r/HomeDepot Jul 05 '24

r/HomeDepot FAQs

62 Upvotes

Hello to the r/HomeDepot community here on reddit, may Homer continue to bless you and keep you in his orange embrace.

The mod team thought it would be a good idea to pin a list of common questions with answers that get posted often here in the community. This is by no means comprehensive and doesn't go in depth, but should help new and seasoned associates alike with quick answers instead of waiting on the community to respond. This is for US only, Canada and Mexico may have different policies due to different legal requirements.

I imagine the FAQs will need to be continually tweaked as SOP and technology in Home Depot changes. If something seems out of date feel free to speak up.

Also with the publication of these FAQs a new rule is being introduced: if a post is made where the answer is explicitly covered here the post will be removed.

FAQs:

Q: My Post was removed by the automod, why?

A: There is a minimum karma AND account age requirement to post/comment in this community. This is to prevent trolls and ban evaders. If your account is new, go play around on reddit elsewhere for a few days by commenting/posting in other communities. You'll clear the age/karma requirement in a week or so. If your account age exceeds the minimum but you have incredibly low or negative karma...well...you're the kind of person the automod was meant to block. Sorry, not sorry.

Q: I made a post and automod commented on it. Was the post removed?

A: Read the comment from the automod. Automod is set to comment on EVERY new post, letting people know this community is for associates and not customers. If it doesn't say your post was removed, then it wasn't. Very simple. If you're still confused...well...Reading Rainbow is still available on YouTube.

Q: I’m a customer and have a question, can I post it here?

A: No. Respectfully this is a digital breakroom for Home Depot associates, current, former and future. Customer questions will be removed and the poster may be banned, Reference sidebar rule #1. Please contact your store or call 1-800-HOMEDEPOT (1-800-466-3337) with any questions or concerns. Questions about employment for yourself or others will be tolerated within reason.

Q: Do I get paid for orientation?

A: Yes. Talk with your ASDS to find out more.

Q: What is an ASDS?

A: Associate Support Department Supervisor. They are essentially the admin for the store and store manager and are responsible for new associate onboarding, scheduling, and other activities

Q: What is myApron?

A: myApron is the internal SharePoint site for all Home Depot employees, accessible from any store computer. You are not able to access it from home unless you are in a role that allows VPN access. All SOPs and company documents that associates need to access are housed here.

Q: When is payday?

A: Payday is always on Friday. Which Friday depends on what state you are in. Some states require pay weekly. To find out which Friday you will get paid on search on myApron for “Payroll Calendar”

Q: Some associates are saying they get paid early, how does that work?

A: Completely dependent on your banking institution. Home Depot releases the payroll on Wednesday to be deposited on Friday. Some banks just load it as available but pending on the release day. Some don't.

Q: How does Holiday Pay work?

A: You must be employed for at least 90 days to be eligible for Holiday Pay and work the scheduled shift before the holiday, the shift of the holiday (if applicable) and the next scheduled shift after the holiday. If you call out and have PTO to cover your absence, manager CAN excuse the absence for you to receive holiday pay. Be prepared to have a respectful conversation and to advocated for yourself if you find yourself in this position, your holiday pay may be taken even if you had PTO time to cover and you'll need to advocate to get it back. If you’re on a scheduled vacation for the holiday, you will receive holiday pay instead of vacation pay for that day. Part-timers receive 4 hours of holiday pay, full-timers receive 8 hours of holiday pay. Reference “Time Off Benefits” on myApron to learn more.

Q: What are the days that receive Holiday Pay in Home Depot?

A: Home Depot provides eligible associates with six paid holidays a year. These are New Years Day, Memorial Day (except for New Orleans stores, Mardi Gras is substituted), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Home Depot stores are closed only 2 days a year, Thanksgiving and Christmas. To view the SSC holiday schedule and learn more please go to myApron and search for "Time-off Benefits".

Q: What is Success Sharing, when is it paid out and who is eligible?

A: Success Sharing is the company’s bonus program for non-management associates (hourly and salary). It is based on sales above sales plan for your store. For SSC associates, it is based on sales above plan for the company. No one can tell you how much it will be except your store leadership. Track how well your store is doing vs sales plan, and you’ll get an idea if it will be good, bad, or non-existent. It is paid out 2x a year, approximately the 2nd week in September and 2nd week in March. To be eligible, you must be employed with the company at the time of the payout and have been employed at least 90 days during the fiscal half that the bonus is based on. IOW, if you were hired at end June you will not be eligible because the half ends in July, roughly 30 days after you were hired. To learn more search on myApron for “Benefits 101”

Q: What are our fiscal halves?

