2008 Woodie Awards
Not sold on retail
Kristy Mellendorf/Associate Pounce Editor
Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Writers Outlet
I work in a large chain retailer, the Charleston store of this. I won't name it, but it is nonetheless not a hard fact to figure.
I like my job in that it makes me money. I also like that I've met some nice people there. The other parts of it just are not fun.
I have sadly worked in this place for two years. I have undergone a transition in this time. At first I could not believe I was working there. Then I just got used to it and the worst part was the customers. Now, I believe the worst part is the management.
The customers in this arena allow one to build a thick skin. I have been cursed at and had money thrown at me. One of my coworkers has been told to go back to high school. Apparently in my division, photo, the customer must always be correct with complete disregard for the law. The law of which I am speaking is the copyright law. From the actions of my customers, it would be inferred it does not exist.
In addition to copyright, customers make me angry in another area. This encompasses several interactions I have had with them. I am not sure of the full reason, whether it is my age or disgust for the place I work, but I am treated as though I do not know what I am doing. Several times I have been told how to do my job. I would enjoy not much more in those situations then to show up at their places of work and do the same.
Management at this place also really irks me. My direct manager has basically gotten me in trouble for her inadequacies. She cannot get her stuff done, so I have to take the blame in some way. She has also messed up my schedule. Thankfully, I did not have to take the blame for that.
The fact that my manager is in her position really gets to me. My co-worker Ben and I have been working at the store for a year longer than she has. Ben put in for the position. He did not even get an interview because the person making the decision did not like his age, 27. The part that really gets to me about the whole thing is the person doing the actual management work. Yes, it is Ben making all the orders and decisions. Yet, he does not have the salary.
The upper level management also has not been completely honest with me. I have had members of upper division management tell me that I stole my own purse. Last summer my purse was stolen from my locker. I was told I misplaced it. I was told that when I got it back. I was also told that management cannot search the lockers without police present, which I've later discovered to be false. I was also told that during my orientation it was explained to me that items of value are not to be placed in lockers. Then what is a locker for? Exactly.
I keep going back because I am at a point where I am making decent money. I also would not get to see some people outside of the store. Every once in a while I have days that I wonder whether I should walk out or not.
I like my job in that it makes me money. I also like that I've met some nice people there. The other parts of it just are not fun.
I have sadly worked in this place for two years. I have undergone a transition in this time. At first I could not believe I was working there. Then I just got used to it and the worst part was the customers. Now, I believe the worst part is the management.
The customers in this arena allow one to build a thick skin. I have been cursed at and had money thrown at me. One of my coworkers has been told to go back to high school. Apparently in my division, photo, the customer must always be correct with complete disregard for the law. The law of which I am speaking is the copyright law. From the actions of my customers, it would be inferred it does not exist.
In addition to copyright, customers make me angry in another area. This encompasses several interactions I have had with them. I am not sure of the full reason, whether it is my age or disgust for the place I work, but I am treated as though I do not know what I am doing. Several times I have been told how to do my job. I would enjoy not much more in those situations then to show up at their places of work and do the same.
Management at this place also really irks me. My direct manager has basically gotten me in trouble for her inadequacies. She cannot get her stuff done, so I have to take the blame in some way. She has also messed up my schedule. Thankfully, I did not have to take the blame for that.
The fact that my manager is in her position really gets to me. My co-worker Ben and I have been working at the store for a year longer than she has. Ben put in for the position. He did not even get an interview because the person making the decision did not like his age, 27. The part that really gets to me about the whole thing is the person doing the actual management work. Yes, it is Ben making all the orders and decisions. Yet, he does not have the salary.
The upper level management also has not been completely honest with me. I have had members of upper division management tell me that I stole my own purse. Last summer my purse was stolen from my locker. I was told I misplaced it. I was told that when I got it back. I was also told that management cannot search the lockers without police present, which I've later discovered to be false. I was also told that during my orientation it was explained to me that items of value are not to be placed in lockers. Then what is a locker for? Exactly.
I keep going back because I am at a point where I am making decent money. I also would not get to see some people outside of the store. Every once in a while I have days that I wonder whether I should walk out or not.
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