Why do all cashiers, sellers, tellers stand in California? (Beverly Hills: 2014, school)

[mgforshort]

I worked 15 years in a self-storage office. We had a high desk and I could alternate sitting or standing up. Usually I did 50-50 and a 10-11 hour day went by without me getting tired, in my older years. Also I could walk around as much as I wanted. What a concept.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Threestep2

21/HR for unskilled labor is really for the less fortunate in smal town Oklahoma. And Aldi cashiers are seated but they also unload, stock, clean store and lot.

Did you leave something out in your first sentence? $21/hr is really what for the less fortunate in OK? $21/hr. these days is very good pay for cashiers. It's good pay for higher-level office admins. How can Aldi afford to pay them that?

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by mgforshort

I worked 15 years in a self-storage office. We had a high desk and I could alternate sitting or standing up. Usually I did 50-50 and a 10-11 hour day went by without me getting tired, in my older years. Also I could walk around as much as I wanted. What a concept.

This. I would think, that having a choice of sitting or standing would be best; you could mix it up, like you did.

[musicfamly5]

When I worked retail there was one employee that would sit on a stool at the register. Honestly it doesn't necessarily help ones body or work; sitting all day in one place can put lots of stress on the lower back and if you need to help bag like at my previous job you're getting up and down all day.

Most employers I know are willing enough to find solutions to workers getting worn out during long shifts, but most will expect that if you applied for a job with the expectation you will be on your feet most of the time you can.

Plus cashier aren't the only ones standing all day. When I worked in a library as a page we were required to stand and shelf all day. My father is a welder and was on his feet for 40 years without a seat. People in food service and factory work also stand...so it's not like the US is picking on our cashiers. Plus everyone is entitled to a break were they can sit and rest so it's not the entire 8 hours if they work that much.

[motormaker]

My family has over 100 years in the grocery industry in three states. No cashiers in any of the stores worked 8 hours standing up. Very few cashiers even work 8 hours a day and most don’t get 40 hours a week do to scheduling and budgets.

[vincenze]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Write to your representatives in the state legislature, and propose a bill.

Representatives actually work in the opposite direction.

A company can hire 2 cashiers and pay them $7/hour without insurance.
Those cashiers may work in a very relaxed way. "Hey, boss! We want comfortable chairs and frequent breaks. You pay little, we work little."

But representatives say that it's wrong.
A company must hire 1 cashier and pay her $15/hour, or better $30/hour.
Elder and feeble cashiers are out. Young healthy strong cashiers have to work as quickly as possible without any rest.

[saibot]

Originally Posted by vincenze

Representatives actually work in the opposite direction.

A company can hire 2 cashiers and pay them $7/hour without insurance.
Those cashiers may work in a very relaxed way. "Hey, boss! We want comfortable chairs and frequent breaks. You pay little, we work little."

But representatives say that it's wrong.
A company must hire 1 cashier and pay her $15/hour, or better $30/hour.
Elder and feeble cashiers are out. Young healthy strong cashiers have to work as quickly as possible without any rest.

Yeah, that's not going to fly in California. Sorry.

[JohnG72]

The speculations in this thread are kind of ridiculous.

If someone is handicap or has illness but can work if sitting, the store may accomodate them depending on the work done. It’s not common but I’ve seen cashiers in LA County that sit due to fairly obvious physical impairment.

[K12144]

I assume it's so fellow employees whose job doesn't allow them to sit (those stocking, etc.) don't say "it's unfair that so-and-so can sit down and I can't"? At least, I figured that was probably the case back in my high school McDonald's days... I was working drive-through once (the cash register position; I literally did not need to move from that spot) and a previously-injured ankle was bugging me, so I pulled over a nearby stool. "You have to stand up." "Sorry, just, my ankle is bugging me." "You have to stand up." That was the rule, period.

Also, it wouldn't surprise me in some cases if a cashier sitting would make the public think they're lazy. People really like to judge those in service jobs. Another McDonald's anecdote-- I remember when we were told we were no longer allowed to take our lunch breaks in the dining area but had to crowd into the tiny "break room," because apparently customers would complain that there were employees sitting there rather than helping them-- even if the person was clearly on break.

[vincenze]

Originally Posted by K12144

I Another McDonald's anecdote-- I remember when we were told we were no longer allowed to take our lunch breaks in the dining area but had to crowd into the tiny "break room," because apparently customers would complain that there were employees sitting there rather than helping them-- even if the person was clearly on break.

Did you eat the food you cooked?
If you didn't, your bosses didn't want to show it to customers.