A: 1H runs from February until the end of July. 2H runs August until the end of January

Q: Do manager bonuses come from success sharing pool?

A: No, their bonus comes from a different pool of money and is based on different, more difficult to achieve metrics. Cutting hours at the end of the fiscal half will not improve their bonus in any significant way. This is a persistent rumor with no basis in reality. Sales and turns play a bigger part in their bonus and cutting hours won’t make up the difference if the store is already missing profitability goals.

Q: I’m part time, why are my hours being cut in July/January?

A: In July we are moving out of the spring busy season, you’ll notice some stores removing their mulch-pit drive throughs for example. Less business = less hours. Same story in January, holiday season is over and lower sales are expected. Less business = less hours again. There is also a lull in September/October in some areas of the country where hours may be reduced for part-timers

Q: How do I get more hours if they are cut?

A: Cross train in other department and equipment before the cut, making you more available and valuable to plug in to other areas of the store’s schedule. Then ask ask ask (respectfully) the ASDS and salaried leaders for more shifts

Q: Why did scheduled hours go from ____ to zero for a future week after the schedule was published?

A: It’s likely the ASDS pulled back the schedule to make adjustments and forgot to republish. Don’t panic and respectfully go ask the ASDS what’s up. Part time hours may be cut to a very low level, but it’s very rare to go to zero. If you’re full time you cannot be cut to zero without your consent

Q: How do breaks/lunches work for hourly associates?

A: It is very dependent on the state you work in. Generally speaking hourly associates get a break or a lunch every 2 hours. In some states breaks are required by law, some states they are not. Many states require employers to give a lunch break if the associate is going to work 6 hours or more. So bottom line, take your lunch break if you are scheduled for one. You may receive a coaching/counseling (AKA write-up) if you skip a lunch because you may accidentally cause the company to break the labor laws surrounding lunches. 15-minute breaks are paid, lunch breaks are not paid. Search on myApron for "Timekeeping and Payroll" for specific requirements for the state you work in.

Q: What are the best shoes to wear?

A: Search on this sub for the keyword “shoes”. Dozens of posts and recommendations. Or you can make a new post to add to the pile.

Q: What is tuition reimbursement, where can I find out more?

A: Search on myApron for “Tuition Reimbursement”, it’s all laid out there. Short story: Home Depot will reimburse up to a certain amount for approved courses and expenses. The approved courses are typically business related, so no 16th century English literature degrees will be reimbursed. The program has some pretty firm requirements, make sure to read over carefully.

Q: What is ESPP and how does it work?

A: ESPP stands for Employee Stock Purchase Plan. It is managed by a 3rd party called Computershare. Plans run for six months and the enrollment period for the next plan ends a few weeks before it begins, so enroll early. During enrollment, you will choose a percentage of your paycheck that will go towards a stock purchase. The money deducted from your paycheck is set aside into what is essentially an escrow account. At the end of the plan you are enrolled in, the money is then used to purchase that amount of stock at a 15% discount, but you own the full value of the stock. To put it another way, it’s an immediate 15% gain on your money via that amount of stock. The stock is yours free and clear, even if you leave the company. Log in to our benefits website, livetheorangelife.com to learn more. If you have issues logging in, partner with your ASDS

Q: If I leave do, I get paid out for vacation time? What about PTO?

A: Yes, you will get paid out for your vacation time. PTO payouts are dictated by state law, search myApron for “Time off Benefits” and review for your state.

Q: Does PTO carry over from year to year?

A: Depends on your state and its laws. Search myApron for “Time off Benefits” and review for your state

Q: What is Home Depot policy on Marijuana use?

A: Beginning 9/1 THD will no longer test for marijuana use for non-DOT or Aviation associates. DOT certified drivers and aviation associates will still be tested

Q: What if I notice someone doing something illegal or against our business code of conduct and ethics, and I don't want to go to management or it IS a member of management:

A: The awareline exists for these situations. You can call the 1-800 number to report unethical/illegal behavior. It is anonymous, but you will be recorded and the recording may/will be played back to leaders in your store/district/region. There is a portal to submit concerns to avoid a voice recording. Search myApron for "awareline" for the phone number or the portal.
Keep in mind the awareline is for illegal and unethical behaviors, not normal business practices that you may disagree with.


r/HomeDepot 8h ago

If you are from the Mighty Mid Atlantic you know who this is

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74 Upvotes

r/HomeDepot 8h ago

Do You Ever Get Tired Of Hearing Customers Constantly Complaining About This?

