Beijing Paradise BBS Backup/PARADISE.ISO/software/BBSDOORW/JOB4.ZIP/OOHB0131.HBK

Text File | 1995-10-24 | 9.4 KB | 198 lines

198
Cashiers

(D.O.T.  209.567-014; 211.362-010, .367, .462, .467, .482- 010;
249.467; and 294.567)

Nature of the Work

Supermarkets, department stores, gasoline service stations, movie
theaters, restaurants, and many other businesses employ cashiers to
facilitate the sale of their merchandise.  Most cashiers total
bills, receive money, make change, fill out charge forms, and give
receipts.  Bank tellers, who perform similar duties but work in
financial institutions, are discussed elsewhere in the Handbook.

   Although specific job duties vary by employer, cashiers are usually
assigned to a register and given a drawer at the beginning of their
shifts.  The drawer contains a bank of money.  Cashiers must count
their bank to insure that it contains the correct amount of money
and that there is an adequate supply of change.  At the end of their
shift, they once again count the drawers' contents and compare the
totals with sales data.  An occasional shortage of small amounts may
be overlooked, but repeated shortages are grounds for dismissal in
many establishments.

   Cashiers traditionally have rung up customers' purchases using a
cash register manually entering the price of each product the
consumer was buying.  However, most establishments are now using
more sophisticated equipment, such as scanners and computers.  In
stores with scanners, the cashier passes the product's Universal
Product Code over the scanning device, which transmits the code
number to a computer.  The computer identifies the item and its
price.  In other establishments, cashiers manually enter a code into
a computer, and a description of the item and its price appear on
the screen.

   After entering all items and subtracting the value of any coupons or
special discounts, cashiers total the bill and take payment.
Depending on the type of establishment, payment may be by cash,
check, charge, or increasingly, debit cards.  Cashiers must know the
store's policies and procedures for accepting each type of payment.
For checks and charges, they may have to request additional
identification from the customer or call in for an authorization.
When the sale is complete, cashiers issue a receipt to the customer
and return the appropriate change.  They may also wrap or bag the
purchase.

   In addition to counting the contents of their drawer at the end of
their shift, cashiers usually separate charge forms, return slips,
coupons, and any other non cash items.  Cashiers may also handle
returns and exchanges.  They must insure that the merchandise is in
good condition and determine where and when it was purchased and the
type of payment used.

   Cashiers may have other duties as well.  In many supermarkets, for
example, they weigh produce and bulk food as well as return unwanted
items to the shelves.  In convenience stores, cashiers may be
required to know how to use a variety of machines other than cash
registers, and how to furnish money orders.  Operating
ticket-dispensing machines and answering questions are common duties
for cashiers who work at movie theaters and ticket agencies.
Counter and rental clerks, who perform many similar duties, are
discussed elsewhere in the Handbook.

   Many cashiers use scanning equipment.

Working Conditions

More than one-half of all cashiers are on part-time schedules.
Hours of work often vary depending on the needs of the employer.
Generally, cashiers are expected to work weekends, evenings, and
holidays to accommodate customers' needs.  However, because of this,
many employers offer flexible schedules.  For example, full-time
workers who work on weekends may receive time off during the week.
Because the holiday season is the busiest time for most retailers,
many employers restrict the use of vacation time from Thanksgiving
through the beginning of January.

   Most cashiers work indoors, usually standing in booths or behind
counters.  In addition, they are often unable to leave their
workstations without supervisory approval since they are responsible
for large sums of money.  The work of cashiers can be very
repetitious but improvements in machine design are being made to
combat problems caused by repetitive motion.

   Dealing with angry customers can be very taxing but for those who
like daily interaction with people, the job can be rewarding.

Employment

Cashiers held about 2,747,000 jobs in 1992.  Although employed in
nearly every industry, more than one-third of all jobs were in
supermarkets and other food stores.  Department stores, gasoline
service stations, drug stores, and other retail establishments also
employed large numbers of these workers.  Because cashiers are
needed in businesses and organizations of all types and sizes, job
opportunities are found throughout the country.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Cashier jobs tend to be entry level positions requiring little or no
previous work experience.  Although there are no specific
educational requirements, employers filling full-time jobs often
prefer applicants with a high school diploma.

   Nearly all cashiers are trained on the job.  In small firms,
beginners are often trained by an experienced worker.  The first day
is usually spent observing the operation and becoming familiar with
the store's equipment, policies, and procedures.  After this,
trainees are assigned to a register frequently under the supervision
of a more experienced worker.  In larger firms, before being placed
at a cash register, trainees first spend several days in classes.
Topics typically covered include a description of the industry and
the company, instruction on the store's policies, procedures, and
equipment operation, and security.

   Training for experienced workers is not common except when new
equipment is introduced or when procedures change.  In these cases,
training is given on the job by the employer or a representative of
the equipment manufacturer.

   Persons who want to become cashiers should be able to do repetitious
work accurately.  They also need basic arithmetic skills, good
manual dexterity and, because they deal constantly with the public,
cashiers should be neat in appearance and be able to deal tactfully
and pleasantly with customers.  In addition, some firms seek persons
who have operated specialized equipment or who have business
experience, such as typing, selling, or handling money.

   Advancement opportunities for cashiers vary.  For those working part
time, promotion may be to a full-time position.  Others advance to
head cashier or cash office clerk.  In addition, the job offers a
good opportunity to learn an employer's business and so may serve as
a steppingstone to a more responsible position.

Job Outlook

Employment of cashiers is expected to increase about as fast as the
average for all occupations through the year 2005 due to expanding
demand for goods and services by a growing population.  Although
growth will account for numerous openings, most jobs will result
from the need to replace experienced workers who transfer to other
occupations or leave the labor force.  As in the past, replacement
needs will create a significant number of job openings, for the
occupation is large and turnover is much higher than average.
Opportunities for part-time work are expected to continue to be
excellent.

   Workers under the age of 25 traditionally have filled many of the
openings in this occupation.  This age group shrank in numbers
during the decade of the 1980's and although it will rebound during
the 1990's, it will not attain its 1992 share of the workforce until
about 2005.  To attract and retain workers, employers may offer
higher wages, additional benefits, and flexible schedules.
Recruitment efforts also may be directed toward non-traditional
groups such as retired or disabled persons.

Earnings

Cashiers have earnings ranging from the minimum wage to several
times that amount.  Wages tend to be higher in areas where there is
intense competition for workers.  In establishments covered by
Federal law, those beginning at the minimum wage earned $4.25 an
hour in 1993.  In some States, the minimum wage in many
establishments is governed by State law, and where State minimums
are higher, the establishment must pay at least that amount.

   In 1992, median weekly earnings for full-time cashiers were about
$219.  The middle 50 percent earned between $185 and $295; 10
percent earned below $153; and 10 percent earned above $414.

   Benefits for full-time cashiers tend to be better than for those
working part time.  Cashiers often receive health and life insurance
and paid vacations.  In addition, those working in retail
establishments often receive discounts on purchases and those in
restaurants may receive free or low-cost meals.

Related Occupations

Cashiers receive payment for the purchase of goods and services.
Other workers with similar duties include food counter clerks, bank
tellers, counter and rental clerks, postal service clerks, and sales
clerks.

Sources of Additional Information

   For information about employment opportunities as a cashier,
contact:

   National Association of Convenience Stores, 1605 King St.,
Alexandria, VA 22314-2792.

   Service Station Dealers of America, 801 N.  Fairfax St., Suite 109,
Alexandria, VA 22314.

   United Food and Commercial Workers Union, 1775 K St.  NW.,
Washington, DC 20006-1502.