Welcome!
Welcome to Apple Annie’s! We have an exciting, busy season ahead, and we are looking forward to working with
you and getting to know you.
Apple Annie’s Orchard and Apple Annie’s Produce & Pumpkins are family-owned businesses, specializing in the
best fruits & vegetables in Arizona. In addition to the on-site sales, we also have a year around wholesale business
providing apple bread and pies to the Tucson area. The fun part of the business comes each summer and fall when
we open the orchard and fields for our customers to visit and enjoy the peach, apple, and pumpkin harvest with
us. Between our two locations, we will host 17 weekends of special events during the 2010 season.
This year we are celebrating our 25th anniversary. Many of our customers have been coming every year since we
opened in 1986, and a large part of our growth has been by satisfied customers telling their friends about the fun
they had in Willcox at Apple Annie’s.
Core Values
Work with competency, accuracy, and integrity
Provide an enjoyable, family-friendly environment
Serve with responsibility and respect
Exceed expectations
Our Mission Statement
To provide our guests with a great farm experience and exceptional products, in a friendly, clean, safe
environment, with service that exceeds their expectations.
Management Team
John and Anne Holcomb are the owners of Apple Annie’s. Their children, Matt Holcomb and David and Mandy
Kirkendall work very closely with them and comprise the Management team. They are responsible for every aspect
of the business and will make final decisions; however, there are Team Supervisors set in place for employee and
customer concerns. Team members report to their corresponding Team Supervisor in matters of customer or
employee concern.
Supervised Teams
It is the responsibility of the Supervisors to oversee the operations of their department and report back to
Management. All employees will be assigned to one primary team. At times, some of the daily workload will be a
combination of jobs from two or more teams. Primary teams are Sales Team, First Impressions Team, Production
Team and Burger Barn Team.
Working Conditions
All Teams work in a variety of locations at the orchard and produce farm. As members will often work outside, they
will be subject to various weather conditions including, but not limited to, summer heat, wind, rain, and cold.
Team Members should be able to bend, lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods. Apple Annie’s
experiences rush periods that can last for several hours.
Scheduling and Compensation
Shifts vary from four hours to eight hours. Please discuss preferred scheduling hours and times with your
Supervisor. Scheduling will be completed using the www.whentowork.com system found on the employee page of
the website, www.appleannies.com. You will be given a login to view your schedule that will be completed for two
weeks at a time. Requests for time off must be submitted to your Supervisor in writing two weeks in advance. If
you need to reschedule, you will be given a list of employees on your same Team that may be able to trade shifts
with you. It will be your responsibility to get a replacement from your Team once the schedule is posted. Every
trade must be approved by a Manager. If a replacement is not found or approved, you are responsible to cover
your shift.
Compensation is based on current State and Federal Laws regarding minimum wage requirements. All
compensation is subject to the approval of the Management Team. There are many opportunities for reward
throughout the season at Apple Annie’s. We are happy to reward those who are dedicated to constantly improving
the Apple Annie’s experience for our customers.
Drug-Free/ Alcohol-Free Environment
Employees are prohibited from consuming, distributing, possessing, selling, or using controlled substances or
alcohol while on duty or on Apple Annie’s property. Prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications, taken as
prescribed, are an exemption to this policy.
Professional Conduct
Apple Annie’s expects its employees to adhere to a standard of professional conduct and integrity. This ensures
that the work environment is safe, comfortable and productive. Employees should be respectful, courteous, and
mindful of others’ feelings and needs. General cooperation between coworkers, supervisors, and managers is
expected.
Dress Code
An employee’s personal appearance and hygiene is a reflection on Apple Annie’s character. During the season, an
Apple Annie’s shirt or apron will be provided for all employees. If you desire additional shirts or aprons, you may
purchase them at a discount of 40%. You are required to wear an Apple Annie’s shirt or apron while you work.
Nametags will also be provided for each employee, and must be worn while working.
Clothing must be modest and cannot display slogans or sayings other than the Apple Annie’s slogan/logo. Jeans or
modest shorts are appropriate and must be pulled up covering all undergarments. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes
are a must! Modest piercings and body markings (tattoos) are allowed at the sole discretion of the owners. Those
working in food service must wear hairnets or caps, or have hair in a braid, bun, or otherwise “contained” in a
manner consistent with Health Department codes.
Payday
Paychecks are issued every Friday. The paycheck will reflect work performed for Thursday through Wednesday.
Paychecks are available in the bakery at the Orchard and in the employee room at the Farm by 10:00 am on Friday.
Paychecks include salary or wages earned, less any mandatory or elected deductions. Mandatory deductions
include federal or state withholding tax, Medicare and Social Security. Elected deductions are deductions
authorized by the employee, and may include contributions to benefit plans. Employees may contact Anne
Holcomb to obtain the necessary authorization forms for requesting additional deductions from their paychecks.
Notify a supervisor if the paycheck appears to be inaccurate or if it has been misplaced. Apple Annie’s reserves the
right to charge a replacement fee for any lost paychecks. Advances on paychecks are not permitted. Any change in
name, address, telephone number, marital status or number of exemptions claimed by an employee must be
reported to Anne Holcomb immediately.
