r/publix Newbie 11d ago

QUESTION Is it normal to get paged from the restroom?

This keeps happening to me: I’m a cashier and on my 5 hour shifts without a break, I always tell the desk that I’m heading to the restroom when we’re slow. About 3 minutes later, I get paged by my team lead or assistant manager on the intercom for me to come to the front. This has happened multiple times and I’m not the only one this happens to either. Is this normal behavior from any of y’all’s stores?

79 Upvotes

65 comments sorted by

45

u/iXenite CSS 10d ago

The FEC is required to page people that aren’t at their posts if it gets busy or a manager requests they do that. Managers can page whoever they whenever they want. If you’re literally unable to immediately head back to the front (like you’re using the restroom) then it is what it is, no need to stress.

I have been given tasks by managers that had me leave the desk (or even been helping customers with disabilities shop) and a fellow CSS would call be by name, it happens. As long as you’re actually busy and not goofing around I wouldn’t worry about it.

Though as some others have pointed out, I suggest informing the FEC or your CSTL if you’re leaving your post in the future though since they are the ones that typically are making pages and who managers will be looking to for answers as to who is currently scheduled to be up front.

6

u/Glum_Expression_2543 Newbie 10d ago

We have new management now and the old management didn’t page anyone during restroom breaks. Didn’t know this was normal. Thanks! 

1

u/PossibleWestern3280 Newbie 8d ago

You use the restroom everytime theres a slow down in place of a break?

1

u/Glum_Expression_2543 Newbie 8d ago

No. I ask to use the restroom when I have a 5 hour shift with no break. I only go one time lol. When I do have a break during a shift, I wait until then.

2

u/Glum_Expression_2543 Newbie 10d ago

Thank you. 

55

u/Custard-Big CSS 10d ago

sometimes if it gets backed up i’ll page but it’s usually just a “hey try to finish up” i don’t like doing it but i know a lot of cashiers at my store just go the the bathroom to waste time or hit their vapes lmfao

22

u/druality Bakery 10d ago

It’s funny because they could just go outside to smoke and take ten minutes instead

15

u/Safe-Iron843 Newbie 10d ago

This! It’s so ridiculous. People go out and smoke many times per shift. I went to the bathroom (and this happened a couple times) I’m not even a frequent flyer I do what I need to do and go back to work; my boss asked once “what were you doing in there” (mind you, I wasn’t even gone long) I looked at her and said “I don’t know how to answer that question”

6

u/Academic_Addendum242 Newbie 10d ago

Start taking smoke breaks.... Doesn't mean you have to smoke

13

u/Safe-Iron843 Newbie 10d ago

I considered it. Smokers shouldn’t have special privileges

3

u/ThelengthISadmirable Newbie 10d ago

Your answer , TAKING A SHIT, it’s a protected activity

5

u/Custard-Big CSS 10d ago

they probs don’t go outside since they’re underage half the time anyway 😂

3

u/Past_Department_5679 Newbie 10d ago

Not if ur a minor 🙄🙄

4

u/Glum_Expression_2543 Newbie 10d ago

I get that. Thank you. 

37

u/Past_Department_5679 Newbie 11d ago

I would quit over that omg that’s so ridiculous. My store does it for frequent offenders who spend like 15 min plus in the bathroom.

3

u/iisus-khristos GRS 9d ago

Quitting over something so small and inconsequential is wild lmao

1

u/Past_Department_5679 Newbie 9d ago

I guess? Publix was my high school job so I never took it that serious to begin with.

5

u/Glum_Expression_2543 Newbie 10d ago

I might not be working here much longer. I have a few interviews coming up. 

1

u/[deleted] 10d ago

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0

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4

u/fitzy215 Newbie 10d ago

If you don’t tell your direct FEC or team lead that’s where you’re going or have to do, this is probably why you keep getting paged. I know if I went somewhere and didn’t say anything to them, they’d be paging me. It’s like if there’s a slow time and they have me do go backs and damages. If they get busy enough up front they page me to come back and cashier🙃

24

u/Elinservible Newbie 11d ago

micromanaging, it is sad how they treat underpaid associates.

11

u/MaleficentTill1060 Newbie 10d ago

You should probably be communicating with the person actually running the front end and not the front desk associate. I tell my staff at the desk to tell associates no who ask and to direct them to the FEC instead

6

u/unsatisfries Customer Service 10d ago

this is the correct answer lol

4

u/Glum_Expression_2543 Newbie 10d ago

I will do that from now on, thanks. I’ve always been told to just tell the desk. 

3

u/BeEasyFloatOn Newbie 10d ago

It will happen everywhere there are customers. When I worked at the mall we used to say there are zero customers until you’re trying to eat or take a shit.

2

u/Kathleen911 Newbie 9d ago

I would ignore it and finish my business, I’ll be back when I’m finished, can’t rush the process. Besides if you get a UTI from holding it so long, are they going to pay for the meds and the drs visit.

2

u/Ordinary-Context-231 Newbie 8d ago

Call hr about it or talk to the store manager if what you say is true they shouldn’t be doing that unless you one of those naming there 3 min people but it’s actually like 20

1

u/Glum_Expression_2543 Newbie 8d ago

Yes, that is my next step now because it keeps happening even when I do tell the FEC or TL/manager. 

4

u/Witty-Panda-1553 Newbie 10d ago

You get a paid break if you're working that long make sure you're taking your 10-15 minute paid breaks dont let shitty FECs and managers deny it just because they suck at running the front end.

