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Very Little Helps => Stores => Topic started by: Freebird123 on 23-09-19, 01:01PM

Title: General Question about Cages
Post by: Freebird123 on 23-09-19, 01:01PM
Hi newbie to Tesco and this site and just wanted to ask how long does it take workers to replenish stock from a cage? I'm told it should be 20 minutes to half-hour per cage, is this for starters or experienced staff? because I'm being told different things by management and staff.  :)
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: lackofinterest on 23-09-19, 01:09PM
Depends entirely on the cage and whether you know where things go or not.  A cage with 6 boxes of crisps on and a health and beauty cage with 100's of items on is a big difference.  There is no time limit, if a manager tells you to do it faster then tell him/her to do it instead! >:D
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Freebird123 on 23-09-19, 01:20PM
I'm being timed to do a cage every half hour and these cages have a lot of different items for the section.  I've been on the aisle for 2 weeks.  I'm not as fast as some of the more seasoned workers but I thought I was doing OK until the manager said otherwise and asked me if I thought he should renew a temporary contract because I'm leaving cages at the end of the shift.  I  don't like leaving stuff for others to finish, but I genuinely thought I was doing OK at the speed thing considering I've just learnt where all the stock goes and stuff.   Not a lazy person in any way but I'm worried for my long term future at this place now   :(
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: NightAndDay on 23-09-19, 01:34PM
20 minutes a cage applies to either a superstore cage in superstore with all items on the cage belonging to that aisle and the cage being positioned centrally on the aisle or an express cage in express, the 10 minute tolerance is to take into account people traffic.

Another guideline to go by is 20-30 seconds per case, if there is conflict between cage and case work times, it's whichever is greater. The tolerance is also to take into account congestion.

As for the msnager, I'd pay him no mind, Tesco isn't the place you want to aim for a long term future at at the moment anyway. Looking at the direction the company is going, nobody has a long term future there.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: spacerman on 23-09-19, 01:45PM
Depends on the section and how busy the store is, if the manager keeps on at you ask if you can shadow them doing the delivery to see how its done at 30 minutes/cage. I would guarantee they can not do what is being asked of you.

As always they have received some nonsense numbers and ignore everything else but the numbers, if you had no arms they would still ask what the problem was.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: NightAndDay on 23-09-19, 03:15PM
Another piece of advice I'll give is don't let managers punk you, if they do things out of process, grievances are your friend, get all up in their grill if they persist on picking on you, make them scared of you, all these scumbags understand is fear.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Pochin123 on 23-09-19, 04:27PM
"Grievances are your friend" No finer words spoken there sir :)
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: lucgeo on 23-09-19, 04:41PM
Quote from: Freebird123 on 23-09-19, 01:20PM
I'm being timed to do a cage every half hour and these cages have a lot of different items for the section.  I've been on the aisle for 2 weeks.  I'm not as fast as some of the more seasoned workers but I thought I was doing OK until the manager said otherwise and asked me if I thought he should renew a temporary contract because I'm leaving cages at the end of the shift.  I  don't like leaving stuff for others to finish, but I genuinely thought I was doing OK at the speed thing considering I've just learnt where all the stock goes and stuff.   Not a lazy person in any way but I'm worried for my long term future at this place now   :(

What do you mean being timed?? Is the manager actually coming to you every 30 mins and checking your work? If it's in front of others, then it's a greivance of dignity at work. What a bully, asking if you think he should renew your contract! It's coming into silly season, he's not going to lose staff now, he's just trying it on, you're new, he's a dip s***, just carry on doing your best. Tell him next time, that him keep turning up to "bully" you, ( use that word!) is just distracting you, and isn't really " core values" ( use those words) he'll wonder who you've been talking to.

It's a case of how long's a piece of string, in how long it takes to work a cage, depends what's on it. You'll get used to the aisle, make a mental note of the next box on the cage, as you take the one before, and try to spot it as you're filling, for its location and whether a case will go out.

Managers are notorious for under timing a cage, the amount of times I was told, can you just work that, it'll only take 10 mins!
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: madness on 23-09-19, 05:33PM
What time do you think it should be done in night and day?
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: NightAndDay on 23-09-19, 05:54PM
I can't comment on superstore, but when I worked in Express, provided it's not peak business hours, no till service and the cage is in a cage location near the type of product the cage is filled with, 20 seconds per case is reasonable.

