Current Events > Words cannot express how much I hate working retail.

(+) Yeah! (+)

Probably the worst part of working at Sam's Club is how I keep getting pressured to make sales when no one in their right mind wants to spend an extra $55 to upgrade their membership or obtain yet another credit card.

If it's not sales, then it's the supervisors or whatever constantly giving me shit and yelling at me. I got yelled at for not helping my coworker unload a customer's cart at the register even though no other cashiers do it. I was screamed at for not engaging with customer at self checkout even though I was but every single one of my other coworkers who monitor self checkout do not engage at all and no one cares. I was told to be on my best behavior and to act like I have manners when I was the only cashier. Who says that to someone? I guess I act like an animal sometimes.

We close and every other cashier is leaving. I'm about to clock out and head home but the supervisors catch me in time and tell me to go clean the kitchen. I don't work in the kitchen. The other cashiers don't clean the kitchen. What is this? I had to stay an extra 30 minutes to clean the kitchen when there are workers who are supposed to do that and they were there when I was cleaning the kitchen. They just weren't cleaning the kitchen for whatever reason.

My next shift starts in less than one hour and I don't even want to think about it. I'm not looking forward to getting yelled at for doing nothing wrong half the time, to do jobs other people are assigned to, and to be pulled aside to be given a stern talking about my lack of sales.

/endrant
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I was happy when I quit retail for the 2nd and last time. Well, the 1st time I got laid off because the store closed down, but... Still.
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Yep, some people are evil and hate their lives so they want others to feel bad. Thats why i quit my job today, dealing with toxic demonic people is disgusting.
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Try finding a retail place that isn't shit. Sounds like a ton of management issues, which is usually the case.

I thought it was all retail that's the problem but my current place (Ross, the discount clothing store) has helped convince me otherwise. Ross is a pretty laidback place most of the time.
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If you're not working high end commission based retail then you should get the fuck out imo. The mistreatment isn't worth less than $16 an hour tbh. Get an office job or a serving job. You have options duder.
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yup, sounds like retail. my stint as a head cashier at Home Depot was hell

that sounds terrible. i work retail but I am grateful everyday that there is not a single crappy manager, they're all super understanding and nice, I can't even imagine any of them yelling. the whole atmosphere of the store is quite calm. and interacting with upset customers is rare.

i hope things get better for you TC it sounds like some people have it out for you, or are taking advantage of you.
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I work on a radio show about work that just this past week put out an episode about why retail jobs suck. I don't typically self-promote here, but...
https://soundcloud.com/user-647898855/episode-35-register-this

(I'm none of the voices on here, for the record)
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It kinda sounds like your boss just doesn't like you tbh
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Find a new career, retail is slave labor a lot of times.
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Infinite 2003 posted...

It kinda sounds like your boss just doesn't like you tbh

This, but that doesn't make it ok. Personally, I wouldn't put up with that crap. I'd be looking for a new job if I were you, but I know easier said than done.
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Yeah, Im quitting today. Its one thing for me to be the only one to be pulled aside and chewed out for lack of sales even though other people dont make sales. For management to act like I wasnt being truthful or I was mistaken when I actually did get someone to sign up for a card is complete bullshit.

Ill be jobless for a few weeks but thats okay. I signed up for summer classes at my university and Im volunteering at the hospital. A job isnt a high priority right now anyways.
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Antifar posted...

I work on a radio show about work that just this past week put out an episode about why retail jobs suck. I don't typically self-promote here, but...
https://soundcloud.com/user-647898855/episode-35-register-this

(I'm none of the voices on here, for the record)

You work at a radio station? What do you do?

Your bosses sound better then the one I had when I worked at Sam's Club.

Her go to passive aggressive play was to glide up to you, cross her arms, look away and up for a moment, then turn back to look you in the eye and say "So, uh...what are you doing?" She would then ignore everything you said then give her "suggestion" on what you "really should" be doing.
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Former K-Mart employee here.

One experience that always comes to mind occurred while we were setting up some Christmas stuff. I was working with the store manager, an assistant manger, and maybe 2-3 regular members of merchandising. At this point I had been there almost a year and had never heard a complaint about my work. The store manager had me going back and forth from the floor to the back with a pallet jack bringing out Christmas stuff.