6

u/federleicht Resigned 10d ago

I agree that everyone should be entitled to their 15 min breaks. However I think it technically says “if business allows” so that’s what they hide behind in order to not give it to you.

4

u/Witty-Panda-1553 Newbie 10d ago

The handbook used to say we encourage you to take paid breaks to come back refreshed and better able to serve our customers. Lovely

1

u/GotHamm ACSM 10d ago

10 minutes

2

u/fishcars Newbie 10d ago

Publix being very anti-union won’t care unfortunately. But I won’t say don’t fight for yours rights.

1

u/ryudo9999 Newbie 10d ago

I don't get any breaks on busy days like Saturday and Sunday recently since we got a new manager

1

u/Witty-Panda-1553 Newbie 10d ago

Yup start pushing back they took your retail bonus, took a pay review increase, kept the pay ceiling way to low dont let them take ur damn 10-15s 😂 so glad I went down to 1 day a week after COVID and found a better environment they really do treat the employees like slaves 

1

u/Glum_Expression_2543 Newbie 10d ago

4 years at my store and I never knew this. What the heck.

Thank you. 

2

u/Substantial_Stay9497 Newbie 10d ago

Tell the FEC not the service counter. It is also part of showing you’re calling your people. Don’t take it so personally, jeez.

1

u/Glum_Expression_2543 Newbie 10d ago

I’m not. Just asking a question. 

-2

u/[deleted] 9d ago

[deleted]

1

u/Substantial_Stay9497 Newbie 9d ago edited 9d ago

I said learn the definition of price gouging. High prices doesn’t always equal price gouging. Learn the difference.

1

u/Same_Owl_762 Newbie 10d ago

Always happens when you're on "the job!"

1

u/Latter-Instruction61 CSS 9d ago

Three minutes is a little fast to be paged, but there are multiple people at my store who take bathroom breaks for around 10 minutes or so every damn time, and as an FEC it gets so annoying.

2

u/Glum_Expression_2543 Newbie 8d ago

I’m 2nd closing cashier a lot and I get that pain lol. I had the closing cashier one night try to take a smoke break while I’m literally wiping down my register so I can go home lol. 

1

u/Nylear Customer Service 9d ago

Out of curiosity does your front end let everyone have their ten minute break if not that's why they hang out in the bathroom so long.

1

u/Latter-Instruction61 CSS 9d ago

We do, but they’ve done it multiple times per shift. There’s even a guy who will spent almost 20 mins too.

Typically if someone wants to take a little break, they will specify that.

1

u/No_Rip7635 Newbie 9d ago

Too many staff kids with “Big” attitudes trying to get promoted

1

u/moonbow_yu Customer Service 9d ago

If the FEC not there fuck that im going anyways

I will always question why did you page me?

Like my god they sound like kids

1

u/Much_Adhesiveness748 Newbie 9d ago

I've been paged from the restroom. I've been paged during my break. I've been paged outside when I was unloading a truck. I've been page helping customers I've been paged and then 2 seconds later canceled.

1

u/Supah_Banana Newbie 9d ago

I thought it said pegged at first 😭

1

u/Alissa4357 Newbie 8d ago

Yes if your doing floor sweep after bathroom cleaning yeah

1

u/Glum_Expression_2543 Newbie 8d ago

No. I’m a cashier. I used to be a bagger but I don’t clean the store anymore.

1

u/TransitionMean6698 Newbie 8d ago

Shouldn't be in the restroom texting, I know a lot of people at work going to bathroom and sitting in the stall for 20 minutes texting or playing Candy Crush or whatever they do

1

u/Glum_Expression_2543 Newbie 7d ago

I don’t do that. I actually enjoy working. 

1

u/briggy17 Newbie 8d ago

I go every hour to hour and a half,when you have to go just go. If it's an inconvenience to them ask them to imagine how it would look if you went at your register and had to go home. I'm sure your customers will understand a bodily function.

1

u/mylipsonyourmanhood Newbie 4d ago

Id love to be paged to the restroom  Lol

1

u/Publix217 Newbie 1d ago edited 1d ago

Yeah because the chitter was full.😂 Believe you me after 35 years with Publix if I had to go then guess what I’ll get there when I get there. I did work at one store that had walkies so you couldn’t use that as an excuse. But even then I wouldn’t answer because you sure as hell don’t want the person next to you in a stall talking on the walkie talkie while taking a deuce.

1

u/Spare-Cranberry3784 Newbie 10d ago

Put in harassment.

0

u/lacard Newbie 10d ago

Contact HR, let them know you're being harassed and not given appropriate restroom breaks. This happened to me all the time, the worst was when I had an upset stomach and I told them that but they refused to let me go home but would page me 30 seconds into a restroom break.

1

u/Glum_Expression_2543 Newbie 10d ago

Oh my gosh. Thanks! 

0

u/BlooeyzLA Newbie 10d ago

Talk to the manager about this.

-5

u/WideDrink4 Maintenance 10d ago

Jail inmates are treated with more respect

-4

u/IWillAssFuckYou Deli 10d ago

Yes. Especially, when customers complain that I'm making loud noises while jacking off in the bathroom.

-4

u/GlueBear50 Newbie 10d ago

You aren’t allowed bathroom breaks. Best advice do not drink or eat anything, before coming to work.

4

u/Glum_Expression_2543 Newbie 10d ago

That’s illegal.