Started a new job, everything about it depresses me

LegacyUser

Hi guys. I'm 21, recently started a new PT job in a retail electrical shop to pay the bills and keep me sane until I'm heading to college when I'm a mature student.

The only thing is, it's driving me absolutely insane!

The manager is constantly checking my sales and pushing me to sell more and more and reach my non existent targets - he doesn't do this with anyone else in the shop. My 3 month probation period is haunting me - he could let me go at any time and he doesn't need a reason to either.

The manager jokes and converses with the other workers but the minute I say something, he changes his tone completely and directs the conversation towards sales. It's really demotivating. He's always got this condescending attitude but it seems to ease a lot with other workers and goes into overdrive with me.

I'm being watched by him as I walk around the shop and if I don't approach a customer for whatever reason, he calls me over and tells me. He recently told me I wasted my time with a customer because it didn't end up in a sale - making me feel like the bad guy in the situation.

I am good at my job (for a new guy) but I'm belittled by him, I feel like I'm no good. It's made me hate the job, the hours and I feel like it's not worth it. The other workers are fine, they take the p*ss out of me but it's banter and we all get along.

The problem? I've been unemployed since last year and started this one only 2 months ago - I feel that I'm an ungrateful assh*le because I'm not happy. I suck!

woodoo

If you need to money stick with it. But look for another job. Would you work in a bar, supermarket, hotel etc.

I would hate the pressure of trying to make sales like that. Some people are cut out for it others aren't.

subscriber

I know exactly how ya feel, i spent many years working in retail and it was by far, the crappiest job ive had out of them all. I would say keenly look for other employment if you can at all. After i finished in retail i moved to a job where i was outside most of the time. i think jobs like retail, hotel industry and anything that requires you to spend many hours under the one roof and in the same place for long periods of time are generally more high pressured because you are sharing the same space with many people for long periods of time, and people naturally become more agitated with each other and more abrasive as well. Also from my extensive experience with retail, I have found management in these companies to be very high on there own horses and are very power hungry feeling they can throw there weight around with employees expecting like u said unrealistic deadlines and sales and generally deliberately demanding unrealistic expectations of there employees.

Also, maybe if it is only for 3 months, u might stick with it, that totally depends on you, on the other hand, if it has the likely hood of turning into something more permanent then u might need to reconsider looking elsewhere.

i always say, whatever the situation, happiness is the most important thing in life no matter what the situation and if u are unhappy, its time to do something else, even if that means struggling financially for a while.

LegacyUser

woodoo wrote: »

If you need to money stick with it. But look for another job. Would you work in a bar, supermarket, hotel etc.

I would hate the pressure of trying to make sales like that. Some people are cut out for it others aren't.

I might look for another, thanks buddy! What else is there I could do besides retail? I don't think I am cut out for it

subscriber wrote:

I know exactly how ya feel, i spent many years working in retail and it was by far, the crappiest job ive had out of them all. I would say keenly look for other employment if you can at all. After i finished in retail i moved to a job where i was outside most of the time.

What job was that? Sounds nice

subscriber wrote:

i think jobs like retail, hotel industry and anything that requires you to spend many hours under the one roof and in the same place for long periods of time are generally more high pressured because you are sharing the same space with many people for long periods of time, and people naturally become more agitated with each other and more abrasive as well. Also from my extensive experience with retail, I have found management in these companies to be very high on there own horses and are very power hungry feeling they can throw there weight around with employees expecting like u said unrealistic deadlines and sales and generally deliberately demanding unrealistic expectations of there employees.

That hits the nail on the head right there

subscriber wrote:

Also, maybe if it is only for 3 months, u might stick with it, that totally depends on you, on the other hand, if it has the likely hood of turning into something more permanent then u might need to reconsider looking elsewhere.

The 3 months is just a period where I could be let go at any minute if my sales aren't good, etc. I don't want this to be permanent whatsoever

subscriber wrote:

i always say, whatever the situation, happiness is the most important thing in life no matter what the situation and if u are unhappy, its time to do something else, even if that means struggling financially for a while.

Thanks for the advice! I tend to agree What could I say to the boss if I end up finding another job in the meantime?

subscriber

easy, u tell him you found alternative employment and leave it at that, he will undoubtedly ask you why you are leaving, and u simply say you think you would be better suited to a different profession. That's exactly what i did wen i left my last job, with a big grin on my face!! The boss no doubt was sceptical of my excuse and may have taught it was something more personal I had with him or the management in the shop. I didn't mind one bit that he taught it was something more than the excuse I gave him as we never saw eye to eye from day one anyway. Never been happier than when I moved to alternative employment , and FYI, i am on far less money in my new job than I was in my old one and some times struggle to meet the bills because of this, but I wake up every morning happy and go out and enjoy my job!!! Its the job satisfaction, enjoyment and being happy that truly counts the most!!:)

hmmm

captchabeater wrote: »

The manager is constantly checking my sales and pushing me to sell more and more and reach my non existent targets - he doesn't do this with anyone else in the shop. My 3 month probation period is haunting me - he could let me go at any time and he doesn't need a reason to either.

The manager jokes and converses with the other workers but the minute I say something, he changes his tone completely and directs the conversation towards sales. It's really demotivating. He's always got this condescending attitude but it seems to ease a lot with other workers and goes into overdrive with me.

It sounds very cliquey. Have the other workers been there long, are they friends with the manager?

In a situation like that with a manager who isn't being professional (or is trying too hard to appear professional), you have a couple of choices I think
1) Try and get into the clique. Go for drinks after work with them, take the slagging you'll get as the new guy and let them get to know you.
2) Contact HR. Sadly, not likely to make any difference, they will be on his side.
3) Move on.

At all times, just continue acting professional, there is no more you can do. If it was me, I'd stick it out and give (1) a go.

Sometimes in work situations things can change suddenly for the better. Managers leave or get promoted

Freiheit

Indeed,I worked in TK Maxx and the turnover of management,on all levels was startling,you never know,he might not be there that much longer!:)

Most of the TK Maxx managers developed stressed related illness at some point:rolleyes:

LegacyUser

subscriber wrote:

easy, u tell him you found alternative employment and leave it at that, he will undoubtedly ask you why you are leaving, and u simply say you think you would be better suited to a different profession. That's exactly what i did wen i left my last job, with a big grin on my face!! The boss no doubt was sceptical of my excuse and may have taught it was something more personal I had with him or the management in the shop. I didn't mind one bit that he taught it was something more than the excuse I gave him as we never saw eye to eye from day one anyway. Never been happier than when I moved to alternative employment , and FYI, i am on far less money in my new job than I was in my old one and some times struggle to meet the bills because of this, but I wake up every morning happy and go out and enjoy my job!!! Its the job satisfaction, enjoyment and being happy that truly counts the most!!

You've made me smile that sounds like a nice way of doing it! What are you doing now buddy?

hmmm wrote: »

It sounds very cliquey. Have the other workers been there long, are they friends with the manager?

They've all been there for a few years. It's probably cliquey to be honest but I don't want to get into the clique at all, not with the manager's personality. He's rude to even customers - I know this from watching his interactions. He's just stuck up, condescending and I wouldn't want to be like him :S

hmmm wrote:

In a situation like that with a manager who isn't being professional (or is trying too hard to appear professional), you have a couple of choices I think
1) Try and get into the clique. Go for drinks after work with them, take the slagging you'll get as the new guy and let them get to know you.
2) Contact HR. Sadly, not likely to make any difference, they will be on his side.
3) Move on.