New Job Question
 

Alright, so as most of you know i used to work for Blockbuster and now i have officially left them for Sears. I had my first day today. I was supposed to be training in one store, but the guy who was supposed to be training me got promoted. So they had me go to the store where i am going to work for one day to do some online training. I was like ok fine. Now they are telling me they want me to drive all the way into Garden City for 5 weeks and train there. They are offering zero money to do this and are giving me one day notice. I live all the way out on the north fork of Long Island. It kind of annoyed me that they hired me for a store in Nassau when i applied and was told i was applying for a store in Suffolk, but they offered nice money so thats fine. But now they are making me drive a ton more then i was told. I suppose i should just shut it and train and man up during the 5 weeks, but im just trying to see if anyone else would complain, ask for gas money or do anything else.

Cliff Notes: Was hired for Store A which is 30 mins away from house, was told i was training at Store B which is 20 mins away from house now on one day notice i am training at Store C which is over 100 minutes away, do i have a right or reason to complain?

Re: New Job Question
 

yes you do have a reason to complain.

is this just entry level position? tell them to stuff it.


odds are that you'll just put up with, grow bitter, steal some minor items, justify it by thinking of this inconvenience they imposed, you'll get caught, fired, end up homeless.


i'd def. ask for comp for gas money, or delay your start date til someone can train you.

Re: New Job Question
 

ask to work at store D

Re: New Job Question
 

Yeah I think we need a bit more information about the position. If its a good job that you can't easily replace I'd mention your concerns but suck it up and do the 5 weeks when they say they're not giving you anything.

If you can get another job easily, go the "steal enough to make up for the inconvenience" route, or go for the awesome, sitcom-worthy quit.

Re: New Job Question
 

Its not an "easy" job to get. I am the Assistant Store Manager in charge of Electronics. I make a decent amount of money and it was a pretty huge pay jump from Blockbuster.

I could see going to Store C if the person there was some kind of uber expert who would train me right, but apparently the guy has just been promoted. Not to mention there are like 5 other Sears in the area, i find it hard to believe no one at any of them can train me.

Re: New Job Question
 

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Its not an "easy" job to get. I am the Assistant Store Manager in charge of Electronics.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm sorry, but I honestly laughed a solid 25 seconds after reading this.

Re: New Job Question
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Its not an "easy" job to get. I am the Assistant Store Manager in charge of Electronics.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm sorry, but I honestly laughed a solid 25 seconds after reading this.

[/ QUOTE ]

Really? cause 25 seconds is a long time.


OP, have this discussion with someone at your job.

Re: New Job Question
 

[ QUOTE ]
OP, have this discussion with someone at your job.

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Yeah, it seems like you have a reasonable request and I'd just mention it politely. If they say no it sounds like the job is worth keeping and you'll have to suck it up. Of course since I'm vindictive I'd find little ways over time to make up the inconvenience. Probably not stealing stuff, but at least taking off early, taking long lunches, that sort of thing.

Re: New Job Question
 

I brought up the drive with the Store Manager and HR Manager and both kept shrugging it off saying i need to train with people who know what they are doing. They admitted the drive would be rough, but that i "really need to train with someone who knows what they are doing." It kind of scares me that they freely admit that they employ so many morons i cant train at any of the 10 other stores nearby.

As far as the easy comment goes, i dont mean to say that its easy, just that in terms of retail jobs its not easy to get. Obviously compared to other professions working in retail isnt much to some people, but whatever.

Re: New Job Question
 

Don't worry about it yo. Some people is just dicks.

Re: New Job Question
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Its not an "easy" job to get. I am the Assistant Store Manager in charge of Electronics.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm sorry, but I honestly laughed a solid 25 seconds after reading this.

[/ QUOTE ]

really? You probably need to get out more and interact with people.

Re: New Job Question
 

A 3+ hour commute each day is ridiculous. Let them know your concerns in a stern and direct manner, say the least they can do is reimburse you for the gas.

Re: New Job Question
 

you are giving up a good chunk of your pay every day to commute, between the time and the gas. i would guess between 10 and 20 percent but i don't really know what you make.

so i would go to the HR guy or whomever and say, "look, this commute you just sprang on me basically sums up to a 15% paycut. here, i did the math. this is not what i agreed to, and it's not a good sign that you would do something like this to me in the first week i'm here."

but then again major retail outlets pretty much always screw all their employees, so this is basically what you should expect.

Re: New Job Question
 

You should be on the clock for extra driving you have to do (sounds like about 2.5 hours per day) and you should get $0.485/mile for driving. If you are salary, you should be able to negotiate a $500 bonus or so to cover the extra time, but still get the mileage.

Re: New Job Question
 

Yea i am going to have to say something today. 4 Hours of driving both days and almost 40 bucks on gas split between both days, this is crazy.

Anyone have any advice on how to phrase this? Is NT's wording the best? I like the people in my store, and i do want to keep the job, so i guess i have to tread somewhat lightly. The SM of my store was very keen on me getting the right training.

Re: New Job Question
 

You are in a difficult situation. In a new position you surely do not want your immediate boss to think you are going to be difficult to work with on every issue in the future.

This one should be pretty simple though. Just mention that you understand the training you need is at this alternate location. Then ask what the store policy is on compensation for the long commute? Will you be able to use a company vehicle or do you turn in mileage if using your personal vehicle?

When bringing up issues like this I find it best to offer solutions in your question. It keeps you from sounding negative. Makes you sound like a problem solver.

Good luck.

Re: New Job Question
 

I would go into it asking if there is any other store that is closer to your house that you can go to for the remaining of the training period. Explain the extra time and gas it is costing you to train at the Garden City store.

If there isn't any other option for a store, tell them you want to be a team player and ask if there is anyway they can reimburse you for part of the commute costs - either mileage $ or paid time off as compensation (assuming you are not strict commission based pay).

Re: New Job Question
 

I have a set salary. I've only done 2 days so far, so the gas mileage thing sounds like a good idea.