At one point she told me to stop bringing stuff out and go straighten auto/tools, because I was bringing the holiday items out faster than they were unpacking them. So a bit later I'm within earshot of them and I guess they finished the stuff I had brought out when I hear the assistant manager ask the manager why I wasn't bringing out more shit. You would expect the manger to tell her that she had asked me to stop, but nope. She instead says "I don't know I guess he's doing what he wants"
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I've never worked in retail but that sounds more like where you work, not the type of work you do. You should bail on that place. I would never let someone treat me like that. EVER.
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Retail jobs suck because upper management always expects way more than they should from people who they pay minimum wage to.

If they want to actually make money they need to just ditch brick and mortar locations alltogether tbh instead of draining people of their souls at a minimum wage salary and treating them like slaves
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So glad Im out of retail.

The only thing I missed about it were my coworkers.
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Just be grateful you have a job
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The_Scarecrow posted...

We close and every other cashier is leaving. I'm about to clock out and head home but the supervisors catch me in time and tell me to go clean the kitchen. I don't work in the kitchen. The other cashiers don't clean the kitchen. What is this? I had to stay an extra 30 minutes to clean the kitchen when there are workers who are supposed to do that and they were there when I was cleaning the kitchen. They just weren't cleaning the kitchen for whatever reason.

You have a phone number to call for complaints like this. Fairly sure this is abig no-no & your supervisor fucked up. Mainly tje forcing you to work past your clock out time.

ProfessorKukui posted...

The_Scarecrow posted...

We close and every other cashier is leaving. I'm about to clock out and head home but the supervisors catch me in time and tell me to go clean the kitchen. I don't work in the kitchen. The other cashiers don't clean the kitchen. What is this? I had to stay an extra 30 minutes to clean the kitchen when there are workers who are supposed to do that and they were there when I was cleaning the kitchen. They just weren't cleaning the kitchen for whatever reason.

You have a phone number to call for complaints like this. Fairly sure this is abig no-no & your supervisor fucked up. Mainly tje forcing you to work past your clock out time.

He's better off just getting a non-retail job.
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Howl posted...

ProfessorKukui posted...

The_Scarecrow posted...

We close and every other cashier is leaving. I'm about to clock out and head home but the supervisors catch me in time and tell me to go clean the kitchen. I don't work in the kitchen. The other cashiers don't clean the kitchen. What is this? I had to stay an extra 30 minutes to clean the kitchen when there are workers who are supposed to do that and they were there when I was cleaning the kitchen. They just weren't cleaning the kitchen for whatever reason.

You have a phone number to call for complaints like this. Fairly sure this is abig no-no & your supervisor fucked up. Mainly tje forcing you to work past your clock out time.

He's better off just getting a non-retail job.

He can do both. File a complaint with corporate and start searching for another job. Don't feel trapped, even if you're struggling to make ends meet. (I've been there.)

Find something in manufacturing. The pay is good, work is easy af, and you don't have to talk to anyone. Show up, shut up, and do your job, easy shit.

The_Scarecrow posted...

I was screamed at

Time to gtfo. The first and only time I was screamed at on the job I walked out immediately. There's so much wrong with that.
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Offworlder1 posted...

Find a new career, retail is slave labor a lot of times.

No, agreeing to take a job at an agreed upon wage is not "slave labor." It's unskilled labor and it pays piss, sure.
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treewojima posted...

Antifar posted...

I work on a radio show about work that just this past week put out an episode about why retail jobs suck. I don't typically self-promote here, but...
https://soundcloud.com/user-647898855/episode-35-register-this

(I'm none of the voices on here, for the record)

You work at a radio station? What do you do?

Various roles. Producing, editing, hosting on occasion.
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I worked at Walmart for 7 years. I was criticized or screamed at once a week by managers. I was one of the most productive, but still got yelled at for not finishing up in an arbitrary time.

I started going to a psychologist because of this. It was the primary reason I was miserable, and the reason I was there for so long was I didn't know how to get out of retail, which was the only job type I had worked. I ended up just not going back, even though I didn't have another job opportunity. And I wad happy...for a little while.

A few days later one of the managers - one who I later learned went to anger management several times (and probably still works for the company) - looked up my address and went to my fucking apartment and screamed and banged on the door for over 5 minutes.. He just yelled "This is ----!! Open the damn door I know you're in there!!" while I just hid as far away from a door or window as I could.

So, yeah...not going back to retail.
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Antifar posted...

Various roles. Producing, editing, hosting on occasion.

that's pretty cool, man. sounds like fun, except for the hosting bit - that would freak me out lol

Hayame Zero posted...

snip

jesus, and i thought my experiences were bad

Hayame Zero posted...

