Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should we be kinder to supermarket employees?

67 replies

TheQuirkyMaker · 03/02/2026 07:59

I saw a young girl in tears last night, I said if a customer had upset her she should report it, she said it was a supervisor who had had a 'go' at her. We had a chat, she explained they are all on short hours, no proper contracts, and are constantly harried by work apps (there is apparently an app that checks their picking rate).
Should we accept paying a little bit more to make peoples lives better?

OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock000 · 03/02/2026 09:39

I agree. I think the supervisors and management are a real problem for staff too, treating them as low paid fools.

Starlight1979 · 03/02/2026 09:41

I've just seen that you were the person who hit someone's car yesterday (and then told them to fuck off) when they dared to park near where you were stood with your dog.

And now you are starting a thread about people being "kinder".....?

SleepingStandingUp · 03/02/2026 09:53

Her boss is a jerk, whilst she deserves a decent living wage, throwing money at everything isn't The solution

TY78910 · 03/02/2026 09:55

@Princessoflitchenstein I’m gonna take a wild guess that this is Superdrug. Why am I not surprised 😂

TY78910 · 03/02/2026 09:55

Starlight1979 · 03/02/2026 09:41

I've just seen that you were the person who hit someone's car yesterday (and then told them to fuck off) when they dared to park near where you were stood with your dog.

And now you are starting a thread about people being "kinder".....?

OMG NO WAY

Morepositivemum · 03/02/2026 10:07

I work on tills in a supermarket. Pick staff are treated so badly by management and customers alike. Humphed and cursed at because customers want to get to the food and managers are always telling them they’re too slow. The turnover on the pick staff is ridiculous, new people in every few months. They go to local pubs and factories and tell people they don’t know themselves even though they were working for the best payer and the most coveted place to work for. We’re not treated badly at all, so to see how they speak to them was shocking.

We can all say about being kind, customers are lovely until things go wrong, that’s when you see a person’s true colours- it honestly is such a testament to today’s way of life that people think five minutes of their time because another customer has caused them to wait is enough to make them act like the world’s greatest catastrophe is happening!!

Dontlletmedownbruce · 03/02/2026 10:39

@Princessoflitchenstein I wonder are the lower and middle management under incredible pressure to push the teams? Not that that justifies the rude behaviour, but I'm wondering if they are being constantly harassed and are pushing it along. In my experience a negative work environment comes from the top.

Many years ago I had a boss I hated, he wasn't mean bit really unsupportive and always got really annoyed if asked a question, he made no eye contact and barked instructions or sent curt messages. When I handed in my notice on grounds that i had to leave due to stress, i saw a different side. He talked of immense pressure from above, he said he woke every day full of dread, was too stressed to speak somedays, he nearly welled up when we talked. I never realised, it all seems so cruel but whoever was above him was probably struggling too

ThejustbrothersCarlenaNSoul · 03/02/2026 10:50

Regarding pick rates supermarket staff are human not robots.
I wonder if pick rates are worked out to allow for obstacles and delays.

FOJN · 03/02/2026 10:58

The worst part is that they will actually have calculated how much staff turn over costs them and found it's cheaper to pressure staff and treat them like shit even if it means you have to recruit replacement staff more frequently than it is to treat them decently. Profit is the ONLY thing that matters.

TheQuirkyMaker · 03/02/2026 12:56

For someone on a zero hours contract trying to afford bills whilst on a minimum wage who can’t tell a manager where to shove it - soul destroying. You don’t need to treat your staff like shit.
It is just awful.

OP posts:
Dearg · 03/02/2026 13:17

Starlight1979 · 03/02/2026 09:41

I've just seen that you were the person who hit someone's car yesterday (and then told them to fuck off) when they dared to park near where you were stood with your dog.

And now you are starting a thread about people being "kinder".....?

I realised that after I posted. Won’t be taking advice from this Op.

Morrisdancer24 · 03/02/2026 13:21

I worked as a picker in Sainsburys. In training it was all about picking the freshest produce. In reality the times they give you per shop was mostly unattainable. This is why the dates delivered to you are sometimes rubbish and the substitutes crap as you grab what you can as fast as possible. All for minimum wage at start times of around 3am. If your rate was below par, god help you. Didn't last long. Shit company and I would imagine most are the same!

