Jeff Campbell

Many of us need time off occasionally to help family members with medical problems or for the birth of our child. However, certain requirements must be met for someone to be given FMLA leave. So, many people wonder can an employer deny FMLA?

An employer can deny an FMLA request if the employer has fewer than 50 employees, if the employee has been employed less than 1 year, or has worked fewer than 1,250 hours in the prior 12 months. But if none of those apply, they must grant the leave.

But there’s a lot more to know about the Family Medical Leave Act, what the rules are and how to make sure your request is approved.

So let’s keep going!

If you want to know what FMLA is and why employers can deny the request, you’re in the right place. Below, you’ll find the medical act reviewed in detail.

What is an FMLA Leave?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a labor law created in 1993 in the USA. This act allows employees to take unpaid leave to stay at home and help their family members in certain situations.

The law was signed to promote job security for families who experienced medical emergencies frequently enough to cause an issue.

The health insurance is maintained under the same terms during the period that the employee is on leave.

If you’re an eligible employee, you’re entitled to one of these two options:

1. 12 workweeks of leave in 12 months

This option counts 12 workweeks of leave in a year. It is granted under any of the following medical or family situations:

• Maternity leave when a baby is born or within the year of the child’s birth.
• At the time when an adopted child or a child placed for foster care is put in the custody of the employee and within the year of such placement
• If a family member (spouse, parent, or child) has a serious health condition and requires consistent care
• If the employee has a serious health condition that compromises his/her performance at work
• In case of any military service emergency – If a member of the employee’s family (son, daughter, spouse, or parent) is a covered military member on “covered active duty“.

2. 26 workweeks of leave in 12 months

This option is also described as ‘military caregiver leave’ and grants 26 workweeks of leave in a year.

The purpose is to take care of a seriously ill or injured servicemember who is covered. The eligible employee has to be the servicemember’s spouse, daughter, son, parent, or next of kin.

The provisions of these two options are in review since October 2019 following a 60-day public consultation on proposed revisions.

27 years ago, Pres. Clinton signed the #FMLA into law. This was a critical step to ensure workers can take 12 weeks of leave to care for themselves or their family without fear of losing their job, but we can do more. We must pass the #FAMILYAct to guarantee #paidleave for all. pic.twitter.com/aKQtHJVtEL

— Committee on Education & Labor (@EdLaborCmte) February 5, 2020

Does FMLA Have to Be Approved by an Employer?

No is the short answer.

An employer isn’t required to approve FMLA. But as an employee, you do need their approval before taking the time off work.

When an employee tries to apply for FMLA, they have to have a legitimate reason.

Otherwise, almost anyone would apply for it. The law describes the situation as having a serious medical condition (or having a loved one with such a condition) to qualify.

However, if an employer denies someone who rightfully deserves FMLA leave, they could be in for some trouble. Lawsuits, liability, and all sorts of other issues can arise for a company that doesn’t treat the situation correctly.

For this reason, employees who file for FMLA have to go through a long process to be verified.

This process is designed to look into the situation to know if they truly deserve the additional time off. It also allows employers to see if there would be any liabilities or problems that could occur upon denial.

The U.S. Dept. of Labor released an opinion 📝 that parents can use FMLA time to attend IEP meetings for their children. Get the facts on this important decision from @IStepFunny in her latest blog. 👉 https://t.co/aMVPGYcDqU #LifeAtiLevel #LifeWithQuantum #QuantumRehab pic.twitter.com/csbWJHInix

— QuantumRehab (@QuantumRehab) April 10, 2021

Can an employer reject FMLA?

Yes, employers are allowed to reject FMLA requests if the employer has fewer than 50 employees, if the employee has been employed less than 1 year, or has worked fewer than 1,250 hours in the prior 12 months.

If the filed case doesn’t meet the specified requirements, then it’s unlikely that the employee will receive unpaid leave. There are multiple requirements, some of which are out of the employee’s hands.

Here’s a list of reasons that an employer could deny FMLA:

• If the company has less than 50 employees, they’re not required to accept FMLA cases. This is because they could be understaffed if they allowed multiple employees to use FMLA leave. It’s part of the law, which protects the employer from excessive absences.
• The employee has been employed for fewer than 12 months by this company.
• The employee has worked fewer than 1,250 hours during the prior 12 months of employment.

Now I mentioned 50 or more employees.

That counts for any location of the business within a 75-mile radius of the job. So even if your location only has 25 employees, if there are other locations nearby that bring the total number of employees over 50, they can’t deny your leave based on that.

There’s also a bit of a gray area in certain situations. 

For example, it states that the presence of a physical or mental issue alone isn’t enough to guarantee FMLA leave. Instead, the employer may require a note from a licensed medical professional.

This note is usually required within 15 days of the application period.

Yelp’s ‘honest suspicion’ of FMLA abuse was enough to sink worker’s claim https://t.co/BJXfF2xQ7a #HRTech #HR #SHRM pic.twitter.com/pn2qrSsnZH

— PeopleCapitalHR (@PeopleCapitalHR) April 12, 2021

When Should an Employer Offer FMLA to an Employee?

Employers are also allowed to offer FMLA on the employee’s behalf if they believe that there’s an issue that qualifies such as a medical emergency or if the employee routinely complains of pain or mentions a medical issue.

So even if the employee doesn’t request FMLA leave, the employer is responsible for following through if necessary.

An employer should offer FMLA to an employee if they notice any serious medical ailment. Information gathered from the employee, their friends, family, or other coworkers could be enough to warrant an FMLA case.

If the employer refuses to request FMLA for their employee or they don’t follow through with it, they could be held responsible in the event of a medical emergency. It might not always be obvious or directly in the employer’s hands, in which case, the employer might not be in a bad situation.

The main problem is when an employee consistently expresses discomfort or refers to a medical problem (with themselves or a dependent family member) without any action taken by the employer.

In these scenarios, employers should always file FMLA paperwork.

It should be noted that, even if the employer files for the employee, it still has to work its way up the chain of command in the company. It can be denied on several levels, though it’s unlikely if the employer is the one requesting it for their employee.

In this post we examine the question, “Who is My Family?” for employees seeking leave under FMLA https://t.co/oSzB2yjzY4 #FMLA #ADA #familyleave #shrm #DMEC pic.twitter.com/KtQEBQ5PUl

— AbsenceSoft (@AbsenceSoft) February 2, 2020

There are also HIPAA laws associated with this aspect too.

HIPPA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and it’s a law put into place to protect an individual’s sensitive medical information.

Technically, as an employer, it would be against the law for me to discuss with an employee about their medical condition without them first signing a HIPAA release to authorize that discussion.

Now in the case of a serious injury, an employer is obviously going to put the care of the employee above paperwork. But in the case of filing an FMLA leave request on their behalf, many employers will want to have the employee sign that release first authorizing the employer to be privy to their personal health information.

FMLA Denied. What Now?

If you’re denied FMLA leave by your employee, you should start by figuring out why.

Request an inquiry to learn what issues they found with your specific case. Keep in mind that you have to fit the employment qualifications listed above to even be considered.

Once you’ve reviewed the denial and you know that you’ve been with the company for 12 months with 1,250 hours of work (in a company with 50+ employees), you can move forward. You can either file another FMLA request or inform the employer that you’ll be hiring an attorney.

You should always make sure that your reason is legitimate.

Hiring an attorney should be something that you do once you know that you’ve checked all of the requirements, and you have a medical issue that falls in the FMLA category.

An attorney will work with you to get you the FMLA leave if you’re supposed to have it. Some employers might renegotiate if they know you’re reaching for an attorney.

If your FMLA leave request follows the law it will be granted. Hopefully, that will be without requiring legal assistance.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we took a quick look at FMLA leave.

We explored who is eligible, what the laws say, and what to do if you get denied leave. But ultimately, we answered the question of can an employer deny FMLA with the answer of maybe, depending on the circumstances.

It’s both the job of the employee and the employer to make sure that FMLA leave is given when required. FMLA grants additional unpaid days off for medical conditions of the employee or a dependent.

If your FMLA request was denied, make sure your employer lets you know the exact reason. If they won’t, or you believe they have not followed the law correctly, it may be time to consult an attorney.

Of course, I am not an attorney and nothing here should be interpreted as legal advice. As a leader with Whole Foods Market for more than 20 years, I have hired thousands of employees and dealt with countless FMLA leave requests. As such, I do have a wealth of first-hand knowledge of the laws and processes. But if you need legal advice, you should consult an attorney in your area.

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”10NJxuG0″ upload-date=”Thu Aug 20 2020 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)” name=”Can an Employer Deny FMLA? (Maybe, here’s how to know)” description=”Many of us need time off occasionally to help family members with medical problems or for the birth of our child. However, certain requirements must be met for someone to be given FMLA leave. So, many people wonder can an employer deny FMLA? Here’s what I know from having managed thousands of employees: Yes, an employer can deny FMLA. If the employer has fewer than 50 employees, if you have been employed under a year, or have worked fewer than 1,250 hours in the prior 12 months, you can be denied FMLA leave. But there’s a lot more to know about the Family Medical Leave Act, what the rules are and how to make sure your request is approved. So let’s keep going! If you want to know what FMLA is and why employers can deny the request, you’re in the right place. Below, you’ll find the medical act reviewed in detail.”]