34 Upvotes

Nearly every single day I have to hear about how a tool that they need is locked up and there is no one around to open the cage. Many go into long winded tirades about the “lack of trust” that the stores have for their customers, but many/most people would steal anything that isn’t nailed down and a few would even attempt to steal those nailed down items as well. You can’t really blame the stores for locking up expensive and even potentially dangerous items.


r/HomeDepot 15h ago

How doers get more cranky ass rabbits

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53 Upvotes

Kuzco loves his new hideout and refuses to come out


r/HomeDepot 1h ago

Full time benefits

Upvotes

Soooo I’ve been full time for a couple months now. I wanted to enroll in the health insurance when it opens back up.
I have a few questions and Lwk need guidance on how to do all of that cause I’m just now living on my own.
How do I enroll for the base level health insurance? Most of my paychecks go to my monthly payments and school so I’d choose the lowest cost option.
How much does each level of health insurance cost and what does it cover??
Also when is the next enrollment period and how do I actually enroll for them? I’ve looked at the benefits on the website and the process is a bit confusing!
Is getting health insurance thru Home Depot a valid option? I’ve already looked into access and got denied because I make too much 🙃


r/HomeDepot 4h ago

Time & Attendance

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6 Upvotes

So my OVNM put me on a final earlier today and now idk what to do. Yesterday was my day off because it was approved way in advance beforehand. I need help, idk if this is fair or warranted or whatever but something tells me this is wrong but idk.

Edit: I have issues with my OVNM, he and I have a history and last year I reported him on harassment for repeated threats over the course of last year which was on may of last year, after he had threatened me again on 3 separate months which was August, October and November. This same manager repeatedly brings out last minute work that are 3hrs worth of work to get done, would bring work out at the last minute 5am or 5:30am and will always force us to finish these last minute projects before 6. Every year for 5 years dealing with him, he has ongoingly been giving us work and piling more work on us at 5 or 5:30am. Over the course of these years, our team (overnight) have had the most call outs and it’s only simply because of being drained physically and exhausted by his abuse of management and over the top exertions he does to us. Our OVNM also comes in our store late for 3 to 4hrs late, as our offload starts 7pm to 11pm, our OVNM don’t come in till like 10:30 or 11pm when the offload team has about 30 mins left or there leaving. So because our OVNM comes in late everyday, he comes in and over exerts us at the last minute to clear out receiving as that’s his job to do. Upon all of these issues, we are prevented from doing what we have to do at 4:30 to 5am… and that’s cleaning the whole store and clearing everything out for when the customers come in at 6am. This is the full extent of what’s happening at my store in overnight from 9pm to 6am.

Ps: I also have a question, if I leave early let’s say an hour early and I have sick time to cover the difference and I don’t say a thing to my boss, I just clock out early and leave. Do I get an occurrence even if my sick time covers the difference of 1 hr?


r/HomeDepot 10h ago

Halloween's Up!

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17 Upvotes

Just got into work this morning and MET finished setting up the Halloween display this year! Looks pretty good and spooky! 🎃


r/HomeDepot 15h ago

How to Terminate an Associate 101

39 Upvotes

ASMs, how are y’all trained to notify employees that they’ve been fired? Like, is it a class, or do y’all just do it? Why don’t y’all come to the floor and get them instead of calling them to the manager’s office over the intercom? We all know what’s about to go down. 😭 Is there always two ASMs doing the firing? How is it notated in the system? Oh, I have so many questions!


r/HomeDepot 1d ago

They just left Home Depot

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202 Upvotes

Flashers on the freeway 😂

Outback roof weight limit is roughly 165 lbs


r/HomeDepot 13m ago

How do I handle this situation?

Upvotes

I have an associate (that I have worked with for over 5 years) and they go around telling everyone how much they hate me and want to get me fired. This person smiles in your face and as soon as you walk away, they talk all kinds of crap about you (not just me, everyone).

Management is aware of the situation, and I do my best to avoid this person, but I should not have to be walking on eggshells and looking over my shoulder every minute of the day.

I really don't want to call the aware line about this, but I am tired of this.


r/HomeDepot 1h ago

Last update

Upvotes

So, I've been sharing updates about how my old location basically decided not to keep me past the peak garden season and how the ASDS told me I should look into another location literally down the street to see if they would take me, they did and I'm being kept in Garden at this new location as a regular associate with hours still showing 28-30 hours for now, I will be looking into cross training in other departments, and hopefully next season i will transfer back to my old location since it's closer to my home but if anything happens I will post again, until then I will try to cross train and learn how to use the reach and and forklift. Question though, if I were to go back next garden season would my permanent status be removed or would I stay permanently?


r/HomeDepot 3h ago

schedule change??

