I have been at my store job almost 6 months now, I actually like my job (shop floor/stock) but over time the bug bears are apparent. I suppose a certain amount of bug bears are to be expected, and maybe I'm a perfectionist (more on that in a moment) but recently I have felt frustrated.

First of all my hours were upped from contract, not something I wanted but was more or less obliged to do because my contract reads 'flexible'. Having said that the extra money was nice, and I did recognise the need in our dept to have extra hours at the job - things ran more smoothly for it, something I appreciated as I like to do a job well.

This week we all were abruptly returned to contract hours, bit of a shock with little warning. I'm okay, others will struggle as they need all the hours they can get. On a personal level I like the shorter hours as it means I have more of a life outside of work, and we're not desperate for money thankfully.

Unfortunately because we are all on short hours it means the job is not getting done as effectively as it was before (there is no down time on this job, something I appreciate as I hate to be bored, but it also means there is no slack to get the essential dept work fitted in).

It's so frustrating and some of the supervisors unprofessional attitudes are adding to my frustration. We have short dated foodstuff going out of date because they haven't heeded warnings from me and my colleague that the dates are coming up - this is all loss for the store. There is a couldn't care less attitude from some, unless the manager is in and suddenly they are model employees.

I have been told by family/friends that I am too conscientious and I need to shrug it off, but I've always been this way - I like to do a job to the best of my ability, and I feel thwarted at this place.

I do like my job, I like my colleague in our dept (we only cross shifts twice a week but we are good team) but this other stuff is frustrating.

Maybe it is just a case of changing my own attitude and being less conscientious, or maybe it's time to move on. I do have a call to follow up regarding another job but maybe that one will also have those frustrations. I would love to work somewhere where I could be as conscientious as I liked and not thwarted by these attitudes - but perhaps that's unrealistic.

Unless you think you might be promoted or the company has a very good benefits, I would look for other jobs in my spare time. I am only happy at work when my supervisor is focussed on the mission verses just coming in for a paycheck or trying to get ahead at other peoples expense. In the meantime, try to not think about it when you are not at work. Though I know this is better said than done. Being conscientious is a good quality. That store has a big problem if it doesn't find this mindset valuable.

Originally Posted by Hopingtrying

Unless you think you might be promoted or the company has a very good benefits, I would look for other jobs in my spare time. I am only happy at work when my supervisor is focussed on the mission verses just coming in for a paycheck or trying to get ahead at other peoples expense. In the meantime, try to not think about it when you are not at work. Though I know this is better said than done. Being conscientious is a good quality. That store has a big problem if it doesn't find this mindset valuable.

Thanks, I do think it can be a very valuable quality - a friend said to me in this employment market employers have their pick which means they don't value their staff (they can replace us so easily).

All my school reports the word 'conscientious' would be used again and again, it really is how I'm wired. I appreciate that quality in others too, but some supervisors don't seem to care. I do predict that sales will slump in this period, waste is already up which is bad news.

Trying to get ahead at other people's expense - yes I have seen that too. I saw a reliable (older) thorough employee get thoroughly demoralised last week by a young supervisor with zero people skills, I think the supervisor was trying to look smart by 'sorting out' (that was his expression) this employee but he just looked inept to me.

I try not to think about it when at work, but I really need to get better at that and shrugging it off. Exercise helps hugely, so I am doing that when I can.

[Yzen]

Every job I have been at seems to have a small group of conscientious, dedicated people and a group of those that are only there to get by (or get ahead) and collect a paycheck. I think you can't worry too much about others doing a poor job - they have their own problems and story. Focus on making your work reflect who you are. My previous job was chaotic and I stressed out about all the problems. I finally had to change my mindset to focus on making my work the best it could be and stop letting the surrounding chaos frustrate me. It helped with the anxiety. I did finally leave that job about a year ago and like my new job much better.

Do you have pre-assigned tasks which have to be done regardless of your shift duration? The management is responsible for any loss ultimately. They must organize and tell employee what to do and how to do it to reduce loss and maximize profit. You cannot take responsibility if the management is bad.

Originally Posted by Mr. Stranger

Do you have pre-assigned tasks which have to be done regardless of your shift duration? The management is responsible for any loss ultimately. They must organize and tell employee what to do and how to do it to reduce loss and maximize profit. You cannot take responsibility if the management is bad.

Thanks, yes I am responsible for my depts. delivery - I restock from this each shift. However when I and my colleague had extra hours we took on responsibility for working back-stock (that's the stock you can't get on the shelves because they are full, so it gets stored back store until there is space). Now the hours have gone the back-stock is piling up and going out of date sometimes. We really only have time for delivery that day.

If we have a spare moment and we spot something we try to get it out asap but we don't have time for the sheer amount of back-stock. I did ask my supervisor how they would deal with the back-stock and he said they would deal with it - they have had hours cut too and tbh they probably don't have the time (& I suspect motivation).

Yes you are right it is not ultimately my responsibility, this is what my husband said too. I do have a habit of taking the worries of the world on.

It's been an interesting few weeks - reorganisation from a supervisor meaning our shifts are all changed, as I'm part-time it's been assumed I'll come in any time they tell me to. They have also managed to mix up a long held approved holiday request which I am due to take. Supervisor did not call me when they said they would, so I have no idea whether my holiday is happening or not.

Not a happy bunny. Trying to stay positive and do the job to the best of my ability but I feel messed around and not valued.