A few days later one of the managers - one who I later learned went to anger management several times (and probably still works for the company) - looked up my address and went to my f***ing apartment and screamed and banged on the door for over 5 minutes.. He just yelled "This is ----!! Open the damn door I know you're in there!!" while I just hid as far away from a door or window as I could.

I would sue the hell out of them for that. You aren't legally allowed to use an employee's personal info for that reason.
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CableZL posted...

Hayame Zero posted...

A few days later one of the managers - one who I later learned went to anger management several times (and probably still works for the company) - looked up my address and went to my f***ing apartment and screamed and banged on the door for over 5 minutes.. He just yelled "This is ----!! Open the damn door I know you're in there!!" while I just hid as far away from a door or window as I could.

I would sue the hell out of them for that. You aren't legally allowed to use an employee's personal info for that reason.

i have a feeling Wal-mart would crush that in court, unless you can prove criminal violation. such is the state of American tort law

Working retail gave me appreciation for every job Ive ever held subsequently that wasnt retail
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Hayame Zero posted...

A few days later one of the managers - one who I later learned went to anger management several times (and probably still works for the company) - looked up my address and went to my fucking apartment and screamed and banged on the door for over 5 minutes.. He just yelled "This is ----!! Open the damn door I know you're in there!!" while I just hid as far away from a door or window as I could.

Wow. That guy deserves a swift punch to the mouth
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CableZL posted...

Hayame Zero posted...

A few days later one of the managers - one who I later learned went to anger management several times (and probably still works for the company) - looked up my address and went to my f***ing apartment and screamed and banged on the door for over 5 minutes.. He just yelled "This is ----!! Open the damn door I know you're in there!!" while I just hid as far away from a door or window as I could.

I would sue the hell out of them for that. You aren't legally allowed to use an employee's personal info for that reason.

I've been told this by every person I've told this to, but it's Walmart. I knew another co-worker who sued them, and that lawsuit lasted literal years, with no real repercussions to any managers. I was just glad to put that shit past me. I didn't want to deal with them anymore.
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Hayame Zero posted...

I've been told this by every person I've told this to, but it's Walmart. I knew another co-worker who sued them, and that lawsuit lasted literal years, with no real repercussions to any managers. I was just glad to put that s*** past me. I didn't want to deal with them anymore.

That's fair. I definitely get where you're coming from.
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Hayame Zero posted...

I've been told this by every person I've told this to, but it's Walmart. I knew another co-worker who sued them, and that lawsuit lasted literal years, with no real repercussions to any managers. I was just glad to put that shit past me. I didn't want to deal with them anymore.

case in point. glad you got out, man

Peter_Giffyndor posted...

Find something in manufacturing. The pay is good, work is easy af, and you don't have to talk to anyone. Show up, shut up, and do your job, easy shit.

What kind of manufacturing do you work? (or did work). Factory jobs seem like they vary from easy as cake to grueling.

NeuralLaxative posted...

Working retail gave me appreciation for every job Ive ever held subsequently that wasnt retail

I went from fast food to overnight warehousing. I've never felt better.
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Smashingpmkns posted...

If you're not working high end commission based retail then you should get the fuck out imo. The mistreatment isn't worth less than $16 an hour tbh. Get an office job or a serving job. You have options duder.

This. I work a commission job for Best Buy and love it (Magnolia). No real direct leadership, we run ourselves. Lots of business travel for trainings all over the country. I've flown to the McIntosh facility, I've visted Bowers and Wilkins, Martin Logan and KEF all on company dollar. I routinely get to listen to setups that cost $100,000+. They pay well and the benefits are tremendous.
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Person106 posted...

What kind of manufacturing do you work? (or did work). Factory jobs seem like they vary from easy as cake to grueling.

Sensors and transducers. It's repetitive, but not grueling by any means. I work in HR so I do the hiring and firing

treewojima posted...

CableZL posted...

Hayame Zero posted...

A few days later one of the managers - one who I later learned went to anger management several times (and probably still works for the company) - looked up my address and went to my f***ing apartment and screamed and banged on the door for over 5 minutes.. He just yelled "This is ----!! Open the damn door I know you're in there!!" while I just hid as far away from a door or window as I could.

I would sue the hell out of them for that. You aren't legally allowed to use an employee's personal info for that reason.

i have a feeling Wal-mart would crush that in court, unless you can prove criminal violation. such is the state of American tort law

They might pay you money to keep it quiet and settled out of court.
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