Human Resource Blog

Employer demands bathrooms are cleaned by employees. And write ups for not selling promotional items?

I’m new to HR and I have a few questions. Can a department store force its employees to clean the bathrooms in the store?

And, can a department store write up its employees for not selling magazines, subscriptions, and discount cards/credit cards?

What kind of employers can make employees do these tasks? Aren’t only employees hired for those certain things supposed to deal with those issues?

This question made us smile. If the employees do not clean the bathrooms, who is going to…the customers? Sorry.

Yes, the employer can require sales clerks to sweep the floor, clean the bathroom or pretty much anything else. There is no law in any state limiting the duties that an employee can be required to perform. It is up to the employer to determine the job description, and the employer can change it. During these tough economic times, employers are cutting back on costs like janitorial services just to stay in business, and many employees are being asked to do more.

However, this policy must be applied fairly to avoid discrimination. If the employer required female employees to clean the bathrooms and not male employees with the same job, that would be illegal discrimination based on sex.

Department stores can and do consider upselling a performance issue. This includes magazines, subscriptions and credit cards. In many stores, extended warrenties on computers or exercise equipment are also included. An employee can be reprimanded and even terminated for not selling enough of these products. This is unfortuante, because it results in high-pressure tactics that actually dissuade customers, but that is the harsh reality of the situation.