Never do those unless you are being paid for it. Report on the job through the app or website. Never work for free!

And that is why I don't work for that particular company any more. For every reasonably timed job, there was a vastly under timed one. Like the complete assembly of a cosmetic fixture and load it with 200+ pieces. 1 hour was allowed. It took 2.5. Yes I did get paid, but the the hassle to get paid every time I went over was just not worth it.

Didn't know Cast or Cast Force did cosmetic assignments....hmph

This was with a different company. I was using it as an example of how other companies do crummy things also

@spicy1 wrote:

You add (subtract really) your admin time during your job don't you? I do. Any printing, email reading etc. I do while I'm on the job site. Are they set up to add admin time like Crossmark/Advantage or Acostya...a-cost-ya,,,get it...lol

They aren't set up like Advantage. They don't or didn't 2 weeks ago have anywhere to report admin time or mileage. I tried to get an answer from my TOM on how to report to get paid and support even contacted her over it and I never received an answer.

Also, I'm not positive but I believe the lawsuit in FL is still ongoing. I believe employees have a right to know when the company they work for is being sued. That also it's the only case there in one in GA which I believe is a class action for IC's. I could be wrong but that is what it appears to be.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/09/2016 10:35PM by bethmar224.

It was explained to me by a TOM that there would be no admin time because everything is done on site with your own device. You would not need to print anything out, and your GPS locations would prove your times, and mileage between stores.

Just curious. Are the jobs that easy that you don't need to reference procedures, POG's or anything? I did 2 very complicated assignments today and was so glad I had printed a hard copy of the instructions. Several different required procedures for each job. I had to keep flipping back and forth to make sure I was doing it right. I can't imagine doing that on a cell phone screen.

"Just curious. Are the jobs that easy that you don't need to reference procedures, POG's or anything? "

Yes. It is extremely easy work.

@cindy55 wrote:

Just curious. Are the jobs that easy that you don't need to reference procedures, POG's or anything? I did 2 very complicated assignments today and was so glad I had printed a hard copy of the instructions. Several different required procedures for each job. I had to keep flipping back and forth to make sure I was doing it right. I can't imagine doing that on a cell phone screen.

Cindy, you have a great point. I decided not to join Cast, but I can imagine that I would have printed off hard copies of the POGs. Can you imagine doing a gift card reset without one?

Hi T.O.M. ~

It is really difficult to schedule projects for CAST, when one is totally unaware of the requirements of the job.

CAST is the only company, that I currently work for, that is so secretive about the requirements of the job. Almost makes one suspicious...

It was much easier to work projects in, when we were given the privilege to select the projects that fit into our schedule. Not knowing what is expected of us, to complete a project, is very debilitating.

Does CAST have a suggestion box?

Sincerely,
and
Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Tablet


I am awaiting his reply...I would love to see a suggestion box!

Yes, my T.O.M., replied. ... they have a suggestion box.

lol

I think it is useful to print off the instructions when they are several pages. It is easier to show someone in a store something off of printed page than off your phone. However we really went overboard on printing in previous times at Cast. All the invoices, several pages of audit for each store and you sometimes didn't even need those pages. I don't think anybody will complain if you print one page to refer to. That's your choice and it's not really a big expense, in my opinion.

For those of you that made the transition over to CAST, how is it working for you? Have the rough edges smoothed out? More importantly, is it good for you financially? Going from a flat rate to actual store time can be a hit in the wallet, I'm having to get used to that myself with one of my companies. They give me more than adequate time for the jobs, but, by the third store I am getting done in half the time allowed. Sort of shooting myself in the foot, money wise.

whoops. messed up.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/20/2016 02:22PM by adlib.

1. The rough edges are rougher than they were to start. It's a never ending cycle of "whooottttt is this?" Followed by calls and emails to try to figure out the latest fiasco.

2. It's getting better financially. The work is picking up again.

I absolutely loved castforce and I'm doing my best to hang in there. This is NOT a new company and I see no need for the constant messes. I just don't. It's one of the most unprofessional and disorganized companies I've worked for. But, yeah, I'm gonna' hang in there for a while longer and try to make it work. I have a really good TOM which is a huge positive.

I'm doing this because I've done merchandising long enough to learn the ropes of any company and make it work. Even this shipwreck. You have to figure out how to stay in the store for the budgeted time, that's just all there is to it. If you don't you're going to get QC issues. I like the work. I like the clients. Basically, if you're an experienced merchandiser and can adapt to change, you can make this work despite the headaches. You just gotta' be able to go with the flow.

Trust me, I've thought long and hard about what to do. Two months from now, I may find the straw that breaks the camel's back. LOL.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/20/2016 02:23PM by adlib.

adlib, I commend you for your positive attitude. I truly miss my work with Castforce plus the money. I was with them since 2009 but couldn't deal with the change to Cast Retail and the lies. Good luck.

I see this happen all the time, certain assignments that offer you no control over your hours, demand you use their equipment instead of your own usually end up as a Class Action Lawsuit. More freedom to perform your job without being micromanaged is why people work as a IC, once the micromanaging and freedom go out the window, they get classified as employees. This is one of the most challenging areas in our future, I think its going to get ugly as Fed Ex found out. We enjoy status as a I.C. but how can one be a I.C. if they have no say over their work?


