Retail workers' headsets

[orangeyfox]

I've recently noticed retail workers having headsets on in shops to talk to one another. In two separate shops, I've been ignored the whole time (whilst checking out) whilst they have a general conversation to their colleagues. AIBU to think it's extremely poor customer service? They literally didn't acknowledge me the entire time.

Yes! What’s that about? I keep thinking they’re talking to me and they aren’t. It’s so rude!

@ButDoYouAvocado I replied the first time and they looked at me as if I was crazy and pointed at their headset.

Yup, they do this in aldi.

It's really fucking rude and I have actually heard them being rude about customers to each other via them too.

I had this in SuperDrug, talking really quietly too so I thought I was mistaken at first!

Superdrug is the worst for this. It's so rude.

It’s to increase productivity so workers don’t actually have to see or speak to each other face to face. Handy in very large stores I imagine to save on time and energy walking for minor reasons but seems miserable for staff.

i don’t think it’s rude at all - I really don’t want to talk to anyone when I’m shopping. Great that they can have a greater sense of being a social team despite being at different parts of the store. Aldi workers appear happier and more diligent (certainly quicker) than ppl at other supermarkets to me.

Yes talking really quietly often just chatting but the sound of it not always an urgent enquiry bother me

My Aldi staff are lovely

Doesn't bother at all

Hate the rudeness but it's very, very good for colleague safety and security, especially with the recent hikes in shoplifting.

Well I think it's rude. If I'm being served at the till I would like the assistant to pose their conversation while they do this. Not ask if I have a points card while having a personal conversation to a colleague, so I don't know when they're speaking to me or the other person on the headset.

They would expect me to pause a phone conversation to be served, wouldn't they?

I find it very irritating 😂

If it’s work related I don’t mind but it’s usually just chit chat. I’ve thought they’re talking me too.

Talking to each other that way is fine, as long as you are not ignored.

We're supposed to wear them at our very small store but don't because we hate them! Virtually impossible to serve customers properly with someone talking into your ear. We were told it's for security, we're also supposed to wear body cameras. Shop lifting etc has gone through the roof.

A few years back (pre-Covid) I remember a medium sized pushback from retail staff when customers chatted on their phones while they were serving them. Customers were asked to end their calls while they were being served.

Rightly so, it’s rude AF.

I wonder why they’ve pivoted? Payback?