Made feel stupid in front of customers

LegacyUser

feeling so down right now, started a new job over a month ago, and still cant get the hang of certain things, today my boss made a show of me in front of a shop full of customers, because i coudnt print out photos from a photo machine ive never used one before in my life and ive being showing maybe twice or 3 times but i still cant get it in to my head im just not clever like other people,takes a long time for me to get the hang of stuff anyway my wages have being wrong the past two weeks this week nearly 70 euro missing i just want to quit but i hate the taughts of telling people im unemployed again, and jobs are so hard to come by but i cant face going in to be made feel stupid everyday

CBFi

Don't feel stupid-nobody gets the hang of things on the first, second or even third try! Learning something new takes repetition. Your boss might have been having a bad day so give him the benefit of the doubt.

Maybe write down the process for using the machine and keep it in your pocket until you get the hang of it? You are great for getting a job in this climate so don't get down because you're still learning.

R.D. aka MR.D

On your wages: Are you sure it's not tax that's coming out? More and more emergency tax will come out until you get your credits sorted.
If you have already sorted your tax and it isn't that then you need to speak to your manager ASAP, it is completely unacceptable for them not to pay your wages.


It's terrible that your boss got angry with you in front of customers. As some one who was a manager in a busy retail environment, I know that it can be incredibly frustrating when new staff cannot pick things up quickly as it creates more work for everyone. However, you are still quite new so it would be completely acceptable for you to ask for more training. Go to your boss or whoever is above you and say 'listen, i don't want whatever happened to happen again so can you get some one to show me again.'

While the person is showing you, you could even take some notes. The main thing is that you show that you are trying.

Don't think that people think you are stupid. The worst thing you can do is become defeated and not try harder.

Stavro Mueller

CBFi wrote: »

Maybe write down the process for using the machine and keep it in your pocket until you get the hang of it?

This is what I do in my job when something new comes up. There's absolutely nothing unusual or wrong jotting down some notes. I sometimes have to train colleagues in my job and I'm pleased when they do take the time to write down some notes. Not only does it show that they're taking the job seriously but that they're less likely to end up back at my desk asking for help.

As for your tax, do you get a payslip? You're legally obliged to have one. Maybe there's emergency tax still coming out but you'll get that back. If you're unsure, why not ring the Revenue Commissioners and keep your payslip by the phone when you make the call. They're very helpful.

Back to your manager. He was in the wrong to treat you like that. Has he been horrible to you before or did he just lose the rag? Try to stick it out for a while longer. This isn't a job you have to stay in for the rest of your life. Start keeping an eye out for other jobs and maybe something else might come up. Crap and all as being in this job is, at least you have one. It does make life easier when it comes to applying for other jobs.

Big Bag of Chips

Just be aware that if I was a customer when that happened I would have thought bad of the manager, not you.

There's nothing more uncomfortable or awkward for a customer than witnessing a worker being chastised. Everyone has to start somewhere, and nobody goes into a job and picks it all up immediately.

eeeee

Big Bag of Chips wrote: »

Just be aware that if I was a customer when that happened I would have thought bad of the manager, not you.

There's nothing more uncomfortable or awkward for a customer than witnessing a worker being chastised. Everyone has to start somewhere, and nobody goes into a job and picks it all up immediately.

Absolutely. I worked in shops for years, and the first thing I notice when I walk into a shop is the atmosphere. You can tell straight away if a manager / co-worker is being a wánker and I just leave. So it is hugely unprofessional of your manager to do that.

You have my full sympathy it sounds like a ****ty situation.
As has been suggested, maybe write down the procedure to printing out the photo's and refer to it if you have to?

LegacyUser

he wasent actually being mean he just made me feel really stupid saying what did i just show you etc, and made me do the process in front of waiting customers when i hadnt a clue i said before il write it down and he was like no its simple, im looking for a new job as my hours have being cut and im down to 10 hours per week when i was promised 16 when i started its just a nightmare full stop i have knots in my stomach going to work each day and i suffer from bad anxiety to make things worse, im thinking il send him an email to say i quit as i cant face another day im sick to the stomach i cant deal with people makeing me feel stupid ive suffered low confidence all my life

lainycool

It's completely unprofessional of your manager to speak to you like that in front of customers she should of pulled you aside when they left and then said what needed to be said!

