to have complained about the disabled worker in Tesco?

twigtree · 2025-05-04T09:24:58+00:00

There's a long-standing staff member at my local Tesco Express who has difficulty walking and is usually on the till. While I appreciate he has mobility issues, his customer service has been consistently bad for years. He regularly sighs and seems annoyed by basic requests like a receipt or pointing out a wrong price. He also shouts if I don't hear him the first time. I generally use the self-service to avoid him, but the other day I had an issue where the till kept erroring (someone else's bag was briefly on the scales). He was the one assisting, and despite my explaining the situation, he just stood there and shouted at ^me^ to remove the item, even after I had. I had to tell him firmly not to speak to me like that. I've now complained to head office about this pattern of rude behaviour. AIBU?

Original poster

twigtree · 05/05/2025 11:16

rainbowstardrops · 05/05/2025 10:57

But presumably Head Office will now contact the manager?
It just seems a bit odd to me to not complain at base level first because you think his behaviour might become even worse towards you but you think it’s perfectly ok to contact Head Office.
Unless Head Office sack him immediately, he’s going to know at least one of the people he shouts at have reported him!

Show quote history

By contacting Head office, it could be anybody. I shop in there regularly so don't want his behaviour to become even worse towards me as a result of having complained.

OP posts:

rainbowstardrops · 05/05/2025 10:57

twigtree · 04/05/2025 16:26

I don't know what others have done.

I didn't complain to management as I felt his behaviour towards me would get even worse if I made a complaint to his manager.

Show quote history

But presumably Head Office will now contact the manager?
It just seems a bit odd to me to not complain at base level first because you think his behaviour might become even worse towards you but you think it’s perfectly ok to contact Head Office.
Unless Head Office sack him immediately, he’s going to know at least one of the people he shouts at have reported him!

Worriedsickmostofthetime · 05/05/2025 08:55

noworklifebalance · 05/05/2025 08:51

Not following - what happens in schools that are like this? I am assuming you are referring to pupils but they are not employees and many teachers do leave because of them.
Or do you mean teachers? And are they shouting at you?

Show quote history

Exactly.
A school wouldn’t employ a disabled teacher who shouted at the pupils and then tell the pupils that they must just put up with it because the teacher is disabled.

I suspect the poster didn’t really think this through and thought that disabled pupils would be the comparison drawn here. But it doesn’t really correlate.

noworklifebalance · 05/05/2025 08:51

ImogenBluebell · 04/05/2025 19:10

Thank goodness you don’t work in a high school, you’d last two days.

Show quote history

Not following - what happens in schools that are like this? I am assuming you are referring to pupils but they are not employees and many teachers do leave because of them.
Or do you mean teachers? And are they shouting at you?

Worriedsickmostofthetime · 05/05/2025 08:31

Alexandra2001 · 05/05/2025 07:59

No, i am not saying that...

But perhaps a little more understanding and not being quite so sensitive might be in order?

We go to a supermarket to shop, not to have smoke blown up our backsides.

I also doubt very much he is "shouting" at all.

Tesco is very hot on CS, so they wouldn't put someone "shouting" at people as the OP alleges in a customer facing role & they'd also act on a series of complaints, which they haven't had or he'd be moved or sacked.... so ......

Or are you someone who thinks the disabled should be hidden away? maybe in a Victorian style mental "hospital"

Show quote history

No I don’t think they should be hidden away. If you have read what I have written you will see that I have said there will be more appropriate jobs for him somewhere that doesn’t involve upsetting customers. This is very fair!

Original poster

twigtree · 05/05/2025 08:28

Alexandra2001 · 05/05/2025 07:59

No, i am not saying that...

But perhaps a little more understanding and not being quite so sensitive might be in order?

We go to a supermarket to shop, not to have smoke blown up our backsides.

I also doubt very much he is "shouting" at all.

Tesco is very hot on CS, so they wouldn't put someone "shouting" at people as the OP alleges in a customer facing role & they'd also act on a series of complaints, which they haven't had or he'd be moved or sacked.... so ......

Or are you someone who thinks the disabled should be hidden away? maybe in a Victorian style mental "hospital"

Show quote history

Why do you doubt he is shouting? Were you there? He has shouted at me several times.

Tesco is not that hot on CS. This is a small express store and the manager is not usually around. There is a high staff turnover apart from this guy who has been there for years.

OP posts:

Alexandra2001 · 05/05/2025 07:59

Worriedsickmostofthetime · 04/05/2025 13:23

Are you seriously saying that a disabled person does not have to treat customers well because of their disability?

You’ve got to be kidding me.

If his disability is an impediment to him being able to provide CUSTOMER SERVICE (ie his job description) then he needs to find a more suitable job. Possibly the store could move him to a less customer facing position should this be their policy but this is utter new age lunacy to just accept that everyone else must just suck up their bad feelings in dealing with him because of his own short comings.

Show quote history

No, i am not saying that...

But perhaps a little more understanding and not being quite so sensitive might be in order?

We go to a supermarket to shop, not to have smoke blown up our backsides.

I also doubt very much he is "shouting" at all.

Tesco is very hot on CS, so they wouldn't put someone "shouting" at people as the OP alleges in a customer facing role & they'd also act on a series of complaints, which they haven't had or he'd be moved or sacked.... so ......

Or are you someone who thinks the disabled should be hidden away? maybe in a Victorian style mental "hospital"

Worriedsickmostofthetime · 04/05/2025 19:29

ImogenBluebell · 04/05/2025 19:10

Thank goodness you don’t work in a high school, you’d last two days.

Show quote history

Why? Are there disabled teachers working there shouting at the kids?