Employee Discounts
All employees will receive a 25% discount on all purchases at both farm locations. Meals and beverages can be
purchased for 50% off at either location during food service hours. Employees must stand in the customer line to
purchase food. Please plan ahead…during extremely busy weekends you will not have time to stand in line to
purchase a meal. We highly recommend that you pack a lunch to bring to work and enjoy during your lunch break.
Discounts are for the employee only and do not apply to purchases of ice cream, Kettle Korn or Snowies.
Company Property
Company property, such as equipment, vehicles, telephones, computers, and software, is not for private use.
These devices are to be used STRICTLY for company business, and are not permitted for personal use on or off
grounds unless authorized by the owners. Company property must be used in the manner for which it was
intended. Upon termination, employees are required to surrender and company property they possess.
Company computers, internet and emails are a privileged resource, and must be used ONLY to complete essential
job related functions. Employees are not permitted to surf the internet, check personal e-mail, or download any
“pirated” software, files, or programs and must receive permission from a supervisor before installing any new
software or updates on a company computer. Files or programs stored on company computers may not be copied
for personal use. Employees are reminded that they should have no expectation of privacy in their use of company
computers or other electronic equipment.
Our phones are for business use only, and no personal calls are be made on them. In the case of an emergency,
the caller trying to contact you must advise the employee who answered the phone that it is an emergency. The
emergency number at the orchard is 384-2084 or Anne’s cell phone 520-254-9140. The emergency number at the
farm is 384-4685. We will take messages for any non-emergency call. Texting and cell phone calls are prohibited
during work hours. As an exception, managers use cell phones to communicate with each other regarding
business issues at our two locations.
ALL employees will need to sign and adhere to the Personal Electronic Device Agreement.
Personal Responsibility
Apple Annie’s is often a “first job” experience for many young people. We are happy to provide students with a
work place learning opportunity, however, we expect our employees to take personal responsibility for
communication with their employer. In the event of a scheduling change or other employment related matter, it is
our policy to speak directly with the employee and not with a third party such as a parent, sibling or friend.
General Attendance
Shifts vary from four hours to eight hours. Please discuss preferred scheduling hours and times with your Manager
or Supervisor. Scheduling will be completed using the www.whentowork.com system found on the employee page
of the website, www.appleannies.com. All employees will be given the password after hiring.
Employees who will be late to work should notify a supervisor in advance, or as soon as practicable in the event of
an emergency. Employees are expected to arrive a few minutes before their scheduled shift and to be ready for
work immediately after they clock in. You will be paid from your starting time straight thru to quitting time.
Bathroom breaks are as needed. A supervisor will assign lunch times, beginning with those who started the
earliest.
Hours of Work
Apple Annie’s does not guarantee the number of hours you will work in a day or in a week. You will be scheduled
for a certain number of hours and you will always have a definite starting time, but your quitting time may vary
depending on the number of customers during your shift. Each employee will be assigned a personal ID code and
will use this to clock in and out for each shift. Please do not share your personal ID code with your co-workers.
MAKE SURE YOU CLOCK IN AND OUT FOR YOUR SHIFT! Your payroll manager is not able to guess what time you
may have come in or left if you do not clock in and out properly. Hours not properly clocked in and out will not be
compensated until the next paycheck, after you have corrected this oversight with your supervisor. Remember,
Personal Responsibility!
Customer Service
Customers expect certain levels of service and courtesy, but we want to exceed that expectation. All customers
are to be acknowledged and given a friendly greeting as soon as they arrive in the sales area or store. We want to
treat all customers as valued guests, with courtesy and friendliness. Referring to groups of customers as “You
guys” or responding with a “No Problem” are phrases to avoid. Appropriate alternatives would be to refer to a
group of women as “Ladies”, or if asked to do something, reply with “certainly” or “my pleasure”. If a customer
says “thank you”, the appropriate response is “my pleasure”. As customers leave, they need to be thanked for
their visit. A “thank-you, come back again”, or something similar, is appropriate. And remember, a smile goes a
long way!
Apple Annie’s Dollar$
Exceptional customer service is extremely important to us! When a manager or supervisor has observed you
exhibiting outstanding customer service, you will be given an Apple Annie Dollar. These “dollars” are good for any
Apple Annie’s merchandise, meals, beverages or baked goods. You can use them right away or save them toward
a special purchase.
Answering Phones
An updated information sheet will be available every Monday morning so that you will have accurate information
to give out when you answer the phones. All phone calls are to be answered with “It’s a great day at Apple Annie’s,
this is (your name), how may I help you?” Only those who have exhibited a thorough knowledge of crop
availability, weekend events and general orchard and farm information will be allowed to answer the telephones.
Slow and Busy Times
The days tend to run in slow and busy cycles. While it is slow, take care of the stocking and cleaning duties or look
for things that need to be done. There are always things to do during the slow times. If things slow down a great
deal we will start sending workers home early. Work at Apple Annie’s requires one to stand for long periods. We
expect you to stand in your work area and be ready to greet and help customers.
Apple Annie’s Scholarship
Apple Annie’s offers a $500 scholarship annually to a graduating senior who has completed at least one season of
work at Apple Annie’s. The scholarship will be awarded at the end-of-season Pizza Party to the senior who best
exemplifies the spirit of Apple Annie’s as it pertains to customer service, work responsibility and personal
responsibility.