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Original poster

Job offer withdrawn because I asked for a stool

123 replies

Charliescar · 30/09/2019 15:45

I was offered a job as a receptionist and they wanted me stand for 30 hours - one day for 9 hours . No stool at the reception desk .
I said I would accept if they provided a stool and that I have done the same job with a stool and it was fine . They said it would make the reception area less efficient. I am not sure if this is ok ? Any experts ?

OP posts:
milliefiori · 30/09/2019 16:12

I don't think you werte being unreasonable at all. My hairdresser often pulls up astool to cut my hair instead of bending down. It's not good for yout o stand all day. It's fine if you are moving but if not, standing still for horus all day can exacerbate varicose veins.

InsertFunnyUsername · 30/09/2019 16:15

Dont stress about it OP it sounds like a ridiculous rule IMO. And in my experience the owners that have them ridiculous rules are the ones that are rubbish to work for anyway.

woodhill · 30/09/2019 16:15

Yanbu - why can't you sit down in that role. Seems perfectly normal. I couldn't stand all that time

Sweettalking · 30/09/2019 16:16

I once offered a job to someone, after accepting she then called me three times with various things she couldn’t do that had been explained at interview.
I still employed her as she was still the best candidate (I felt at the time), but she didn’t last long as everything was a problem for her. Sounds like you’re one like her.

Collision · 30/09/2019 16:16

It’s ridiculous and their loss not yours.

How unreasonable to not let you sit down.

My receptionist at the hairdressers I go to all sit down.

StoppinBy · 30/09/2019 16:16

I can walk around just fine and have done so in very active jobs most of my life but if I stand still it hurts my feet as I have fallen arches and the standing still causes them to cramp up. I also have this thing when I stand still for long that makes my legs go all itchy and purple (presumably circulatory related), I don't think it's U at all to ask for a stool when you are doing a stationary job and surely it can just tuck under the desk when not in use?

OUwhatnext · 30/09/2019 16:17

This is your 3rd thread about this job in as many days! You've admitted you can't stand for as long as they want you to, you told them that, they've said it's not the role for you. I'd just keep looking for something suitable and forget about this one.

unamullian · 30/09/2019 16:18

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helpfulperson · 30/09/2019 16:18

Workplace regs require seating if possible. Before this supermarket checkout assistants rarely had seats.

MarianaMoatedGrange · 30/09/2019 16:19

Having to stand all that time is ridiculous and can't be good for the body.

70rule · 30/09/2019 16:19

YANBU. Employers who won't let staff just 'because' are utterly ridiculous. And I completely agree that it is the standing still on the spot that's the killer, not the walking about.

Passthecherrycoke · 30/09/2019 16:19

I’ve also commented on your other thread Confused but c’mon Op, a hairdresser doesn’t need a skilled receptionist anyway. The job isn’t for you and you said on your other thread you were turning it down because you wouldn’t have a stool? They don’t care, they’ll just hire someone else. You just have to move on

berlinbabylon · 30/09/2019 16:20

I don't think you're unreasonable too. I use two salons on a regular basis and the receptionists in both have stools. It doesn't stop them getting up and taking your coat and making drinks etc.

I couldn't stand non-stop for 8 hours, I would get horrible back ache.

AmIThough · 30/09/2019 16:22

OP sounds like you're more upset than they are. If your current employer are much better, why are you bothered?

Original poster
Charliescar · 30/09/2019 16:23

Thanks everyone 😀

OP posts:
redexpat · 30/09/2019 16:24

Interviews arent just for the employers benefit. You are also interviewing your future employers. In this instance it wasnt a good match. No big deal. Onwards and upwards!

YouJustDoYou · 30/09/2019 16:27

Erm, many, many jobs require you to be standing all day...

DobbyTheHouseElk · 30/09/2019 16:28

Hilarious. I’ve worked in salons all my life. No one uses a stool.

Original poster
Charliescar · 30/09/2019 16:32

I have worked in salons too and yes we do use stools. It is not healthy to stand in the one place all day . If moving around else where that standing behind a small desk then that is fine . I know I have worked in a shop on my feet all day . You are not just standing !

OP posts:
Original poster
Charliescar · 30/09/2019 16:33

I am just a bit fed up of this stupid thing in certain jobs that you cannot sit down for 5 mins !

OP posts:
VenusTiger · 30/09/2019 16:33

@YouJustDoYou well yes, but you’re usually doing something not standing there gormlessly - I bet the stylists made the rule as they don’t like standing all day either... even though they’re cutting hair.

Is the front desk really tall so that you have to stand?
Seems ridiculous to me - there’s no way you’ll be busy every minute, as you’ll be on the phone and on the computer most of the time when clients call in or a client is paying.

You’ve dodged one OP.

VenusTiger · 30/09/2019 16:34

I have never been into a salon where the receptionist is standing, ever! Hotels, yes.

Honeyroar · 30/09/2019 16:36

A lot of hotels seem to make their receptionists stand up all day too. I always feel sorry for them. I don't understand why a company thinks a receptionist should be standing up.

Original poster
Charliescar · 30/09/2019 16:39

Yes - I think I have dodged a bullet tbh! I think it’s much nicer to work with people that value you . I had noticed this job came up a few months ago ,and someone must have taken it as they have now advertising again . Maybe they couldn’t hack it ! maybe they aren’t having much luck finding someone and keeping them. Not surprised really !!

OP posts:
thatoldpinkumbrella · 30/09/2019 16:40

I have seen some work places when you only got your chair after you made your first sale, not sure that would be possible today, shame it was funny Grin

I couldn't even tell you if the receptionist at my hairdresser's salon is sitting or standing, never paid attention, and most of the receptionists in corporate offices seem to have a chair. They sound ridiculous, I wouldn't want to work there frankly, unless they were worried that a higher stool could cause a lot of complaints and it's easier to ban them entirely?