ImogenBluebell · 04/05/2025 19:10

Worriedsickmostofthetime · 04/05/2025 13:23

Are you seriously saying that a disabled person does not have to treat customers well because of their disability?

You’ve got to be kidding me.

If his disability is an impediment to him being able to provide CUSTOMER SERVICE (ie his job description) then he needs to find a more suitable job. Possibly the store could move him to a less customer facing position should this be their policy but this is utter new age lunacy to just accept that everyone else must just suck up their bad feelings in dealing with him because of his own short comings.

Show quote history

Thank goodness you don’t work in a high school, you’d last two days.

SoOxon · 04/05/2025 17:09

funinthesun19 · 04/05/2025 15:20

He shouldn’t be doing that job then.

Show quote history

exactly

JohnTheRevelator · 04/05/2025 16:51

Being disabled is not an excuse to be rude and unpleasant to people! And it is also not a reason that should bar you from making a complaint about him. Disabled people want equality,to be treated as valid members of society,the same as able bodied people. You should not use your disability as a get-out of jail free pass! And I say this as a disabled person myself.

Original poster

twigtree · 04/05/2025 16:26

rainbowstardrops · 04/05/2025 16:11

So he’s been shouting at you and other members of the public for years. I presume you and the others have complained to management before Head Office?

I don't know what others have done.

I didn't complain to management as I felt his behaviour towards me would get even worse if I made a complaint to his manager.

OP posts:

BoredZelda · 04/05/2025 16:23

FamBae · 04/05/2025 11:45

His disability is an issue if Tesco management are tippy toeing around him because of it. You were right to complain and I hope Tesco take your complaint on board and address it.

You have no idea if this is happening.

blueleavesgreensky · 04/05/2025 16:16

Syuni · 04/05/2025 10:34

OP has deliberately highlighted the disability, even though it has nothing to do with the actual issue, for clickbait/rage bait and to get more attention.

Oh stop it. Do you always see the possible worst in people. Says more about you tbh

Worriedsickmostofthetime · 04/05/2025 16:11

twigtree · 04/05/2025 16:05

The women get intimidated by him. I noticed he is not like that with men.

Show quote history

Just another point against the idea that the only thing against disabled (physically and/or mentally) disabled individuals is lack opportunity and prejudice. People still have to placed in jobs that are suited to their skills, personality and abilities and often the disability itself provides limitations to those requirements. It cannot be wished away by anyone.

I have a mentally challenged BiL who just couldn’t work in a customer service orientated environment for this exact reason, he respects men but is intolerant of women (I suspect it’s actually a bit of cultural misogyny that cannot be reasoned with because of his mental limitations) but regardless of this, it is what it is! No opportunity in the world is going to change this for him, it’s just part of his mental disability.

rainbowstardrops · 04/05/2025 16:11

So he’s been shouting at you and other members of the public for years. I presume you and the others have complained to management before Head Office?

Dangermoo · 04/05/2025 16:09

twigtree · 04/05/2025 16:05

The women get intimidated by him. I noticed he is not like that with men.

Show quote history

Ah, that figures.

Original poster

twigtree · 04/05/2025 16:05

Dangermoo · 04/05/2025 16:04

Then they are mugs. He needs to be told to off fuck.

Show quote history

The women get intimidated by him. I noticed he is not like that with men.

OP posts:

Dangermoo · 04/05/2025 16:04

twigtree · 04/05/2025 15:59

That was my intention. I can speak up for myself but others have just gone quiet so he has continued to shout at them.

Show quote history

Then they are mugs. He needs to be told to off fuck.

Original poster

twigtree · 04/05/2025 16:01

Hwi · 04/05/2025 15:41

Not speaking of the disability because much has been already said, but
but because of the class thing - had he been an NHS consultant of the same age, ragingly rude to colleagues and students he taught, you would have applauded him for rudeness, admired it even - as evidenced by the wild popularity of Dr House show, when most viewers were in raptures over the rude swine of a character that he was. No names named, but there are X posts, where current surgeons (not even old) delight in regaling people with stories of how astonishingly rude their professors were and try to outdo each other as the recipient of most rudeness from that professor.

Neither would I have applauded or admired an NHS consultant who was ragingly rude.

OP posts:

Original poster

twigtree · 04/05/2025 16:00

HunnyPot · 04/05/2025 15:47

I had to tell him firmly not to speak to me like that.

How did he respond?

He actually went quiet and stopped.

OP posts:

Original poster

twigtree · 04/05/2025 15:59

Dangermoo · 04/05/2025 15:54

Well you've reported him now so hopefully he will be more polite and patient in future. I presume that was your intention.

Show quote history

That was my intention. I can speak up for myself but others have just gone quiet so he has continued to shout at them.

OP posts:

Dangermoo · 04/05/2025 15:54

twigtree · 04/05/2025 15:20

I was answering someone's question.

I am not his employer. I know that 🙄

Show quote history

Well you've reported him now so hopefully he will be more polite and patient in future. I presume that was your intention.

HunnyPot · 04/05/2025 15:47

I had to tell him firmly not to speak to me like that.

How did he respond?

Hwi · 04/05/2025 15:41

Not speaking of the disability because much has been already said, but
but because of the class thing - had he been an NHS consultant of the same age, ragingly rude to colleagues and students he taught, you would have applauded him for rudeness, admired it even - as evidenced by the wild popularity of Dr House show, when most viewers were in raptures over the rude swine of a character that he was. No names named, but there are X posts, where current surgeons (not even old) delight in regaling people with stories of how astonishingly rude their professors were and try to outdo each other as the recipient of most rudeness from that professor.