Backstock cages would take me beyween 7-15 minutes (exception being grocety which, if lots went out would take 20-25 mins) express delivery, in most cases anywhere between 10-25 mins (10 mins for crisps and toilet rolls, 25-30 mins grocery/h+b)

Back in my Tesco days when I was a young gun, I was the fastest stock worker in the UK, after they took the mick too much they replaced my 7.5 hour night shift Sunday-Monday contract where I ran shift (I was a step up in an Esso alliance fuel site working 1 on 1) with a TL and 4 ca's.

That pfs never had a blue on costs measure since I stepped down.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: oldfashionedplayer on 23-09-19, 10:34PM
for ours back like 5+ years ago night starters get told aim for 1 hour for an annoying cage of tons of different items, 35-440 mins for general cage, 10 mins for a crisp, 5 mins per mod and 5 mins per mod top for faceup, so 1 hour 30 for face-up, all depends though on the items, but our files that have timers for them for like jams, desert tins etc, say that 2 of the most annoying aisles in the store should be just under 3 hours to complete tops, backstock, 4 point check, stock the shelves, faceup with all stock from back to the front and brick wall stacking, about 206 items for 1 of the items if you add up each mod of it's standard delivery should take 40 mins for EVERYTHING, not just putting it on the shelves. anything less is good, anything more is slow. - Would love to see someone do it in that time...
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: whatajoke2019 on 23-09-19, 11:04PM
I find it depends on the state of the delivery cage as well.

If it's relatively well stacked then it won't take as long as a cage that resembles a game of Jenga (other games of chance and risk are available).

But when your manager makes a point of timing you again, in line with the other suggestions mentioned here, ask them to show you how to do it quicker... and they won't want to know  :D
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: NightAndDay on 23-09-19, 11:13PM
When the managers give metrics, it is when all things are as they should be, an improperly stacked cage shouldn't arise in the first place as it's a health and safery hazard, the DC managers should be doing quality control checks before shipping them out.

This is Tesco though, you don't have to try very hard to find at least 3 significant health and safety violations in most stores, a common one being overloaded delivery cages on cages with broken wheels.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Siwel123 on 23-09-19, 11:54PM
I don't normally work cages but feel for everyone that does as by god they're normally in a s*** state. They come in with cases nearly falling out of them and with no organisation to them at all
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: lordadmiral on 24-09-19, 12:28AM
What aisle you working. How much stock is on it? Is it totally full or for example 2/3.
I give an example. Biscuits, full cage and 100% stock will go out. 30 minutes is reasonable but might require push. 40 minutes it's about sensible time.
Another example i made ( i timed myself). Cage of tined tomatoes and soups. I managed to fill it and colect rubbish in 22 minutes.
A cage of sqash i finished in 12 minutes.
All of that was done with max speed and perfect knowledge of the aisles. Extra store.

Now example from dairy. There were nights where i spent 50 minutes filling full vage of ready meals. Then on the other side bit over 20 minutes for a cage of sausages and bacon.

The longer you work the easier is estimate how much time take to fill what.
If your mgr tell you 20 minutes for cage of tea and coffee then you need to report him.



Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: spike_pkh on 24-09-19, 12:41AM
Most aisles 20 - 30 mins a cage is about right, toilet rolls, cereal and crisps maybe even 10mins a cage.. if you are leaving stock at the end of the night and only doing one aisle then the management is right, you arent working fast enough.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: randomworker on 24-09-19, 06:11AM
Quote from: Freebird123 on 23-09-19, 01:01PM
Hi newbie to Tesco and this site and just wanted to ask how long does it take workers to replenish stock from a cage? I'm told it should be 20 minutes to half-hour per cage, is this for starters or experienced staff? because I'm being told different things by management and staff.  :)

As many have said it depends on the cage.

Simple and reasonable thing to ask the manager is

1. Can you please show me the training manual and also put me through a training program and sign me off that I have completed a variety of different cages in timely manner set out in the training manual.

What will happen is they will either back off or the will try and bully you more at which point your only route is the grievance route.

Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: takethemoneyandrun on 24-09-19, 07:34AM
Quote from: randomworker on 24-09-19, 06:11AM
Quote from: Freebird123 on 23-09-19, 01:01PM
Hi newbie to Tesco and this site and just wanted to ask how long does it take workers to replenish stock from a cage? I'm told it should be 20 minutes to half-hour per cage, is this for starters or experienced staff? because I'm being told different things by management and staff.  :)

As many have said it depends on the cage.

Simple and reasonable thing to ask the manager is

1. Can you please show me the training manual and also put me through a training program and sign me off that I have completed a variety of different cages in timely manner set out in the training manual.

