Archived New Flow TM, first day tomorrow!

[canadatargetemp]

So tomorrow is my first day on the floor as a Merchandise Flow Team Member at my store. I had orientation a few days ago (which was an excruciating 8 hours of watching slideshows and videos) and 5 more hours of computer "training" (i.e. reading more presentations on a computer) two days after that.

I have yet to enter the backroom, meet my TL or even really be told what my job entails. Is this normal? I'm worried that when I start at 6am tomorrow I'm going to be completely clueless and simply thrown onto the job.

Did anyone else on Flow actually receive on-the-job training?

 

[Kompa]

Your "training" will consist of being told how to read pick labels and then being left alone if your job is to push. You might be lucky and be one of the flow members that are sent to the backroom to pull the autpfill while the truck is being done.

Just remember, Flow is too fast pace to actually have "training." The team really can't affored to slow done, more so since you're a 6am store so be prepared tp be left on your own often from 6am to 8am.

 

[canadatargetemp]

How fast paced can be store be? The bloody thing doesn't even open for another few weeks. I like to think of myself as a quick learner but I can't learn things I've never been shown. Oh well, maybe I'll update this tomorrow afternoon if I manage to get through my shift.

 

[commiecorvus]

Greetings and salutations.

Welcome to The Break Room.

It's true, you really aren't going to get a great deal of training.
You might get lucky and be at a store where they care about making sure the newbies know what they're doing but don't count on it.
Be ready to be thrown into the deep end and do your darnedest to stay afloat.

 

[Kompa]

How fast paced can be store be? The bloody thing doesn't even open for another few weeks. I like to think of myself as a quick learner but I can't learn things I've never been shown. Oh well, maybe I'll update this tomorrow afternoon if I manage to get through my shift.

Oh, if your store isn't open yet, you might have an easy time at first. As for fast pace, it;s really fast. Trucks usually need to be unloaded in an hour, which means the line needs to stay moving, which mean the pallets that people load need to keep getting grabbed and bowled out to the floor. Bowling pretty much meat tossing the box down the isle to it's approx spot.

 

[IhaveaDream]

1st hour - pick box up, read bold number, put box down.
2nd hour- pick up box, open box, stock shelf, put box down
3nd hour- break + (see second hour)
4th hour- (see second hour) + compactor + cleaning
5th hour- go home

 

[Mhugh220]

Don't sweat it. The job is mindless, anyone can do it.

 

[Circle9]

So tomorrow is my first day on the floor as a Merchandise Flow Team Member at my store. I had orientation a few days ago (which was an excruciating 8 hours of watching slideshows and videos) and 5 more hours of computer "training" (i.e. reading more presentations on a computer) two days after that.

I have yet to enter the backroom, meet my TL or even really be told what my job entails. Is this normal? I'm worried that when I start at 6am tomorrow I'm going to be completely clueless and simply thrown onto the job.

Did anyone else on Flow actually receive on-the-job training?

Welcome to flow team and good luck! It is fast paced but if you ask questions and pay attention you'll get the hang of it soon enough. My orientation was a lot shorter than yours (try a 3 or 4 hours) and didn't actually prepare me for what flow entails either.

Do you know if there's a truck tomorrow? At my store flow members have their first day on a truck day. You show up and the TL pairs you with somebody, usually a trainer and you'll spend your shift getting the rundown from both the trainer and whoever else is nearby from flow. Not sure what your store's process is so I don't want to give you bad info, but if it's like mine, I'm guessing you'd probably start off pulling pallets off the unload line and either dropping them off on the sales floor to be worked on later, or breaking them out and putting the boxes in the aisles they go, then getting more boxes. After the truck's done you all start in one or two areas and stock the shelves using those boxes on the floor. Clear out one area, move to the next, rinse and repeat for the next couple hours.

If there's no truck tomorrow and you're scheduled to come in, I've got no clue. You might be working on autos, which is pretty much stocking shelves from what the backroom has on hand. Its a little slower paced than truck days but still keeps you busy. Either way, I'd suggest coming to work hydrated and with a boxcutter handy. My first week our store was out of the free boxcutters they give us and I had to stock the juice aisle while seriously thirsty. Not fun.

I'm sort of a flow trainer (its complicated) at my store so if you have any questions after your first day, I might be able answer them.

EDIT: this might come in handy, just found out this existed. Time to do some reading myself!

 

[Bosch]

Don't sweat it. The job is mindless, anyone can do it.

No not anyone can do it. You do have to have a working mind... Even to be able to read the box, the shelf and product on the shelf and in your hand.

Beyond that our Newbie friend, just try. People should help you and if you don't know ask!

And Circle9 is right grab a box knife with a new blade.. You are going to need it. But never ever leave it on a shelf.

 

[Noiinteam]

Don't sweat it. The job is mindless, anyone can do it.

That's simply not true. No, wait, I think you are right! After working with some of my fellow tm's, they are mindless and that is why they are no longer with Spot.

