Archived Difference between a GSA and a GSTL?

[thecabbage]

So I've been working at Spot for about a month now as a cashier and I still have not been able to see what the difference is between our GSAs and the GSTLs. They generally do the exact same thing. Guide guests to less busy checklanes, assist minors in selling alcohol, keep checklanes covered when cashiers go on break/lunch, call for assistance at the registers, help guests at the service desk, etc. I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on what the actual differences are between the two postions.

 

[commiecorvus]

That's mostly because you only see what they're doing on the floor.
GSTL's have other responsibilities paperwork wise off the floor that you don't see.
The can also do things, like coach you that a GSA can't do.

 

[GSAhole]

GSTL performs coachings, as well as well as conducts interviews for new hires. GSAs cannot do this. The GSTLs are also in charge of the GSAs. In addition, although GSAs have supervisor access, they are still technically regular team members.
Sr. GSTLS will have additional responsibilities than a regular GSTL though, because of their Sr. TL status.

Also, GSAs get dirt for pay. 50 cent raise when moving to GSA is typical...my store it's only 25. I did get a 60 cent raise when reviews came around this year, and that's not too bad for tar-Jay standards, so I'm slightly less insulted.
GSTLs get your typical team lead pay, since they're team leads.

The GSA position is really only worth it if you're aspiring to be a team lead... its a lot of stress and responsibility for little reward. I question the sanity of a person who actually wants to be a GSA and no more, no less.

 

[thecabbage]

That makes a lot of sense since I don't see what's going on off the floor. I guess the reason that I thought that they had the same jobs is because the GSA that is almost always there during my shifts acts just like our GSTLs including but not limited to riding my a*s about redcards. Thanks for clarification though commie and GSAhole.

 

[redeye58]

GSA is a poor man's GSTL; they are expected to do everything EXCEPT coachings/disciplinary actions, interviews, reviews. I've seen some GSAs that out-perform GSTLs but were passed over for promotion so they left.
It used to be an excellent way (like specialists) of gauging TMs for leadership roles but many stores hire externally now.

 

[OffYaPhone]

I question the sanity of a person who actually wants to be a GSA and no more, no less.

I currently work with someone who wants to become a GSA (and they're really grooming this person to be one). I side-eye the wannabe because they've been there for less time than I have (a little over 2 months). But the front-end team really seems to like this person because they're always being pulled off a lane to speedweave or back up GS, etc. One of my fellow TMs has been there for much longer and expressed wanting to step up to GSA but is getting the shaft.

 

[GSAhole]

I currently work with someone who wants to become a GSA (and they're really grooming this person to be one). I side-eye the wannabe because they've been there for less time than I have (a little over 2 months). But the front-end team really seems to like this person because they're always being pulled off a lane to speedweave or back up GS, etc. One of my fellow TMs has been there for much longer and expressed wanting to step up to GSA but is getting the shaft.

Well, I wanted my GSA position too. But not to hang around it in limbo. What I meant was that I don't know why somebody would want that position without intentions of moving up to gstl. You have most of the same responsibilities, are held accountable to the same degree, and in most cases are only compensated 50 cents more for it...unless you're at my store, then you get a whopping 25 cents. I took the position because it's a stepping stone to becoming a team lead, and I might be able to take care of me and my child a little bit better with several dollars' raise rather than 25 cents. Team lead also looks a lot better on a resume than "guest service attendant."

And as for the newbie, maybe hes driven to be a team lead as well. Maybe he also doesn't know that the compensation for GSA is so low and what the responsibilities really are. I started covering GSA breaks/lunches and call-in shifts about 7 months in, and they began scheduling me as GSA about 10 months in without giving me the title. I thought it wasn't so bad and didn't know what everyone was complaining about...until a month later when they gave me the title and my raise and all that, and then came the real responsibilities, and i was being held accountable for a lot. I realized it was a lot more than just speedweaving and responding to blinkers. I cried a lot during my first few official weeks - the stress really got to me- but I survived.

It does sucks to see a veteran passed over though by someone who is brand new. It could come down to something as simple as availability, but it could also be something completely stupid. Cuz, Target.

 

[BullseyeBabe]

Since GSAs aren't supposed to coach but are allowed and encouraged to, "challenge their peers" how do you do that? We have scripts for a lot of things. Is there a script for this? I know of Brands that have been written up for coaching. What is OK to say and where does one cross the line?

 

[Flabbergasted]

Basically, the GSA position only exists as a way for Spot to save money. If every GSA was a TL paid at a TL rate, that'd be more dough away from the shareholders' pockets. There is very little difference between the GSA and GSTL position; mainly administrative functions like coachings, write-ups, annual reviews, etc. A GSTL is also considered the actual "boss" of the front lanes, whereas I am just a pseudo-boss who only sometimes gets to be the boss when it's convenient for upper leadership.

Since GSAs aren't supposed to coach but are allowed and encouraged to, "challenge their peers" how do you do that? We have scripts for a lot of things. Is there a script for this? I know of Brands that have been written up for coaching. What is OK to say and where does one cross the line?

I have been told I am allowed to "positively" coach: I have to use a "positive" tone, I can't pull anyone into an office and I can't use the word "coach" whatsoever, but I can tell the cashier that I need them to do X and explain that it's important for them to contribute to the team by pulling their fair share. If they still refuse to listen to me, I can then inform them that I will be noting their inaction to the GSTL and/or ETL-GE who will follow up. If I need immediate action, the LOD is also a walkie call away.

 

[cmat21]

Basically it goes like this:

STL>ETL GE>SrTL SF>GSTL>GSA>Cashiers

So the biggest difference is pay, not doing reviews/coachings, and being one step up the b*tch scale.

While some people will say your core roles are different, I PROMISE YOU, you will be doing everything a GSTL does except reviews/coachings.

 

[SFSFun]

Basically it goes like this:

STL>ETL GE>SrTL SF>GSTL>GSA>Cashiers

GSTL does not report to a salesfloor TL.

 

[mrknownothing]

GSTL does not report to a salesfloor TL.

Maybe cmat21 is talking about when the SrTL-SF is LOD.

 

[sigma7]

Technically speaking, a SrTL is a pseudo-boss to all other TLs in the store, but I don't think any would ever coach another TL unless they were LOD and a coaching needed to happen on the spot. They most likely remember that they are also not always LOD and pseudo-peers with the other TLs. Your SrTLs are TLs that other TLs should feel comfortable going to for advice and guidance, especially new in role TLs. SrTLs are in a weird spot. They are almost like GSAs in that respect. You're trusted to run the store and have keys...you should be trusted to coach when needed, but you kind of aren't.

 

[cmat21]

GSTL does not report to a salesfloor TL.

In our store she has LOD shifts and GSTL shifts (though you rarely see her on the floor). She also makes guest service schedule and rather front end before there was an ETL over it

 

[Tardis77]

sorry to be crass but a GSA is a HO and the GSTL is a Prostitute. There is a difference

 

[Sanzano]

In our store she has LOD shifts and GSTL shifts (though you rarely see her on the floor). She also makes guest service schedule and rather front end before there was an ETL over it

Probably a Sr.GSTL then.