[independentcontractorcompliance.com]

I just accepted a job last week. I will be quitting today. I very explicitly stated in my application that I do not accept work in the major city to the north of me, that I am available for work until noon, and, I work cycle work for three other companies. Full disclosure up front. I also explained why I had these requirements. I applied for a specific job that met all of my criteria. Locations, small jobs, 3 day window for completing. Perfect. When I applied, when I was interviewed, when I was offered the job, I repeated the non negotiable requirements. When I was hired I sent this to the DM also as a reminder. So, on Wednesday, I received an email scheduling me for the job I did not apply for, in that City, for 8 hours. I shot back a return email stating the parameters again, and that as I do have other work, I can't guarantee a specific day, but, I will give her my availability for the week on Saturday, when I get all my assignments, then I would be happy to help until noon on the big resets in the suburbs or surrounding cities. (Of which there is work daily until the end of March.) On Friday, I was assigned again for next week, up in that City, for 8 hours, on 2 days I already have scheduled my cycle work for. Year round work counts for way more to me than a month or so of work. Don't hire me for one job and tell me I WILL now be doing the other job instead. Wrong. If they would have actually had work for the job I was hired for, it would have worked out perfect for me.
I am angry that they wasted my time with the whole process of an almost 2 hour teleconference, all the paperwork, the scanning, all for a job they knew they didn't really have.
Bach to searching. Sigh.

CAST has 8 hour jobs? LOL. Doing what?

This is an example not having any say over the jobs you get assigned. It was not with Cast, but another company, which had positive reviews from people. I'm not ok with 8 hour days that quickly become 12 and 14 hours as the jobs are understaffed or people don't show up. Cosmetics resets and grocery remodels, the bane of my existence.
Sorry if I caused any confusion.

Have they responded to your email stating your hours? Because, you know, the "system" creates assignments automatically for you but your area manager or TOM or DM or whatever can change each assignment; thats their job primarily with most of these companies is to schedule people! With one of the companies I work for I have to remind them with almost every assignment because almost everyone is outside the parameters I gave/give them. They do change them, usually with an abdominal gasp that I'm always too late to pull the phone away from my ear to avoid. Reminds me, I need to call my daughter...lol

I have the same situation in that I receive regular (that term regular is VERY ambiguous!) work for a handful of companies. These are the companies that "still remain" after I have gone through the honeymoon stage with them: 1.) they told me about next weeks assignments and asked me if I could work them 2) when I said no to whichever ones I could not they were able to assign them to someone else 3.) their in-my-area supervisor didn't call me @#$%& me out because I didn't want to take her extra 3 stores because someone had quit on her out of the blue (I didn't take @#$%& from my handsome-rich-travel-loving (pfff)-awesome-fried-rice making ex-husband....I'm not taking @#$%& from YOU!)

I have to keep my work with Match doing cosmetic resets for lots of reasons. When I was younger I could get, and keep, just about any job I wanted. I was absolutely gorgeous, didn't mind the kids being at the babysitters house so much they called her mom and me @*^%#$^, wasn't worried about punching the boss in the face who made advances! But now, I'm an ugly old lady (in the eyes of many 52 year old women are) and I cant just jump ship any old time. I used to be a surfer so I'm sure I can do the calisthenics this job requires into my retirement. Plus, they have work in Florida when I want to retire there! same reasons I got into mystery shopping and it works for me

No answer from the DM, just additional unacceptable assignments showing up in my email everyday. I currently have 10 emails in my mailbox from whoever is doing the scheduling. The DM has never called me, and does not answer when I call her. I leave my phone number after my signature after every email so I know she has the number. I can't do 8 hours. Period. I have other things that need to be attended to on some afternoons. It just makes my life easier to say no afternoons. Dr's, PT, class, caregiving for the 2 littlest grandkids, whatever. It is just simpler with a no work afternoons rule.

Cindy55, you posted the company and client in the same post. BIG NO NO! You should edit and remove one.

This isn't secret shopping. She can mention the client and the company. lol though.

There was a discussion about clients and companies being mentioned together when Jacob decided to add the Merchandising section to the forum. I thought his decision was the forum guidelines would apply, but honestly can't say for sure. Somebody could PM and ask him.

I have found and deleted the offending mentions. ( had to really search!) I do not have a confidentiality agreement with any of the companies mentioned, nor do I currently work for any of them. But, rules, is rules, so if I break them, I must fix it. Seems fair to me.

It would still be a good idea to have Jacob clarify. There have been a few instances where confidentiality was not an issue with the company so I'm not sure if his intent was the guidelines should apply here or not. Merchandising is definitely a whole different animal than mystery shopping.

I found merchandising and secret shopping to be very similar. That's why I easily made the jump.

I saw these on glassdoor.com. Someone said the it the largest labor lawsuit in Florida? And, it has not been settled in court as of yet, I have heard.
"Treat People Well, Don't Abuse Them"
Former Employee - Anonymous Employee

Pros

Not much to say here, sorry.

Cons

Heard about a large labor lawsuit for the TOMS. I think they were working 30 hours overtime (each week) without no pay and it's still happening, from what I have been told. SAD...SAD.

Advice to Management

Who would work 30 hours of overtime, each week, without pay? SUPER SAD...SUPER BAD
Jan 18, 2016

Helpful (6)
CAST Logo
"Horrible Company"
Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
Doesn't Recommend
Negative Outlook

I worked at CAST full-time (More than a year)

Pros

Good company for a stepping stone when you first move or you are just in need of a job to get you by.

Cons

They use the right to work to really "use" their employees. Hourly employees will get get what they are promised, the 40 hours with very little change of moving up within the company. The salaried employees will work like they have never worked before, weekends, nights and just all the time for a small $35,000 a year. If you don't work at night and on the weekends you will be berated by the CEO in public meets for no… Show More

Advice to Management

Take some management courses and learn how to lead a team in the proper way. This goes for the entire management team.