 

[Mhugh220]

How difficult is it to read a label, look on a shelf to see if it is full, then fill the shelf? Or unload a trailer? Or match custom block number to the pallet with the same number?

Yes, there are idiots who can't even do that. But what does that say about the people who have been on flow team for years? They're the true idiots for sticking to the job for so long.

Anyone who thinks Flow is difficult has low expectations. Physical? Yes, but that is it. The one area I have most respect for is the flow SL team. That job requires some time to know where product goes without having a label tell them.

 

[Noiinteam]

How difficult is it to read a label, look on a shelf to see if it is full, then fill the shelf? Or unload a trailer? Or match custom block number to the pallet with the same number?

Yes, there are idiots who can't even do that. But what does that say about the people who have been on flow team for years? They're the true idiots for sticking to the job for so long.

Anyone who thinks Flow is difficult has low expectations. Physical? Yes, but that is it. The one area I have most respect for is the flow SL team. That job requires some time to know where product goes without having a label tell them.

Wow for a minute there, I thought I was a "mindless idiot" but I play at being a flow SL team member

 

[Mhugh220]

Wow for a minute there, I thought I was a "mindless idiot" but I play at being a flow SL team member

If my flow TMs started complaining I would put them in SL so they could have something to complain about. And the SL Team was tight so they would report if the person was doing good or not.

 

[dnu318]

Run!!!! Don't walk!!! Get out before you start!!!

If your store is anything like mine, you'll be treated like garbage. You def. will get crap training.

When I was training, I was told once that my training time was lost because I responded to backup. Yet, in the job description it says SF team members must respond to backup in 60 seconds.

If you enjoy being lied to, kicked around, treated like garbage, while making minimum wage. You'll love spot!

I've been hear a year (tomorrow) and am looking for the door.

 

[anathema]

How difficult is it to read a label, look on a shelf to see if it is full, then fill the shelf? Or unload a trailer? Or match custom block number to the pallet with the same number?

Yes, there are idiots who can't even do that. But what does that say about the people who have been on flow team for years? They're the true idiots for sticking to the job for so long.

Anyone who thinks Flow is difficult has low expectations. Physical? Yes, but that is it. The one area I have most respect for is the flow SL team. That job requires some time to know where product goes without having a label tell them.

Uh, yeah, the physicality is what makes it taxing on the body. Flow is also expected to pretty much be sales floor as well, it's not like you can just bowl and stock anymore. Makes me wonder what kind of ETL you were.

It's not a particularly hard job, but I wouldn't call it mindless.

 

[Kompa]

Wow for a minute there, I thought I was a "mindless idiot" but I play at being a flow SL team member

If my flow TMs started complaining I would put them in SL so they could have something to complain about. And the SL Team was tight so they would report if the person was doing good or not.

Yeah, I'd hate to placed in SL and hang clothes in the cool section of the store and be able to talk to my friends. I mean it's way worse than unloading a dusty truck in summer heat while trying to meet unrealistic goal times, then bowling heavy boxes one after another through the whole store only to rush to and push to meet a nother unrealistic time. and then rushing to clean up the floor before the store opens, then going to the backroom to haul heavy shit up and down a ladder in the heated backroom. SL is a nightmare compared to that.

 

[Noiinteam]

Wow for a minute there, I thought I was a "mindless idiot" but I play at being a flow SL team member

If my flow TMs started complaining I would put them in SL so they could have something to complain about. And the SL Team was tight so they would report if the person was doing good or not.

Yeah, I'd hate to placed in SL and hang clothes in the cool section of the store and be able to talk to my friends. I mean it's way worse than unloading a dusty truck in summer heat while trying to meet unrealistic goal times, then bowling heavy boxes one after another through the whole store only to rush to and push to meet a nother unrealistic time. and then rushing to clean up the floor before the store opens, then going to the backroom to haul heavy shit up and down a ladder in the heated backroom. SL is a nightmare compared to that.

FYI I either work the line or market before I go to SL . Then when I finish SL I often go to HL or the back room . There are no fun jobs in flow IMO.

 

[xNightStockerx]

I had little to no training. I basically taught myself.
Every one was in too big a hurry to teach any of us.
This is why I really try to help the new people.

 

[Mhugh220]

Uh, yeah, the physicality is what makes it taxing on the body. Flow is also expected to pretty much be sales floor as well, it's not like you can just bowl and stock anymore. Makes me wonder what kind of ETL you were.

It's not a particularly hard job, but I wouldn't call it mindless.

Perhaps mindless is the wrong word. Requirements for flow TM:

1) is alive
2) can lift 45 lbs
3) can recognize symbols like A,B, C, 1,2,3, etc.

Maybe not mindless but borderline kindergarten mental capacity. If you can deal with the fast pace and physical part, everything else is trivial. From TM to ETL, the job doesn't require extensive brain power.

