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Original poster

Aibu- management imposing a money jar incase we say specific phrases

138 replies

crapcrap · 21/07/2021 19:11

So during my probation chat today my new manager (who started a few months after me- not sure if that's important or not) told me upper management are imposing a jar (sort of like a swear jar) for if we say phrases such as "how can I help you" or "what are you looking for today?"
She says they're putting it into all of our stores nationwide but I feel uneasy about it.

We work at a beauty retailer who are a huge worldwide chain. The money from the jar will be given to charity rather than in their pockets which makes me feel slightly better about it, however, I am still quiet unhappy about it, especially since she then back tracked and said they're trying to find anyway to get money in the tills.
They are trying to get us to avoid using the phrases as above but the money doesn't come out of our wages but instead the change we have on us at the time of our shift.

I told my manager today that I am literally working pay check to pay check so will not be contributing as I have a small child to feed. She said it's a light hearted incentive to get us to not use those phrases but I feel it's quite intrusive. I was also told we have no choice but to take part - I told her that I wouldn't.

I'm just looking for others opinions on this? Would you be happy to abide by this? Can they actually impose this? Or Am I just being over the top?

Thank you in advance Smile

OP posts:
Cookies47 · 21/07/2021 21:37

Ask them to put this new policy in writing for you

That will soon wipe it out

Alternatively, you need to contact ACAS as this is illegal.

Queenoftheashes · 21/07/2021 21:42

What a fuckin Liberty. And no one wants to be approached by sales staff. Let people browse in peace.

RustyBear · 21/07/2021 21:54

If this is their policy, I think they need to update their website....

Aibu- management imposing a money jar incase we say specific phrases
Queenoftheashes · 21/07/2021 21:57

😂😂😂

PiffleWiffleWoozle · 21/07/2021 22:23

Not a bad idea- I could then use the money to put in the jar when I accidentally ask customers if I can help

Grin
Dyrne · 21/07/2021 22:28

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll

I feel I have to be very careful with this company. I don't think they'd hesitate to protect their image. I was just wondering if I was being over the top about it but I'm glad others agree with me!

Nobody ever need mention you or this thread (not that you can be traced through your MN account for telling the truth, unless you were implicated in a police matter) - they can just say they heard what sounds like a ridiculous and outrageous rumour from a friend of a friend and they wanted to just double-check that this company has, would and will never consider actually doing something as nasty as this.

No offence, OP, but you can't be their only employee who isn't totally 100% happy with them for this policy.

Err… “journalists” lift their stories from MN all the time. Even odds that this is going to appear somewhere even if OP doesn’t do it directly.
Original poster
crapcrap · 21/07/2021 22:45

@RustyBear

If this is their policy, I think they need to update their website....
I am so going to point this out tomorrow GrinGrin
OP posts:
Original poster
crapcrap · 21/07/2021 22:47

A very genuine thank you to everyone who commented. You've certainly all listed my spirits and made me feel much more confident about going in tomorrow.

I appreciate all you amazing people and I hope you're all doing well Thanks

OP posts:
DPotter · 21/07/2021 22:57

We don't go by scripts- we just have to approach the customer and lightly encourage them to buy.
I'm not overly keen on this and got a below standard on my probation because of it

Just for the record - I hate being approached in shops, asking if I want help and then the gentle encouragement to buy. I'll be out of the door faster than you can say "How can I help you"! I work on the basis that if I want help - I'll ask

EastWestWhosBest · 21/07/2021 23:30

This is such bollocks. Honestly, retail management can be a bunch of cunts.

What none of them seem to realise is that every fucking one of us can see straight through this bullshit. I hate, everyone hates it.

Original poster
crapcrap · 22/07/2021 06:05

@DPotter

*We don't go by scripts- we just have to approach the customer and lightly encourage them to buy. I'm not overly keen on this and got a below standard on my probation because of it*

Just for the record - I hate being approached in shops, asking if I want help and then the gentle encouragement to buy. I'll be out of the door faster than you can say "How can I help you"! I work on the basis that if I want help - I'll ask

Yep! I hate it too! I said to my manager yesterday that I stopped shopping in this store for that exact reason. The girl who approached me while I was a customer is still there and is very lovely but I hate being approached.
OP posts:
Anotherlovelybitofsquirrel · 22/07/2021 06:29

If you haven't already, please name them. Lots of complaints from customers might get those stupid jars binned. Ridiculous idea.

