r/HomeDepot Jul 05 '24

r/HomeDepot FAQs

63 Upvotes

Hello to the r/HomeDepot community here on reddit, may Homer continue to bless you and keep you in his orange embrace.

The mod team thought it would be a good idea to pin a list of common questions with answers that get posted often here in the community. This is by no means comprehensive and doesn't go in depth, but should help new and seasoned associates alike with quick answers instead of waiting on the community to respond. This is for US only, Canada and Mexico may have different policies due to different legal requirements.

I imagine the FAQs will need to be continually tweaked as SOP and technology in Home Depot changes. If something seems out of date feel free to speak up.

Also with the publication of these FAQs a new rule is being introduced: if a post is made where the answer is explicitly covered here the post will be removed.

FAQs:

Q: My Post was removed by the automod, why?

A: There is a minimum karma AND account age requirement to post/comment in this community. This is to prevent trolls and ban evaders. If your account is new, go play around on reddit elsewhere for a few days by commenting/posting in other communities. You'll clear the age/karma requirement in a week or so. If your account age exceeds the minimum but you have incredibly low or negative karma...well...you're the kind of person the automod was meant to block. Sorry, not sorry.

Q: I made a post and automod commented on it. Was the post removed?

A: Read the comment from the automod. Automod is set to comment on EVERY new post, letting people know this community is for associates and not customers. If it doesn't say your post was removed, then it wasn't. Very simple. If you're still confused...well...Reading Rainbow is still available on YouTube.

Q: I’m a customer and have a question, can I post it here?

A: No. Respectfully this is a digital breakroom for Home Depot associates, current, former and future. Customer questions will be removed and the poster may be banned, Reference sidebar rule #1. Please contact your store or call 1-800-HOMEDEPOT (1-800-466-3337) with any questions or concerns. Questions about employment for yourself or others will be tolerated within reason.

Q: Do I get paid for orientation?

A: Yes. Talk with your ASDS to find out more.

Q: What is an ASDS?

A: Associate Support Department Supervisor. They are essentially the admin for the store and store manager and are responsible for new associate onboarding, scheduling, and other activities

Q: What is myApron?

A: myApron is the internal SharePoint site for all Home Depot employees, accessible from any store computer. You are not able to access it from home unless you are in a role that allows VPN access. All SOPs and company documents that associates need to access are housed here.

Q: When is payday?

A: Payday is always on Friday. Which Friday depends on what state you are in. Some states require pay weekly. To find out which Friday you will get paid on search on myApron for “Payroll Calendar”

Q: Some associates are saying they get paid early, how does that work?

A: Completely dependent on your banking institution. Home Depot releases the payroll on Wednesday to be deposited on Friday. Some banks just load it as available but pending on the release day. Some don't.

Q: How does Holiday Pay work?

A: You must be employed for at least 90 days to be eligible for Holiday Pay and work the scheduled shift before the holiday, the shift of the holiday (if applicable) and the next scheduled shift after the holiday. If you call out and have PTO to cover your absence, manager CAN excuse the absence for you to receive holiday pay. Be prepared to have a respectful conversation and to advocated for yourself if you find yourself in this position, your holiday pay may be taken even if you had PTO time to cover and you'll need to advocate to get it back. If you’re on a scheduled vacation for the holiday, you will receive holiday pay instead of vacation pay for that day. Part-timers receive 4 hours of holiday pay, full-timers receive 8 hours of holiday pay. Reference “Time Off Benefits” on myApron to learn more.

Q: What are the days that receive Holiday Pay in Home Depot?

A: Home Depot provides eligible associates with six paid holidays a year. These are New Years Day, Memorial Day (except for New Orleans stores, Mardi Gras is substituted), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Home Depot stores are closed only 2 days a year, Thanksgiving and Christmas. To view the SSC holiday schedule and learn more please go to myApron and search for "Time-off Benefits".

Q: What is Success Sharing, when is it paid out and who is eligible?

A: Success Sharing is the company’s bonus program for non-management associates (hourly and salary). It is based on sales above sales plan for your store. For SSC associates, it is based on sales above plan for the company. No one can tell you how much it will be except your store leadership. Track how well your store is doing vs sales plan, and you’ll get an idea if it will be good, bad, or non-existent. It is paid out 2x a year, approximately the 2nd week in September and 2nd week in March. To be eligible, you must be employed with the company at the time of the payout and have been employed at least 90 days during the fiscal half that the bonus is based on. IOW, if you were hired at end June you will not be eligible because the half ends in July, roughly 30 days after you were hired. To learn more search on myApron for “Benefits 101”

Q: What are our fiscal halves?

