I'm sure it depends on the individual store, but Walmart tends to have a very strict policy of no work off the clock. So if you asked that of an employee off the clock, all they could do would be to point out someone else who could assist you. Otherwise they risk termination.
.)Yes, I'm in the US. And yes, these are actual company policies--strange as they seem. The reason is because there have been lawsuits against Walmart and other such stores for compelling workers to work off the clock, so now the policies absolutely prohibit *any* work, no matter how little, being done while off the clock. While it's ostensibly done to protect workers, in the end workers can be strongly disciplined for infractions (though again it depends somewhat on the particular establishment).Are you serious? In the 15 seconds it would take to say "shoes are at the back behind the sportswear" and point in that direction, you would expect an employee's pay to be adjusted? Or better yet, be terminated for "working off the clock." (I believe you are in the US, but I assure you in Canada a labour arbitrator would have a field day if a company tried to dismiss someone for that
Just to reiterate what my point was, in both situations I cited, companies regard responding to customer requests such as what you outlined as work, and thus their policies are shaped accordingly. As once upon said, from a fan's perspective, it may be just this one 15 second request. But for the celebrity, it's a 15 second request times 1000. And while it may seem like a social thing for the fan, it's really work for the celebrity. And I don't think others have the right to compel someone else to work on their off-time.