For employes fairly new to the workforce, asking for a raise can be intimidating! But even worse is that many newer employees wonder “can I get fired for asking for a raise?”

In an at-will state, employees can be fired at any time for any reason that doesn’t violate the law. However, most employers will not fire you just for asking for a raise. But if you are underperforming, or often call in sick or show up late, asking for a raise could remind your employer that you aren’t a good fit.

So you’ve been at your job for a while now. You’ve done all of your training and you’re navigating office politics like a seasoned pro. You come to work on time every time and with a great attitude.

You’ve noticed that some of your coworkers are leaving for competitors with the promise of higher pay. But you know what a hassle it is to change jobs, and you really like your current gig, so you feel a sense of loyalty.

But you really could use a raise.

Asking for a raise is a completely normal part of being an employee. But it can be difficult to approach a manager about a pay raise. Should you ask for a raise? What, if any, are the repercussions for asking for a raise? Could you get fired?

Keep reading to find out!

Can you lose your job for asking for a raise?

Yes is the short answer.

But it’s very unlikely as it’s simply not a good business practice to fire someone simply for asking for a raise.

In fact, you can get fired for anything that’s not protected by federal law (think gender, race, pregnancy, and disability), particularly if you are an at-will employee.

An at-will employee can be fired at any time, for any reason, with a few exceptions that would violate federal employment law, like discrimination. In turn, at-will employees can quit at any time, without notice.

There are some exceptions to at-will employment.

If you work in the public sector, if you are a union worker, or if you are refusing to violate public policy, you cannot be fired for no discernible reason.

You should be aware of whether or not you are an at-will employee and chances are, that you are an “at-will” employee, as all states recognize at-will employment, with a few states that have limitations in place, in addition to federal law.

If you are a citizen of one of the states listed below, you should refer to those laws and regulations as it relates to employee’s rights. These states have various limitations and restrictions as it pertains to at-will employment.

Here are all of the at-will states:

Asking for a raise may be a difficult conversation to bring up with your boss. There is nothing to lose if you do it the right way. We can help you strategise on the best approach and narrative to get what you deserve. #careercoach #askingforaraise #salaryincrease pic.twitter.com/XVScc47W3R

— Careerships (@CareershipsLtd) October 30, 2021

What should you do if you ask for a raise and get turned down?

If you do ask for a raise and you get denied, ask for feedback and actionable steps so that you can improve. Then act on the feedback given.

For example, if your manager or boss tells you that you miss too many days or make too many mistakes, stop calling out sick because you partied too hard the night before. Better yet, stop staying out late when you have to go to work the next day. Come in fresh and ready to work.

If you’re making too many small mistakes, slow down and think about what you are doing.

Ask a coworker for help if you need it. Asking for help shows an eagerness to learn and to do things properly. Managers would much rather you ask for help than do work that is incomplete, half-hearted or just wrong.

If you are not a team player or have a bad attitude, check yourself and your attitude at the door. If you just can’t seem to get in a better mindset, maybe it’s time to just time to look for another job instead of asking for a raise.

But always remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

By that, I mean that while it’s OK to leave a job that just isn’t a good fit for you, you don’t want to leave simply because your boss has high standards. Because if you don’t excel at your work, chances are you won’t at the next job either. And that boss might have even higher expectations.

You can’t run away from yourself. So do whatever it takes to give 100% to your job; even if you know this isn’t your forever job or long-term career path. Learn to strive for excellence. It’s a skill that will serve you throughout life AND will be much more likely to get you that raise.

Most importantly, if you get denied for a raise, do not get hostile or give your manager an ultimatum (e.g. “Give me a raise or I’ll quit!”). This kind of behavior is completely unacceptable and likely to get you fired.

5 Tips for Asking for a Raise https://t.co/8GwPx9QJI4 pic.twitter.com/2QgWFrDuzW

— Carolina Ohana (@CarolinaOhana_) January 20, 2020

How long should you work for a company before asking for a raise?

According to this Glassdoor survey, 45% of employees who quit their job, cite salary as the primary reason for leaving their jobs.

BUT, assuming you’re working for a good company, it’s always easier and faster to move up the ladder (and payscale) staying with 1 company rather than jumping around.

There isn’t a particular waiting period before asking for a raise, from a legal standpoint. But, you should ensure that you’ve been at your company long enough to prove that you are a valuable asset.

If you are underperforming or still learning, it’s probably not the best time to ask for a raise.

However, if you’ve proven yourself by coming in to work when you’re supposed to, you don’t contribute to office gossip, and you go above and beyond in your duties, you are in a good position to ask for a raise.

A good rule of thumb is to wait a minimum of six months to a year before asking for a raise. That’s enough time to prove that you are a valuable team member and willing and able to put in the effort that the job requires. But some large companies will have a set scheduled for evaluations and wage reviews.

When you do ask for a raise, have a clear goal in mind.

Find out what your work is worth by talking to colleagues, doing research online, and talking to other people in the industry.

Don’t ask for a raise when your manager is in a bad mood or has had a particularly harrowing day. When you approach your manager, do it respectfully and with a dollar amount in mind.

Additionally, you should find out when the salary review process happens.

Many large companies, especially chain stores, will have a set HR schedule that determines when job reviews and pay raises happen.

Finally, keep the focus on your accomplishments, not finances.

You deserve this raise and your contributions and value as an employee prove it. Yes, rent has gone up and you want to pad your savings account, but those are not good reasons to ask for a raise.

How to be a valuable employee→ http://t.co/AuVHTu5F2T via @Inc #GreatHealthWks #GreatEmployees #NowHiring pic.twitter.com/n3gj6ZjJFp

— Great HealthWorks (@greathealthwks) August 5, 2015

Can an employer add duties without compensation?

Yes is the short answer.

Employers can change just about anything as it relates to the terms and conditions of your employment unless there is a well-defined contract in place or you are represented by a labor union.

Employers can change your rate of pay, title, duties, and more so long as those changes take place in the future. For example, employers can lower your rate of pay for the next pay period, but they cannot lower the rate of pay for services and duties already performed.

Employers are also required to act within federal laws when changing your terms of employment.

For example, they cannot give you extra duties because of your race, gender, national origin, religion, etc. Those are known as protected classes under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which was born out of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.

They must also provide a safe work environment, so if your additional duties represent a safety hazard, then your employer may be violating the law.

But in a free country, employers are allowed to change almost anything about your job and job description, just like you are allowed to go work somewhere else.

Wages that have not kept up with the cost of living is in effect a pay reduction not a raise. pic.twitter.com/0orTGgJVih

— David Hilycord (@Hellacort) November 3, 2021

Are employers required to give cost of living raises?

No is the short answer here.

As inflation causes the cost of living expenses to rise, employers will often give cost of living raises to offset the inflation rate. But there is no law requiring it.

Everyday purchases like clothing, the cost of living expenses, gas, etc. all increase in price over time. If employers don’t offset this with a cost of living raise, they are not maintaining a competitive edge as an employer.

Cost of living raises help keep employee wages reasonable compared to living expenses. They also help keep employees happy and can be a bullet point in the benefits of a job description put out by employers.

Typically, the cost of living raise is a small percentage that is given to every employee at the same time on an annual basis and is not an arbitrary amount. Cost of living raises because they are intended to offset inflation, are based on the Consumer Price Index.

While a nice perk, cost of living raises are NOT required by law.

However, if you are a government employee or represented by a labor union, it could part of your contract negotiations.

10 Ways to Boost Your Paycheck Without Asking for a Raise https://t.co/wexAefz8iB #Economy pic.twitter.com/M6HNgy4Ksd

— Economy and Industry news (@economynews2019) January 23, 2020

Why would an employer fire you if you ask for a raise?

If you are asking for a raise, you should make sure that you deserve a raise before you ask for it.

Ask yourself these questions and always remember, raises should be earned. You aren’t entitled to one automatically.

• Have you proven that you are a valuable employee?
• Do you have a good attitude and complete tasks on time or before the deadline?
• Do you come to work every day and on time?
• Are you producing excellent work?

If you answered yes to all of these questions, you’re good to go. Even if you get denied at that moment, it’s not likely that you’ll get fired.

If you do get denied, ask for feedback and actionable steps so that you can improve. Then act on the feedback given. However, if you are not a valuable employee, it will be evident.

Frankly, you know if you are not a good employee. If you are asking for a raise, and any of these situations apply to you, you probably deserve to get fired.

Most importantly, if you get denied for a raise, don’t get hostile or give your manager an ultimatum (e.g. “Give me a raise or I’ll quit!”).

This kind of behavior is unacceptable and likely to get you fired.

The bottom line is that employers want to get their money’s worth out of their employees. As employees, we want to feel valued and that we matter to our employers, but it’s a two-way street.