What will happen is they will either back off or the will try and bully you more at which point your only route is the grievance route.

Ask the Manager to buddy you and stand there while he/she does it in 20/30minutes...typical manager time scale everybody works differently and has different capabilities.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: takethemoneyandrun on 24-09-19, 07:46AM
Quote from: lucgeo on 23-09-19, 04:41PM
Quote from: Freebird123 on 23-09-19, 01:20PM
I'm being timed to do a cage every half hour and these cages have a lot of different items for the section.  I've been on the aisle for 2 weeks.  I'm not as fast as some of the more seasoned workers but I thought I was doing OK until the manager said otherwise and asked me if I thought he should renew a temporary contract because I'm leaving cages at the end of the shift.  I  don't like leaving stuff for others to finish, but I genuinely thought I was doing OK at the speed thing considering I've just learnt where all the stock goes and stuff.   Not a lazy person in any way but I'm worried for my long term future at this place now   :(

What do you mean being timed?? Is the manager actually coming to you every 30 mins and checking your work? If it's in front of others, then it's a greivance of dignity at work. What a bully, asking if you think he should renew your contract! It's coming into silly season, he's not going to lose staff now, he's just trying it on, you're new, he's a dip s***, just carry on doing your best. Tell him next time, that him keep turning up to "bully" you, ( use that word!) is just distracting you, and isn't really " core values" ( use those words) he'll wonder who you've been talking to.

It's a case of how long's a piece of string, in how long it takes to work a cage, depends what's on it. You'll get used to the aisle, make a mental note of the next box on the cage, as you take the one before, and try to spot it as you're filling, for its location and whether a case will go out.

Managers are notorious for under timing a cage, the amount of times I was told, can you just work that, it'll only take 10 mins!

Don't worry about your long term future mate ....he would be doing you a favour letting you go...hes a bully this company is s*** to work for no way would anyone bully me but I understand you are new and are feeling intimidated there is no place for managers like that in retail but unfortunately they do exist and majority of them work at TOSCOS....
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Redshoes on 24-09-19, 03:05PM
How is this treatment is supposed to inspire your performance. You will never perform well under these conditions. How you deal with this depends on how much you want or need to stay and how strong you feel about dealing with the situation.
You are supposed to have four, eight and 12 week reviews as a new start. You can document your treatment, say you have not had the full training to deliver a good job. Take care that you don't sign off on any training you don't feel you have had as once signed you have agreed you have had the training. You still need training as a temp, dept and till training within first four wks.
Some people can bully and intimidate people until you face up to them. It's not right and it should not happen but we live in a world where a lot of things should not happen. It's hard to advise how to deal with it as there is not a correct solution to something that should never happen in the first place but I think you should join the union. Then document things, keep a diary. Speak to a rep, they should know if it's a wider issue. After all of this you either have to ride it out or confront yourself or via the union.
Temps should not be treated badly. If this manager has done this to you they have probably got a history of same with others. If this is the case there will be a retention problem in the dept and that does not reflect well on any manager.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: forrestgimp on 24-09-19, 03:20PM
20 years ago when i started i was told similar, we were told about a guy in lincoln who could do a cage in 15 mins that took us 30......we told the manager to fetch him over then because we couldnt do it and never heard another thing about it.


I dont think a time and motion study has ever been done.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: King1999 on 24-09-19, 07:03PM
The old saying goes if you can do it any better do it yourself.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Nattienat on 24-09-19, 10:04PM
Ask him , if he can do a cage in 20 mins then show me how and I'll follow suit . He' s having a laugh .
20 mins to do a cage of crisps is different to a cage of tablets . 🙈😂🙈😂
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Welshie on 24-09-19, 11:20PM
Can I also add to that that even if he managed a cage in 15 mins, 4hrs later could he still do a cage in 15mins , no one could sustain that work rate all night.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: LucyJ on 25-09-19, 03:09PM
Ask him,how long is a piece of string? Sounds like a right bully!  >:D
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: lordadmiral on 25-09-19, 07:04PM
Quote from: forrestgimp on 24-09-19, 03:20PM
20 years ago when i started i was told similar, we were told about a guy in lincoln who could do a cage in 15 mins that took us 30......we told the manager to fetch him over then because we couldnt do it and never heard another thing about it.


I dont think a time and motion study has ever been done.

