Trouble in work-perhaps interesting.

estebancambias · 10-09-2007 12:19am #1

Ok well I'm working on the till of a small store. I hate the job but it's easy going. It's also opened up my eyes to how obnoxious the average Irish person is. However that is immaterial to this topic.

Well as the story goes, today, I was the victim of a verbal attack from the manager. It all stemmed from when he asked me did a man buy a yop and pie off you? Now I'm relatively new to the job, and at the moment I'm not exactly paying concentration to each customer or their purchases. When he asked the question(he's a tool by the way) I said eh I don't think so, with that he ran after the guy who must have been in his car at this stage and brought him back into the shop. As soon as I saw the guys face I rememembered, and when asked did he buy ( ) off you, I said yes. The manager then put his fist up to me, and then attempted to console the customer. He threatened to sue the manager for accusing him of robbing.

Next thing the manager, comes over to me, and launches an attack on me, saying ''because of you, I'm going to get sued''. My response was, shouldn't you always trust the consumer. Surely running after even a confirmed robber once the leave the store is unjust. Wait until they return, and then get them for it. This was the practise when I worked in Tesco and Dunnes Stores.

Ok, so am I to blame? Who was in the right? This has really gotten to me, so hopefully you guys can shed some light

killbillvol2 · 10-09-2007 12:25am

The manager sounds like a complete idiot! Imagine running after a customer and dragging him back to the shop on the basis of you saying "I don't think so".

Definitely not your fault.

estebancambias · 10-09-2007 12:27am

Thanks, it means something.

AlphaMale 3OO · 10-09-2007 8:56am

I agree that the Irish public can be so abnoxious.

ian_m · 10-09-2007 9:35am

If he wasn't sure himself he should not have gone after the customer never mind asking you. Its your job to serve customers and not secure the shop. If there is a problem with shoplifting then the manager should employ a security guard. Best not to respond or give too much time to a manager like this. Just get on with things...

Newaglish · 10-09-2007 9:44am

He was a bit stupid to run after someone for a Yop and a pie anyway, especially given the fact that you weren't even sure!

I wouldn't say it's your fault - security is his responsibility, not yours.

John Kimble · 10-09-2007 10:22am

ian_m wrote:

Best not to respond or give too much time to a manager like this. Just get on with things...

I really don't understand that attitude. No way in hell should anyone ignore it. That manager is obviously inept and, worst of all, a bully. He does not deserve to have a job, let alone one in management. You owe it to yourself, and future employees, to report the guy immediately. He put his fist up to you? That's intimidation, and there's no way he should get away with that.

copacetic · 10-09-2007 10:31am

sorry to disagree with the general 'management are terrible' attitude, but OP if you had 2 seconds earlier sold someone a 'yop and a pie' and then told the manager you didn't think you had, of course he is going to think someone stole it.

My being poor at your job you made him look like a fool imo, he is obviously an idiot but you are no einstein yourself.

10-09-2007 10:37am

estebancambias wrote:

? Now I'm relatively new to the job, and at the moment I'm not exactly paying concentration to each customer or their purchases.

Isn't that what your meant to be doing when you work on a till?

estebancambias · 10-09-2007 12:02pm

'...idiot but you are no einstein yourself''

I think that is rather obvious. However, I don't know how not knowing someone bought a yop and pie, in a busy time in the shop, makes me unintelligent. I'm actually pretty smart in ways, but I prefer to hold back any level of intelligence I possess when working in a two bit establishment.

Nialler-I guess you have a point, but my function is to say hello, put the products through and give back the right amount of change.

pow wow · 10-09-2007 2:46pm

Just say 'I can't say either way it's too busy" next time lol.

The manager did over-react with both you and the customer but there is always going to be some twit where you work.

aidan24326 · 10-09-2007 3:15pm

The manager sounds like a fcuking idiot but you'll have that. Is he the owner of the place? Look it's not exactly your dream job anyway so if you get hassle from them tell them to stick their job. Not worth taking grief for a sh1t job in a small shop.

