To think it’s ignorant to say “I’ll just work in Tesco”

[atmylowest34]

So I went to dinner with a friend who has according to her a demanding job (not saying she doesn’t but I don’t work in that field and have no experience of it).

And she’s said well I’ve considered quitting and just getting a job in Tesco instead but then I’d just get bored.

Aibu to think that it’s ignorant to think working in a supermarket is an easy and relaxing job? I did it as a student and it was horrible, people shouting at you, complaining, having personal comments said about my looks (both negative and positive), hours weren’t great. And that was all before covid and cost of living crisis.

Much the same here. It’s not something I’ve ever said but I have heard colleagues say something similar, and what they mean is a job in retail would reduce the emotional load that we all carry in our job (social worker), rather than it being an easy job.

I have worked in retail and while it has its own demands and stresses, it’s massively less stressful than the job I do now.

I meant the people I know @surreygirl1987, not everyone who's ever said it.

she should aim higher,
waitrose?

it is quite a common phrase tbh
particularly now supermarkets pay is competitive

I think it's meant in a different way, supermarket work (for example) is a job you leave behind after your shift, the tasks mostly are set predetermined and don't require you to use that much judgement etc unless you are management.

It is not easy! but it's quite different to many corporate type jobs. I actually like working in a shop (voluntary work) once a week as a contrast to my paid employment

I wonder why supermarket work is the chosen profession to assume is stress free?

One thing people misunderstand, imo, is the impact of having no input into the way you work but being held directly responsible for it by every rude/angry person who is in the shop.

Yes I agree with this, I think people from professional roles don't realise that they will have zero input and they won't be listened to in the slightest if they try and convey something isn't working back to the chain, just likely highlighted as a know it all and dismissed.
I've seen on threads on here before people say that they 'refuse to believe' that companies don't listen to their staff when they feedback (about something like overbearing staff for example told to approach each customer and 'engage') - likely because they're used to being valued and having input into processes and can't comprehend that not happening.
Someone on this thread said that some of the policies and processes drove them mad when working in a supermarket, because I assume they could see better ways to do it.

IME they want you to not use your common sense (so often something accused on MN) unless a customer complains, then you should have, but you would also face the concequences of breaking a company policy if you do and prevent the complaint in the first place 🤷🏼‍♀️

I’ve worked in supermarket jobs when I was a student and now I’m a professional. The supermarket was busy and repetitive, yes I got shouted at but the level of responsibility was nothing in comparison to what I do now. Now when I mess up I could lose the business/client a hell of a lot of money. There’s also more scope for error. So I think YABU.

Yes I suspect this is what most people mean, not that the job is super easy, but that you go in and do pre determined tasks and then can switch off when you go home and not take work home with you- less responsibility than many as well. I think a lot are unaware how insecure retail is in that many are 0 or low hour contracts, have to be available all of the time as don't always know what your shifts will be until x weeks before, benefits aren't great etc.

It is the use of the word 'just' in her sentence that I would object to.

So, I'm guilty of saying this all the time. Maybe not tesco but a similar thread (Premier Inn, a garden centre, b&q). When I say it, I'm well aware I'm unlikely to be able to get a job there - demand is high, and I have no experience.

What I mean is, my job is really stressful, I'm held accountable for millions of pounds and people lose their jobs if I don't deliver. I think your friend means they might like less stress.

I’m guilty of having made the same comment, but am specifically referring to the fact that you can finish a shift and leave it behind. Whereas office jobs are notorious for creeping into to your personal life and it’s normal to have never finished everything you need to do.

In reality I wouldn’t have a clue what to do working in Tesco as I’ve never worked in retail. It’s really just a throwaway comment.

They are demanding jobs but I assume people always mean you can leave your job at work type of job rather than it’s below them.

I wouldn't work in a supermarket for anything - not because of low status or anything, but from hearing about it from friends who do work in them. On your feet all day, customers being wankers to you for things beyond your control - no way!

@unlimiteddilutingjuice so true

👏👏

I don't think it's easy but I think its that you don't have to take your work home with you. When you finish your shift its over. With some jobs you have to do bits at home or can't switch off. That's what I would take from it anyway.

No one actually does, judging by the massive queues at the two open checkouts at my local Tesco on a Saturday morning

I also agree with this, having worked in customer facing roles. Often, when some high-powered type is lecturing you about how your company should do its business, you're mentally in full agreement with them, but you have no real choice but to toe the official line; and then the person turns on you because they seem to think you are the idiot personally standing in the way of the company installing an entirely new and better computer-system.

I've worked in several retail stores, including supermarkets, when younger. And various mid managerial roles in several industries since. And yes the latter challenged me mentally and I enjoyed them more, but there's something to be said for being able to leave your job behind at the end of the day instead of laying awake worrying about work, working mad hours and not getting overtime because you're salaried and it's expected.
Unfortunately this is one reason early years workers are in such shortage, according to those at our nursery They can work in a supermarket for similar money and not clean other people's bums and noses all day 🤷‍♀️

my admin job, a flat mate said she wished she had an easy job like mine
grr,
she was awful
i can imagine if you do work in a supermarket and hear comments like that, you would be offended, like i was!

My friend was asked "don't you want to use your brain?". She was gobsmacked. She had never implied that she wasn't using her brain. We laughed about it, but omg, id never say this to somebody!

My local supermarket is a big Tesco four minutes drive away so I'm there quite often

Whenever I'm there I see groups of female employees standing around nattering, the only employees I've ever seen who appear to be remotely working are young student types and even then their leisurely putting out a few boxes of products

I've worked at a Sainsbury's and an ALDI, both completely different experiences. Sainsbury's was just like Tesco, lots of middle aged women nattering doing F.A so I agree with your friend about Tesco from what I've been seeing for the last twelve years

No it isn't. It's about responsibility. And it's about how far your job eats into your non-working hours.

There are lots of jobs that are intense or hard work when you're doing them. And some of them are minimum wage jobs. But the higher paid jobs are those that carry a heavy load of responsibility for others, legally, or for the company's existence in some way.

@Manopadmanaban I posted at 5pm but thanks for the applause.

Why do you think if you worked in a garden centre, you wouldn't be held accountable for large sums of money/no one would lose a job because of you?

You do get that a lot of manual jobs involve being responsible for valuable objects, projects, and processes, as well as the jobs of those who depend on them?

I think your post crystallised for me why I agree with the OP. I absolutely see the temptation to trade in a high-stress, high-status job for one you could, in theory, do for a shift and then leave well alone. But, it's an unfortunate fact that, sometimes, the responsibilities people like to cite in fancy jobs are not categorically very different from the responsibilities in less well-regarded lines of work.

IMO, the thing that is actually freeing about being someone employed in a high-paid job who decides to trade it in for something lower-status is simply that you know you can likely get something else again, if you choose to do so and if you work hard enough. If you give up your job as CEO of Snob Company LTD and get a job in B&Q, you will be surrounded by people who are worrying about their jobs and who will tell you they're nervous about money. You will know that, chances are, if B&Q suddenly made you redundant, you could still trade on your CV and walk into another job - likely something much more well-paid than your former colleagues at B&Q are even vaguely imagining getting. That is the sense of freedom - you know you're working in a job where any move will likely be a trade up and more money.

But there's no reason to be a dick about that.