Snorlaxo · 03/02/2026 14:07

TY78910 · 03/02/2026 09:55

@Princessoflitchenstein I’m gonna take a wild guess that this is Superdrug. Why am I not surprised 😂

My ds worked there a few years ago and they were pushing the PAYG sims back then too.

eventhekitchensink · 03/02/2026 14:21

The absolutely dreadful customer service at most supermarkets does not induce me to “be kind”, no.

Sensiblesal · 03/02/2026 14:27

I’m not sure what you mean OP, its pretty standard is it not to be nice to shop workers/customer service staff.

what does being kinder mean? Feels like you are one step away from suggesting we should tip them cos their employers don’t pay them well/treat them well. Very american and basically makes people slaves & takes responsibility away trom the employers

lazyarse123 · 03/02/2026 15:00

Princessoflitchenstein · 03/02/2026 09:35

My husband had taken early retirement. Then he saw an advert for a local store wanting people (in fact my daughter had a Saturday job there but left as she got a better one). My husband said he could do a couple of shifts a week (doesn’t need the money) but would feel value, feel useful etc so twice a week is/ was working 10-2.30 pm. He can drop the youngest off etc. He’s a good employee and customer love him and how helpful he is.

He was made part of a WA group as they contact rotas etc via a WA group (his own personal phone) initially it was just to confirm the rota each week. But over the last month/ my husband has started to get a bit fed up with it as it’s daily ‘rants’ by the manager over what they aren’t shifting as extra mark ups with pressurised sales. My husband wants to help people / you go in and want a plaster - you get your plasters and go to the till but the company is trying to sell mobile SIM cards and ‘star buys’ as an employee you HAVE to push the star buys as you get ranked on how many you sell per shift and some of the staff push these star buys hard on customers. My husband wants to help the customer and will offer the star buys but in a normal way and not a hard sell.

Last week a message arrived on one of his days off saying (these messages are to all of his employees via the manager)
I get the star buy rankings for each of you, every shift and this number needs to be as low as possible (this means who have upsold more of the star buys) and some of you just aren’t. If a customer doesn’t have a reward card to must make them take one - it’s not an option. They need to be forced to have a reward card - you have all been warned

A few days later:
Again I am warning everyone that I am starting formal warnings and disciplinary meetings for anyone who has a high number during any shift for not selling our star buys and if I catch a customer walking away from you and they don’t have a store reward card you will be in trouble and disciplinary will start.

sent at 8 am.

A few days after that :

Right everyone you need to come to work with solutions not problems, x town is not any different to anywhere else in the flipping solar system. We need to improve our rankings for these star buys and we are going to do it now. You will start your next shift with a private chat with me and you will have five things you are going to do to increase the number of star buys you sell. No one is excluded from this chat. Dont come with a problem a solution for how you are going to upsell, upsell, upsell. Every single person must have five good solid strategies to improve their star buys sales on the till. Not four but five. Five different strategies. As from next week I’m going to start writing down everyone’s number and then disciplinary start Does everyone understand?

sent at 7 pm

He hasn’t worked there for the last 5 days as he only does two days a week,

Yesterday

He went in for his shift upset and came home and said I was doing this job for a tiny bit of money but more to help them out (always short of staff) and I enjoyed helping the customers. But actually I’m getting threats of disciplinary as a group over my own personal phone etc and it is making me feel pretty shit. He has now resigned and the manager is telling him he is fab employee customers love him and please don’t leave etc

well don’t treat your staff like that then. We are fortunate we don’t need to work. He left a hugely high up senior company role last year and took early retirement and that was massively stressful and he did that for 30 years before taking early retirement.

For someone on a zero hours contract trying to afford bills whilst on a minimum wage who can’t tell a manager where to shove it - soul destroying. You don’t need to treat your staff like shit.

