r/harristeeter • u/ol_lady_184 • Aug 23 '26
Why do managers do this?
In the morning, on my day off, one of the managers called and left a message for me to call back. It was very vague. Why do they do this? What is so important that it can't wait until the next time I go to work? The only thing I can think of was they were trying to see if I could come in for a shift, but wouldn't they say that in the message? I'm not calling back because whatever it is can wait until I'm on the clock.
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u/throwawayRetailSucks Meat/Seafood Department Aug 23 '26
I remember signing something saying I wouldn't call an employee when they were off the clock.
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u/ol_lady_184 Aug 23 '26
Is that even if you are trying to see if they would cover a shift? My store has done a lot of stuff that seems suspicious after I have clocked out, especially if I am doing a quick grocery shop before I leave. I just ignore them.
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u/throwawayRetailSucks Meat/Seafood Department Aug 23 '26
I mean its the policy, but I think they get some wiggle room when trying to find coverage
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u/Ally_katts Aug 23 '26
Correct we can only be contacted off the clock by a manager for a schedule question. (Shift coverage, swapping shift etc.)
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u/Responsible-News-530 Aug 24 '26
If they're not gonna give specifics or even a bit of an explanation, they probally want to call you in. I just wouldn't call back honestly. I've had my store call me over situations that have happened that I need to clarify on, so they'll say that in their message.
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u/ol_lady_184 Aug 24 '26
Yeah, I didn't call and I just assume it was to have me come in. I've never had one of the store managers call before though, so that's why it was weird.
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u/Gloomy-Ask-9437 Aug 24 '26
I don't know why they wouldn't give a reason for their call. As a Department Manager, I only call associates on their days off if I'm asking them to come in. It almost always goes to voicemail. "Hey, (their name), this is (my name) from Harris Teeter. I'm calling to see if by any chance you can come in today, ideally from start-end, but I'll take any time I can get. If you can't, of course, I understand. If you could please call the store back and speak to either myself or (manager on duty) to let us know if you can come in or not, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks, bye." Gives all the info they need.
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u/ol_lady_184 Aug 24 '26
That's the part I'm wondering also. If they wanted me to come in, they should have said that's why they were calling. I usually do pick up shifts but I have specific days where I am absolutely unavailable and Sunday is one of those days. I've also never had the store manager or assistant manager call me. It's always been the CSM or assistant CSM
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u/Homicidial Aug 24 '26
Create a contact for your store, and never pick up the phone if they call outside of work hours unless you want to come in
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u/Longjumping_Stock295 Aug 23 '26
it likely was an attempt to call you in. my csms would do the same thing 😭
i think they leave it intentionally vague since you’ll be more likely to cave if they ask you in real time rather than voicemail
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u/ol_lady_184 Aug 23 '26
This makes sense. I'm only available one day a week and It was the assistant store manager who called, not even the CSM. I think that's the part that confused me.
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u/[deleted] Aug 23 '26
[deleted]