If you are not giving it your all and then ask for a raise, it may just make your employer resent you. That could, in turn, lead to them firing you.

Make sure to avoid some of the worst employee attributes:

• Gossiping about other employees
• Frequent mistakes
• Bad customer service
• Excessive tardies and/or absences
• A bad attitude

Those are all reasons to get fired not only when asking for a raise, but as an employee overall.

In a recent article, I get into exactly how you could be fired for calling in sick. But in another recent article, I also cover how something as simple as gossiping could get you fired.

Just click those links to read them on my site.

Additionally, if you ask for a raise, and you’ve been making a lot of mistakes or otherwise performing subpar work, a request for a raise is not likely to go over well and can show poor judgment on your part

Final Thoughts

Asking for a pay raise is a normal part of being an employee.

While many employers will focus a pay raise around an annual review, not all companies perform annual reviews. So if you are confident in your skills, have a good attitude and work ethic, you are in a good position to ask for a raise.

Just remember that a request for a pay raise is just that – a request.

Don’t approach your boss as if you are entitled to a raise. Make sure your timing is right and have a solid plan in place when you ask for your raise. Most importantly, don’t get discouraged if you get denied. There could be circumstances that you are not aware of going on in the background, such as company restructuring or budget issues.

Ask for feedback, and implement it. That way, the next time you ask for a raise, your boss will be remiss to deny you!

In today’s economy, it’s not uncommon for some employees to have a 2nd job.

But did you know that sometimes employers can fire you for that too? It’s true. While you may not be in danger of that, it’s worth looking into.

In a recent article, I examine exactly that and what kinds of 2nd jobs an employer might frown upon. But I also get into how a 2nd job can affect your job performance too.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Are you currently working or considering a 2nd job because you feel like you are not making enough money? If so, you’ve probably wondered can I get fired for having a 2nd job?

Employees in at-will states can be fired at any time for any legal reason. However, most employers won’t prohibit employees from working a 2nd job as long as it’s not for a competitor and as long as it doesn’t affect your availability or work performance.

But there’s a lot more to know about working a 2nd job and what an employer can legally do about it. And those of you living in at-will states, have other things to consider, which we’ll get into below.

So let’s keep going.

Moonlighting is relatively common, and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4.9% of workers hold multiple jobs.

Moonlighting is a term used to refer to holding a second job outside of normal working hours. Moonlighting policies vary by employer, but may require disclosure and approval of secondary employment.

You may be considering moonlighting, but have some questions:

• Can your employer prevent you from getting a second job?
• Can you get fired if you get a second job?
• Why would your employer even care?

Don’t worry, all of these questions are going to be answered. Just keep reading!

Do I have to tell my employer about a second job?

Employers’ reactions to moonlighting can vary widely.

Some employers couldn’t care less, as long as it’s not interfering with job performance or in conflict with their values, and you’re not working with a competitor. Some employers are okay with moonlighting but have policies that require the disclosure and approval of outside employment.

Other employers strictly prohibit moonlighting. If you work for an employer that prohibits moonlighting, and you get a second job, you can get fired.

So it’s important to communicate with your employer and read the employee handbook so that you are familiar with company policy.

If moonlighting isn’t strictly prohibited, talk to your employer about your desire to get a second job.

Strictly speaking, if moonlighting isn’t prohibited, you don’t have to tell your employer about a second job, provided that the policy doesn’t require disclosure and/or approval.

However, it’s always best to be honest with your employer.

It says a lot about not only your work ethic but your integrity, too. And who knows, if you are a valuable employee, and are just looking to make a little extra money, you may even get offered a raise or given more hours.

Moonlighting was once frowned upon. Now, gig economy workers are highly sought after. What can companies do to attract them? https://t.co/L7kgmHHfeR pic.twitter.com/fcMu1qfoZI

— DXC Workplace (@DXCworkplace) January 11, 2020

What is the moonlighting employment law?

While there isn’t a specific law prohibiting moonlighting, it can be governed by the policies of your employer.

Public employees may be subject to federal laws and agency regulations, depending on the position and classification.

Even then, the federal laws don’t necessarily prohibit moonlighting,  they prohibit taking on second jobs that could prove unethical in that it causes a conflict of interest, whether it’s the source of income or the type of work that the job entails.

If your company has a policy prohibiting moonlighting, it should be well documented in the company handbook and/or your employment contract or agreement. If you are unsure of the company policy, ask.

I list out the states below that fall into the at-will territory.

However, in a recent article, I got much deeper into at-will laws, how they vary from state to state, and what they mean for both employees and employers. I even get into wrongful termination, what that means, and what to do about it, if it happens to you.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Pallister has senior bureaucrat remit his earnings from moonlighting for Tory MP campaign, but keeps job. Province’s rules forbid outside employment and partisan roles https://t.co/2bqkSfCocv by @jsrutgers pic.twitter.com/COS5DxCdJD

— Dylan Robertson (@withfilesfrom) June 12, 2020

Can an employer prohibit moonlighting?

Absolutely.

Not only can they prohibit moonlighting, but they can fire you if they find out you are working a second job if you are violating any written policies or agreements.

And if that 2nd job appears to violate the company’s trust or propriety ideas, not only could you get fired, but you could get sued.

So, not only can they prohibit moonlighting, but they can prohibit the use of company time and resources as it relates to secondary jobs and activities.

It’s also important to know if you are an “at-will” employee.

An at-will employee can be fired at any time, for any reason, with a few exceptions that would violate federal employment law, like discrimination. Chances are that you are an “at-will” employee, as all states recognize at-will employment, with a few states that have limitations in place, in addition to federal law.

Many states have various limitations and restrictions as it pertains to at-will employment. If you live in one of the states listed, you should refer to those laws and regulations as it relates to employee’s rights.

Here are all of the at-will states:

Surreal Law & Order scene featuring lawyer Elaine Stritch questioning Felicity Huffman, a homemaker moonlighting as a prostitute who killed a cop. pic.twitter.com/1KiasrFelX

— Jordan Zakarin (@jordanzakarin) June 21, 2021

Is it illegal to work two jobs at once?

No, it’s not illegal to work two jobs.

But it could violate your employment contract and/or company policy, particularly if it presents a conflict of interest. What is illegal, however, is stealing trade secrets and customers.

Even if you are not stealing trade secrets or customers, if your second job is in the same field as your primary job, it could appear that you are working for a competitor, and therefore, sharing trade secrets.

In fact, the 2nd job may have hired you specifically hoping they would learn some insider secrets about their competition.

So, be very careful about who you choose to work for at your second job to avoid any perceived conflicts of interest.

Lastly, as we’ll get into more below, also make sure your employer doesn’t prohibit 2nd jobs or have restrictions you should know about before accepting a 2nd job.

Ultimately, there are a lot of reasons an employer can fire an employee.

But one that might surprise you is gossiping.

We all know someone who loves gossip! But if that’s you, make sure you check out my recent article that breaks down how you could actually get fired for that.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Sharing economy works but we need effective laws to help it grow: @theheraldsun https://t.co/FqMutLPw8x pic.twitter.com/QqdJM82bDP

— Moonlighting (@Moonlighting) June 26, 2016

Why would employers care if I have a 2^nd job?

Think of it this way; employers are investing in their employees, and they want them to be on their A-game.

If you’re working a second job, you are likely to get burned out and let your work quality slip. Then all of a sudden, your employer is paying the same amount of money for sub-par work.

It could also be a conflict of interest.

Employers don’t want their employees working for competitors, directly or indirectly. Even if you are not selling trade secrets or stealing customers, it could appear that you are. As a result, they are going to want to know what kind of work you are doing, and who you’re doing it for, so they can decide whether it could be detrimental to their business.

When I worked for Whole Foods Market, they didn’t prohibit employees from working a second job.

Specifically, the employee handbook at that time stated: “We have no objections to any Team Member holding another job as long as he or she can effectively meet the performance standards for their position at Whole Foods Market.”

The GIG (general information guide) also clarified that it was expected that a 2nd job’s schedule should be coordinated around the employee’s Whole Foods schedule and not the other way around.

However, Whole Foods was very clear about working for competitors or anyone where a conflict of interest could exist. There, the GIG states that they prohibit all employees from working for “a direct competitor, vendor, supplier”.

This may not seem like a big deal if you are waiting tables at your 1st or 2nd job.

But if you work in software, for example, and you take on another software development job, the waters can get muddied when it comes to ideas and who those ideas actually belong to.

📢 NEW POST 🔔

AD @DayTranslations / Are you currently working two jobs? Juggling two or more jobs requires more time, so balancing your time is really important ✨👉 https://t.co/DWjwTveaJI#bloggerstribe #blogdreamRT #cosybloggersclub @USBloggerRT @sotonbloggers @LovingBlogs pic.twitter.com/ZB9jJQxF5S

— Merry | Monodreame (@monodreame) October 15, 2021

Other reasons an employer might not want you working a 2nd job

Let’s also not forget the loyalty aspect.

Your employer most likely spent hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to get you properly trained and to make sure you have the resources you need to perform your job for them. If you are using that training and resources at a second job, your employer could feel betrayed or annoyed.

