working in retail

1. 53

   shopgirl17posted 14 years ago

   Employers are asking for more and more. I'm currently a Store Manager that has to work a MINIMUM of 45 hours a week, but only get benefited for 40.
   
   I have to run the Store, get a minimum of 90% on Secret Shops, dust the walls and fixtures, move the fixtures to vacuum under them. I forgot to mention changing the light bulbs. For that I should have been hired at Cirque de Soleil.
   
   I also have to make outside sales calls.
   
   For all of this, I have accrued 3.74 hours of sick pay and 2 vacation days in 9 months.
   
   My employer treats people worse than you'd treat a donkey.

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2. 61

   stefferposted 14 years ago

   look for another job
   sounds like you have expereince
   why do something that doesn't make you happy?
   
   Why don't you write a hub about it?

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   1. 53

      shopgirl17posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I am looking for another job. There aren't any. Thanks for the welcome.

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3. 78

   kirstenblogposted 14 years ago

   Working for others is a B*^ch! My best advice is to spend as much free time writing and promoting your hubs and with time you will build up a good rep here and with google. It might just be enough to free you from the full time rat race, it could even open up new opportunities to write for others freelance. If you want to maximize the potential of each hub you write the best thing you can do is read as many hubs about how to make money with your writing here, there are so many good hubs and its all free info, not like those supposed net guru's.
   
   Welcome and all the best!

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4. 46

   LRobbinsposted 14 years ago

   I feel for you.  I used to work in retail and had a terrible employer as well (although I know there are some good ones out there).  Hang in there and good luck with the job hunt!

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5. 70

   TINA Vposted 14 years ago

   I understand how you feel about your work.  These are  my suggestions regarding your situation.
   1.  Be thankful that you still have a job.  In today's news, the US unemployment rate already increased to 10.2%.
   2.  If you cannot find another work for now,  just keep on searching.  You will have your time.
   3.  Take it on the positive side.  Your employer might be too pushy because of the eaconomic crisis.  There were a lot of stores that were closed.  Even banks needed to be bailed out to sustain their business.
   4.  Take it as an opportunity to learn.  If the retail store has several outlets, then try to target to move to a higher position such as an Area Manager.  If not, you can still use your experience as an additional add-ons on your resume.
   Goodluck!

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6. 56

   wrenfrost56posted 14 years ago

   Sorry to here you are having such a hard time, good luck on finding a new job and then you can stick it to the man or woman! Welcome to hubpages and chin up!

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7. 38

   Market Magnetposted 14 years ago

   I would love to know where you work?  They need to be reported to your state employment agency.  First of all the are required to compensate you for the time you have put in. 
   
   I know that if you are salary some employers will take more liberty with your time. Leave when your time is up and if there is a problem request hourly wages or overtime. 
   
   Nevertheless, they owe you compensation for the time spent working.  Check into this soon. 
   
   Does you employer realize what all you do?  Maybe they don't and you have taken on more than you need to.  Learn to delegate more to others, you are the manager. 
   
   If the employer has made cuts in staff you need to discuss with them how they plan to have all that is required to be accomplished.  They must see the problem and truly there are many people that would do anything to help you out. 
   
   Unfortunately, if it is a small business you are lucky that you are receiving sick and vacation leave.  They are not required to offer this.   
   
   As a past small business owner, the people that worked for me were my best asset.  They were the ones that knew my customers and interacted with them. They were fully compensated for what they did and we did it together. We had fun and our customers always knew this. 
   
   If the employer doesn't care or isn't willing to help you, start looking now while you are still employed.  I know that employment is very important right now but truly working under these circumstances is not necessary.
   
   Be positive and look for ways to lighten your load and again make sure that you are being paid accordingly.
   
   One more thing... don't leave angry when you leave.  Give all you have to the bitter end.  You never know when that employer will be the one to help you out in the end.
   
   Good luck, you can change your circumstances..

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8. 56

   Rosa Bergerposted 14 years ago

   I am sorry to hear that your employer is exploiting you. I think the first thing you should do is exploring what your responsibilities are. Possibly, changing light bulbs is not part of it. Talk to your superiors to make it clear to them what you can do for the business and dusting walls is probably not the best way to use your skills.
   
   The second thing is that you should research state and federal law to see what rights you have concerning sick leave and vacation time.
   
   And third, network and let people know that you are looking for opportunities to move on. Take advantage of the online websites that let you put your cv online.
   
   While one should be grateful for a job in economic times like this, stress can also be detrimental to your life. Take control of the situation. Good luck!

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9. 62

   ColeenBposted 14 years ago

   The job market is really tough right now. When things start to pick up, employers who haven't treated their employees well will lose their best and brightest.
   
   In the meantime, I'd like to echo what Market Magnet said. Put on a positive attitude and do your best. You probably won't need a reference from this job for your next one (because they'll understand that your current employer doesn't know you're leaving).  But you'll need it for the next one. If you were great until the very end and left on good terms, they'll think highly of you. Also, when you do leave, don't tell them it's because the job is crummy, tell them that you were offered more money, a chance to advance, whatever it is that the current job can't offer you. They can't fault you for that.
   
   When you're interviewing, don't tell them all the bad things about your job. They'll think that if you're dissatisfied with this job, you'd probably be dissatisfied at a new job too. Tell them how flexible you are - that you can do anything a job requires. When they ask why you're looking for a new job, tell them that you want better pay and benefits, opportunity for growth, something positive.
   
   Good luck!

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10. 61

    dejajolieposted 14 years ago

    I use to work in retail, and yes the hours were long, I worked most holidays, and the customers were rude, but the pay and benefits (for me, were great). So, I sacrificed my weekends off and holildays with family for a few years because I knew it was a means to an end. I made the choice to take a leap and move into non-profit while pursuing my entrepreneur venture, and while I have more flexibility I miss the pay and benefits.
    
    So, I say to you, grass isn't always greener, and in most things you will be sacrificing one thing or another. Good Luck!

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11. 67

    MikeNVposted 14 years ago

    Who is to blame?  If you don't like your job change it.  In Las Vegas there are 135,000 people who are officially unemployed. Times are tough. But the only person who can change your life is you.

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