A: 1H runs from February until the end of July. 2H runs August until the end of January

Q: Do manager bonuses come from success sharing pool?

A: No, their bonus comes from a different pool of money and is based on different, more difficult to achieve metrics. Cutting hours at the end of the fiscal half will not improve their bonus in any significant way. This is a persistent rumor with no basis in reality. Sales and turns play a bigger part in their bonus and cutting hours won’t make up the difference if the store is already missing profitability goals.

Q: I’m part time, why are my hours being cut in July/January?

A: In July we are moving out of the spring busy season, you’ll notice some stores removing their mulch-pit drive throughs for example. Less business = less hours. Same story in January, holiday season is over and lower sales are expected. Less business = less hours again. There is also a lull in September/October in some areas of the country where hours may be reduced for part-timers

Q: How do I get more hours if they are cut?

A: Cross train in other department and equipment before the cut, making you more available and valuable to plug in to other areas of the store’s schedule. Then ask ask ask (respectfully) the ASDS and salaried leaders for more shifts

Q: Why did scheduled hours go from ____ to zero for a future week after the schedule was published?

A: It’s likely the ASDS pulled back the schedule to make adjustments and forgot to republish. Don’t panic and respectfully go ask the ASDS what’s up. Part time hours may be cut to a very low level, but it’s very rare to go to zero. If you’re full time you cannot be cut to zero without your consent

Q: How do breaks/lunches work for hourly associates?

A: It is very dependent on the state you work in. Generally speaking hourly associates get a break or a lunch every 2 hours. In some states breaks are required by law, some states they are not. Many states require employers to give a lunch break if the associate is going to work 6 hours or more. So bottom line, take your lunch break if you are scheduled for one. You may receive a coaching/counseling (AKA write-up) if you skip a lunch because you may accidentally cause the company to break the labor laws surrounding lunches. 15-minute breaks are paid, lunch breaks are not paid. Search on myApron for "Timekeeping and Payroll" for specific requirements for the state you work in.

Q: What are the best shoes to wear?

A: Search on this sub for the keyword “shoes”. Dozens of posts and recommendations. Or you can make a new post to add to the pile.

Q: What is tuition reimbursement, where can I find out more?

A: Search on myApron for “Tuition Reimbursement”, it’s all laid out there. Short story: Home Depot will reimburse up to a certain amount for approved courses and expenses. The approved courses are typically business related, so no 16th century English literature degrees will be reimbursed. The program has some pretty firm requirements, make sure to read over carefully.

Q: What is ESPP and how does it work?

A: ESPP stands for Employee Stock Purchase Plan. It is managed by a 3rd party called Computershare. Plans run for six months and the enrollment period for the next plan ends a few weeks before it begins, so enroll early. During enrollment, you will choose a percentage of your paycheck that will go towards a stock purchase. The money deducted from your paycheck is set aside into what is essentially an escrow account. At the end of the plan you are enrolled in, the money is then used to purchase that amount of stock at a 15% discount, but you own the full value of the stock. To put it another way, it’s an immediate 15% gain on your money via that amount of stock. The stock is yours free and clear, even if you leave the company. Log in to our benefits website, livetheorangelife.com to learn more. If you have issues logging in, partner with your ASDS

Q: If I leave do, I get paid out for vacation time? What about PTO?

A: Yes, you will get paid out for your vacation time. PTO payouts are dictated by state law, search myApron for “Time off Benefits” and review for your state.

Q: Does PTO carry over from year to year?

A: Depends on your state and its laws. Search myApron for “Time off Benefits” and review for your state

Q: What is Home Depot policy on Marijuana use?

A: Beginning 9/1 THD will no longer test for marijuana use for non-DOT or Aviation associates. DOT certified drivers and aviation associates will still be tested

Q: What if I notice someone doing something illegal or against our business code of conduct and ethics, and I don't want to go to management or it IS a member of management:

A: The awareline exists for these situations. You can call the 1-800 number to report unethical/illegal behavior. It is anonymous, but you will be recorded and the recording may/will be played back to leaders in your store/district/region. There is a portal to submit concerns to avoid a voice recording. Search myApron for "awareline" for the phone number or the portal.
Keep in mind the awareline is for illegal and unethical behaviors, not normal business practices that you may disagree with.


r/HomeDepot 7h ago

I’m wondering how much trouble I’m in?

