To think this is ridiculous

[Sparkly212]

DS (18) works in retail at the weekends. He has had a hard time since he got This job last summer with his new manager who started a few months ago and another bitchy two faced colleague who thinks she is better than everyone else and who outshines herself to make her look the best.

Anyway, I’ll not get into that, DS has been told by his manager that as soon as a customer enters the shop, he needs to approach the customer and ask them if they’d like any help. AIBU to find this ridiculous?

I know myself that when I go to shops I don’t like the staff annoying me as soon as I come in, I’d expect them to give me a minute or two and if I’m still there and haven’t approached the staff myself, I’d have expected them to ask me if I’m okay and if I need any help.

DS’ manager has told DS that it is unacceptable to leave a customer for a minute or two when they come in as they may feel ignored and then leave. Yes nobody should ignore a customer - but is it really necessary to hassle a customer as soon as they enter? Surely that would piss them off more?

If that’s what he’s asked to do, then he should do it, why are you so involved in this and het up! Calling his colleague names?

Is it that big of a deal, the manager told him what he wants him to do?

Why doesn't he try to get a different weekend job if he hates that one so much?

I find it annoying too, but all retailers do it now so it's not out of the ordinary or a ridiculous ask particularly.

I hate it but it is standard in a lot of shops.

I don’t particularly like it myself but it’s pretty standard across high st retail now it would seem, so they must want to do it for a reason.

Unless he’s being mistreated, he just needs to do as he’s told!

What are you suggesting he does, say no to the manager because his mum thinks it’s ridiculous?

Why is it ridiculous? It’s not my favourite thing as a customer but I find “no thank I’m happy browsing” seems to work. The world of work often involves doing things we’re both mad about in exchange for a wage. Have you never found that in your jobs?

The shops that do this tend to be where the assistants are paid based on sales rather than salaries (in he main). Personally it really annoys me as I like to browse and relax into the shop and see what it has for sale. If hassled I tend to say no politely and then if re-hassled I often walk out as I feel less than comfortable. We're all different and the skill is spotting the people who are receptive to being pestered vs those who are adults and can shop without signposting.

🤷‍♀️I find it annoying but some people like that kind of attentiveness. It's not really an outlandish request so I'm not sure why it's an issue!

@Bluntness100 the colleague I referred to is a bitch and I am not exaggerating. He had to complain about her to management a few months back due to her behaviour, she hasn’t been the nicest and hasn’t been supportive towards him as he had no manager in the first few months.

So when I call her a bitchy two faced colleague, it is because she is. I’ve seen plenty of it throughout my career as I’m sure you have too so I know how he feels.

I have to say I HATE when I am accosted as soon as I walk into a shop and asked "if I am ok", it would actually make me leave. Ok, ask me when I have had a look round but feck off and don't approach me as soon as I walk in!

If this is the shop policy then I don't think your DS should question it. It sounds like he's unhappy for other reasons, but this one doesn't seem like a big deal in itself.

Why don’t you write him a note to say “Please excuse my son from any retail training that his mother disagrees with and treat him nicely”. See how far he gets with that one!

Let him grow up and get yourself another hobby. 🙄

What has bitchy colleague got to do with the price of fish?

I’ve made this thread because DS is feeling quite harassed by his manager about it.

She keeps saying that a “source” has told her that he is not engaging with customers as soon as they enter, when In fact DS does engage with customers, just not immediately because he can relate to the customer and he sees it that he’ll put them off if he pounces on them.

Surely a retail manager doesn’t want to push away customers? That is certainly one way of doing so.

No really. He just has to do what he’s told.

I don't like it either, but he's not working for me or you, is he? So he should probably do this the way his boss has asked him too. We all have to follow workplace rules we don't necessarily personally agree with.

Not sure what the other colleague had to do with anything.

If the manager had requested this, then that’s what’s required. It seems pretty standard in a lot of shops.
I generally don’t mind if someone asks if I need any help when I enter a store as I’ll tell them I’m all good but I’ll give them a shout if I need anything. What irritates me is if they continue to crowd me and try and “help” - I’ve had to walk out of stores before because they wouldn’t just leave me to browse.

It might seem like a pain in the arse to you, but if it comes up with a mystery shopper than they were missed.. easier done if you wait than just go straight to them.. it’s the management that get it from higher up again.

There’s also a fair chance he’s been caught looking like a fart in a trance.

It’s a pain if you’re genuinely into browse but if you just want to know if they have xyz instead of fannying about its not.

He needs to do what he's told to by his manager.

why don’t you go down there and tell her how unfair it is that he should implement store policies?

Ok, so he's not doing what he's been told to do, from your update. He needs to either start doing that, or get another job. Pointless arguing about it.

I’m almost certain your sons boss knows better how he wants the store run! Wind your neck in, it doesn’t cost your son anything to do his job the way his manager sees fitrather than doing it the way his mummy thinks it should be.

He’s 18, it’s probably best to not get so involved in his job situations or you’ll have years of unnecessary stress! In the grand scheme of things it’s no biggie, he’ll ask and most people will say hi, I’m ok browsing.

I’m not sure if this is you but you’re coming across as a bit ott about his job and colleague.
He’ll get horrible people in most jobs he does, getting this worked up over his job-especially at 18 when it’s not going to be his ‘forever job’ and he’s been told to do something by his manager is not the best idea. It’s probably winding him up or egging him on if he feels annoyed at being told to do this!

Btw the source could be a mystery shopper or the managers partner etc doesn’t need to be a member of staff