Also, as you saw in my example above from my Whole Foods days, their GIG book clearly states “as long as he or she can effectively meet the performance standards”.

That means they won’t fire you for working a 2nd job. But they can fire you if your performance and overall work quality go down.

But I get it!

There have been times in my life where I’ve worked 2 jobs (like writing this blog). Sometimes it’s necessary to put food on the table. So if you are financially forced to have 2 jobs, just take steps to make sure you’re able to give your best performance to both; especially to your primary employer.

Lastly, take into consideration, too, that moonlighting can be a hassle.

You’ll have another job to commute to, less free time, less time with friends, and tax repercussions. As a result, your mental health and physical health could decline.

If you are not taking care of yourself, both your primary job and your secondary job could suffer, and then you could get fired from both because you are performing subpar work.

Final Thoughts

Moonlighting is not uncommon, especially when you are in your younger years and just getting started looking for a career.

However, it can be really challenging not only from an employer/employee aspect but from a mental and physical health aspect as well. You should think about whether you really need to get a second job.

If you do decide to get a second job, you should talk to your primary employer and make sure company policy doesn’t prohibit moonlighting.

If moonlighting isn’t prohibited, choose a second job that is vastly different from your primary one, just to prevent any chance of giving the impression that something nefarious is going on.

Of course, a 2nd job isn’t the only thing that could potentially land you in hot water with your employer.

In a recent article, I break down how even being sick could potentially get you fired. So just click that link to read it on my site.

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[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”WcFN6PYN” upload-date=”Wed Aug 26 2020 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)” name=”Can I Get Fired for Having a Second Job? (Maybe – here’s why)” description=”Are you currently working or considering a 2nd job because you feel like you are not making enough money? If so, you’ve probably wondered can I get fired for having a 2nd job? Here’s what I know, having hired thousands over the years: Employees in at-will states can be fired at any time for any legal reason. However, most employers won’t prohibit employees from working a 2nd job as long as it’s not for a competitor and as long as it doesn’t affect your availability or work performance. But there’s a lot more to know about working a 2nd job and what an employer can legally do about it. And those of you living in at-will states, have other things to consider, which we’ll get into below. So let’s keep going. Moonlighting is relatively common, and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4.9% of workers hold multiple jobs. Moonlighting is a term used to refer to holding a second job outside of normal working hours. Moonlighting policies vary by employer, but may require disclosure and approval of secondary employment.”]

A grocery store career can be a great one. But for those first starting out or looking for their first job, it’s not uncommon to wonder do grocery stores drug test?

Yes and no. Some grocery stores drug test, especially big chain stores that stretch across the state or country. However, smaller chains may be less strict about it. Whole Foods Market is the largest chain to not typically drug test.

But there’s a lot more to know about grocery stores, drug tests, and which ones do them. So let’s keep going.

In the rest of this article, we’ll answer some essential questions related to grocery stores and drug testing:

• Which grocery store chains drug test?
• What does an employer drug test look for?
• Do employers tell you if you passed a drug test?
• Can you retake a drug test if you fail?

When you are looking for your first job, you may not have any idea about all the different positions in a grocery store.

In a recent article, I break them all down, including which ones tend to pay the best. Just click that link to read it on my site.

Which Grocery Store Chains Drug Test?

If you’re applying at a grocery store, the store is likely a chain. While there are thousands of stores around the world that are not attached to large corporations, you’re probably applying to one of the big grocery chains.

Here are a few of the largest chains and their drug test requirements:

1. Safeway

Safeway drug tests 100% of their employees. If you’re applying for a job, you should expect a drug test before being hired.

These tests can be either a saliva or urine sample and are often done at a local clinic. The clinician will send the test in for analysis, and the lab sends the results to the Safeway management.

Another situation in which Safeway performs a mandatory drug test is if an employee gets hurt at the workplace.

This necessary test happens because they need to see if the employee was under the influence of a drug when they were injured. If this is the case, the employer is often not responsible for the accident.

2. Kroger

Kroger is another big brand that performs drug testing.

They usually check for more than just marijuana, which is the most common drug typically tested for by most grocery stores. This test is mostly a saliva swab, though the method can vary from store to store, as some of them prefer to use a urine sample.

Once the clinic or office gathers the information, they send the results to Kroger, who makes a hiring decision based on the info.

3. Whole Foods

Whole Foods is a rare outlier, as they don’t always require drug tests before hiring their employees. However, employees who get hurt at work may be subject to a mandatory drug test.

Certain Whole Foods locations will drug test potential employees who will work around heavy machinery. And the warehouses will likely test drivers.

They test these people because they need to ensure the employee is sober when operating dangerous equipment.

But I can tell you in my 20+ years as a leader at Whole Foods, I was never drug tested, never had anyone drug tested. And I was not aware of anyone ever being drug tested. So if you plan to work in a store, you’ll likely never be drug tested.

Note: Although they don’t have mandatory hiring drug tests, Whole Foods still performs a background check to look for potential criminal activity.

4. Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s uses the desire to build an employee-employer bond to push comradery in the workplace. They almost always avoid drug tests, as management believes drug tests make it harder to find good employees.

There are a few Trader Joe’s locations that have been known to drug test potential employees, although it’s not nearly as frequent as other prominent chain store locations.

5. Aldi

Aldi performs drug and alcohol screenings for all potential employees. They deal with heavy packages and deliveries, making it a company requirement to work around potential hazards.

These tests protect the company if an employee fails a drug test after an accident happens. They usually go with a saliva test, although a urine sample is also possible.

When used in a legal manner an American should not have to worry about losing their job for testing positive for cannabis.

Medicinal patients should be protected when they test positive for workplace drug testing.

We must protect law abiding Americans from persecution! pic.twitter.com/a4votXp2I5

— Dan Whitfield For US Senate 2020 | Arkansas (@DanWhitCongress) December 23, 2019

What Does an Employer Drug Test Look For?

If you’re considering working at a grocery store, you should know which substances they test for. Most employers do a saliva test, which often tests for marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, and even alcohol.

Saliva tests usually aren’t as accurate as urine samples because urine tests show substances consumed over a longer time.

Here are most of the drugs tested for during grocery store drug tests:

• Amphetamines
• Opiates
• Nicotine (although this might not be an issue for the employer)
• Marijuana
• Cocaine
• Alcohol (not considered a drug, and it also likely won’t cause problems)
• Methamphetamines

Some companies frown upon alcohol in their tests, but this can vary from company to company.

In most circumstances, it’s not an issue unless the employee consumes alcohol before or during work. You should contact the company that you want to work for if you’re concerned about alcohol testing.

If you are applying for a driving position, alcohol in your system could be a dealbreaker.

So Your Employee Failed their Drug Test? Strategies to a Drama-Free Approach https://t.co/2siJzRPF4c pic.twitter.com/uGv9VwswOz

— Rapid Detect Inc. (@RapidDetect) May 1, 2019

Do Employers Tell You if You Passed a Drug Test?

Employers will almost always inform you whether or not you passed the drug test.

If you passed, they either offer you the job or move forward with the hiring and interview process. Employers don’t typically hire applicants who fail drug tests.

Just because you haven’t received a call within a few days of submitting a urine or saliva sample doesn’t mean you failed.

Employers don’t always receive the results right away, and even if they do, there are other company problems to deal with as well. They have to test all potential employees before they decide who to hire.

Another reason that you might not have received a call for your drug test yet is that some clinics don’t send results on weekends.

You might’ve taken the test on a Thursday, but the company might not receive the results until Monday or Tuesday. Once they get the information, they will call you with the results quickly in most cases.

If you haven’t received a call in a couple of weeks, there’s still no need to panic.

You might even be notified via mail or email. Not all companies send out a phone call with the results, so keep an eye on your inbox and mailbox. Most companies won’t leave you in the dark since they know that you’re waiting for the results.

New York Considering Ban on Drug Testing Potential Employees for Cannabis. https://t.co/fHO0vMTGlk pic.twitter.com/LYBfpjSfeM

— High Times (@HIGH_TIMES_Mag) February 18, 2019

Can You Retake a Drug Test if You Fail?

Unfortunately, you cannot retake a drug test for a job.

There are no retests because the tests are extremely accurate, reducing the chance of error to almost zero. If you retake the test, it can give you time to flush the drugs from your system, which is the main reason that companies don’t allow retesting.

If you’re applying for an important job or one with minimal applicants, you can dispute the results. You still won’t be able to retake the test for the reasons mentioned above, but there’s a bit of hope if it truly was an error.

It’s also good news if the company requested a urine sample as well as a saliva swab.

When you dispute a drug test, your first and only sample is reanalyzed. You can’t take another, but the clinic performs the test as if it were a new sample. Since the sample is stored correctly, substances cannot leave or enter the container.

Once your results are reanalyzed, you’ll receive a notification through a phone call, mail, or email with the new results.

Final Thoughts

In this article, I reviewed a question many prospective employees wonder when applying for some of their earliest jobs; whether or not grocery stores drug test.

