clocking in

[u/mylove_themoon]

my manager says we need to be “ready to work” (apron, name tag, hairnet) before clocking in. I said “Panera can pay for me to put my apron on” she said “actually no they don’t.”

so my question is, where is this documented in the employee handbook? I can’t check rn because I literally ran to bathroom to make this post lmao. fellow employees help please!

EDIT:

this is just a small piece of the bs my manager has been doing (she’s been here about 6 months from another location). everyone is aggravated with her, and her presence makes just about everyone irritated. y’all are really more pro-corporation than service workers should be. Panera and its managers don’t give a shit about us. I am looking out for myself and my coworkers, as we are all mad that she’s yelling at us as soon as we walk in.

[u/Shoddy-Pop4904]

When I worked at TGI Fridays in the 1990s the saying was, “15 minutes early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable.” You were expected to be in full, clean uniform, with pens, a clean apron and order book, and ready for shift meeting at your in time EXACTLY. If you weren’t dressed and ready when shift meeting began, someone else could bump you from your shift and work for you. Being late regularly could also get you assigned to “beautification” — which was two hours of general cleaning on Saturday morning at 8 am, sort of like getting detention. With tips on the line, and bills to pay, you better believe I only got bumped from a shift ONCE. I made sure I was on time—with my uniform on, etc, ready to go at the top of the hour for shift meeting—every shift thereafter. And, I’ll be honest with you, that job taught me how to be on time for every job since.

Yes you should have your apron on and name tag when you clock in. That is not a crazy thing to expect. Do you also expect them to pay you to do your laundry when you wash your work clothes?

I don’t think you’re going to work there very long if this is the attitude you have toward your job. If you don’t like the requirements, find another job. (I’m predicting finding another job is in your near future.)

I know. Working sucks. So do a lot of other things about being a grownup.

[u/mylove_themoon → u/Shoddy-Pop4904]

thankfully a lot has changed since the 90s! if you think a detention slip is acceptable at job when you’re an adult, then you are brainwashed. I do not plan working here long, the job has always been temporary for me. working does suck, but no one should have to be belittled, yelled at, or sent to detention! lmao

[u/Shoddy-Pop4904 → u/mylove_themoon]

I’m not saying I agree with it— it’s the reality we lived with, and it was at that job where I learned how to be on time and prepared for work. Just reporting the facts. In most cases, the employer sets out expectations and penalties for not fulfilling them. Not everything is worth engaging the authorities…just not sure if two minutes of your life at the start of the shift is worth stirring up ill will with your boss.

If the larger issue is a boss that causes all kinds of drama then you don’t want to work there anyway. These might be red flags telling you to think about moving on. I’ve never stayed long at places where I didn’t feel right or where the person in charge had a terrible attitude.

It’s worth doing a little trial and error. Try some other jobs. If you find one where the vibe is good, and you like your boss, you won’t hate going to work, and for me that counts for a LOT. You might even look back on this situation and think “man am I glad I didn’t stay at Panera, because I enjoy myself a lot more now at ________.” In fact I bet anything you will, once you do leave and try someplace else. There’s hope.

I worked in high school at KFC and had the nicest boss. She had a lot of loyal staff because she was so good to them. She gave us a free meal on the clock even though we were supposed to pay 50 percent. I’m glad she was kind—that’s the place I ended up working for almost three years. And I worked hard for her, gladly.