I started a new job as a lot attendant at a car dealership, and although the transition was a bit rough, it’s been ok. There seems to be one thing that keeps popping up every once in a while, my lead warns me that lot attendants kinda aren’t supposed sit down. Yes, you read that right, not encouraged to sit down, except on lunch.
Mind you, I’m not sitting for half an hour or more. If there’s a sold car or something else to immediately deal with, sure, I’ll make sure it’s done. I only really sit at the end of my shift if I’m on closing shift, usually only up to five minutes at a time. The motto is, “There’s always something to do,” which… fair, there are a lot of things to do with this job, but come on. There shouldn’t be anything stopping me from sitting for a couple of minutes late in the day.
Apparently if a higher up sees a lot attendant sitting down, the lot attendant will be sent home. I haven’t witnessed this, so I’m not quite sure if it’s that strict, but that’s what I have heard. This would be understandable if a lot attendant would sit for a long time, but as far as I understand this situation, it’s sitting down at all that’ll get you sent home.
I am not disabled in a way that needs sitting, but I can walk in excess of six miles with this job. This is my third week, so I’m getting used to it, but I still find it ridiculous that I’m facing pressure against what I feel should be my right to sit down for a few minutes.
I have not gotten written up for this, but my lead has said multiple times at this point that higher ups don’t like seeing lot attendants sitting down, even for a couple of minutes. Here is an exact quote my lead said: \[Don’t sit\] “That’s what lunch is for.”
Oh, and the best part, I’ve seen the guys in a different wing of the dealership group by a car wash we have… sitting! Almost every time I see them, at least one of them is sitting, but sometimes all of them are. Mostly in nice office chairs, which I don’t have, we only have a metal cabinet and step ladder. It’s not even comfortable when we sit in my section. The only thing I can think of that would give them an excuse is that they vape, but I still think that’s not fair. And the cherry on top? The guy that hired me works directly with that crew. Yes, seriously.
I can’t find any sources for this situation specifically, the only ones I can find relate specifically to helping with disabilities, but this situation is giving me an ominous feeling. I think this might be illegal, but I can’t find anything that helps specifically. This has me sketched out.
If anyone can shed light on this situation, please do so, especially if you can cite a source.
Thank you!
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