We reviewed several aspects including:

• Which grocery store chains drug test? Almost all grocery stores drug test. Many drug test as part of the employment screening, and those that don’t still drug test after workplace incidents that result in injuries.
• What does an employer drug test look for? Employer drug tests look for all sorts of drugs – even legal ones like alcohol and nicotine.
• Do employers tell you if you passed a drug test? Most employers won’t tell you if you passed a drug test – you’ll only find out if you move on to the next part of the hiring process.
• Can you retake a drug test if you fail? While most grocery stores won’t let you retake a failed drug test, you can occasionally ask them to reanalyze a sample or check your second sample to confirm.

In short, while some grocery stores won’t really care that much if you smoke weed occasionally, do yourself a favor and avoid doing anything while job hunting.

Trust me, you’ll be a lot happier with a good job and income to get your career started.

Considering a job at a grocery store?

I have a recent article that breaks down the best tips and strategies to get the job you want. What might really surprise you is how doing just a little bit of pestering can make all the difference.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Photo credits which require attribution:

Modern road sign (Safeway logo) by Northwest Retail is licensed by CC2.0

Kroger logo on company website displayed on computer screen with ripple effect by Ivan Radic is licensed by CC2.0

WFM_Logo_LargerR_Kale_Green_RGB_square_smaller by Virginia State Parks is licensed by CC2.0

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”old9jByV” upload-date=”Mon May 04 2020 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)” name=”Do Grocery Stores Drug Test? What You Need to Know!” description=”A grocery store career can be a great one. But for those first starting out or looking for their first job, it’s not uncommon to wonder do grocery stores drug test? Here’s what I’ve learned: Yes and no. Some grocery stores drug test, especially big chain stores that stretch across the state or country. However, smaller chains may be less strict about it. Whole Foods Market is the largest chain to not typically drug test. But there’s a lot more to know about grocery stores, drug tests, and which ones do them. So let’s keep going.”]

I ran grocery stores for many years. Over time I had to fire many seemingly great employees who never thought to ask is sweethearting a crime?

Yes! Sweethearting is a crime, and it makes up the highest percentage of theft in the US. Small discounts and avoiding ringing up certain items add up to a massive amount of money over time. You should completely avoid sweethearting, as it’s punishable by law and will certainly at least get you fired.

But there’s a lot more to know about sweethearting and where it falls legally.

Sweethearting is actually fairly common in the workplace. Kind customers, paired with a generous employee, can create a situation that might seem harmless. Other times, it’s one employee sweethearting another. Or sometimes friends of the employee come in to shop.

But sweethearting can be terrible for the business. Over time it can cost employers thousands of dollars. Those are dollars that can be passed along as raises, or in lowering prices to drive business.

In the rest of this article, I’ll answer some essential questions related to sweethearting:

• What does sweethearting mean?
• Why is sweethearting considered bad by employers?
• Do employers have you arrested for sweethearting?
• Is sweethearting as bad as stealing?

Let’s check out the severity of this often-overlooked crime below.

What Does Sweethearting Mean?

Sweethearting is a term that describes the act of an employee assisting a customer by reducing the cost of their total purchase in one way or another.

There are many ways to enable sweethearting, but all are a crime, nonetheless. Employers and even customers can see it as a bad sign for the business.

Here are a few examples of sweethearting:

• Product scanning avoidance – when an employee skips the scanning process for an item intentionally. Whether the item is low-priced or very expensive, it’s a crime, and it’s certainly frowned upon in any circumstance. Even if the item is as low as 50 cents, enough uncharged products can send ripples through the company.
• Manually reducing the cost of an item – This strategy is performed by inputting incorrect item numbers (SKUs) or overriding the system’s default price for an item. Employees might see it as a nice way to help out a customer or someone who needs a break. However, it’s also a crime, and you should avoid doing it.
• Scanning coupons when the customer doesn’t present them is also fairly frequent in the workplace. When a customer doesn’t have an active coupon with them, they might ask for assistance from the employee. While some employers might provide coupons to scan upfront in this situation, an employee should never try to input or reduce the price without the coupon in hand. After all, if it’s a manufacturer’s coupon, usually the store has to mail it in to get credit. No coupon, no credit.
• A few less common examples include returning gift cards for cash, voiding totals, tax, and other necessities, and using invoices to lower the total price.

Again, there are no situations in which any of the listed methods of sweethearting are acceptable.

“Sweethearting” is Theft at The Point of Sale and Not Romantic for Retailers https://t.co/QvEJQsfL2P pic.twitter.com/Spr1N7cHAO

— Point of Sale News (@ThePOSnews) October 17, 2017

Why Is Sweethearting Considered Bad by Employers?

Sweethearting is considered a bad practice by employers for many reasons.

The most common situation in which this arises is when a friend or family member shops at the store. Certain stores offer a family discount, but the discounts should not extend beyond that.

Sweethearting for anyone, including friends and family, is frowned upon by employers.

Here are just a few of the reasons why:

1. It wrecks profit margins

One of the main reasons that employers don’t like sweethearting is because it is causing the store to lose money. When loss prevention wonders where the excess items went, there’s nothing to show.

Giving away a pack of gum might seem insignificant to an employee. But imagine if every employee gave away a couple of bucks a shift every day they worked. Over time, that could easily add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Plus, in my experience running stores for Whole Foods for many years, it was rarely something that small.

Often it would be $40 of seafood with a sticker for chowder fish (a low priced item). Or maybe 4 filet mignon steaks rung up as 1.

Now some employees might think their company makes bank, and that losing small amounts of money won’t hurt anyone.

In truth, grocery store profit margins are extremely low. In a recent article, I cover grocery store profits in great detail and break down exactly why every penny counts.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

2. It introduces favoritism

Another reason that employers dislike sweethearting is that it shows the customer that their employees are irresponsible.

If a store has employees who give away free items to some people but not everyone, it’s now a matter of favoritism. Customers need to know that the prices are fair and consistent at the store.

And even a customer who appreciates the deal knows that it’s wrong. In fact, some may report the employee despite the employee seemingly doing them a favor.

Employers can view sweethearting as direct theft, especially when done via scan avoidance.

Taking an item without paying for it, or paying less than they are supposed to, is theft. Everything must be paid for unless the label says it’s free.

Employees who process items without scanning them are now an accessory to theft.

3. It affects the manager

Finally, manually inputting deals and price reductions that don’t exist can trigger warnings to higher management

Even if the store’s manager isn’t aware of the issue, it can trickle up to district managers, regional VPs, and higher up the chain. Ultimately department and store managers are responsible for profitability.

If sweethearting is rampant enough, that can tank a store or department’s profitability. This outcome can not only be bad for the employee but the manager’s career as well.

LPmag: “This revealing and counterintuitive research #study on #sweethearting is especially important during the #holiday season.” https://t.co/AObOi46TJs pic.twitter.com/OqBoo4UnYH

— RGIS UK (@RGIS_UK) November 21, 2017

Do Employers Have You Arrested for Sweethearting?

Sweethearting is undoubtedly a crime, but most employers won’t have you arrested for it.

This lack of arrest happens because most employers don’t see the act as worthy of being arrested. However, they will fire almost any employee who performs sweethearting, even if they only do it once.

There haven’t been many cases in which an employee has been arrested, but it’s not impossible to do.

While even a single act of sweethearting can get you fired, employers usually only call the police when it becomes a serial problem.

Giving away massive amounts of items or a couple of expensive products is likely to get the police involved.

If the employer has evidence, they can press charges against the employee.

Whether the evidence is a video from the store’s cameras, data from the employee’s user access information or another source, sweethearting can make your life much worse.

There are some methods with grey areas, such as the coupon scanning error (or lack thereof), in which case you should always contact your employer.

It only takes a few seconds or minutes, but it can potentially save your job and more. Employers will also see this as a sign of honesty, which will improve your standing in their eyes.

In short, it’s unlikely that you’ll be arrested for sweethearting.

However, you’ll likely be fired, and a phone call to the police isn’t out of line for the employer. Protect yourself by avoiding sweethearting at all costs.

Other reasons for being fired range from being sick too much to even something like gossiping too much.

It can honestly be surprising what actions or choices can lead to someone being fired. Just click those links to read more detail on my site about either issue.

An employee is  5.4 times  more likely to steal from  their  company  than  a  customer  is.  As a result, employee theft alone costs U.S. businesses  $50 billion annually. Here’s how #retailers can be proactive about preventing employee #theft https://t.co/9ivSUPlOth pic.twitter.com/fNaQ7Vd6cZ

— Independent Retailer (@indretailer) December 12, 2019

Is Sweethearting as Bad as Stealing?

Yes, is the short answer.

While most employers use a lot of leeway, judgment, and flexibility in working with and disciplining employees, theft is theft. Employers have to look at theft in very black and white terms.

The employee either stole or they didn’t steal.

The reason is that if they fire one employee for sweethearting and not another, they are opening up a huge liability for themselves. After all, discrimination is a huge charge against an employer. And when they don’t discipline the same way across the board, that’s essentially what they are doing.