I worked in store where data been colected. Aisle by aisle  and number of cages worked every hour or so. About 2 yrs later company released 'Scheduler'. 5 minutes for a cage of vine and 45 minutes for a cage of crisps etc ;D.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Preacherpauly on 25-09-19, 07:40PM
Quote from: Freebird123 on 23-09-19, 01:20PM
I'm being timed to do a cage every half hour and these cages have a lot of different items for the section.  I've been on the aisle for 2 weeks.  I'm not as fast as some of the more seasoned workers but I thought I was doing OK until the manager said otherwise and asked me if I thought he should renew a temporary contract because I'm leaving cages at the end of the shift.  I  don't like leaving stuff for others to finish, but I genuinely thought I was doing OK at the speed thing considering I've just learnt where all the stock goes and stuff.   Not a lazy person in any way but I'm worried for my long term future at this place now   :(

Why would anyone want to work for pr**k* like this. If you put in a compliant who probably would just not take you on at the end of your probation period anyway.

New staff should not be getting this sort of pressure 2 weeks in.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Jobless on 27-09-19, 12:43PM
The manager can time you if he wants. If he's got an issue remind him you are only in the door. You could maybe complain as it is unreasonable to expect someone to be up to speed in just a few weeks. Do not bother youself with others. I have been asked the same question many times and the answer is simple I am not that other person.  :) If your task is the priority and he feels the need to time you and not the rest of the team maybe ask him to stop looking and his watch and give you a hand.  :-X Regards "why would anyone want to work for prk like this" just remember you do not work for the management you work for Tesco and the customers.  ;)
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: BakerBum on 27-09-19, 02:43PM
Quote from: Freebird123 on 23-09-19, 01:20PM
I'm being timed to do a cage every half hour and these cages have a lot of different items for the section.  I've been on the aisle for 2 weeks.  I'm not as fast as some of the more seasoned workers but I thought I was doing OK until the manager said otherwise and asked me if I thought he should renew a temporary contract because I'm leaving cages at the end of the shift.  I  don't like leaving stuff for others to finish, but I genuinely thought I was doing OK at the speed thing considering I've just learnt where all the stock goes and stuff.   Not a lazy person in any way but I'm worried for my long term future at this place now   :(

lol there is no 'long term future' ... aldi and lidl are recruiting and opening new stores weekly, just go there man
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Jobless on 27-09-19, 05:36PM
BakerBum

Tell people this daily but they seem to think Tesco is an easier place to work. The same people are complaining to the managers about being overworked and underpaid.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: oneboxwonder on 27-09-19, 06:56PM
I brought this up in 2012 at ADM with the national officer as I was ex time n motion guy in engineering workplace and again in 2016...their is NO fixed time on any isle fills it is too difficult to rationalise in set scales of time to location.......ask for the time and motion data.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: optout on 27-09-19, 10:02PM
exactly this ^^

There is too much variation from store to store and isle to isle. I would just nod at the manager and say okay, and continue as usual.


Don't go by what other colleagues say either, most of the time they will exaggerate so that they look good (or so that they don't become the managers target), OR they will understate how much they do because they don't want to seem like a suck-up. Just do YOUR best and that will be enough.


Has anybody ever heard (first hand, not management rumour) of anybody being fired for being a little bit slower than others when filling?
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Red75 on 27-09-19, 10:03PM
Those of us working twilight's have to be aware of the safety of customers. I reckon working cages takes 15-20% longer on the twilight shift than it did on nights. I find the most efficient method of working stock is to drag the cages to the shelf, where the cages aren't well split this becomes difficult. I try and work in a way that minimises walking, maybe walk about five miles in a seven and a half hour shift, working tins and pasta. It's difficult with customers loitering, I'll use the word loitering, because they seem oblivious to you working, or customers browsing for ages, you have to find something else to do for a minute, maybe a bit of facing. Don't feel safe working quickly on twilights as well. How many times have I had to apologise for almost bumping into a customer. My own observation is that par for a cage of tins might be an hour, pop 30 minutes, crisps/ toilet roll 10 minutes, homebake/ health and beauty an hour. These are averages a tablets cage or a mixed cage with things like herbs and spices will take longer, a bulky cage with nappies or pasta will be quicker. If you were to work to the letter of Tescos health and safety video you would never be quick enough.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Redshoes on 27-09-19, 10:15PM
Some work fast but more goes on back stock. If there is a case on shelf they don't put out more. It would fit on shelf, not an overfill but it's quicker to not put it out and they have cut corners. Then there is the whole rotation thing, much quicker not to do. Then it's quicker and easier to work when you know the aisle well. Not only can you find it quicker but you can group things better and take a batch of stock to a fixture that is all closer together. Some face as they fill too, makes it easier at the end of night but not everybody does this.
Quicker does not always mean better. Sometimes quicker can be mixture of all of the above but the call on when and how to do so comes with experience.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: ElderEnclave on 30-09-19, 01:32PM
I'm not sure why your manager or whomever told you.

