AMA – Three Great Questions

Welcome back to Warehouse and Operations as a Career, I’m Marty, and today I thought we’d have another Ask Me Anything episode. I always like these because the questions don’t come from textbooks, supervisors, or managers, they come directly from real associates and warehouse workers with real concerns. Our industry welcomes so many first time job seekers, and those wanting to change career paths. Some of its rules and regulations just aren’t found in other industries and I hope talking about them helps us slow down a bit, and put in the time.

Alright, we received three really good questions for today, and honestly, if these three people asked them, I’m confident a hundred others are thinking the same thing, so let’s jump in.

First up, my boss wants me to work overtime several times a week, even on Saturdays getting ready for the holidays. I want work-life balance, but it feels like all we do is work.

First, I want to say, yes, work-life balance is extremely important, and I encourage everyone in this industry to protect that balance. Our mental health, physical health, and family lives matter.   

But at the same time, we also need to understand the industry we chose to work in. Light industrial, warehousing, distribution, logistics, these sectors live and breathe on production and shipping. That’s not just a management saying. It’s literally the foundation of how the supply chain operates.

Most companies don’t schedule overtime because they like spending more money on labor. Technically, overtime costs them more. Time-and-a-half adds up quick. So why do they do it? Because freight keeps moving. Product keeps arriving. Orders keep coming in. Your customers keep shopping. Especially around peak seasons.

Here’s something I’ve shared with new associates many times. The supply chain doesn’t care what day of the week it is. Transportation doesn’t stop. Warehouses don’t stop. Retail stores don’t stop. People don’t stop buying things.

Now we absolutely deserve balance, but balance doesn’t always mean every week looks the same. Sometimes balance looks like working a few heavier months out of the year, and lighter months later.

Some of the best operators, selectors, receivers, I mean the real professionals, use peak season as an opportunity. I had one guy tell me how he plans for his peak season. More hours. more pay. more learning, and more exposure.

And remember If you’re wanting advancement, leadership looks for who’s stepping up. Overtime shouldn’t be looked at as punishment, it’s opportunity.

No, we shouldn’t work seven days a week every week of the year. But during heavy shipping periods, stepping up is part of being in this field. And honestly, it’s part of being valuable.

Nobody likes mandatory overtime, but everybody likes having a job, and that job depends on productivity and meeting the needs of our customers.

You’re not working more hours because someone likes it, you’re working more hours because our industry requires it from time to time.

Use overtime as a career tool, not as a pain point.

If you want promotions, forklift certification, lead roles, better assignments, full-time status or long-term job stability. Then be the person your boss can count on when the workload is highest.

We all get worn out from time to time, keeping our eye on the long-term goal will help us stay focused, we’ll get through it.

Question #2, why are corrective actions taken so seriously? It feels like you get 1 verbal, 1 written, and then you’re terminated. Why so strict?

This is another great question. I hear this complaint a lot, especially from new associates.

Here’s the truth. Yes, many companies use a progressive corrective action system. Verbal, written, and a final or termination. Some use a point system, some use write-ups, but the purpose is the same, behavior correction, not punishment. You’ve heard me talk about coaching. I prefer that word instead of correcting or warning.

Sometimes those coaching’s are in regards to Safety. Warehouses are dangerous. Not maybe dangerous. They are dangerous. As we discussed last week, every rule you’ve ever been told exists because, someone got hurt or something went seriously wrong.

Corrective Action can mean Prevention. Corrective action isn’t about protecting the company, it’s about protecting people. If you get coached on attendance, PPE, equipment rules, dock safety, stacking pallets etc, …it’s not because management is strict. It’s because it’s the right thing to do. OSHA standards are there to protect us. The insurance company has rules. Liability is real and Injuries are expensive for our company and us as individuals. We all know warehouse environment can go from safe to serious in seconds.

And Productivity matters too. We are in a productivity-driven industry. Pieces per hour, pallets per hour, inbound receiving time, dock turnaround. Every minute counts. Every delay costs money. So rules are there for productivity and safety.  And please keep in mind, no matter what else you hear, safety is your priority one in any task. Period

Ok, Let’s be honest. Many corrective actions start because our attendance is inconsistent, or we repeatedly ignore safety instructions. Most write-ups aren’t about big dramatic incidents, they’re about repeated small behaviors that impact safety or production.

If you were running a business with forklift traffic, heavy freight, metrics and deadlines, you would expect consistency too.

The good news? Stay safe, follow direction, communicate, and show up on time…and you’ll never get close to corrective action.

Corrective actions exist to protect careers, not end them.

Alright, and I picked this next question because it comes up at least once a month out in the field. Why don’t companies offer more training on forklifts and EPJs? I want to learn, but it seems like nobody wants to take the time to train me.

This is one of my favorite questions because I’ve trained a lot of equipment operators and trainers, and I’ve been on both sides of that frustration.

Here’s the big picture. There are no quick training courses. Forklifts and rider pallet jacks cause the majority of damages and injuries in warehouses. When a new operator climbs on equipment too early, bad things can happen fast.

Certification is not a reward, it’s a responsibility. Experience matters. You’re not just learning how to drive. You’re learning, balance, center of gravity, safety, spotting, loading, rack structure, pallet weight, equipment limitations, battery versus propane rules and about a hundred other dangers. You’re learning how to see things before they happen. And that takes time, and experiences.

And yes, the sad truth is that companies want trained equipment operators. They need more operators, they want productivity. And they have to have safety. They need people who show up consistently, are safe on the floor, have good work habits, follow rules, can communicate well and take direction. If you want to be trained on equipment, be that person.

You earn it by being dependable. Think about it from management’s point of view. Who are they going to invest in and spend time training on a forklift? Someone who is absent twice a week, or someone who is early every day? Someone who argues, or someone who listens? Someone who complains or someone who volunteers?

PIT or powered industrial trucks are not like video games. Forklifts don’t forgive mistakes. Electric rider pallet jacks can be very unforgiving. One accident or incident can change a life. So yes, training takes time. Yes, it’s slow. But slow means safe.

My advice. And it’s a time proven opinion. Be patient. Be present. And be consistent. Ask for learning opportunities, but also show that you’re ready for them. If you want to be a forklift operator, start by being a great warehouse employee first. That is what opens doors.

Everyone catch how all three of these questions have something in common? The warehouse environment is demanding, it’s productivity driven, safety is paramount, expectations are real and experience matters. And I think most of us know that deep down, even when we don’t like the answers.

But here’s the good news! If you, show up, listen, learn, work safely, and treat others professionally. Our industry will reward you. Every single time. You’ll grow. The opportunities and pay will come.

Because the supply chain doesn’t stop, distribution doesn’t stop, and operations never stop.

So wrapping it up I guess the question is, are you going to be the employee that helps keep it moving?

I hope these answers helped someone today. And please keep the questions coming, I love doing these Ask Me Anything episodes, and every time you ask a question, someone else learns as well.

Until next time, stay safe, work smart, keep learning, and remember, you are building careers out there.