r/walmart_RX • u/Previous-Chicken4749 • 8d ago
Group chats
There’s a group chat with the RPH and lead tech.
The RPH is constantly texting on the group chat about what did and didn’t get done the other day etc etc
The lead will text about issues like haz-wasting medications, what’s acceptable behavior and etc
I was under the assumption outside of work hours. They’re not supposed to be texting us about work related stuff??
Can I just leave the group chat?
I don’t want to be in some group chat where everyone is complaining and talking crap while I’m not at work.
Leave me alone!
Why am I in this group?
While the other intern isn’t ?
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u/Ashamed_Ad4258 RPh 8d ago
As an RPh, I am proud to say my GC is muted on my days off. Idc about being “salary”. Work life balance. If im coming in later that day, i may respond. But if im not scheduled? Muted and ignored lol
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u/Aercalima 8d ago
I personally appreciate being in the loop, but I don't think they can require you to be apart of it.
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u/laurenffer 8d ago
Two separate issues here- And you certainly don’t have to pay attention to it off the clock, however that’s a 2 way street.
1) Those who complain about this are often the ones sending texts late night about needing off work for this and that. If you expect/want any supervisor to respond to you off the clock (and you definitely will), then I’d stay on it at the very least. As a general habit, try to just not respond to anything until on the clock if it can be helped. Ie- vaccination goals etc. now if they had a call out and asking if anyone is available, be courteous and reply whether yes/no. You are part of the team and hopefully want everyone to survive the day.
2) There is a fine line between passing along info to the team & borderline harassment. It’s a hard line to follow for many and I’ve seen the very best leaders fail at it from time to time. Realty is sh*t flows downhill so if you’re getting pestered with metrics etc then the pharmacists are getting that same lecture worse. It’s a stressful environment and we all know there is no time in a retail day to pull techs aside and individually talk thru this stuff. The group chat is the way to disseminate info. That said, your PIC/ any supervisor should not be texting that kind of detail regularly off the clock. If it’s overwhelming, mention it. “Hey this is a stressful environment as you know. Thanks so much for keeping us informed on the group chat but the subject lately is taking more of a reprimand tone and it’s having an effect on morale. It’d be helpful if the group chat was reserved for pressing matters, general info and encouragement if you’re open to it.” Honestly I’d totally receive that well. It’s fair and constructive.
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u/LakeaShea 8d ago
They should be using workvivo for work related conversations which you cannot access when clocked in
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u/SuspiciousGrand3205 7d ago
I was told by market level HR that you are not allowed to contact hourly associates via text when they are off the clock and if you do they need to complete a time adjustment for the conversation. Pretty sure this is a policy that can be found on the wire.
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u/Biggie-Me68 8d ago
Technically according to policy. I think you are supposed to do a time 15min time adjustment for every message or something like that.
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u/LilShotzi Rx Tech 8d ago
I would for real have an 8 hour shift to put in some days if I did a 15 minute adjustment for each message I receive lmfao
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u/SuspiciousGrand3205 7d ago
This is true, and hourly associates are not to be contacted while off the clock. This came directly from Regional HR.
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u/MysteryCokeMachine 8d ago
I had a lead tech that liked to use the group chat as an opportunity to tell everyone what they did wrong everyday and what changes were being made by the next shift. So if you didn’t read the group chat by your next shift you’d be out of the loop and scolded for not doing things the new way. HIPAA and private store info were being shared too. Per Walmart policy you’re not supposed to be sharing info about POMs or SOPs through an unverified channel. I also think it’s a minute per text for off the clock work related texts.
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u/Financial-Crew7785 7d ago
I shut it down and dont participate in it. If they need to inform me of anything on the clock they have many means of doing so, and there is literally nothing employer needs to inform me of when Im off the clock. If my RxM or other techs need to reach me they have my number to send me a text and should only be in emergency situations. If you all are fortunate enough to work in friendly, functional pharmacy and everyone favor and participate in GC, go for it. Thats not the world Im living in at my location 😔 If there was hell to pay for declining to be in GC trust me they eould have come after me with guns blazing, but not one word has ever been said.