28 Upvotes

Right before my shift ended yesterday, I saw an elderly gentleman with several 4x4x10 PT pieces of lumber as I was bringing my last set of carts in and offered to help the customer load the pieces of lumber into his vehicle which he gladly accepted. I got to his vehicle and it was a Honda CRV which I told him it wasn’t going to fit. He said he wanted me to have the lumber go up through the dashboard near his windshield. I told him you take a big risk of breaking the windshield by doing that especially if he didn’t have anything soft near the windshield to protect it. He insisted he still wanted me to load the lumber there. Unfortunately, I did was he asked and I accidentally broke his windshield loading the lumber trying to fit in his vehicle. I apologized profusely and he told me not to worry about it as he told me he was a lot more worried about other issues with his vehicle.

I’m worried he is going to decide to complain later on that I broke his windshield accidentally while loading his lumber. If this matters, I have been with the company over 10 years, I have never broken a windshield before, have only called out twice this year (covered by sick time) only because we had such a big snowstorm with 3 feet of snow and the roads near me weren’t plowed for 2 1/2 days after the storm. I believe I am well liked by management and my supervisor as my annual merit reviews have always been good, frequently praised by management for my work ethic and have gotten a few RVP awards (regional vice president awards) in my time with HD. How much trouble do you think I’m in for this incident? Thank you in advance for the replies.


r/HomeDepot 3h ago

How screwed am I

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12 Upvotes

Will I be fired or ???

Edit - I genuinely just want a honest answer and explanation. With no discipline don’t they have to do that first before they can even decide to fire me?? like I literally have no idea and I’m asking for help


r/HomeDepot 7h ago

Penny sku

26 Upvotes

What is the reasoning behind one penny items and why do customers have access to them and know about them?

Why are they one cent?

Why not make them $1 billion?

No customer is gonna have you go to top stock after tricking you into getting it for an item that’s $1 billion

One penny items are literally asking to be scammed


r/HomeDepot 2h ago

Carpet roll pole.

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10 Upvotes

How does your store park this heavy fucking toe crusher ?


r/HomeDepot 4h ago

My store's leaders are being extremely difficult regarding the schedule.

5 Upvotes

Back on July 11th: I requested to use my vacation time for the days of September 18th, 19th, and the 22nd, because I'll be in Tennessee for the Eagles-Titans game. I know vacation requests aren't automatically approved, so I requested off on these days FAR IN ADVANCE, OVER TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE, so there wouldn't be an issue. 18th and 22nd were approved, but the 19th was declined because "Too Many Already Off".

Ok, that's frustrating. I thought: "Oh well, maybe they'll just not schedule me on the 19th out of courtesy." On August 28th, to my displeasure, I saw that I am scheduled for a 10 AM to 7 PM shift on September 19th.

I am very annoyed....... I made it clear TWO MONTHS AGO, that I am not available on September 19th, yet I was still scheduled on September 19th anyway. They even approved the 18th and 22nd, just to deny the 19th..... Seriously? It's ridiculous. I refuse to use my sick time to call out for that day. Sick time is not meant for covering vacation, it's meant for emergencies like when a person isn't feeling well. I refuse to get an occurence for calling out without using sick time, because I specfically requested off far in advance to prevent a scheduling conflict.

I've left two different notes at the HR person's desk requesting to be taken off the schedule for September 19th, only for them both to be thrown away in the garbage. I am not even going to be in the state of New Jersey that day. It will be physically impossible for me to work that day.


r/HomeDepot 3h ago

To OFAs, has anyone seen or worked at Walmart?

6 Upvotes

I think Walmart has an OFA type role now called ogd or something like that. Anyone done it?


r/HomeDepot 15h ago

Under investigation

38 Upvotes

Our boss is under investigation, for talking 💩 about us behind our backs to our peers, harassment, he tell us his whole life story to us I’ll let you know what happens


r/HomeDepot 17m ago

Wage matching?

Upvotes

I just started with Home Depot about a month ago and I absolutely love it so far. After 8 years in the military and a few as a server and a bartender, this is a welcome change of pace. I have been killing it so far. Hired as a cashier and was asked to move to pro cashier after 2 weeks but now it looks like I’ll be headed to tool rental.

I’m still part time and have been asking for full time since I was hired.

I applied to Lowe’s and they want me as a Flooring specialist, 39 hours a week, and it’s 3 dollars more an hour than I am at now.

Should I take my offer letter to my ASDS? I want to be with Home Depot but I simply cannot work part time hours at this point in my life.

Will this help them to see my potential and potentially offer me full time? Or do you think I’ll be expected to slog thru X amounts of weeks of part time until I get a FT offer.