Some employees might feel as if they’re helping a customer in need without understanding the severity of the situation. These cases usually end in termination of employment, but it doesn’t have the same level of intent as someone giving their buddy $40 of seafood for $5.00.

It’s also possible that some newer and more naive employees might not even realize that what they are doing is theft or is wrong.

On the other hand, employees who use their friends and family to steal through sweethearting are entirely responsible for their actions in every way.

In these cases, sweethearting is considered just as bad as theft. That’s even truer since the employee likely planned the action before it happened.

This scenario is one of the few that warrants handcuffs.

Loss prevention is allowed to handcuff their employees while waiting for the police to arrive in most states and some countries. When an employee is caught in the act, and they’re completely aware of their actions, they have committed a crime.

By definition, this makes them a criminal, which is just as bad as stealing.

The only situations in which sweethearting might be taken less seriously is through manually inputting errors and other accidents that the employee didn’t intentionally perform.

Final thoughts

In this article, I took a look at sweethearting.

We examined what it is and how it differs from actual theft. But we also explored why sweethearting is as bad as stealing. Lastly, we looked at how most employers handle it and what to expect if you are caught doing it.

You should avoid sweethearting at all costs, as it may get you fired or arrested.

Ultimately, we all need a job, and doing something dumb like sweethearting is a great way to lose a great job and jeopardize your future jobs. After all, most new would-be employers will want to talk to your last one.

For me, there was no better job than at a grocery store. If that’s where you are or want to be, check out all my tips on working in a grocery store in a recent article.

What you might find really surprising is just how good the pay and benefits can be. Just click that link to read it on my site.

Having worked for Whole Foods for over 2 decades, I’ve been asked many times for my best tips for working in a grocery store.

Expect to work a lot of evenings, weekends & holidays. Also, be prepared to be on your feet the majority of the shift. Learn to give more respect to customers than they will sometimes give to you. Also, the employees who get promoted faster are the ones who show initiative, stay positive & are the most cooperative.

But there’s a lot more to working in a grocery store than just that!

I can tell you that the grocery life isn’t always easy. You need to have some ways to deal with the pressure and the “stress” that comes with the territory.

So in this article, we’re diving deep into the world of grocery stores and what it’s like to work in them.

We’ll explore the conditions, issues, and plusses. But we’ll also talk about some of the best tips for dealing with some of the challenges that can come up.

Let’s dive in!

What’s the #1 tip for working in a grocery store?

I started with Whole Foods doing an entry-level job and worked my way up over several years. One of the tips I can give you is to learn to stay calm in every situation.

You may encounter demanding customers, a grumpy co-worker, a stressed-out boss, and a huge olive oil spill. Sometimes you’ll experience things like that all at the same time!

Without a practice to stay calm and centered, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.

Regardless of what happens, you should always stay calm. It’s also essential to find a coping mechanism. It’s not uncommon to see grocery employees out in the smoking area. BUT, I can tell you that’s not the best way to deal with the stress.

Some better strategies for coping with grocery store stress include:

• Go to a walk-in cooler and yell or let off some steam as needed
• Make sure to take your allotted breaks throughout the shift – we all need time to recharge
• Build camaraderie with your co-workers – like soldiers on the field, it helps to have people who have your back when the going gets tough

I’ve made lifelong friends in my 2-decade career, and some were co-workers with me a long time ago!

Trust me, when the stuff hits the fan, those diehard friends will be there for you. There’s nothing quite like a group of grocery store employees socializing together. The only thing comparable would be the foodservice industry which, of course, is related.

If you haven’t been hired yet, then that’s the first step.

I have a recent article that covers all the ins and outs of how to get a job at a grocery store, including one of the key things that can ensure you never get hired.

So just click that link to read it on my site.

What qualities do you look for in a grocery store? The best selection? Great customer service? The lowest prices? pic.twitter.com/XqZzAKnnua

— WCTV Eyewitness News (@WCTV) September 10, 2015

Is the customer always right?

You should also learn how to treat every customer with respect.

Customers will ask you questions, some of which you don’t have the answers. You should learn how to answer each of them without being offensive, even if they are annoying.

They may also be angry with “the store” or something that happened and take it out on you since you are the face of the store in that instance. So take deep breaths and learn to not take anything personally. But also remember that without customers, you wouldn’t have a job.

So while it’s not OK to allow a customer to abuse you verbally or otherwise, you do sometimes have to show more respect than you’re given.

It’s also a great strategy to not pretend you know the answer if you really don’t.

If a customer asks something you don’t know the answer to, be honest. Say “You know, I don’t know the answer to that, but let’s go find out”. Then walk with the customer to the customer service desk at the front or a nearby long-term employee.

Never just say “I don’t know” and then not take it any further.

Learning to take constructive criticism is also part of being a good grocery store employee. Expect to get regular performance reviews and constructive feedback. Don’t alienate yourself from your colleagues. Instead, try to be part of the team and work closely with them.

My daughter is a grocery store worker and I couldn’t be more proud. Working long hours with the patience of a Buddhist monk. They are the infantry in this conflict so far. pic.twitter.com/KR6dpWUnak

— Pat Nelson (@Pnelson5085) March 17, 2020

What is it like to work in a grocery store?

Working in a grocery store can be fulfilling, but it can also be scary.

It all depends on how well you’ve prepared and how much resilience you have. On the one hand, you will encounter stubborn customers that make you want to scream or quit. You may also hate the long hours you have to put in.

Having the department or store manager setting new goals could also put more pressure on you.

If you’re working there as an adult, you should expect people to judge you. Some customers usually assume that people at grocery stores don’t have college degrees. This can make you feel degraded, especially if you have put your all into your work.

Expect to hate holidays and weekends.

Those at the times when you’ll have too many customers and therefore will be busiest. Don’t just have one area that you want to work in. You can also expect to be trained in different departments.

Working at a grocery store isn’t all bad.

There are also some positive aspects. One of them is that you will get the experience that you’ll use in your next job. Some of the skills you’ll acquire are:

• Responsibility
• Perseverance
• Problem-solving skills
• Customer service skills
• Teamwork

These are essential skills in any job, even if it’s not at a grocery store.

As a teenager or in your early 20’s, working at a grocery store means you’ll have more money than your peers.

You’ll also be able to test whether you see grocery as a good long-term career option. The responsibilities you’ll be given will teach you to be more responsible, and that will benefit your future.

I can tell you when I started with Whole Foods the day before my 24th birthday, I had no idea it would turn into much. But, over time, I went from making $4.25/hour to an annual salary of over 6 figures.

So a career in grocery can be a great and lucrative thing.

But some positions pay better than others, and some have certain plusses and minuses. So in a recent article, I break down all the primary positions in a grocery store.

While it’s good to remain flexible, it doesn’t hurt to have an understanding of which jobs you may naturally excel at more than others. Just click that link to see the article on my site.

Perks of working in a grocery store: when stuff gets sent to the wrong grocery store, so you get to take it all home.

An entire case of dragon fruit, for free.
WINNING. Pitaya bowls for everyone! pic.twitter.com/FQEuoPBLSE

— ☕️ (@trishishungry) November 23, 2018

How do I become a good grocery clerk?

Some of the responsibilities of a grocery clerk include assisting customers, replacing stock on the shelves, or labeling food products in the deli, meat, or seafood departments.

Here are some of the best skills to serve you in those roles:

1. Pay attention to detail

Being detail-oriented is crucial if you want to be a good grocery clerk.

After all, product resets happen (where an item gets moved to a new permanent location elsewhere in the store), and you will also occasionally find damaged goods on the shelves too.

A good eye for detail helps keep you informed. Then you, in turn, can help those confused customers.

2. Have excellent customer service skill

Since you are dealing with customers, you need excellent customer service skills.

You’ll be expected to ask customers if they need help. You’ll also be directing them to the right places for their products. Answering their questions will also be part of your responsibility.

To do these well, you must master your customer service skills. Serve with a smile even if you don’t want to.

Be calm and respectful even when you think they don’t deserve it.

3. Have good communication skills

Excellent communication skills may be part of the skills that lead to your promotion.

Remember that when the customers are satisfied with your services, you’ll get good reviews. This may help you get a promotion sooner than later.

Be clear and concise.

Provide the right directions and listen before answering. Make sure you understand the customer correctly before helping them find what they need. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarity in case you don’t know what they want.

It’s also vital that you communicate well with your fellow co-workers too.

After all, you are one big team and no matter how good of a worker you are, if you can’t get along well with others, you’ll have trouble keeping the job.

4. Be open-minded & flexible

This is the best way for you to enjoy working at the store and also to grow.

By keeping an open mind, you’ll be able to welcome new ideas that will help you in your career. Having an open mind will also help you adapt to the changing situations.

Remember that you are may be asked to help in different departments.

Without being open to such changes, you’ll not be able to perform efficiently or diligently. This skill will also help you maintain a friendly attitude that will help with your communication skills and customer service skills.

5. Be a self-starter and show initiative

Trust me.

As someone who has hired thousands of grocery store employees over the years, the ones I promoted the fastest or gave the biggest raises to weren’t the ones who could just work the fastest.