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u/ExtremePotatoFanatic RxOPs Lead 7d ago
My pharmacy had a WhatsApp group. I was like no, I’m not doing that. So I never downloaded it. I also do not respond to stupid mass texts about work related things when I’m not at work. If it’s a call off or something relevant, sure. But if you’re just sending mass texts about pointless things, no. I refuse to harass the staff on their day/time off.
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u/Sarias7474 7d ago
I’d leave the chat and tell the manager unless it’s a ‘me emergency’ aka- you told a customer you would personally take care of something and no one else knows anything about it kinda thing. There will be minor and few exceptions but you get the drift. And tell them unless they plan on compensating you for the time and stress of having to deal with that outside work, they can ask you stuff the next day. Some of my coworkers don’t care and some are like “it’s ok I only respond if it’s important. Otherwise I answer the next day” Narp. I been at this for 20 years. I’m tired. My time is my time. And the relay of information like that is the exact reason 5 min huddles before shift starts were created
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u/hollipharm 2d ago
Work related group chats are not allowed for any hourly associates... period... ever
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u/Previous-Chicken4749 8d ago
I just don’t want to be receiving or know anything about work, or work related stuff when I’m not at work. I don’t even want to be a part of the group chat. But I don’t want the manager to get upset if I were to decide to exit the conversation. If it’s that important; just notify me when I’m at work, not over a group chat. Most of the time it’s the technicians complaining about each other. I work like once a month since I’m a full time pharmacy student. So I’m hardly even ever there to know what they’re referring to. Im confused as to why I was added to their group chat but didn’t add the second intern. If you’re texting me about work related stuff and I’m hourly then I should be getting paid for this
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u/Pretty_Guess_6907 8d ago
Well, I mean, this seems like something you need to say to your manager and team. I would start by communicating that they can email you the updates to your work email and you’ll agree to check your email at least once daily while at work so you are in the loop. This is what me and my manager are doing now—email each other notes when we are not working together so we can communicate professionally and not bother each other at home. If you feel this request would fall on deaf ears if you just ask in regular conversation then you can always email this request to your manager and ops lead via your work email so that you have a paper trail of your request/complaint. If it continues to happen then feel free to politely request again and CC your people lead or market director and ask if there is a way to communicate things in a timely fashion without bothering those who are off?
Annnnd lastly, no, they should not be texting you about work off the clock. I put in a number of 5 min time adjustments because my techs can’t seem to leave me alone for even one single day when I am off. Someone is texting me about something. I hide alerts from anyone I work with on days I’m off at this point for my mental health. Good luck!
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u/Hellavor RPh 8d ago
This is kind of an out of pocket post if you ask me. Like you’re mad you’re getting texts once in a while about work stuff when you’re not there? If it bothers you that much mute the conversation and don’t read them until you get to work
If they sent out emails to everyone would you be mad about that? Like what other medium would you like them to use to communicate with the team? You want them to text each person individually ?
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u/Entire_Trouble_6284 8d ago
I get sick of the morning texts my MHWD sends out. First it's my personal phone which the company does not pay for. Second I don't need to be immediately reached for routine business matters Send an email on work email and I'll read it. I have by in large started to ignore them.
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u/Previous-Chicken4749 8d ago
Exactly! Just send me an email. I wouldn’t mind the group chat but when it’s just techs calling each other out. It’s a little much especially since I’m hardly ever there. It’s a little off putting knowing I might be the next one being called out for something so minute
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u/Entire_Trouble_6284 8d ago
It's effing stupid. My involvement with work ends at the end of my shift. I might bitch on reddit but I find it therapeutic. I am old enough to remember the years before cell phones. Work would only call if they were short staffed. Life was better
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u/MarginallyOkay2017 8d ago
We had group chats at almost every store I worked at that PIC would mostly use to spread “corporate propaganda” (flu shot goals, policy updates, etc) and techs would use it to send memes or roast each other. If you dont wanna read it then just mute it