Cloudninenine · 22/07/2021 06:38

That is batshit. They’re totally normal and polite retail phrases?!

You definitely don’t have to participate - if asked to put money in the jar just say every time (in a ‘lighthearted’ tone…) ‘It isn’t legal to financially penalise staff like this’ until they take the hint.

What a load of absolute bullshit.

ApolloandDaphne · 22/07/2021 06:57

It will be interesting to see how the other staff members react. This can't be a popular initiative.

MattDamon · 22/07/2021 07:49

OP, if you get into any trouble with this and you aren't getting help from the usual sources, email your MP. I know responses vary, but mine would jump on something like this very quickly, as the employer is so clearly in the wrong.

Mrstwiddle · 22/07/2021 07:55

It’s Sally’s, I knew it would be.

standupsitdownturnaround · 22/07/2021 07:58

Please let us know how your next day work work goes OP.

I've heard that Samantha beauty has 235 stores in the UK so I expect your identity is safe on here.

I've got visions of you putting a pound in the jar at the start of the day to cover any mistakes you might make and then asking for it back out the jar when you've been such a good girl you managed not to say 'Can I help?' (Or whatever it is you're not allowed to say).

Frankie4me · 22/07/2021 08:06

This is terrible - I hope that the other links and advice provided helps. The only other thing I would suggest is to contact (even if It’s anonymous via an email account you set up just for this) the charity and let them know that the company is forcing participation from employees and threatening their jobs if they don’t participate. Ask them if this is in line with their values and whether they can pressure the company to desist.

Original poster
crapcrap · 22/07/2021 08:17

@standupsitdownturnaround

Please let us know how your next day work work goes OP.

I've heard that Samantha beauty has 235 stores in the UK so I expect your identity is safe on here.

I've got visions of you putting a pound in the jar at the start of the day to cover any mistakes you might make and then asking for it back out the jar when you've been such a good girl you managed not to say 'Can I help?' (Or whatever it is you're not allowed to say).

I'm in today.. anxiety has already started but I will not let them get me down again.. I'll give an update later
OP posts:
Original poster
crapcrap · 22/07/2021 08:18

@MattDamon

OP, if you get into any trouble with this and you aren't getting help from the usual sources, email your MP. I know responses vary, but mine would jump on something like this very quickly, as the employer is so clearly in the wrong.
This is certainly worth keeping in mind- thank you
OP posts:
FakeColinCaterpillar · 22/07/2021 08:43

Does anyone like being approached in a shop? Anyone?

It’s like a tax. Why not do something positive rather than negative. A prize for the person who does the best of not using those phrases and does something different. Or a donation in their name if they want to be so altruistic.

Original poster
crapcrap · 22/07/2021 08:53

@FakeColinCaterpillar

Does anyone like being approached in a shop? Anyone?

It’s like a tax. Why not do something positive rather than negative. A prize for the person who does the best of not using those phrases and does something different. Or a donation in their name if they want to be so altruistic.

I said to her that if they wanted to do something like that then maybe do a forfeit at the end of the month or something but it's the district manager whose out it in place so we're not in a position to really argue it
OP posts:
DameFanny · 22/07/2021 09:21

@crapcrap if other stores are already doing this, and all the floor staff are on or near minimum wage, you can already make a report to HMRC that this is what they're doing and that it breaches minimum wage regulations. Name the district manager, and send it from an account not associated with you - explain you still work there and need to keep the job

Howshouldibehave · 22/07/2021 09:29

This will so be in the DM.

I can’t believe you have objected to this but they haven’t said what you are supposed to say! Do they not want you to hassle customers any more and just leave them alone to shop? That would be great

jellybean88 · 22/07/2021 10:07

This would make me tempted to keep using the phrases and still refusing to pay