Melinda Said:

I am on unpaid leave from work due to family issues - can I request a return to work on a new shift pattern?

We Answered:

You can ask for anything, but one section of a company may be able to do this because it suits the company but that does not mean it will suit all sections. Ask they can only say no or transfer you to another section to comply with your request.

Terrance Said:

Some details on retail associate pay rates for different companies?

We Answered:

Pay- well there are all kinds of things involved. Payrole is the most controlable expense any business has. It is general projected by each weeks expected sales. Each weeks expected sales is projected by comparing what the store did on a particular week several years in a row.
If your girlfriend is part time, she most likely is used to straighten and recover the store into good shape after customers shop through shelves leaving them disorganized. The majority of associates who get raises get them through their appraisals and aniversary dates. Associates who are leads, supervisors, and managers make more because they handle grunt work like reseting planograms. The more you know isn't really going to make you more money in retail, it is how much you get done in a rediculously short amount of time. The best way to get a raise in my store is to get more done than your colleages in the exact same time frame. Many stores do not offer significant raises at all to part timers or non lead/supervisor positions because of the ease in replacing the open position. Key positions have the best benefits and compensation. A part-timer in college who works weekends may never see a raise at all because the are just ancillary help and may not be expected to stick around after graduation. My advice is that if she wants a career in retail, and in that situation only, then stick to the job while in school... if she is going to do something else after college then she will just have to expect that no one is going to invest there most controlable expense into a tempoary individual. Best Wishes and Good Luck!