The ones I gave those things to had the best attitudes and a willingness to do whatever was needed at the moment even if it wasn’t in their job description.

And they could do those things without constant supervision.

5 Things I Learned Working In A Grocery Store https://t.co/aBlURkVDZ6 pic.twitter.com/0o3HSsBDF7

— Thought Catalog (@ThoughtCatalog) June 14, 2016

What’s the difference between a clerk and a cashier?

Clerks and cashiers are 2 different jobs in a grocery store. Now having said that some stores may have 1 employee doing both roles at different times.

Cashiers are given the task of handling money, ringing up groceries, and bagging. Clerks, on the other hand, don’t handle money and do a little less customer service.

Clerks are focused more on stocking shelves and maintain displays. They may also answer their questions as they guide them to various products.

Because of the different responsibilities, each position has a different kind of interaction with the customers. After all, clerks will be answering a wider variety of questions and walking customers to different products throughout the store.

Cashiers, on the other hand, are expected to be respectful, but they aren’t generally under pressure the way clerks are.

That’s because cashiers are primarily focused on accurately and quickly ringing up groceries. By the time the customers get to the registers, they have likely found everything the needed and asked all their questions.

Since cashiers handle payments, they need strong organizational skills for their job. They should ideally be able to do the math correctly without the help of machines. This is because sometimes payment systems may fail, but the service delivery to customers has to continue.

The skills will help you balance the cash register properly and account for every purchase made. Clerks don’t need strong math skills.

You’ll have to be a fast learner to familiarize yourself with every aspect of the store. This, together with the qualifications above, will help you become excellent at fulfilling your responsibilities.

Faced with Online & Grocery Surges, Walmart Expands Both Human & Robotic Staff https://t.co/dBmZXlBYKi pic.twitter.com/J5k0BzsfLe

— Rafael Heredia (@RafaelJHerediaG) April 24, 2020

Is working at a grocery store hard or stressful?

Yes. Working at a grocery store can take its toll on you even if you become a manager.

In fact, the more responsibilities you have, the more stressful they can become. Learning how to manage your roles and your time effectively is the best way to overcome stress. Learn to rely on your co-workers so that you work as a team.

You should also try to do more than what your job description requires.

Take the job seriously, even if it’s not a permanent venture. Try to find meaning in your work to have a purpose. For instance, you can find satisfaction in seeing how the elderly smile whenever you assist them.

Participating in company competitions is also a good idea.

Try to win the awards that maybe there because they are meant to motivate you. For example, winning an “employee of the week” award can help boost your morale.

Such awards can also be used in your next employment search and they look good on a resume. Remember, you need to have the dedication and willingness to do the hard work, which means you should learn to love what you do.

If you love what you do, you’ll have a reason to wake up early every morning.

you know mon is old when she says the next radio theme is about COSTCO lmao. A freaking warehouse retail store 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/FIwsCL7aw1

— Miyno「ミノ」 (@Miyno46) June 26, 2021

Is working at a grocery store retail?

Working at a grocery store is definitely retail. By definition, retail businesses are ones that exchange goods for money.

However, if the store has a deli department and you work there, it is not considered retail. Instead, it is categorized under food service.

There is no limit to the size of the store. This means that whether you work in a small grocery store or a large one, you’re still in retail.

Even if your store sells food products such as meat, eggs, and milk, you’re still considered to be working in retail.

Only those that deal with dining services or fast food delivery are not seen as retailers.

Grocery stores are one of the most significant contributors to the economy in the retail industry. You should, therefore, take pride in working in such stores and being part of that contribution.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we took an in-depth look into a world I love; the world of grocery stores.

We examined what working in a grocery store is like; from conditions to coping with stress, and even some of the key differences in positions around the store.

Ultimately, we covered all my best tips for working in a grocery store culled from my 20+ year career with Whole Foods Market.

So whether you’re doing this as your first job, have been doing it a while, or intend to make a career out of it, you’ve come to the right spot.

Thanks for being here!

As a long-time grocery store manager, one question I’ve been asked, again and again, is how to get a job at a grocery store.

Most stores have an online application process, a background check, and then an interview process. It also helps to meet the hiring manager & let them know you applied and are interested. But avoid pestering them. Be prepared to be flexible, open-minded, and have a willingness to work wherever and whenever is needed.

But there’s a lot more that goes into getting hired at your local grocery store.

So in this article, we’re looking at the specific job requirements most stores will have. But we’ll also get into what to expect at an interview, what positions are most often needed, and even some mock interview questions.

So let’s dive in!

What skills do you need to work in a grocery store?

Grocery store positions don’t usually have any specific skills required to qualify.

You can apply even if you haven’t worked in a grocery store before. This is one of the reasons why the job is suitable for teenagers.

Here are the basic job requirements Whole Foods Market looked for when I was a store manager for them:

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds
• Will stand/walk 6-8 hours in an 8-hour shift
• Using your hands: grasping, pushing and pulling
• Flexible: able to bend, twist, squat and reach
• Possible exposure to FDA approved cleaning chemicals.
• Possible working in cold temperatures such as a freezer or refrigerated walk-in
• Able to work in wet or dry conditions
• Having a flexible schedule including being able to work nights, weekends, and holidays 
• Able to use tools & equipment, such as knives, box cutters, pallet jacks or other machines
• Possible use of ladders or step stools

Grocery store jobs may not need any set of skills, but it doesn’t mean they are simple.

You’ll be under pressure to work faster, especially during the holidays. You’ll also have to meet the expectations set by your manager.

It’s also important to be ready to work hard and put a lot of time at work once you’re hired.

Dealing with customers is also never easy. Having worked for Whole Foods Market for more than 20 years, I can tell you that while I’ve seen thousands of amazing customers, I’ve also been yelled at and even seen things thrown at employees on rare occasions.

So be prepared to stay calm, cool, and collected, even if the customers don’t.

Lastly, it’s crucial that you are a team player who can get along with all of your co-workers. That sometimes means putting aside your ego for the sake of the store (and your job).

Oh the joys of working at a grocery store. Putting stuff back on the shelf. < pic.twitter.com/lVWOsKDs

— Whitney Kinley (@Wkinleyyy) June 5, 2012

How quickly do grocery store employees get hired?

The short answer is it depends.

But in most cases, expect it to take a couple of weeks. That being said, there have been plenty of times where I was shorthanded in my store, and the perfect person walked in and applied and was hired quickly out of necessity.

These days, most stores will likely have an online application process.

Then they will narrow down the list and perform background checks on a smaller list of candidates. Then those that pass the background check will be scheduled for interviews.

Once all interviews have been done, then the store or department manager would make their hiring decision and call you to make the job offer. Less reputable managers won’t call those candidates who didn’t get the job. So you won’t always hear back.

You should be ready to apply for many jobs at a few stores and follow up with those stores a couple of weeks later.

Depending on your city and the economy, there could be way more applicants than there are positions. This causes the stores to get numerous applications and makes it harder to get a job quickly.

You should keep in mind that just like you, many others are looking for the same opportunity.

This is why it’s a good idea to go to smaller stores and not the biggest name in town. You may have an advantage at your local small store.

And then, months or a year later with some experience under your belt, you can go apply at the big stores and stand a better chance of getting hired.

Healthy shopping is key to a healthy diet. Need to refresh your grocery store skills? https://t.co/ejNEIwSjkw pic.twitter.com/jTn8cZXoge

— SN Health District (@SNHDinfo) April 7, 2017

What jobs can you do at a grocery store?

Grocery store positions include stockers, cashiers, baggers, meat cutters, fish mongers, bakers, cooks and chefs, cash-handling personnel, HR, and department and store management.

Ultimately, grocery stores depend on many employees to run smoothly and efficiently.

The number of employees and the duties assigned to each usually depends on every specific store. Some may afford to hire multiple employees and give each one a particular task.

Others may not be able to have as many employees and will have one employee doing many jobs. So, it’s crucial that you don’t apply with a specific job in mind.

Be open-minded, flexible, and willing to do whatever is necessary whether or not it fits a specific job description.

As a store manager for many years at Whole Foods, I can tell you that the employees who got promoted the fastest and who got the largest pay raises were the ones I knew I could count on to get any and every job done without complaining and without requiring constant supervision.

New @CITYOFCARMELIN grocery store looks to fill 500 positions. Details here: http://t.co/4v4OxlQAW0 @GiantEagle_Jobs pic.twitter.com/OdbUbA7hkv

— WISH-TV (@WISH_TV) May 20, 2015

Here are the most common grocery store positions:

1. Cashier

As a cashier, you’ll scan products that have bar codes.

You’ll also weigh things that don’t have a code, such as produce items. These items typically have a PLU number. While many produce items will have a PLU sticker showing that number, plan to memorize the most common numbers.

You’ll also have to return the exact change to the customers and answer all their questions.

You’ll be trained on how to use the register software, but you should have excellent customer service. Customers will ask you some questions so you should have a friendly and relaxed attitude as well as patience to handle them.

