Written Up on Easter Day!!!

Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 15

I have to say this was the lowest day in my life at Lowe's. I was written up on this day by my ZM. I had missed 6 days within the last 12 months of service. 3 of them was for family reasons and the other 3 were for me. I was informed that HR was following the corporate rules. I told HR that all I did for the store and get treated like this. She informed me that all people are getting wrote up across the board. She said that to many ZMs were playing favorites. I think its funny that 2 people that work with me have called in at least 12 times in six months, but no action is taken against them. I smell a big fat RAT within my store.

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 497

Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 90

Absenteeism is absenteeism period. Did effect the co-workers? What does that matter? When one person gets written up for absenteeism and another worker gets by with more abusive absenteeism, without a word said, that is wrong! That happens in my store also. Rules fit some but not others. Typical in a non-Union enviroment. But what else is new?

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 497

Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 15

Skibunny, I do have a life and a family!! My little boy was in the hosiptail twice when I called in. I do believe family comes in first and formost. I have told Lowe's of my boys condition and they understand. I have shown up two work on two different days when my boy was the hospital and got lashing from the MOD for being at work instead with my boy. I told them I didn't want to call in, but they told not to worry about it!!! So tell me about your thoughts since you are worried Lowe's!!!

I work in a department that has several members know of my situation and understand. Within my department, I have covered for them and so on. Ny dedication is my family, my religion, my education, and then my job. If I stepped on your toes, didnt mean to.

Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 15

Its been along day and sorry for the misspelled words!!!

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 497

Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 12

skibunny -
how does one get authorization for fmla? Basically, who approves this?

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 497

There are certain life events which qualify for FMLA. You must insure that your situation qualifies for one of those events. You then just go into HR and have them give you the paperwork. You then must have a doctor verify that you either have a chronic condition which will state that you may have to be off work intermittently, or say you're a parent and your child is chronically ill the time off will be intermittent. If you have an accute condition or a family member that you must take care of has an accute condition you simply need to have the doctor fill out the paperwork. This time off is unpaid of course and I can't remember if you get 12 or 16 weeks per revolving 12 months or not but it is worth looking it up online.

I know Lowe's doesn't want to let you know that by qualifying for FMLA job protection you won't be able to be written up. Most HR's won't mention it or don't even know how to handle that request. I do know that once they give you the paperwork you only have a certain number of days to return it to the parties that be. This protection is there for people who really need it while either ill or helping a loved one. I know I had to use it at a different company several years ago while my mom underwent chemo treatments. I had to take her to and from the doctor and hospital. Without that the company's illness or sick time policy would have had to let me go.

http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/regs/compliance/1421.htm

Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 54

There's a good FMLA FAQ on myloweslife.com under the 'my worklife' tab and on the right of the page.
The HR doesn't handle the paperwork any more:

9.Q. Can’t my HR Manager/Coach or CSC Departmental Manager handle my FMLA leave request?
A. No, Lowe’s has partnered with Liberty Mutual to be the Company’s administrator for leaves under the FMLA and similar leaves under State-specific laws. Having Liberty Mutual manage both the short-term disability and FMLA leave process will reduce the amount of paperwork employees seeking short-term disability will have to submit. However, you must let your HR Manager/Coach or CSC Departmental Manager know that you are applying for leave through Liberty Mutual.
Also:
7.Q. What hours is Liberty Mutual available to take my FMLA leave application?
A. You may call to report the leave to Liberty’s call center at any time. The call center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please call 1-877-225-1740 to begin your FMLA leave application process or access Liberty Mutual’s web site (after 12/31/07) through myloweslife.com.

Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 26 Location: ny

Boy...it was hard enough to go in on Easter when all the customers were nasty. (we didn't open early enough) but to get written up really sucks. The problem in my store is that only certain people get written up but if you have you nose up the SM or HRM' collective butts you get away with murder. we have a part-time head cashier who is ALWAYS late. She never gets written up because she flirts with the some of the ZM. Plus she always has coffee....skip the dunkin donuts and get to work on time.
Anyhow, to get back to my point...make sure you look at the correct labor board websites, know what the rules are because I really don't think some of the HR folks are up on things and they think we're not as smart as we really are.

Good Luck!

Joined: 13 Feb 2009 Posts: 18

[quote="WolfenSS"]I have to say this was the lowest day in my life at Lowe's. I was written up on this day by my ZM. I had missed 6 days within the last 12 months of service. 3 of them was for family reasons and the other 3 were for me. I was informed that HR was following the corporate rules. I told HR that all I did for the store and get treated like this. She informed me that all people are getting wrote up across the board. She said that to many ZMs were playing favorites. I think its funny that 2 people that work with me have called in at least 12 times in six months, but no action is taken against them. I smell a big fat RAT within my store.[/quote]

Well six days is a lot of days to call off over a six month period. What do you expect to happen calling off that much? Now if they did wright you up they need to hold everybody accountable to the same level.

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 497

jeffo, it was 6 days in 12 months. Either way it is more than acceptable by Lowe's standards.

Joined: 13 Feb 2009 Posts: 18

[quote="skibunny"]jeffo, it was 6 days in 12 months. Either way it is more than acceptable by Lowe's standards.[/quote

Lowe's is pretty veage on call off's, policy says anything excessive is grounds for disiplainary action, so it is up to the store manager to determine what excessive is for his or her store and hold everybody to that standard. I think it is 6 or 7 over a twelve month period for our store.

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 497

[quote="jeffo"]

Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 445

That's not really discrimination. Discrimination would be if say it breaks down to race, sex, religion etc.

Lowes policy says no OT. But blue laws in my state dictate any retailer must pay ot for work performed on Sundays...thus lowes complies.

I've heard complaints on having more than three call outs or no shows in a given year...so go to six...that is pretty long

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 497

Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Posts: 143 Location: Region 1

Joined: 07 Feb 2008 Posts: 210

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 497

rwarchol, many companies have already been sued for disparate treament (I think that is the term for not treating everyone the same. Age is taking a toll today.) The original poster actually was upset that they were singled out instead of everything being the same for all. Of course the fact that it was on Easter made it worse.

Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 445