Any insight is appreciated.


r/HomeDepot 2h ago

shift xchange

3 Upvotes

hey, quick question for those of y'all who know how hours work. so i put a claim on a d15 shift (im ofa) and when i asked my scheduler about approving it, she checked my average hours (29) and said she would talk to the deliveries manager about it.

im originally scheduled for 28 and with the additional shift i'd be at 36. so i guess my question is, do my weekly hours need to add up to my average hours always? at the old grocery store i worked at, it didn't matter if my hours increased as long as they stayed under 40, so is there a reason i wouldnt be approved for 36 hours?


r/HomeDepot 4h ago

Inventory team

3 Upvotes

It's my second year doing inventory, so I'm pretty used to overnights. I technically do a lot of what you guys do during inventory anyway—labeling, taking stuff off the shelves, and organizing the overheads—so it doesn't really phase me. It does seem like it's different every year depending on which manager is running it, though.

Last year, we had a team of 7 and ended up doing three weeks: two weeks overnight and one week during the day. Three of us who were working overnights also stayed to work on retagging the aisles and fluffing the bays. I wonder how it'll be this year. So far, we're scheduled for two weeks of inventory, and one manager is saying we're working until close during the third week while another is saying we're not. Great to see they're already not on the same page 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Oh well! It does kinda suck that only me and one other girl have done inventory before, so we'll probably be stuck helping everyone else out. But hey, other people have helped us out before, so I can't complain too much!


r/HomeDepot 19h ago

UPDATE: Worried I’m going to get fired tomorrow when I go in.

47 Upvotes

I made a post a few days ago regarding my occurrences that I’d racked up from call outs, especially multiple in the last month. You can find that post here.

The other day when I went back into work, my DS asked if I was ok. I said yes but asked if we could talk in the office. We went in together and I apologized for calling out. She said I don’t owe her or anyone else an explanation and it’s my own personal life. She did ask how many occurrences I have since she put me on the coaching. I told her and she seemed really worried. She told me I need to use sick time if I have it or offer shifts because I’ll be put on a counseling now and from that point I only have 3 more until I’m on a final. She said she doesn’t want to lose me, that they love working with me and I give great customer service.

So basically, I’m not getting fired (sorry to disappoint anyone that wanted me to be), but I am on thin ice. I’ve had the last two days off and go back Wednesday. I will probably have the conversation to be put on a counseling then. I have made a personal commitment to not call out anymore unless I’m ill and to always be on time to work. If my DS believes in me, maybe I should believe in myself. Home Depot isn’t my career, but I need to do the best with what I have right now.


r/HomeDepot 8h ago

Unhirability Conditions

4 Upvotes

So I've given my 2 weeks notice as of a few days ago. I told them my last scheduled shift would be Saturday the 12th. I'm scheduled for 5 days this week and 5 days next week.

I know that if you quit on a final for attendance, you're put on the unhirable list. But what if I finish on ~5 occurences, with no attendance actions having been taken?

I'm sitting at 0 occurences ATM. So if I call out 3-4 of my next few shifts, I don't think they will have time to give me a coaching before I leave. Does this mean I won't be put on the unhirable list? Or will I be put on due to unethical call outs??

And another question. This is in Canada stores. If I am put on the unhirable list in Canada, am I also unhirable in the States? I am American, just finished my studies and moving back home, but thinking of working at my local HD to get some pocket money while i'm job hunting.

Thanks in advance!


r/HomeDepot 3h ago

Hiring Status ??

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1 Upvotes

Long story short, I use to work at home depot 4 years ago. I worked there from 2019-2022. I recently been looking for jobs and i decided to apply to my old job cuz why not? I got an email back and had a whole interview and the supervisor really liked my energy and was ready to hire me but she couldn’t do anything until HR decides if they want to hire me or not. Turns out my old co worker who was a customer service associate is now the HR of that store which is great but am not sure if it’s up to her why i’m not getting a call back or corporate? They said they will call me back within a few days but it’s now been 5 days. Should I call back and if so is there any way to better my chances? I really need a job and this would be perfect for me at the moment since it’s local and benefits.


r/HomeDepot 1d ago

If I had a nickel for every time I got hurt because of a customer trying to be helpful

78 Upvotes

I'd have like 50 cents. The fuck is wrong with people.

Right now my leg is hurt because a customer took it upon himself to try to help me guide a ladder down an aisle, and he guided it right into the side, causing it to crash and collide with my shin.

