I was working register yesterday and was really the only associate around the front at the time, and I’m new so I had already been asking for some help and felt like an inconvenience; I was supposed to take a break at 4pm like my previous shifts but held it off a bit to take care of more customers, but I was getting off at 6 so I didn’t want to take it too late. It was nearing 4:30. Luckily, we use walkie talkies, so I used it to call someone to cover me. I said, “I need someone to cover register for my 15.” I didn’t think it sounded rude considering my voice was so high and timid because I’m new and felt awkward speaking into the walkie; but a team leader, who had already been micromanaging me since my first day of hands-on training, came up to the register and told me about “walkie etiquette” and to ask for my break nicely instead of demanding for it, even gave me examples of how to ask for it: “Could I take my break?” “Is it okay if I take my break?” I understand if it was earlier into my shift and if we were busy, but it was dead and I’m not going to ask especially if it’s nearing the last hour of my shift. Asking for a break makes it sound like it’s optional and not legally required, but I digress lol.