I work in an Express and from what I know you don't have a time limit on per cage. If there's just one person doing a cage it can take anything between 20-30 minutes maybe longer. You have to remember you're job role is to help customers and make their experience the best we can. Meaning whilst your doing a cage you may get asked by a customer where something is, you may have to answer the bell to go onto the till to help get the queue down.

The only time you have a time limit (Supposed to) is Fresh (Chilled) and Frozen where you're only allowed to leave them out of the cold-area for a maximum of 20 minutes. That's probably where you're getting mixed messages.

Also remember you can only work on one cage at a time. 1 per person.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: ElderEnclave on 30-09-19, 01:37PM
Quote from: Freebird123 on 23-09-19, 01:20PM
I'm being timed to do a cage every half hour and these cages have a lot of different items for the section.  I've been on the aisle for 2 weeks.  I'm not as fast as some of the more seasoned workers but I thought I was doing OK until the manager said otherwise and asked me if I thought he should renew a temporary contract because I'm leaving cages at the end of the shift.  I  don't like leaving stuff for others to finish, but I genuinely thought I was doing OK at the speed thing considering I've just learnt where all the stock goes and stuff.   Not a lazy person in any way but I'm worried for my long term future at this place now   :(


I don't know what that manager is expecting... Is there another tesco near you? If so ask them if they have any positions available as you would like to transfer to that shop. Or talk to the area manager when they pop in. You could talk to your person manager who should be displayed in the warehouse near the offices.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Jobless on 30-09-19, 09:42PM
Take as long as you like there is an excuse for everything  >:D
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: lackofinterest on 01-10-19, 04:35PM
Quote from: ElderEnclave on 30-09-19, 01:32PM
I'm not sure why your manager or whomever told you.

I work in an Express and from what I know you don't have a time limit on per cage. If there's just one person doing a cage it can take anything between 20-30 minutes maybe longer. You have to remember you're job role is to help customers and make their experience the best we can. Meaning whilst your doing a cage you may get asked by a customer where something is, you may have to answer the bell to go onto the till to help get the queue down.

The only time you have a time limit (Supposed to) is Fresh (Chilled) and Frozen where you're only allowed to leave them out of the cold-area for a maximum of 20 minutes. That's probably where you're getting mixed messages.

Also remember you can only work on one cage at a time. 1 per person.
maximum of 20 mins  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D. more like 2 or 3 hours in our store :-X
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: lordadmiral on 01-10-19, 10:04PM
Yeah thats about right. 2hours of working time then 1 hour break and another hour before cage is back to freezer.  ;D
Years back we had cold chain audit with tons of cages out and people without knowledge when asked questions. Red within first minute since guy walked in.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: TheOLDone on 02-10-19, 02:22AM
Paul and Steve is that you ?? :-X :-X :-X :-X

[admin]Do not ask other members to identify themselves. Nomad[/admin]
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: NightManager on 02-10-19, 07:57PM
There are many valid comments to the original question...
I've worked for the company for 12 years and get that there are still some managers with people skills out of the dark ages...but surely a manager should be able to ask a colleague how they are getting on and give them a target to work to without it being treated as a grievance issue?
As for the "getting in his grill" comment...brilliant! Why as an adult would you be like that...you take exception to the way a manager acts and then act in a intimidating manner...
As a Lead Manager I fully understand that every aisle (not isle!) is different, the state of cages and the level of presort delivered all impact the time taken to work a cage as does the experience of the person and ultimately their desire to do their job.  And I'm not stupid enough to expect every person to be able to work at the same rate...we are all only human after all...
Unfortunately there are many people who don't mind taking the money every 4 weeks but seem to resent having to do anything for it...if each person works to the best of their ability then that's a perfect outcome!!
And last point...as a manager I would never expect anyone to be able to do something I couldn't!
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: NightAndDay on 03-10-19, 09:01AM
A process for everything, yes as a manager you can give them "a target to work to" under an SYP plan, but before initiating the process, the manager in question has to make sure they're not being selective on who they are "managing".

As for the get in their grill comment, this is the appropriate response for the managers who don't follow process, those who says rods to process and force resignations through chiller chats.