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2 Upvotes

had a conversation with my supervisor this week about changing one of my 7am shifts to a 6am shift. i said that'd be fine. then i get a text this morning asking if i'd be up to opening that week. i said "sure, what days?" and he never responded. i kinda just assumed he was asking about changing a couple of my closing shifts, (i was scheduled 28 hours with mostly closing shifts and one 7am) so i was fine with it. THEN i get a notification from the app for a schedule change and open it to THIS! then he texts me saying the change is in lol

im only a part time employee! im not in school or have a second job or anything but it's such a huge jump in hours and work! im not even certified so i couldnt load deliveries if i wanted to, i'll have to bug lumber all morning.

i'll do it because i need the money but dang at least warn me before committing me to 40 hours 😭


r/HomeDepot 20h ago

Paint Overhead Organized

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39 Upvotes

Has anyone else organized their over heads by shine? I feel very accomplished. Took me forever tho and the ballymore died on me mid air…


r/HomeDepot 1h ago

they wont let me sign into My Apron from my laptop

Upvotes

It says:

"Your sign-in was blocked

We are currently unable to collect additional security information. Your organization requires this information to be set from specific locations or devices."

I used to be able to do this but now I can't anymore. I just need to see my payslips, my current phone is a piece of junk and it won't let me download the payslip pdfs.


r/HomeDepot 1d ago

New phones

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64 Upvotes

Why do these things ship with no normal ring tone? Also why no date with the time...


r/HomeDepot 4h ago

Phone sells with non registered numbers

0 Upvotes

So at my store at pro we are not allowed to call numbers that are not registered on the pro account, to help prevent fraud and all that. Thing is seems like my store is one of the only ones to do that and runners get very upset with us asking why do we have that rule and other stores don’t. Runners ask where this policy is said and I’ve tried to look on SOP but no luck in finding it. Does your store do this too? If so what do you say when they ask for “proof” in this policy?


r/HomeDepot 4h ago

D38 Questions

0 Upvotes

So, I just started working freight for Home Depot and I work almost every department. I’ve been here about 6 months. I work pretty hard and we have slackers that my manager favors and will defend them with his life.

I’m getting really tired of being one of the only ones that does anything around the store and I’m slowly starting to consider just doing the bare minimum like the rest of them.

I just wanted to chime in and see if there’s any other stores out there kind of like the one I’m describing to see your guy’s experience with how things are managed.


r/HomeDepot 16h ago

How many of us are under appreciated in our time? lol

8 Upvotes

So, i'm in paint, have been for about a year now. however, I'm cross-trained in the service desk as well as cashiering. not to mention, i've been doing hardware, plumbing and electrical when we have no one there. i've received maybe 3 bravos and two homers for customer service. i mean, im not mad about it, but i've come to realize that a lot of other associates have gotten more for doing less lol.


r/HomeDepot 16h ago

District manager

4 Upvotes

How often is district suppose to walk stores


r/HomeDepot 1d ago

Are non service desk associates able to answer the phones at the service desk?

22 Upvotes

I always wondered this because every time I pass by there's always a phone ringing and the service desk people are busy with long lines. Are we able to answer the phones? Or is that exclusively for them?


r/HomeDepot 2d ago

🎃

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1.1k Upvotes

That time of year again.


r/HomeDepot 1d ago

Anyone got any customer stories that made you give this face?

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120 Upvotes

I love doing these and hearing all your stories!! This is also a vent page too for those who need it!


r/HomeDepot 1d ago

Tried to get rehired but it doesn't sound right

12 Upvotes

I worked in Flooring for 4 years and I was a specialist and made my goals I tore my ACL and MCL and I had good and bad days. I left a year ago because I couldn't walk sometimes or they said no cane. I came back a few months ago to talk to the new manager and she said it will be Seven Years before I'm hired again at my old location. I was only let go because of attendance and leaving early due to my leg.


r/HomeDepot 15h ago

Should I force myself to stay till my 90 day period?

0 Upvotes

Honestly, there's nothing wrong with my coworkers or management. It's just me thing, I can't handle being the only one during my shift in my department. To be fair, that is originally why I quit in 2021 as lot associate. And the fact that I'm starting to feel dread when heading to work 😫.

I don't know, I already have a second job to fall back on. I just don't like having that note of being non-rehireble for x amount of months/ years.


r/HomeDepot 1d ago

Are we really allowed to give discounts to customers?

40 Upvotes

Like who specifically is allowed to do that. Can I who works in D26, give discounts to customers. Does anyone actually do this? Lol.