Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Should NHS staff go ahead in queues?

432 replies

JustOneLastThing · 07/05/2020 23:03

I have only done it once, and got some evil looks from the others queuing. It was my only day off and was knackered and needed some essentials so thought 'just this once'-might not do it again!
It sort of felt like all the clapping in the world and rainbows doesn't mean much in the real world, but I might be a bit more careful about waving my lanyard around in the future (and yes, i'm frontline ward NHS staff working on covid wards fwiw).
Any thoughts from others very welcome.

OP posts:
Tonz · 09/05/2020 15:24

Customers aren't a herd of sheep they are all individuals with their own problems and can't be poked to stay in line. You mostly don't know who is going to kick off until they kick off.
I'm a senior manager so am not outside managing queues either. There are signs outside about the policy but if a customer wants to kick off then they will. They are removed from store immediately but the staff are still being abused.
I have already said I agree with nhs staff regardless of their role should absolutely be jumping the queue on a working day so no I'm not moaning about that either.
I just feel a bit of consideration to others should also be applied.
I don't think that's reason to attack my performance in my job you have no fucking idea about.
Not many senior managers in my company get there at my age so clearly I'm doing my job well

stayclosetoyourself · 09/05/2020 15:27

Well you shouldn't have inappropriately blamed a previous poster for your own queue management problems. As well as intentionally misunderstanding her post. Such fun is generally sarcastic no?

Sandybval · 09/05/2020 15:28

But you need to take it up with head office or regional manager rather than say NHS staff shouldn't take up something that is open to them; that is their choice. If you cannot manage honouring it then you need to be honest and say so, I am sure as you are so amazing at your job they will be fine with it.

SauvignonBlanche · 09/05/2020 15:30

I certainly read it as not fun at all, a bit like reading this thread. Hmm

Tonz · 09/05/2020 15:35

Again I do not mind nhs staff jumping queues I think I just said that in my last post.
Where did I say we are not honouring the policy.. We are. Staff don't mind it some customers do. No amount of training can change a customers mood when tensions are understandably high in the first place.
Constantly hear about nhs staff being abused and that's terrible but I wouldn't say it was nhs managements fault so why is it other professions fault for the same thing

bloodyhellsbellsx · 09/05/2020 15:38

So the NHS staff is now to blame for angry customers shouting at supermarket staff 🙄

Thank goodness we’ve not got to wait in line with those aggressive folk eh!

stayclosetoyourself · 09/05/2020 15:38

Depressing thread. Who cares about clapping or being heroes but the accusations of selfishness and telling people who work at the frontline that they know better and that they don't work hard is so pathetic. If we do become privatised maybe we'll become more like lawyers. And dentists. Much less accessible to the public who apparently think they 'pay our wages' and can treat us like crap.

Clemmieandareallybigbunfight · 09/05/2020 15:39

Oh FFS. Yes it was sarcasm. I didn't realise I needed to spell it out Hmm
Thanks to the posters who pointed that out

mummabubs · 09/05/2020 15:41

I'm a front line NHS employee and personally feel that the offering of the early opening hours is sufficient. I went to the supermarket today and queued to get in like everyone else. I feel really grateful to have the option to go first thing but I also feel like there are a lot of other essential professions that are keeping us all going that aren't getting as much public recognition as we are.

stayclosetoyourself · 09/05/2020 15:41

'Oh FFS. Yes it was sarcasm. I didn't realise I needed to spell it out
Thanks to the posters who pointed that out'

It was very obvious. Tonz just wanted to accuse you of having fun while her staff are being abused as if you somehow caused that and didn't care. BiscuitConfusedBiscuit

stayclosetoyourself · 09/05/2020 15:43

In any case we all need to shop as little as possible.
Home deliveries, once a week shopping.

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 09/05/2020 15:46

I don't do the clap. But I would have absolutely no problem with any frontline NHS worker jumping in front of me In the queue. Seems the least I can do to express my gratitude....

Tonz · 09/05/2020 15:47

I didn't say it was nhs staffs fault either I'm just pointing out some customers view on it. Didn't say they were right to kick off either. Seems I'm not the only one to misread a post then 🤔.
To spell it out the policy is in place for nhs on shift because they don't have much time to queue... Doesn't matter what their role in the NHS is they are welcome to skip the queue. Customers however are getting more and more irate. Not my fault not security's fault or my staff and not nhs fault. I'm just pointing out another set of issues.

CormoranStrike · 09/05/2020 15:49

My daughter used her badge for the first time today. She was wearing civvies and got some dirty looks she said as she walked past a 45 minute queue.

She had just come off the third 13 hour shift in a row, and was exhausted.

stayclosetoyourself · 09/05/2020 15:53

We didn't misread but Thankyou for backtracking somewhat.

'It's OK you saying that it was fun others in the queue were pissed off but do you realise the abuse my staff take when customers get pissed off at queue jumping. We've had our staff reduced to tears and had their personal safety threatened but as long as u had fun eh...'

SauvignonBlanche · 09/05/2020 15:54

I think part of the problem in that we’re never in uniform out of work so could be anyone, it’s only the person at the door that sees your ID and job title, they’re always nice to me when they see mine.

stayclosetoyourself · 09/05/2020 15:57

Staff in Tesco were really lovely the day I went in on the early hour.

Tonz · 09/05/2020 16:02

I didn't backtrack. I have always said its fine for nhs to go to the front. Please show me where I said otherwise.
I also said I'd misread the post and was pointing out its not fun for others. I Misread the post. Understand now @stayclosetoyourself

stayclosetoyourself · 09/05/2020 16:08

It's well known MN hate doctors and nhs. So it's never really a big surprise to be accused of anything and undervalued/ slagged off.

EnthusiasmIsDisturbed · 09/05/2020 16:09

Tonz why are all staff not provided with masks ? (Maybe are in the company you work for)

In Tesco and Sainsbury’s shop floor staff wearing masks but not all till staff

stayclosetoyourself · 09/05/2020 16:10

you misunderstood ' such fun' ? And said op was having fun while staff were abused inferring it was her or other nhs staff fault.
But ok glad you ' understand' now.

Tonz · 09/05/2020 16:11

I don't hate nhs or doctors either. Having 2 autistic children with other health problems I'm very appreciative of the NHS and the help they have given my children.
Also my grandad was cured of cancer last year so was very appreciative of the care he was given so if that was directed at me you couldn't be more weong

Singinghollybob · 09/05/2020 16:12

No

stayclosetoyourself · 09/05/2020 16:13

Then be careful with your comments. You will damage morale.
Keyboard warrior comments are cowardly.

Tonz · 09/05/2020 16:13

Wrong

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread