I’ve been working in a personal shopping department for about 8-9 months. Its bearable, i like it on occasion and my coworkers are neat. But as an autistic adult i struggle with talking to customers and have a hard time managing the stress of personal shopping. Back when i first started a particular breakdown had them suggest switching me to a fruit cutting shift where i’d be able to stay away from people, but being so early into my job i wanted to give personal shopping a chance.
Lately, i’ve been drifting more to the floral department. I originally applied to floral due to having 6+ months experience but they insisted on me working in direct, when it turns out the floral manager, lovely lady by the way, needed someone with experience for months because all they would give her was temps. As said, she’s a wonderful lady who really values me and the help i do for her, it makes me feel appreciated and not like someone is just throwing shit onto me.
I decided i want to transfer. I’m more familiar with floral, it’s more independent and less customer service, and she would be more than welcome to having me. However, because i can only do 12 hours maximum a week for floral, i’d have to do another department as well, and i figured i might as well do the fruit cutting because i do need that space now, the customers are getting to me and so is the rush of personal shopping, im missing breaks more than not because theres just no time to take one.
And well, my department manager is insistent i don’t go. He has a grip on me, says im one of his best workers, his fastest shoppers. And it pisses me off, i feel chained to a job i don’t want anymore, when i could reach for an opportunity in front of me. I don’t feel like i’m one of the best people in the department, because i’m not treated nor paid like i am. If i’m one of the best should i be making more than 12.50 an hour? Not even minimum wage.
I don’t know what to do man. I want to break free so bad and go where i know i’ll be happier, but i feel like my manager is holding me back all for his benefit