I felt humiliated today

[pinenuts75]

At work today my manager brought us some treats in for Easter, I had a biscuit and was eating it on the shop floor, she actually told me off I felt like a naughty school girl, she told me to hide it, I felt so humiliated, this isn’t the first time she’s done things like this, is she bullying me?

She’s definitely not bullying you! Staff shouldn’t be eating on the shop floor. Check your policy.

I wouldn't be allowed to eat whilst working. You aren't being bullied. You have to wait for your break to eat it.

Then what are you asking for OP?

Christ almighty your attitude absolutely stinks!

No wonder your manager doesn’t like you.

Love the username

*off to see if TembaHisArmsWide is taken as a user name

😂

You shouldn’t eat on the shop floor and you should know that. She disciplined you because you did something wrong.
Whether she likes you is irrelevant, you don’t have to be mates you just need to do your job and be respectful. If she’s calling you names, singling you out for no reason, giving you awful jobs no one else is expected to do, reprimanding you for no reason (not line the biscuit incident) then you could have grounds for bullying. You would need to record a y incidents and report them to HR with evidence/ witnesses. But this specific incident you were in the wrong not her.

OP ignore all these people coming at you hard. If you’re feeling uncomfortable with this manager, maybe have a quiet word with another manager about feeling singled out by her. Or just keep your head down and see if she backs off a bit. Or maybe start looking for another similar job elsewhere.life is too short to let work make you feel like shit. It sounds like you’ve git a good track record there , if after a few weeks of keeping your head down you’re still not feeling comfortable, look for somewhere else and put down the other (friendlier) managers down as references.

don’t let all these people jumping to conclusions and jumping down your through get you down. I think maybe your shirt answers have given them the impression that you’re being cocky / entitled with it, whereas I read that as you just responding to the comments without biting their bait.

this is another prime example of Mumsnet no longer being a supportive forum, it’s just turned into another social media platform where people can be horrible to each other anonymously.

I think it may be this attitude that could be wearing your boss down.
Don’t give her any reason for her to tell you off. Eating a biscuit on the shop floor was the wrong thing to do. Try not to overthink it, you were in the wrong and were told. Move on from it.

Hi OP, haven’t read all your posts.

But this is nasty for a manager to say to someone who’s won an award. Even if said as ‘banter’ it’s not acceptable in a professional workplace. It would leave anyone feeling a bit rubbish and undermine their pride in getting the award.

Also, if her tone about the biscuit was ‘telling you off’, rather than simply reminding you not to eat on the shop floor, that’s also unprofessional.

Both these incidents are quite low level. So, I’d ignore her and just keep working professionally at your job. Her problem, not yours. Some people aren’t great managers. They can talk down to people (like teachers) and be catty. However, keep a log of all the incidents because if they are regular and numerous, you may need to speak to a union rep or someone more senior about her conduct.

www.acas.org.uk/bullying-at-work

Any fool surely knows you don't eat on the shop floor
No, it's not bullying.

OK so you had a biscuit among customers. Most people would know that this is not acceptable - I do and I've never worked in a shop. But obviously you don't. This makes me wonder a bit about your background- not trying to be mean but trying to understand why you don't understand (even if you know accept) that this is not acceptable.

So if a customer was shoplifting you think you should be allowed to also?

And we have the attitude your manager probably doesn't like.

As a side note the employee of the month thing, it's possible that you are really good at sorting, organising, stock control, stacking, work at the till and even customer service.

But based on this thread, her team work and communication skills leave a lot to be desired. She may even have an oppositional attitude.

Never ask your manager if she likes you, she doesn't have to like you as a person and it's inappropriate to ask. You could ask her what you can improve on?

Things like not eating while working are usually learned in the family home, it's just about basic manners and boundaries. This does not apply to autistic and adhd people as no matter what middle class upbringing they had it's not always possible for them to communicate or behave in the expected way and they have mitigating circumstances. That's why people ask if OP is nd because if they are, she needs support and guidance not telling off.

Seriously? If customers aren't allowed food and drink why on earth would you think its ok for you to have food on the shop floor? Were any other staff eating their biscuits on the shop floor? I am relaxed about most things but would find it weird to see staff eating things in a shop!

No food on the shop floor. None. It really is that simple.

Customers don’t get paid for being there, you are.

The same rules don't apply. You just don't seem to understand

Eating on the shop floor is a definite no - even a biscuit. I would not be happy to see someone eating when I was in a shop. It’s very unprofessional. If you think that it is acceptable and have this approach to your work in general, I can see why she may have a problem with you.

The reason you aren't allowed to eat is because if you're eating you won't be seen as available to help by customers, and also it means you will have mucky hands if you them touch the merchandise. Be sensible about this.

Bloody hell - I hope it was a lovely biscuit and worth all this fuss!

Some of the responses on this thread are really taking the biscuit. OP you sound like a NICE person, but are also coming across as a bit of a HOBNOB for huffing because you were told off for doing something you know is against the rules. Don’t be a Jammie DODGER and face up to your responsibilities as an employee. Maybe there’s an Employee handbook you could read?
it might take awhile to DIGESTIVE all the replies but you seem like a tough COOKIE, so you’ll learn from all these CRUMBS of wisdom.
just obey the rules. Life’s too SHORTBREAD. Try not to crumble under pressure

You should not be eating on the job. Asking you to stop is not bullying. If she was aggressive or insulting to you it might be. How did she say it?

Can I ask how old are you?

No you really can't ignore the signs in your workplace.
But if uour manager is constantly rude and dismissive to you she's out of order. Can you ask for a meeting with another colleague present to see if things can be sorted out?

So i think your response to this disproportionate.

I dont think staff should be eating on the shop floor, I wouldnt want your crumbs on the clothes or produce for sale. And to senior management it looks like you have nothing to do which may reflect badly on your manager. You should be eating the biscuits in the break room on your break. Her response seems appropriate and proportionate saying if youre doing that where you shouldnt be more discrete.

That said if this is just the incident where you finally "snap" becuase she regularly critiques you for things she doesnt critique others for maybe she is but you need to record those incidents and speak to HR. This one alone doesnt sound like bullying

And i wouldnt ask if she doesnt like you because its irrelevant. Shes there to make money not friends. She can dislike you but she cant bully you. But to me this incident alone isnt bullying