I've worked in luxury retail for 3 months and have had two meetings where the manager and assistant manager have critiqued my facial expressions and tone. First I was told I look sick, which I was actually. I worked hard to mask it and thought I was doing well but got pulled into the office again and was told I don't smile enough and am “crass” to customers. NEVER got any feedback like that before.
I really don't understand how to appear happy enough at work. It's like we're expected to be over the moon our entire shift. Just exploding with energy and smiling 24/7 even if we aren't interacting with a customer.
I am being so closely analyzed by managers and leads that I feel like I am performing and not being myself. My usual tone I guess isn't peppy enough and they think customers are offended by it, although I haven't had a single customer seem annoyed with me or complain.
I came into work the day after my family's 16 year old dog died. I came in when I was having a flare-up of my chronic illness and felt like I was going to vomit. I came in when my bf and I were fighting and I would cry on my breaks. I can't mask all these things to the extent they want me to.
They are very big on inclusivity but it seems to be just in writing. Like I had trouble making eye contact when I first started and they told me in a meeting that it was harming my connection with customers. Now I force myself to but it's all to much to remember — smile enough but make it natural. Make eye contact but not too much. Use a peppy tone. Don't look sick even if you feel sick…they pretty much want us to be robots.
Has anyone experienced stuff like this? I enjoy the actual work for the most part but they make it seem like I don't fit in and am a potential harm to the company.