If he's just a store manager (i.e not the owner) tell the real boss (owner) what he did. The gimp shouldn't be managing anything and no it wasn't your fault. Chasing after a customer who had already left the store, over pie and yop, is braindead carry-on. It's not your job to look after security, as manager that's his problem.

Ginger · 10-09-2007 4:22pm

Couldnt he have just checked the till to see what the last items bought were?

the_syco · 10-09-2007 4:35pm

copacetic wrote:

My being poor at your job you made him look like a fool imo, he is obviously an idiot but you are no einstein yourself.

Having worked at a shop, I've probably put a yop and pie through the till 5 times a day. Newspaper? Sold out, so about 100 times a day. My point: pick any two items, and they may have gone through today, or was it yesterday?

OP, ignore the dude. Next time he asks a similair question, say that so far you've sold that item 4 times, so maybe, why?

copacetic · 10-09-2007 4:41pm

the_syco wrote:

Having worked at a shop, I've probably put a yop and pie through the till 5 times a day. Newspaper? Sold out, so about 100 times a day. My point: pick any two items, and they may have gone through today, or was it yesterday?

OP, ignore the dude. Next time he asks a similair question, say that so far you've sold that item 4 times, so maybe, why?

but I bet you could still remember what were the last couple of things you sold at any particular time? He wasn't being asked had he sold the items today, but just now to the guy leaving the shop.

the_syco · 10-09-2007 6:33pm

copacetic wrote:

but I bet you could still remember what were the last couple of things you sold at any particular time? He wasn't being asked had he sold the items today, but just now to the guy leaving the shop.

Actually, no. The people who could remember who bought what, and also when, didn't last long on the tills, esp in the cinema, as you need to remember only the latest stuff, or you'll mix up the orders.

copacetic · 10-09-2007 6:39pm

the_syco wrote:

Actually, no. The people who could remember who bought what, and also when, didn't last long on the tills, esp in the cinema, as you need to remember only the latest stuff, or you'll mix up the orders.

but this was the 'latest stuff' the guy had just walked out of the shop.

besides people with better memorys will remember more, it's not like remembering who bought what and when leaves no room for newer memories. I don't understand your argument there at all to be honest.

It shows a complete lack of motivation and pride in your work to have this 'It's not my job to remember things' attitude. It's not going to get people very far in life imo.

John Kimble · 10-09-2007 7:19pm

copacetic wrote:

It shows a complete lack of motivation and pride in your work to have this 'It's not my job to remember things' attitude. It's not going to get people very far in life imo.

I'm not saying you're wrong but that's hardly the point here. We're talking about the manager's attitude, and the way he handled the situation. 'I don't think so' is hardly conclusive proof that the guy took the items without paying. The manager was well out of line, to the customer and to his employee.
Furthermore, the OP said the shop was busy at the time so it's hardly surprising that he may have forgotten what was purchased. I know from my own experience in retail that during busy periods, your main aim is to process each transaction as quickly as possible. Why on earth should you have to remember these?

copacetic · 10-09-2007 7:31pm

John Kimble wrote:

I'm not saying you're wrong but that's hardly the point here. We're talking about the manager's attitude, and the way he handled the situation. 'I don't think so' is hardly conclusive proof that the guy took the items without paying. The manager was well out of line, to the customer and to his employee.
Furthermore, the OP said the shop was busy at the time so it's hardly surprising that he may have forgotten what was purchased. I know from my own experience in retail that during busy periods, your main aim is to process each transaction as quickly as possible. Why on earth should you have to remember these?

well thats fair enough, but it's the attitude of the OP and a lot of the replies I have a problem with, wtf is 'I don't think so', give the manager a yes or a no ffs, or even a 'I don't know'.

The op is at least 50% in the wrong imo.

Besides, who says we are talking exclusively about the managers attitude? No-one except you as far as I can tell. The OP actually asked for opinions, I'm sure he is glad to get at least someone with a different one, it's what a discussion forum is about. Disagree all you want, thats fine, but don't tell me that it is hardly the point if the OP is in the wrong. That's total rubbish, it is exactly on point.

Trouble in work-perhaps interesting.

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