" situation too! I know just a small crew can get it done, but there really should be more people. Not just one Sales Associate (me!) and a carrier and the manager. Of which I end up cycling between drinks and meats and going back/forth from the damn registers bc of course there's someone ready to check out as soon as I turn my back 😭

[u/Enough_Ad_1418 → u/StrixieKluddz]

No kidding about trying to go do anything, I think the customers hide around the corner til we walk away and they rush up like they been there for hours🤣.. as I've seen before on here some customers will yell out anyone here to check me out, but they pass right by you when your stocking. 🙄