I’m retiring this year early (54) and I’m planning on volunteering for a charity but I am worried - it will cost me money eg petrol etc to get there and I’m giving up my time and expertise - if someone talks to me like shit I will be off. I have a good friend who volunteered in a hospital cafe (used to be a headteacher) and the manager of the cafe came in which is a paid position (my friend doesn’t get paid at all) and she starting talking about the water containers (tap water) being too full and nice clean glasses etc - they are supposed to provide these but she told my friend off to actually topping it up, making sure it was cool etc saying it won’t encourage people to buy bottled water (expensive) and then got in her face and said loudly we might be a charity but we still need to see the money do you understand we need to see the money …. If they are upset offer them chocolate AND cake and not just ask ‘what can I get you?’ You need to tell them what they want ???!!!!! And my friend and her friend also working in there just left and walked out. They were paying to drive and park in the hospital and working completely for free…

Honestly it worries me how people are treating other people both at work and volunteering.

That's terrible. People aren't valued anymore.
I worked in a small supermarket for 18 years and nearly always enjoyed it.
We once had a manager who used WhatsApp every day for that kind of nonsense, I didn't have it and he said i have to. No if you have anything work related to tell me do it in work time. Unless someone's died or the shop has burnt down i don't need to know anything.
I retired 16 months ago and it was the right time as things were changing for the worse. We had area managers come in and tell me I should be covering the till, and the self scan and stack the bread that was at the other end of the shop plus watch out for shoplifters. I did ask how many hands they thought I had. My manager backed me because I do have mobility issues but what happens to people who can't speak up especially youngsters?
They also put a fancy notice in the canteen of how things should be.
1 always be available near the self scan.
2 never stand around doing nothing. Stack shelves or whatever needs doing.
I may have written on it "make your mind up. What do you want prioritising?"It swiftly vanished.
Sorry but it winds me up when they use people in this way just for profit. I have no patience for nonsense.

Crispychillifriedbeef · 03/02/2026 15:06

There are a few dreadful supermarket staff around too! There was one during Covid who was so rude to me I made a complaint and got M&S vouchers.

Actually, a few workers became a bit power mad during Covid about following arrows etc.

Thanksforyourlackofthought · 03/02/2026 16:02

OP - What an earth is going on with you?
I’ve just looked at what you put and then edited.
Can I sell you a Lift bridge?
DM me so I can accept your spare money?

Your posts, especially the one about the guy in the car park are really very odd.

XenoBitch · 03/02/2026 16:12

I think I read on here that pickers only get 20 seconds for each item.
I was in a Morrisons a while back, and I think you can do an online shop through them via Amazon (I forget the name of the scheme, but the pickers had T-shirts on with the name on). Thankfully the store was pretty empty, as they were pretty much running about, and they didn't take any time on grabbing items to check the date or anything, or to see if it was no damaged. It was like watching Supermarket Sweep.

I don't think paying more as a customer is the answer, or would even help. The change needs to come from higher up.

Ohwowlookatyounow · 03/02/2026 16:16

We should be polite and respectful as a general default. On the face of it, it seems like a crap situation but maybe this woman spends a lot of time complaining to customers about her job and the supervisor having a go at her was actually telling her to do some bloody work..

Princessoflitchenstein · 03/02/2026 16:27

Dontlletmedownbruce · 03/02/2026 10:39

@Princessoflitchenstein I wonder are the lower and middle management under incredible pressure to push the teams? Not that that justifies the rude behaviour, but I'm wondering if they are being constantly harassed and are pushing it along. In my experience a negative work environment comes from the top.

Many years ago I had a boss I hated, he wasn't mean bit really unsupportive and always got really annoyed if asked a question, he made no eye contact and barked instructions or sent curt messages. When I handed in my notice on grounds that i had to leave due to stress, i saw a different side. He talked of immense pressure from above, he said he woke every day full of dread, was too stressed to speak somedays, he nearly welled up when we talked. I never realised, it all seems so cruel but whoever was above him was probably struggling too

I think the problem is customers pay high price and expect good customer service - we all know about the cost of living. Fine.

The managers are salaried and not paid particularly well and they have area managers bullying them. They are being told to increase sales or whatever and bullied and harassed and rather than stick up for their staff they are being told we want evidence you are addressing this etc and they then rant at the bottom of the food chain to work harder and crack the whip. It achieves nothing it does not motivate your staff.