As a senior consultant I know first hand the amount of managers who don't follow or understand process.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: NightManager on 04-10-19, 03:03AM
'Getting in their grill' isn't an appropriate response to anything...and hopefully anyone who thinks that it is isn't in a position to influence or lead anyone else.

If managers are unable to follow the process or don't understand then that is down to poor leadership in that store...and I can only speak for myself but if any of my managers were acting in such a way it would not be tolerated...and in fact would never become an issue!

Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Redshoes on 04-10-19, 07:48AM
We don't work in a perfect world. We have good stores and bad stores. Good managers and bad managers. The culture is different in different stores. Some managers have a recruitment/retainment issue and others have colleagues who turn down offers to move. Some are staying where they are for as long as they can as they don't want yo move over to a certain manager, they have a good one and want to stay with them.
Somebody once said to me that you can have a good job but work in an awful atmosphere and hate it and likewise have an awful job but work with a great team. I know what I would prefer.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: NightAndDay on 04-10-19, 08:35AM
Quote from: NightManager on 04-10-19, 03:03AM
'Getting in their grill' isn't an appropriate response to anything...and hopefully anyone who thinks that it is isn't in a position to influence or lead anyone else.

If managers are unable to follow the process or don't understand then that is down to poor leadership in that store...and I can only speak for myself but if any of my managers were acting in such a way it would not be tolerated...and in fact would never become an issue!

I don't think you've ever worked in Express going by your comment, arrogant 20 something kid Store managers are the norm in Express, with Express being stripped out as it is, they have little oversite in how they conduct themselves, by "getting in their grill" I mean be challenging and confrontational, it might not apply in superstore, but in Express it is a dog eat dog world.

Chiller chats, out of process disciplinaries and forced resignations are the bread and butter of the Express SM mantra.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: BlueBoo on 04-10-19, 12:16PM
I'd love to see how someone can fill a h&b cage with 150 lines in it (anything over £5 in value tagged or put into safer cases) in 20 mins lmao
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: optout on 04-10-19, 06:50PM
Did the OP follow any of the advice on here,and if so what was the result?


Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Freebird123 on 07-10-19, 02:37PM
I've read all replies, thanks to all x.  I'm still being told its half-hour per cage.  I am getting faster, due to being there a bit longer, but its constant, how many cages have you done, you need to get finished, even to the point of writing down the number of cages I get through! I totally get that deliveries have to be put out and not leave work for others in the morning but what am I supposed to do when I leave at 7 and cages full to the top are bought out to me at quarter past 6 when the deliveries are late!

I'm not a lazy person,I am going as fast as I can with what I have but it's never good enough and it's very demoralising  when you are constantly told its not good enough.  I try and face up as I put stuff out, I'm also doing two team fills per night.  I've been with the company over a month and I've already had enough and it shouldn't be like that.  The colleagues are nice but I go home feeling like a piece of c**p because management don't think I'm good enough!
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: NightAndDay on 07-10-19, 03:51PM
Follow the advice on this thread, request to see where it stipulates 30 minutes a cage, the time limit for the cold chain rule isn't the same for working any cage. If you're being harrassed and victimised, then they're not doing their job properly, don't tolerate it, grievances are your friend (If you feel you can talk to them about their conduct do so, but I'm a much less forgiving person who gets off on frustrating managers by complying and pointing out the policies they must adhere to.) Also, if there are others who aren't completing cages in the timeframe stipulated by said manager, then point this out to him/her and that you won't tolerate further harrassment.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Preacherpauly on 07-10-19, 05:49PM
Lets be honest, there are only a couple of people in my store who bust a gut to get their cages done then they complain when they have to help others.

Some isles are easier than others. A cage full of pizza boxes is going to take no time at all but a cage of ready meals where you have to move everything to date rotate is going to take a lot longer.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: bambi on 09-10-19, 07:08AM
totally depends on if your store pre sorts cages

as bad as working at my store was one good thing is all dept's cages were presorted saved loads of time and yes you could get most done in 20mins
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Siwel123 on 09-10-19, 10:29AM
What's everyones thoughts on cardboard cages on the shopfloor?
We've recently been told if filling on days we're not allowed cardboard cages on the shopfloor, so that either means try find one of those elusive bags to attach to your cage or you've to try balance all the cardboard in your cage while still working it.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: NightAndDay on 09-10-19, 10:37AM
Days it's not acceptable (health and safety for customers) nights is fine if you keep all cardboard in a small area and have a cage on the shop floor (used to do a cage, put all cardboard and plastic in a cage then do next cage.)
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: lucgeo on 09-10-19, 10:50AM
Why?? 8-)

What reason has been given for no cardboard cages?? The blue cage bags became defunct years ago in my old store, though  I note a nearer, smaller store, are still using them. There should be cage locations on your aisles, for filling and cardboard.

