Know Your Contract: 6 Myths About Claiming Hours at Kroger
Need More Hours? Your Contract Rights Haven't Changed.
Many Kroger union members are seeing their schedules shrink. When that happens, there is a process outlined in your union contract for you to secure more hours for yourself. Your union contract isn't a suggestion—it's a legally binding agreement. Every right in that contract was negotiated, agreed to, and signed by both the union and Kroger.
Rumors spread just as quickly as the schedules are posted. To clear up any misunderstanding of how the process of claiming hours works we’re taking on the common myths and giving you the truth.
Here's what your union contract actually says.
Myth #1: "You can only claim hours in your own department."
Truth: If you can perform the work and you're available to work the hours, you can claim hours in any department you are qualified to work.
Your contract protects seniority—not department lines.
Example
You're a Produce Clerk with 24 hours.
The Front End has a less senior employee working a shift you are available to work 32 hours, and you've worked Front End before.
You may have the right to claim some of those hours.
Myth #2: "I limited my availability, so I lost my seniority."
This is one of the biggest misunderstandings.
If you're unavailable on Tuesdays and Thursdays, that doesn't mean you lose your seniority rights the other five days of the week.
If you can work the shift you're claiming, you can still exercise your seniority for those hours.
Myth #3: "I have to claim the least senior person's hours."
No.
You may claim hours from any employee with less seniority than you.
It doesn't have to be the newest employee or the person with the worst schedule. Seniority applies to everyone below you.
Myth #4: "We all have the same number of hours, so I can't claim anything."
Also false.
Your contract allows you to claim up to 40 hours per week, without going into overtime.
Even if you and a less senior employee each have 20 hours, seniority still matters. If someone less senior than you has a shift that you are available for and able to work, you have the right to claim those hours.
Myth #5: "I can wait until next week to say something."
Unfortunately, no.
Claims must be brought to management within 30 hours after the schedule is posted.
Most schedules are posted around noon on Friday, which usually means you need to make your claim by 6:00 p.m. Saturday.
Waiting until your next shift may be too late.
Myth #6: "If management says no, that's the end of it."
Not necessarily.
If you believe you've properly claimed hours and management refuses to adjust the schedule, contact your union representative or steward immediately.
Your union can review whether the contract was followed and, when appropriate, file a grievance.
How to Claim Hours
When the schedule is posted:
Check your hours immediately.
Compare your schedule to employees with less seniority. They are listed below you on the posted schedule.
Look across departments where you're qualified to work.
Notify management within 30 hours that you're claiming the hours.
If management refuses, contact your union representative.
Don't Let Myths Cost You Money
Your contract can't create hours that Kroger doesn't schedule.
But seniority matters. Your service to your company and your union matter.
The more members understand their contract, the harder it becomes for misinformation to take hold and the more likely seniority rights are respected.
When the contract isn't followed, the union can't enforce what it doesn't know about. If you believe your rights have been violated, contact your union representative. That's how we hold the company accountable and protect the rights that generations of union members fought to win.