Took a retail position out of desperation recently. All the reminders of why I hate retail presented themselves to me within the first couple of days.
I’ve explained to the manager several times I need accommodations regarding standing, as I have chronic pain and struggle with fatigue from previously having covid.
My position wasn’t described as a cashier role at all, I as under the impression I would be doing more admin and office work. Not only do I feel lied to, my physical health is starting to deteriorate.
When I had roles such as a large pile of returns I needed to create new price stickers for, I stepped out of the way of the cashiers and took a knee while working. I was kneeling for maybe 3-5 minutes while using the device and I finished pretty quickly since I wasn’t in pain during it. That task also didn’t involve customer service and was out of the public eye.
Recently I had a meeting with my manager again, she was sitting down in her padded office chair while starting to lecture me that I can’t kneel or crouch on the ground. I asked why. She was vague as to why and just repeated associates can’t kneel. She was smiling smugly during it.
I again empathized my chronic pain and she told me to just buy insoles. She kept smug smiling at me.
I already have, quite expensive ones at that.
The whole thing felt so weird, all the managers keep saying they care about employees and our wellbeing, but the actual job environment doesn’t reflect that lol.
TL;DR: I hate retail :/