When I moved up the food chain I was I get paid more to take the flack. You tell me what you need to do your job better and we will do it. Staff team of 26 in my first management role - no one left in the first 4 years of my management and yes there was sickness but more me going to someone and and saying / you are ill, you’ve struggled into work I can see that - I’m covering you this afternoon go home get better we’ve got your back. When they said who will cover me I said me! We did. I knew how I had been treated as a ‘grunt’ and I didn’t want that for my team. I had to challenge sometimes but I hope it was constructive and not destructive. Two members of staff were on support plans that I picked up and by the end of my first year one had the best results in the company. His previous manager had him moving sites (physical sites) every 2-4 hours, then he had to find parking etc Me I was like that’s not working for you driving 5 miles every 2-4 hours so it’s going to be one day, one site. Next year it will be one site only. You pick the site. He cried grown adult man cried and he just said you get it.

These companies and directors and shareholders are making millions and millions - whilst screwing customer with high prices and workers with low wages. Customers want more staff who aren’t as harried or stressed. Workers want more colleagues, a lighter load etc

You can’t keep doing more for less it’s not sustainable.

I’ve got a flipping PhD and I honestly could not come up by 5 new and original ideas to increase the sales of the star buys (!) literally none - and he wants 5 different ones from everyone - I laughed. Seriously. And also knowing you are going to walk in to your shift today and start off with being bollocked -well that just makes your heart sing doesn’t it? My husband has resigned, as have two of the others as of today. Manager then sends out a message for being ‘I’m sorry about my last message. Many of team have phoned me upset so I apologise if I was over dramatic over how we can improve our sales targets but come on we can do this’. Errr no??

My husband has since resigned and I know two of the staff have messaged my husband to say they are upset and have resigned. So he’s at least 3 staff down for next week.

My daughter is at coffee shop. She’s at university. Been mightily impressed with her work and how they have helped her, encouraged her, praised her. She was contacted today to be asked to do an extra shift on Saturday and she doesn’t want to - she normally works Sunday and she just said of course I can. They have helped her she will help them.

As an aside I went do a meal in An Italian on the weekend and the staff were amazing but literally running from one table to the next - it was heaving ffs managers - your staff are running literally - employ more staff and reduce your profit slightly !

Princessoflitchenstein · 03/02/2026 16:28

XenoBitch · 03/02/2026 16:12

I think I read on here that pickers only get 20 seconds for each item.
I was in a Morrisons a while back, and I think you can do an online shop through them via Amazon (I forget the name of the scheme, but the pickers had T-shirts on with the name on). Thankfully the store was pretty empty, as they were pretty much running about, and they didn't take any time on grabbing items to check the date or anything, or to see if it was no damaged. It was like watching Supermarket Sweep.

I don't think paying more as a customer is the answer, or would even help. The change needs to come from higher up.

Ffs 20s thats nuts

Sunshineandgrapefruit · 03/02/2026 17:04

I think her supervisor should maybe do a bit of re-training? The whole sales ethic and job system is at fault though. The only job I ever quit. Life was just too short.

kittensinthekitchen · 03/02/2026 17:32

Thanksforyourlackofthought · 03/02/2026 16:02

OP - What an earth is going on with you?
I’ve just looked at what you put and then edited.
Can I sell you a Lift bridge?
DM me so I can accept your spare money?

Your posts, especially the one about the guy in the car park are really very odd.

Edited
Hustling Dave Chappelle GIF

I Reported that one to mumsnet.

They've deleted it "at the poster's request" 😂😂

What a fucking joke... obviously getting clicks from this particular one 😂

Thanksforyourlackofthought · 03/02/2026 18:35

kittensinthekitchen · 03/02/2026 17:32

I Reported that one to mumsnet.

They've deleted it "at the poster's request" 😂😂

What a fucking joke... obviously getting clicks from this particular one 😂

Very odd. Why on earth is she bringing allowed to continue? Surely there enough red flags flying by now?

Swipe left for the next trending thread