Like a big bag of chips said if I was that customer I would of found your manager in the wrong and as a customer I would of pulled her up on it!

I'm a manager and I would never ever belittle my staff like that, This is something that she needs to work on.

iverjohnston

I like techy stuff, and even yet, I have a little list I use when faxing stuff. Which button to press, which way to insert paper, etc. Nothing to be ashamed about. Stick it out, everyone has facets of work they like less than others.

Stavro Mueller

Have you sought help for your anxiety and low confidence? Have you ever spoken to a GP about this? It's really coming through in your posts just how up in a knot you are over this. Your manager was in the wrong to have treated you like this but you shouldn't be on the verge of quitting the job over something like this. Have there been other incidents? Why are you feeling so anxious in this job?

If there is something in the shop that you're not sure about, take a friendly colleague aside in a quiet moment and get him/her to run you through it again. You really need to get into the habit of writing things down because then it'll help you do tasks by yourself and you'll learn more quickly.

I really hate places like that. Having worked in a popular retail brand with a manager who was like that, I almost had to stop myself from having it out with another manager I saw doing it to an employee in a different branch. Just write stuff down that need to be written, there isn't anything wrong with it.

vixdname

Stick it out OP, seriously, dont give up.

Do what the others are telling you and take notes of each step of how to operate the machine.

BUT and also importantly, also take a note of TIME, DATE, PLACE, SITUATION, WORDS SPOKEN and HOW YOU FELT for each and every time (if there is any more, as tyour boss may just have been having a bad moment) your manager treats or talks to you in any way that makes you feel uncomfortable \ hurt etc.
Gather as much detail as possible over time and when you have a decent list, do one of two things A.\ If the manager acts the bollocks again to you, show him the list of incidents you've complied and tell him or her that you'll be forced to talk to the relevant authorities about his bullying behaviour (HR Department etc.) or B.\ Go straight to the relevant authorities without telling your manager.

The above steps will f**k their argument up if it goes to the legal stage, and at the very least will shut your boss up for ever if \ when he or she gets a threat of legal action for bullying put against the company he or shes representing.

cloudatlas

I feel your pain. Can you have a word with your boss, tell him that you are very eager to improve and that if he has a problem with your work to discuss it with you in private and not in front of other staff and customers.

Starokan

Stick with it op, for many people the first couple in a job are the worst as they may be not be as quick to learn new skills as others. Thats just a character trait , once you get the hang of it it will be like any other repetitive task and you will be fine.

I think based on what you have said that your manager was totally in the wrong, he/she could simply have rectified the issue for the customer, if they had a reason to give you some grief they should have done so in private , not in front of customers. Poor management skills imo

Big Bag of Chips

sadchick wrote: »

he wasent actually being mean he just made me feel really stupid saying what did i just show you etc, and made me do the process in front of waiting customers when i hadnt a clue

This changes things slightly. If he wasn't being mean then it comes down to your own self confidence. You feeling stupid because the manager showed you how to do something in front of a customer and got you to do it step by step it isn't necessarily his fault.. it's down to how you personally feel about yourself. A lot of jobs the training is "on the job", so the only way you will learn is if you are shown step by step there and then when a customer needs something.

To be honest, you can take all the notes you want, but nothing beats actually doing the task. You seem to want to avoid the photo machine, because you've never used one before and you haven't a clue. But unless you start using it, and even make the odd mistake, then you will never learn how to use it.

I could learn off the theory of how to drive a car, but until I get out and actually sit in the driver seat and try to drive it, I will never know how to drive a car! Do you know what I mean?

So if he was a bit rude or mean talking to you, then he was wrong and should have waited until the customer had left. But if he was just showing you again, and asking you to do the task step by step, then he was actually helping you. The waiting customer wouldn't have minded. They would have understand you were being trained.

Edit: Often I come across people who are obviously being trained in their position, and it doesn't bother me in the least. I would actually be super patient and maybe even make a bit of small talk, about how they don't need me and my complicated order!! On the occassions when I was the trainee, I would always make a point of saying thank you to the customer for being patient with me while I was learning. It would always be met with a kind smile, and a "no problem, you're doing well". If nothing else it makes you feel a little better about yourself and gives you a little confidence boost that you are not being a burden or inconvenience to anyone.

