Friday 13 May 2016

A Bad Day at the Office

Friday, wasn't a good day for me.  I was running late and due to having to top up my travel card, I narrowly missed my usual train, making me a few minutes late to the CS (for the first time ever).

Normally, this wouldn't be a problem, but another member of staff was running even later and so the shop was a little late opening (only a few minutes) with people knocking on the door.

Then there was a small rush of people who came in and two members of staff rang in, one of whom was the Manager with some instructions for the day, as she was unwell and wasn't coming in until later.

I have to admit, I felt a bit flustered with everything going on at once, although I tried to keep calm and be polite to everyone. Once off the phone, things calmed down somewhat, although the shop did remain busy all day.

The problem was that immediately after this busy time, someone spoke to me quite rudely and in a manner that I didn't like too much.  Now I'm quite easy going and don't jump to my own defence very quickly.  I often tend to suck it up and find that it's only later that I feel upset about it, when I've got time to think about it more and today was one of those days.  I know this isn't a healthy way to deal with things and to stand up for yourself at the time is much better, but I'm not very good at it, if I'm honest.

Consequently, by the time I got home, I was feeling very upset about the whole days events and how they unfolded. I don't think I'm being overly sensitive, but if I get the impression that someone is unnecessarily putting me down or trying to put me 'in my place', I find it hard to shake it off.

I wasn't trying to take charge or any such thing, I was just passing on some information and I didn't feel I deserved the treatment that was dished out to me (and from a much younger person, although this isn't really the issue, it was the manner in which it was said).

I didn't mention that I was upset by what was said and I'm not sure whether the person responsible, or the other person present realised, but it has definitely made me a lot more cautious around certain people in the shop.  I am happy to give people the benefit of the doubt, but I won't be talked down to and treated like an imbecile or a naughty child, when I'm only trying to do my best to be helpful.

As it happened, the message that I tried to relay, despite being belittled, was subsequently misunderstood and incorrectly acted upon and when the manager arrived, I was made to look like I was incapable of communicating her wishes.  I wouldn't mind so much, but she specifically asked to speak to me, so I wasn't trying to muscle in or anything.  Perhaps that was the problem.

I've decided to try to keep right out of it from now on and just go in and do as I'm told, (although that is what I was doing today). Obviously, I inadvertently trod on someone's toes and got a bit of a kicking in return.

Politics, who needs it!

9 comments:

  1. So sorry you had such a bad day. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better one.

    God bless.

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  2. Oh Bless you. I really really know how difficult it can be from experience. Volunteering is a fantastic thing but there will always be some issues ( believe me we have had them )
    The way I look at it is that everyone has a story; something going on which causes their questionable behaviour and I try to look at the bigger picture but that is hard sometimes.
    I've had very rude customers to deal with and volunteers who simply can't work together and volunteers who do not like being given instructions. An option for you could be to change shifts.
    I'm really impressed the manageress asked to speak to you and sorry you had this back lash to deal with. Perhaps talk to the person directly or speak to the manageress.
    I hope it doesn't put you off volunteering in the charity shop. xx

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    1. Thanks Penny. I'm trying not to. I think maybe I should take the person concerned to one side and explain how their behaviour made me feel, I'll see how it goes next week. I guess there are going to be stumbling blocks along the way. I'm not power hungry and aren't asking for more responsibility. I am flattered that the manager trusts my judgement, but sometimes it is a double edged sword, as it can irritate other members of staff.

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  3. Don't let it upset you (it was Friday 13th) can I suggest that when you have the opportunity you quietly and assertively (not aggresively) make the manager aware that you are quite aware of relaying and undertaking instructions however a certain member of staff decided to not act correctly on the instructions that you passed on and that you were spoken to in the manner you were, which did at the time upset you, that you didn't react because you felt it was more important to ensure that the shop ran smooyhly and that customers were dealt with and that as the manager it is her responsibility to be aware of any issues, then park it - it's in her ball court then to deal with - through your blog it's quite easy to see that you are a capable, thoughtful woman who any decent manager would value as a member of their team - no matter where you work there's always these issues and dynamics within a team but a good manager will always be on
    top of them - forget it now - go out and work on that beautiful veg garden that you're creating and enjoy your weekend xxx

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    1. Thanks Trudie. Yes, when I looked at the till and realised it was Friday the 13th and I'd forgotten all about it, I put it partly down to that too and just carried on. I feel a lot better today after a good night's sleep and will have probably largely forgotten about it by the time I next go in.

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  4. Don't let it upset you (it was Friday 13th) can I suggest that when you have the opportunity you quietly and assertively (not aggresively) make the manager aware that you are quite aware of relaying and undertaking instructions however a certain member of staff decided to not act correctly on the instructions that you passed on and that you were spoken to in the manner you were, which did at the time upset you, that you didn't react because you felt it was more important to ensure that the shop ran smooyhly and that customers were dealt with and that as the manager it is her responsibility to be aware of any issues, then park it - it's in her ball court then to deal with - through your blog it's quite easy to see that you are a capable, thoughtful woman who any decent manager would value as a member of their team - no matter where you work there's always these issues and dynamics within a team but a good manager will always be on
    top of them - forget it now - go out and work on that beautiful veg garden that you're creating and enjoy your weekend xxx

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  5. You've already had some great comments and I agree with them. Days like that happen at charity shops, and some people will always find a scapegoat as they won't take responsibility for their part in events.

    If your manager is a good manager they'll be able to read between the lines and will know exactly how events unfolded, they're not daft and they'll have seen it all before.

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    1. Thanks, I'm hoping so. I really don't want to go telling tales, but I will be a bit more cautious in the future.

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