So which silly sausage dreamed this one up in your store ??? Way I see it, you either carry on perching the cardboard on your cage, fold it into a large empty box as you go, or, and this would be my personal choice and probably my old team's also, you carry the empty cardboard into the warehouse every ten minutes or so, just to ensure that none slip off the cage, which could result on a customer/colleague, slipping/ tripping on it, as health& safety must always be paramount. They'd soon get fed up, as to the amount of time walking back and forth to the warehouse took  ;)
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: NightManager on 09-10-19, 05:59PM
Quote from: NightAndDay on 04-10-19, 08:35AM
Quote from: NightManager on 04-10-19, 03:03AM
'Getting in their grill' isn't an appropriate response to anything...and hopefully anyone who thinks that it is isn't in a position to influence or lead anyone else.

If managers are unable to follow the process or don't understand then that is down to poor leadership in that store...and I can only speak for myself but if any of my managers were acting in such a way it would not be tolerated...and in fact would never become an issue!

I don't think you've ever worked in Express going by your comment, arrogant 20 something kid Store managers are the norm in Express, with Express being stripped out as it is, they have little oversite in how they conduct themselves, by "getting in their grill" I mean be challenging and confrontational, it might not apply in superstore, but in Express it is a dog eat dog world.

Chiller chats, out of process disciplinaries and forced resignations are the bread and butter of the Express SM mantra.

I don't think I want to either by the sound of it...although I'm always up for a challenge...
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Long gone on 15-10-19, 06:42PM
When I started 13 years ago I was placed with a lady who had been at the company for 5 years and knew the job inside and out, when she worked with me I got a lot of support and advice from her but if I did something wrong she came down on me like a tonne of bricks. I think I worked with her for 2 solid weeks and when I was asked to do cages on my own I felt confident to do them and she always worked cages herself but came over and found time to see how I was doing, I got faster and faster and eventually I was as good as the lady that trained me, and eventually went on to teach her new things too.

At that time no one knew how to use a pda on our department( laughable to look back on it ) so I was always in charge of getting labels to put out for promotion ends etc. The managers I had were unbelievably supportive, never timed me, never came up to me every 15 minutes asking me what I was doing , why I was doing it that way and why hadn't finished yet. I came into work, had my line manager say good morning to me and just said with a smile " you are on the usual today" and then I got left alone all day because they trusted me to do the job and do it well. We had a great team and it's sad to look back on how our department went from having 17 staff members to just 5.

Nowadays new starters get the job and then get thrown on the shop floor with no knowledge or training , they get a pda or cage chucked at them and told to "work or scan it" and it never gets done right, Then management get angry because things now aren't getting done. We had people in our store with decades of invaluable experience who were thrown aside because of money and old contracts and now the company is in the state it's in.

You work at your own pace and do the job as professionally and as able as you can and if management pressure you to go faster then tell them to work the cage for you and you watch as they show you how it's done. I guarantee not one manager in your store would even know where to start on a cage full of crisps never mind anything else
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: lucgeo on 15-10-19, 08:21PM
Yea, they were called buddies, every new starter had one for two weeks. I wasn't allowed to touch a keyboard, or do any routines for the first week, I just watched and learnt  :thumbup:
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: optout on 16-10-19, 12:15AM
One thing about asking managers to show you how to fill is, that they will often fill very quickly (at or above the pace that they are asking you to do) knowing full well that they have just been doing bugger all, and that as soon as they have set-an-example for you, they will go off into the canteen or toilets and spend half-an-hour recovering from doing 5 minutes of work at a pace that they expect you to keep up all day/night.

Best thing to do is just nod, and carry on as usual. They soon go elsewhere for their jollies.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: NightAndDay on 16-10-19, 09:45AM
Quote from: NightManager on 09-10-19, 05:59PM
Quote from: NightAndDay on 04-10-19, 08:35AM
Quote from: NightManager on 04-10-19, 03:03AM
'Getting in their grill' isn't an appropriate response to anything...and hopefully anyone who thinks that it is isn't in a position to influence or lead anyone else.

If managers are unable to follow the process or don't understand then that is down to poor leadership in that store...and I can only speak for myself but if any of my managers were acting in such a way it would not be tolerated...and in fact would never become an issue!

