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Move to another job or stay?
10 years ago
So as some of you guys know I do work part time at a computer store. I've been working there for almost 2 years now (Dec.28th 2015 will mark 2 years)
Now....don't get me wrong I like working there as well as networking with other musicians and DJ's who come through, 80% the customers are nice and the discounts are and the fact I get to sell "Protection plans" to make extra money (I only get 10%) is cool too but there are TONS of gripes I have with working there
Unpredictable schedules: One shift I'm opening the store at 9:30am next day I'm closing the store and then opening the next day and then working a mid day shift while the managers know I am a working musician first but they try to be as flexible as possible.
AOR (areas of responsibility) Employees are given "Areas of Responsibility" to keep clean and gets a grade every week by a manager. If they fail their AOR twice they get written up. The reason why this is a gripe with me is because the store can get so busy that there is LITERALLY NO TIME for AOR's especially if you get moved to the customer service desk to handle returns and exchanges and your AOR is on the other side of the store.
Which leads me to my next point, DROPPING EVERYTHING FOR THE CUSTOMER: Yeah when a customer stands in line "YOU GOT SOME ONE IN LINE RING THEM UP NOW" and then minutes to hours later from ringing up a rush of customers you hear "WHY ISN'T THIS DONE?!"
Having to notify management at least 2 weeks ahead of time if you have ANYTHING planned at all. For me gigs can pop up at anytime and I've missed out on plenty of well paying gigs because of this job's policy. Well I did lie a couple times by calling out but I mean when you can pay rent and all your bills with one gig its kinda hard to pass up lol.
Being monitored on transaction times and signing up customers for "VIP benefits...the overall checkout process: IT'S A PAIN IN THE ASS FOR THE CUSTOMER AND EMPLOYEE. A LOT of customers just want to pay for their stuff and go. its one thing to ask a customer to get a protection plan but it's one thing to ask them a shit ton of questions like "Have you shopped here before? if so push 'I'm already a member' on the pad please then..." and heres the cherry on top...THE ENTIRE TRANSACTION HAS TO BE DONE IN AT LEAST 2 minutes! also if your percentage is lower than 75% you risk getting written up. This process constantly creates lines too
EMPLOYEE SHORTAGE: Yes the store can't seem to keep employees especially cashiers, I'm the "senior cashier" and I've only been working there for a year. That should say A LOT.
Now the job thats being offered to me is ANOTHER cashier job but hopefully it'll pay more because I have a friend who works there.
He told me its less stress,less drama and more chill there my concern is I made a lot of great connections through the customers at the other store, also I have other reasons why I'm not really feeling the idea but also I just don't want to be stuck there doing nothing I kinda like being very hands on I don't like sitting doing nothing but at the same time I don't like being put under a microscope.
Also if I got hired I would be the ONLY cashier there. Also the uniform kinda sucks a red button up with black pants?
I'm sorry I like to be stylish with whatever uniform I wear, like at least I can make myself stand out at my current job by wearing saddle shoes and a bowtie within the store's color scheme (Light Blue,Brown(Khakis),White,Black) for example.
also if I get hired I would be fucking my current job over...I Don't like fucking people over....
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TL;DR
Might be working at a new job
don't want to fuck over current job
don't like working at slow places
meh
Thoughts?
Now....don't get me wrong I like working there as well as networking with other musicians and DJ's who come through, 80% the customers are nice and the discounts are and the fact I get to sell "Protection plans" to make extra money (I only get 10%) is cool too but there are TONS of gripes I have with working there
Unpredictable schedules: One shift I'm opening the store at 9:30am next day I'm closing the store and then opening the next day and then working a mid day shift while the managers know I am a working musician first but they try to be as flexible as possible.
AOR (areas of responsibility) Employees are given "Areas of Responsibility" to keep clean and gets a grade every week by a manager. If they fail their AOR twice they get written up. The reason why this is a gripe with me is because the store can get so busy that there is LITERALLY NO TIME for AOR's especially if you get moved to the customer service desk to handle returns and exchanges and your AOR is on the other side of the store.
Which leads me to my next point, DROPPING EVERYTHING FOR THE CUSTOMER: Yeah when a customer stands in line "YOU GOT SOME ONE IN LINE RING THEM UP NOW" and then minutes to hours later from ringing up a rush of customers you hear "WHY ISN'T THIS DONE?!"
Having to notify management at least 2 weeks ahead of time if you have ANYTHING planned at all. For me gigs can pop up at anytime and I've missed out on plenty of well paying gigs because of this job's policy. Well I did lie a couple times by calling out but I mean when you can pay rent and all your bills with one gig its kinda hard to pass up lol.
Being monitored on transaction times and signing up customers for "VIP benefits...the overall checkout process: IT'S A PAIN IN THE ASS FOR THE CUSTOMER AND EMPLOYEE. A LOT of customers just want to pay for their stuff and go. its one thing to ask a customer to get a protection plan but it's one thing to ask them a shit ton of questions like "Have you shopped here before? if so push 'I'm already a member' on the pad please then..." and heres the cherry on top...THE ENTIRE TRANSACTION HAS TO BE DONE IN AT LEAST 2 minutes! also if your percentage is lower than 75% you risk getting written up. This process constantly creates lines too
EMPLOYEE SHORTAGE: Yes the store can't seem to keep employees especially cashiers, I'm the "senior cashier" and I've only been working there for a year. That should say A LOT.
Now the job thats being offered to me is ANOTHER cashier job but hopefully it'll pay more because I have a friend who works there.
He told me its less stress,less drama and more chill there my concern is I made a lot of great connections through the customers at the other store, also I have other reasons why I'm not really feeling the idea but also I just don't want to be stuck there doing nothing I kinda like being very hands on I don't like sitting doing nothing but at the same time I don't like being put under a microscope.
Also if I got hired I would be the ONLY cashier there. Also the uniform kinda sucks a red button up with black pants?
I'm sorry I like to be stylish with whatever uniform I wear, like at least I can make myself stand out at my current job by wearing saddle shoes and a bowtie within the store's color scheme (Light Blue,Brown(Khakis),White,Black) for example.
also if I get hired I would be fucking my current job over...I Don't like fucking people over....
----
TL;DR
Might be working at a new job
don't want to fuck over current job
don't like working at slow places
meh
Thoughts?
Don't worry about a job that has too little activity. You can find things to do, if only straightening things up, or sweeping, or learning where everything is, so when a customer asks about something you can say with authority whether you have it and where it is.
On the other hand, how sure is this job? You want to be assured of having one that is likely to be steady and secure BEFORE you move. What are the financials of moving, as well as the cost of living at the new location? They may pay more, but if the raise in pay is eaten up by a raise in costs, you gain nothing or may find yourself worse off.
And about the living conditions. How secure is that?
I only bring up these other consideration because it might help swing your decision one way or the other.
Even at my current job cashiers are required to complete mandatory "AORs" if its not complete we get written up (another reason for the high turn over rate) also being a cashier we aren't allowed to move throughout the store we're only allowed to stay up front. there is literally NO time to find out where everything is in a 50,000+ sku'd store sadly.
I'm not moving to anywhere I'm not that desperate to quit...the discounts in the store is great and I can constantly network as well since a lot of musicians,radio personalities and DJ's come into the store and I don't really want to move its just if the other place is offering more pay, well...also the store is closer to where I live nothing will change as far as cost of living goes.
That said, if you are the only cashier with the other job, it probably means they won't be as flexible. And yes, loyalty does put you in good graces for people, but the current system is pretty crazy.
I guess my advice would be to also look for jobs that are outside of retail.