Stavro Mueller

The big danger for you is that you are blowing this incident up into something much bigger than what it is. You are clearly very stressed and that is probably what is causing you to blow things out of proportion. If your manager has been trying to train you in how to do stuff and you're not appearing to even try to take it in, then it will annoy them. That's not to say that your manager should've said what he did on the shop floor but I can understand how he feels. I train staff and there is nothing worse than trying to show someone who is unwilling to even try. Nobody expects a person to be able to do everything in a job straight away but if they aren't making an effort to learn, then that's another thing.

Don't be beating yourself up about the others being cleverer. They're there longer than you are so of course they will know the ropes. Take your time, do your best and it will fall into place. I've a friend who sometimes finds it harder to learn how to do some things (e.g. something new on the computer) but she is very straight up and honest about it. She'll tell you straight out that it does take her that big longer to learn something but once she has, she's grand.

FestyOSemtex

I would have a chat with your union rep if I were you OP. Your Boss's behaviour and money missing from your paycheck is not good.

Dee01

FestyOSemtex wrote: »

I would have a chat with your union rep if I were you OP. Your Boss's behaviour and money missing from your paycheck is not good.

Unfortunately most employees outside the public sector don't have (nor is it encouraged to have) a union rep. OP if you can face it I think you should try to have a chat with him and explain that you're having a problem with some of the tasks and ask for hustling help. Otherwise, could you ask ur friend who works with you?

R.D. aka MR.D

Op please don't quit and in particular don't quit via email.

You obviously want to get another job so think to yourself about 2 things you need to get another job 1. a reference and usually 2. experience.

Stay in the job and apply for different things. You are only there 10 hours a week so you have opportunity to apply for other places and if the new jobs asks you in the job interview 'why are you leaving x job so soon?', you can say 'I wasn't getting enough hours'

LegacyUser

op if you have spare time go over the machine a few times or get someone to help you or after work. if you do this you will get more confident

LegacyUser

My heart goes out to you sadchick. First of all, plus one to what CBFi said about writing down the process even if supervisor says 'no, it's simple'. Personally I'd just say 'I would prefer to if you don't mind' and the thing is after a few times of working on the machine and consulting your notes you'll be fine and eventually won't need the notes!
You are not slow or stupid so don't say that about yourself. I too have worked in shops and had to write down processes like that and would keep the piece of paper handy with me until I got used to the process. I know in one shop that I worked in the existing staff were not kind at all about training me in. I was just dumped at the till and expected to know how everything worked. I was even expected to know about how the slicer thingy worked at the deli counter! One day a customer was looking for a few slices of ham (I had to alternate between deli and newsagent part) and I had never done it before so asked fellow worker who said "do it yourself. You're going to have to learn" in front of the customer and I just said "well, I've never done it before and I’d really appreciate if you'd show me as I want to do it right" and then turned to the customer and said "I'm very sorry about this. I haven't actually done this before" and they actually stuck up for me and said "no, you're absolutely right. Better safe than sorry. You could cut your hand on that machine".
So anyone with a brain and a heart would side with you, OP. So I just always explained that I'd really appreciate someone running through everything with me and giving me a chance to write it down. I know it might feel daunting saying this to a fellow worker/supervisor but at the end of the day they don't pay your bills and life is short. You will feel more confident once you know how the process works and eventually as the months pass you won't be the newbie anymore.
As a customer I've seen these kinds of things happen and I just think how rude the boss is in a situation like that. To make little of a staff member in front of me would prompt me to complain about the manager if anyone. So plus one to the people who said the manager was unprofessional in the extreme in the situation. Just remember many of your customers have probably been there too as so many jobs in our society are customer service jobs. You'll be fine. Give it some time. Take care.

Kevo

Don't be so hard on yourself. IMO It's very difficult to learn something under that kind of pressure. If you try using the machine on your own later when there are no customers around, I think you will find it much easier. You could also ask someone other than your supervisor to show you under less stressful circumstances.