Why can't customers respect my time off the clock?

Question

When I go into work I sometimes look around the store for a few minutes or need to buy something. I am not wearing my name badge but of course I have to have my uniform on when I walk in the door (we can't change when we get there) and people start coming up to me asking where things are and I really don't know where half the stuff is in the store as I work in a department in the front of the store doing orders and stuff, I don't work with store merchandise. I get tired of being bothered when I am rushing to get something before I clock in and also when I am trying to leave and catch the bus when I work mid shift. THis also happens on the rare occasions that I get a lunch or break. I can't walk through the store without being bothered. I don't think any of these people would want someone bothering them when they are off or on lunch or break, but most of them can just walk out of the office or shut their door. They also come in at closing time which is really a pain.

my store is very understaffed so I end up spending time trying to find the person who is supposed to be working in whatever department they want help in. This ends up taking my free time away and why should I have to work for free?

Answer 1

I know how you feel, we had the same problem when I worked in a hardware store. What our manager always told us is that the customers don't know that you're not on the clock if they see you wearing a uniform, and they're going to assume that you can help them. Your best bet is to go shopping on days that you don't work, or to change right after work and then go shopping. You can't really blame them, can you? How are they suppossed to know?

Answer 2

You don't say how extensive your uniform is, whether it's just a top or whether it's top, bottom and headwear so one possibility would be to wear jacket or sweater over your top so nobody can see your uniform. Another possibility would be to tell the customer(s) that you don't work in that department, or you're on lunch break, or you're off duty. A third possibility would be to bill your employer for this work performed. You don't say a lot about the layout of the store, but would it be possible for your employer to establish an employees' entrance close or closer to the clock-in area? Also, would it be possible for your employer to require all customers to leave the store 15 mins prior to closing or not admit them to the store 15 mins prior to closing? To answer your initial question, the basic solution is to create a barrier between you and the customers, whether it's a physical barrier (they can't see your uniform, they can't get to you) or a "psychological" barrier (i'm off duty, i don't work there).

Answer 3

Consider shopping on your day off, when you are not in uniform. As far as breaks and leaving the store, try using a rear entrance. Maybe a big sweater or jacket to cover up your outfit will work.

Put yourself in their place. They are just asking for help, and you have already stated that the store is understaffed.