As for type of ETL I was: Fair and Consistent, Not here to be your friend ETL. If I can do your job better than you then you shouldn't be here, especially if you've been with the company for years. I didn't give tasks that I wouldn't do my self. I've done every dirty job at least once. I didn't care for excuses. I didn't sympathize for your hard life or shitty pay. I hounded slackers and praised hard workers. I helped TMs leave target for better positions or get promoted from within.

 

[Mhugh220]

Yeah, I'd hate to placed in SL and hang clothes in the cool section of the store and be able to talk to my friends. I mean it's way worse than unloading a dusty truck in summer heat while trying to meet unrealistic goal times, then bowling heavy boxes one after another through the whole store only to rush to and push to meet a nother unrealistic time. and then rushing to clean up the floor before the store opens, then going to the backroom to haul heavy shit up and down a ladder in the heated backroom. SL is a nightmare compared to that.

You're right! But for some odd reason that was the most hated job, especially for the men on the team.

 

[anflor93]

does anyone know what available means on the schedule?

 

[canadatargetemp]

OK so today went much better than I thought it would.

Our ETL gave us a rundown on using the PDA, labels, etc. spent some time opening up boxes with a handful of other new hires. Then we pushed some product for a few hours. Pushing SL was the worst. Why are there so many different types of women's jeans and sizes?!

After all the product was pushed within about 6 hours we were given the option to go home or continue with some other tasks. I decided to stay and a couple of us moved some pallets of shelves to the back room then was trained on how to back stock.

It's not a mindless job... and every job serves a purpose otherwise there's no point of having the job. Anyways, maybe it's because the store has only been staffed since May but I was pleased with the training that went on today.

I started at 6:30a so I didn't get to unload the truck and I won't this week but I'm assuming that's fairly straight forward. Anyways, that was my day 🙂

PS everyone (well short of one or two guys) are really friendly but what the hell is with certain folks speaking in their own language all the time? Some of these people I'm not even sure know how to speak English

 

[anathema]

Uh, yeah, the physicality is what makes it taxing on the body. Flow is also expected to pretty much be sales floor as well, it's not like you can just bowl and stock anymore. Makes me wonder what kind of ETL you were.

It's not a particularly hard job, but I wouldn't call it mindless.

Perhaps mindless is the wrong word. Requirements for flow TM:

1) is alive
2) can lift 45 lbs
3) can recognize symbols like A,B, C, 1,2,3, etc.

Maybe not mindless but borderline kindergarten mental capacity. If you can deal with the fast pace and physical part, everything else is trivial. From TM to ETL, the job doesn't require extensive brain power.

As for type of ETL I was: Fair and Consistent, Not here to be your friend ETL. If I can do your job better than you then you shouldn't be here, especially if you've been with the company for years. I didn't give tasks that I wouldn't do my self. I've done every dirty job at least once. I didn't care for excuses. I didn't sympathize for your hard life or shitty pay. I hounded slackers and praised hard workers. I helped TMs leave target for better positions or get promoted from within.

Uh, yeah, the physicality is what makes it taxing on the body. Flow is also expected to pretty much be sales floor as well, it's not like you can just bowl and stock anymore. Makes me wonder what kind of ETL you were.

It's not a particularly hard job, but I wouldn't call it mindless.

Perhaps mindless is the wrong word. Requirements for flow TM:

1) is alive
2) can lift 45 lbs
3) can recognize symbols like A,B, C, 1,2,3, etc.

Maybe not mindless but borderline kindergarten mental capacity. If you can deal with the fast pace and physical part, everything else is trivial. From TM to ETL, the job doesn't require extensive brain power.

As for type of ETL I was: Fair and Consistent, Not here to be your friend ETL. If I can do your job better than you then you shouldn't be here, especially if you've been with the company for years. I didn't give tasks that I wouldn't do my self. I've done every dirty job at least once. I didn't care for excuses. I didn't sympathize for your hard life or shitty pay. I hounded slackers and praised hard workers. I helped TMs leave target for better positions or get promoted from within.

I'm curious why you still post here? Are you not with Target anymore?

 

[Circle9]

Glad your first day went alright! Also you got to use a PDA and backstock? Dang. Took me a few weeks before I got near the PDAs and only just learned backstocking (sort of) a few weeks ago.

does anyone know what available means on the schedule?

Means you're not scheduled to work that day but you could be on a later schedule, or if they need hours covered that week they might ask you if you want to come in.

 

[commiecorvus]

@canadatargetemp

Get used to folks talking to each other in whatever language they are most comfortable with.
In my store it was about nine different varieties of Spanish but we had people who spoke French, Polish and Russian.
You get used to it pretty quick and you might even pick up some of the language.

@anonymousflowmember

Some of our best members are folks who don't work for Spot anymore.
I've gotten great advice and perspective from them.
I haven't always agreed with them but that's fine we don't have to.