Can't tell you how many times people have tried to help me with lock up cages only for my hands or arms to get crushed

Meanwhile I've only ever had ONE injury that a customer wasn't involved with and it was contactless, just walking down a ladder and my body didn't like it.


r/HomeDepot 6h ago

😆I know and knew a few associates that looked similar to the blue hair dude

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1 Upvotes

r/HomeDepot 8h ago

Area Supervisor position for RDC?

1 Upvotes

Recently been interested in a position like this, never worked for Home Depot before. But does anyone have any insight on the pay for an area supervisor? And the duties?

Also, what is it like if you are supervising in an RDC building vs FDC and/BDC?


r/HomeDepot 1d ago

Quitting on final

20 Upvotes

I’m on my final warning for attendance I want to transfer, but I cannot transfer since I am on my final. Can I quit on my final and still have good standing with the company and reapply to the store that I want to go to?


r/HomeDepot 15h ago

Date for success sharing?

4 Upvotes

Anybody know?


r/HomeDepot 23h ago

Ofa life

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10 Upvotes

Good afternoon everyone how’s your night going I’ll go first . Also had a women ask me if our Halloween decorations were rated for the outdoors 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️


r/HomeDepot 1d ago

Fastest way to cash out vacation hours?

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24 Upvotes

How do I cash out my vacation hours?


r/HomeDepot 1d ago

D28 Peeps - how is your watering system set up?

9 Upvotes

We use long, heavy hoses, water in the opening and closing shifts, and are expected to water pot-by-pot. The nurseries and customers are frustrated. I know this is above my pay grade, but it seems like we should set up the watering system differently to conserve water and make it simpler for associates while keeping the plants healthy. And contrary to the negative assumptions, I enjoy the 5am watering shift. And at home, I hand water my plants. TIA for sharing.


r/HomeDepot 1d ago

Feeling accomplished and appreciated

30 Upvotes

I recently just finished my 90 day probation, and I have to say I'm really liking the job so far. I'm in D31 and my DM is great. She told me she was really impressed with how well I was doing and shared some on my achievements with me

I've done 11 credit apps that brought in 6k in sales, recieved 4 VOC stars and was just handed my first Homer award today.

I really like my store and all of my colleagues so far, I really feel like I fit in here!


r/HomeDepot 1d ago

“Freight, Truck Team, Purge… What’s Next? 😂”

27 Upvotes

Is it me or does Home Depot keep slowly combining jobs into overnight freight?

Maybe it’s just my store, but it feels like every few years they find another job to add to freight without taking anything away. smh

We normally have a separate truck/receiving team. A few years back, though, we were basically told receiving is part of freight, so we have to do the truck too. At my store the receiving team doesn’t seem to keep people very long, so there are parts of the year when they have plenty of people and other times when freight is expected to cover that too.

Now it looks like they’re doing the same thing with purge.

When I first started about 8 years ago, there were like 4 people overnight who specifically did packdown / purge and nothing else. Once they left, they went YEARS without having anybody overnight regularly doing it. Certain nights with a small or no truck we would do packdown.

This year they finally have 2 people doing purge. Last month one was on leave and the other went to another store to help with inventory. While they were gone, they started asking whoever finished their freight early to do a bay or two of purge.

Cool. I understood that. They were short-handed and we were helping out.

Then it turned into “hurry up and finish your freight so you can go do purge.” 🤨 then they were getting mad because we wasn't doing purge fast enough smh why are you trying to time me as the substitute lol.

Now BOTH purge people are back and somehow we’re STILL expected to do purge. 😂😂

That’s the part that annoys me. Something starts off as “we just need some help because we’re short” and then quietly becomes another permanent responsibility.

And when I say “we,” I really mean a select few people. Somehow there are people on the same freight team who NEVER have to unload trucks, do purge, get moved to another department, etc. They just come in and do their regular freight every night. Even when they are done early they never get asked to do anything else but that's a whole other post. 😂

Anybody else seeing this at their store? What other jobs have they slowly added to overnight freight at your Home Depot?


r/HomeDepot 21h ago

Confused why I keep getting vacation time added

3 Upvotes

So no one in management has been able to tell me why even though I used 32 hours of vacation time in the past month, I was just gifted another 24 hours on top of the 16 hours I got in May randomly. I have been an employee since November 2024 and it says my time will be reset this coming up November but they just added three whole days worth of vacation time to my a lot of time but supposedly I’m supposed to be getting another 80 hours in two months. I’m so confused. I just wanna make sure that I’m still getting my 80 hours in November because I’m taking a two week vacation next year to the Galapagos and I need it.