I wanted to talk about this and see if anyone else has any insight. Sorry if this is not the right reddit.
I work at a big name thrift store. Not going to say where or as what cause I have 0 idea who uses reddit and might find me. We have a lot of regulars that come in. Some we love, some… not so much.
This particular customer we absolutely adore. Like even the managers like her.
Well, today she came in and handed me her card. She said to text her because she wasn't coming in for awhile. She was informed by a manager that workers are not allowed to talk to customers for any length of time, and if they do, said worker will be written up or possibly even fired. She said she wasn't going to support a store or company that had that policy.
Mind you, this woman has family that works pretty high up the food chain in this company.
This was news to me but honestly, checks out. When I was working a different department in the same store, I actually did get in trouble a few times for spending too much time when helping customers. It was explained to me that my job was X, and nothing but X. My job was not to clean the store if it was a mess, it wasn't to pick things up off the ground or put out of place items back where they belong. My job was to put out clothing and that was it. I was told to spend “minimal time interacting” with customers. Like it was stressed to me to not talk to the customers and if they asked me something to answer the question and move on.
((Note: we also get in trouble for talking to other workers. I got pulled aside and was told I wasn't allowed to talk to my co-workers unless I was on break or before/after work.))
So if someone asked me where an item was, to tell them where it was and go back to work. I wasn't allowed to help them find it, I wasn't allowed to take them to where said item could be found. Just tell them where it was and leave it at that.
Not only do I feel that is pretty awful customer service in general, but 95% of our clients are the elderly. We are right outside a giant retirement community. It's just a complaint waiting to happen.
And obviously, this regular was furious for us, the workers, because of it. I work in a different department now where I am literally the only person working in said department. So like… when someone asks me a question on the floor, I'm going to take the time to either help them find it or show them exactly where the item would be. I kind of am beyond caring if I get in trouble or not. ((That and bull on being fired. Two guys were literally caught day drinking in uniform while clocked in and supposed to be working. They still work there.))
Beyond the late stage capitalism vibes… what do ya'll think? Do you think that workers, unless hired specifically to help customers, shouldn't talk to customers, even when on the sales floor?
But it just feels like a disaster waiting to happen…. more so then the fact that the turn over rate is faster than a hamster on a wheel.