It can also be distracting scanning items, passing them down to the bagging area while chatting with the customer, so it pays to stay focused.

2. Bagging

This is another role that most new applicants are given.

You’ll work closely with the cashier by putting the products that have been purchased into shopping bags. You have to be good at arranging the items, so they fit correctly.

You also have to know when to double the bags if the items are heavy. Bagging the fragile items (like eggs) carefully to prevent breakage is also essential. Keeping other products apart from frozen items is also vital.

While simple, bagging is really a fine art as it needs to be done well, but also quickly. Ideally try and match the pace if the cashier so that by the time everything has been rung up and paid for, the customer’s bags are ready to go.

3. Stock clerks

This is a role in loading things from the pallets and stocking the shelves.

Busy stores may also require you to go through the store mid-day and do what’s called fronting or facing. That simply involves pulling the product forward where people have taken items from the shelf.

Always make sure to pull at least 2 forward when you do that. This helps maintain a full and clean look on the grocery shelves. Customers don’t buy as much when a store looks like it was just hit by a zombie apocalypse.

Stock clerks also help customers find products too. So do be prepared to interact and assist the shoppers. Some stores also routinely call for the stock clerks to come to the check stands to help bag groceries during busy hours also.

4. Janitorial roles

This job will require you to keep the store clean and organized. Some stores may not hire a janitor or may contract this out to another company. Small stores may just have the expectation that everyone helps with cleaning up spills and emptying trash cans when needed.

Other grocery store jobs include department manager jobs, assistant managers and receiving clerks who unload the deliveries.

I have a recent article that breaks down ALL the positions in a grocery store in a quick, but comprehensive way. So if you want to know a little bit more about each role, just click that link to read it on my site.

My first job was bagging groceries in Carson City….what was yours? pic.twitter.com/4p5XVgkLbo

— Daniel Henney (@danielhenney) October 30, 2018

What do you wear to an interview at a grocery store?

It’s always better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. A tie is not necessary, but don’t wear shorts or jeans or sneakers. A button-up shirt or polo shirt is better than a T-shirt, and avoid excess jewelry which can distract them from focusing on your answers.

Although you may not get the job you’re applying for, you should still create a good impression.

This means you should put more effort into your appearance and how you dress. Avoid wearing too many revealing clothes. You should also wear clothes that hide any tattoos if you have any.

Exposing such will create an unnecessary distraction, and you don’t want that.

Having said that and some of what’s below, do pay attention to how the existing employees dress. For an interview, I always think it’s better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. But there’s no need to go WAY overboard if everyone who works there is in T-shirts and jeans.

Wearing large pieces of jewelry is also not advisable because it also draws you unwanted attention.

You should keep your appearance smart but not too casual. Grocery store managers usually want to know that you’re the type of person they would be happy to have to represent them.

If you’re a guy, avoid wearing polo shirts and instead opt for button-down shirts. You don’t have to pair it with a tie. If you’re a girl, you can wear a skirt or pants and a blouse together with a sweater.

Avoid wearing open-toe shoes. In most cases, you won’t be able to wear open-toed shoes at a grocery store for safety reasons.

Remember to bring a notepad and some breath mints. Apply minimum makeup and wear a conservative hairstyle.

Make sure you have your resume together with a list of references, even if you’ve not been asked to. While your dress code is essential, you also have to impress with your behavior.

Even if this is a first job, a resume can still focus on skills rather than previous employment.

Keep a straight posture and pay attention to the interviewer. Lastly, make sure to look them in the eye and avoid fidgeting.

Hanging at the kid’s table at a grocery store, waiting to interview a #Texan. pic.twitter.com/PRY2VsJWZD

— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) September 9, 2014

What kinds of questions do grocery store managers ask in an interview?

Here are the top questions you can expect to be asked by a grocery store manager in an interview:

• What can you tell me about yourself?
• Why do you want to work in a grocery store?
• What weaknesses do you have?
• Do you have any professional experience that makes you suitable for the job?
• Tell me about a time when you intentionally didn’t follow the rules

But below, I’ll go into greater detail on each of those.

Although prior experience isn’t always necessary, you still have to prepare for some interview questions to impress.

A good grocery store manager or owner will ask questions designed to show them how your brain works and thinks. The questions are also designed to see how you respond under pressure and if you’re easily stumped.

Here are just a few example questions:

1. What can you tell me about yourself?

This question is common in other fields as well as is usually asked at the beginning.

You should open up and feel at ease when answering it. You may be tempted to talk out your life history but don’t. Tell the interviewer about your education and interests that are related to the job you want.

You should also talk about specific characteristics that give you the job-related skills.

It’s OK to talk a little bit about yourself personally just so they get a sense of who you are but avoid going in-depth about your gaming obsession or how many TikTok followers you have.

2. Why do you want to work in a grocery store?

Try to tell the store manager the skills you have that make you the perfect fit for the job.

They are just trying to find out if you deserve the job and why. You should, therefore, try to market yourself using the experiences you have even if it wasn’t in the same field but is applicable.

Ultimately you probably just want to earn a few bucks, and that’s OK.

But the answer to this question should be deeper. Maybe you love interacting and helping people. Perhaps you live food and want to work around food and people who are passionate about food.

Show the manager why you are excited about the job!

3. What weaknesses do you have?

The store manager may be looking for a reason why they shouldn’t hire you.

You can’t say you don’t have any weaknesses because everybody does. If you say that you’ll come out as dishonest and may lose the opportunity.

Talk about one or two of your weaknesses or a mistake you made in the past. Then talk about how you’re overcoming them or the steps you took to fix the situation.

4. Do you have any professional experience that makes you suitable for the job?

You may not have any professional experience as a teenager.

But you have other achievements you can talk about even if it’s in extracurricular activities. Grocery store jobs usually require a lot of energy. They also require you to be on your feet the whole shift. Working well with a large team of people is also critical for a successful grocery career.

So, being involved in physical extracurricular activities like team sports is a great thing to mention.

5. Tell me about a time when you intentionally didn’t follow the rules

Not everyone will ask a question like this. But some savvy managers with a lot of HR experience may.

Situational questions like this are designed to let them see how your mind works. Also, because this type of question isn’t your standard “why do you want to work here”-type question, most people won’t have a prepared answer.

Again, that will show the manager how your brain works and how you react under pressure.

In this specific instance, this question is telling us about your initiative and whether you’re a self-starter. Almost everyone has broken the rules sometimes. But only some of us did it for the right reasons.

Ultimately, the manager who asks this question wants to know if you have the strength to make a judgment call that you think is best for the store even if it’s something you’re not supposed to do.

Giving a refund without a receipt when you know it will build customer loyalty could be an example. But it doesn’t have to be a work-related example.

Poll Finds Majority Of Americans Approve Of Child Labor Laws But Agree That Kids Carrying Briefcases Would Be Cute https://t.co/lTnbhMUHvT pic.twitter.com/EzJp8ICIHI

— The Onion (@TheOnion) September 2, 2019

How old do you have to be to work at a grocery store?

Generally speaking, you need to be at least 16 to work in a grocery store.

While some stores may choose to only hire 18+, the following grocery chains do hire 16-year-olds as of this writing:

• Albertson’s
• BI-LO
• Brookshire’s
• Food Lion
• Kroger
• Lucky Supermarket
• Pathmark
• PriceRite
• Publix
• Raley’s
• Ralph’s
• Safeway
• Trader Joe’s
• Whole Foods Market

That being said, child labor laws do vary from state to state, so check out this comprehensive state-by-stage guide for more info on your state.

Those state laws will limit how many hours you can work if you are still in high school. The restrictions have different limits for weekdays compared to weekends. If the store you are applying at serves alcohol, there may be restrictions there too.

How much do you get paid to work at a grocery store?

When I was a store manager at Whole Foods in California around the year 2000, we started everyone at $10/hour. At the time, the minimum wage was only $5.75 but that just wasn’t realistic for California.

Honestly, $10 wasn’t realistic either, but it was almost twice what many employers were paying, so we got better employees.

Of course, what you or your child can expect to make will vary greatly by state as different state’s economies will create different average wages.

That being said, the nationwide average for an entry-level grocery store employee is currently $10.47/hour.

On the high end of the average scale, some employees start out at $15.66. Then on the low end, some only make $8.14. In most cases, expect to be somewhere right at the average unless you’re in California or New York City.

But no matter what the starting wage, work hard, show up on time, avoid excessive sick calls, and you’ll quickly rise to the top and be rewarded in raises for your hard work.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we took a look at the world of grocery stores and what it takes to get hired for your first job there.

We looked at job descriptions and positions. But we also explored how the interview process goes and even what to expect in pay.

Take any opportunity you’re given then grow from it.

You have to start at the bottom before climbing to a management position. But a career in the grocery industry can be a great thing and lead to cross country adventures. It can also lead to a 6 figure salary.

I know because I started for $4.25/hour at Whole Foods and ended up making over $100,000 across 4 different states in 10 stores.

Photo credits that require attribution:

Eggs. Plenty of them. by Alex Barth is licensed under CC2.0