I don't think you've ever worked in Express going by your comment, arrogant 20 something kid Store managers are the norm in Express, with Express being stripped out as it is, they have little oversite in how they conduct themselves, by "getting in their grill" I mean be challenging and confrontational, it might not apply in superstore, but in Express it is a dog eat dog world.

Chiller chats, out of process disciplinaries and forced resignations are the bread and butter of the Express SM mantra.

I don't think I want to either by the sound of it...although I'm always up for a challenge...

The last cuts they made to Express was quite recent, in group 801 you have the AM, 1 people parter and 1 SOM to look after something like 110-120 Express stores, the SOM has even said that unless the store is in dire straights he won't bother coming, as a result what I have described is commonpoace, one of the express stores had something like 800 gaps because of how the SM conducted himself (800 gaps is extremely serious in Express).

Due to the oversite issues I expained earlier, the store was in that state for a good 2 months before the SOM had a "conversation" with the SM (he got a new job out of the company 1 month after said conversation.")
Title: Cages how high shold WBS be stacked
Post by: Billy Cob on 20-10-20, 10:19PM
Hi New to Tescos, I'm very worried about how high a 2 side cage is stacked with wine & spirts, looks very unsafe for me and customers, plus i'm told to pull not push the cage as unable to see over the 6.5 ft stacked cage. Also I should do a cage in an Hour.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: lucgeo on 20-10-20, 10:44PM
Pull not push is correct and basic training you should have done...regardless of cage height, if the cage is half full, anyone kneeling or below the height of your line of vision ( such as a child ) risks you running into them.
Boxes should not be stacked higher than line of the top of the cage.
You should not be attempting to lift heavy boxes from above wrist height.
Timings of fills are guidelines, an hour to fill a full cage of big cereal boxes V's a full cage of H&B products are not comparable. Your timings should be based on each individual cage of contents. But that's irrelevant as every manager will estimate any extra job they ask you to do will only ever take you 5 mins!!
You will be slower to start, and this should be taken into consideration by your manager. If your being told you're too slow, ask to work an aisle with an experienced colleague and gain tips from them e.g. Slitting the packaging in a way to enable you to pull the wrapping away from around it whilst putting it into position on the shelf. Spotting products...this is where you get used to the locations of the products, taking a few boxes off the cage at once and putting them ready on the floor in front of shelf to be filled whilst walking past to go fill another shelf, it saves time walking back and forth to the cage for the next box.
Use any really big boxes to fold the cardboard of smaller boxes into, this saves cluttering the floor and cage with cardboard, and it's quicker to then just put the big box full of cardboard back on the empty cage to go tip the contents into the cardboard cage and flatten the big box.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Billy Cob on 20-10-20, 10:56PM
is that wast or wrist hight?
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: lucgeo on 20-10-20, 11:01PM
Wrist height...in when you reach up, with your arms extended above, the box must not be higher than your wrist.
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Nomad on 21-10-20, 11:21AM
https://www.verylittlehelps.com/dloads/fis33.pdf (https://www.verylittlehelps.com/dloads/fis33.pdf) HSE PDF document on roll cages.

Exert from that document.

QuoteThe following precautions have been shown to reduce injuries. Operators should:
●only move one roll cage at a time;

●use the handles provided;
●move the roll cage no faster than walking speed;
●wherever possible, push the cage rather than pull as this is ergonomically better and will reduce the risk of foot trapping;
●seek help from another person when moving a roll cage up or down a ramp or on an uneven surface or when a cage is heavily loaded;
●not ride in, or on, roll cages as they can easily overturn or trap the operator;
●wear gloves and safety shoes when moving roll cages - softer sole shoes will reduce slips;
●wear gloves when assembling cages to protect hands and fingers;
●stack heavier items at the bottom of the roll cage to keep the centre of gravity as low as possible(the correct lifting technique is particularly important at this low level);
●not load the cage above the load line or above the level where the operator can see over the load; and
●move no more than three to five empty, nested roll cages at one time.

As you can read although the HSE is the recognised body on work place health and safety there are many points where the company believes they know better.  :(
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: Scruff on 23-10-20, 07:45PM
Isn't there times on the system that work out roughly how long it would take to work each aisle based on case/cage count? or have they got rid of that?
Title: Re: General Question about Cages
Post by: lucgeo on 23-10-20, 08:26PM
The timings of the cages you work on your designated dept, should be on your job description...remember it is a guideline only...not set in stone.