Hello! Earlier I posted about my job at the grocery store. So far, i've gone to a couple of unassisted shifts and, well, i've really struggled with it. My feet hurt like hell after every shift (to the point that I can't fucking move and think i'm going to collapse near the end of it), and they have me booked for 5 8-hour shifts per week (of course, one of them is an hour less so they don't have to give me benefits). In addition to the physical effects of the job, it's taken a real psychological toll. The customers can be a dick to me, and sometimes I'm condescended to (I go to a fancy state school, and saw a customer that goes to the same school; I pointed this out to her, and I could almost hear the condescention and disgust dripping from her voice, as if I'm tainting her school with labor unbefitting to it). When I think about how this is going to be what the rest of my life is like (only 2 days a week to myself, with the rest of it dedicated to an unthinking corporate entity), I just feel incredibly hopeless. I need this job to save up for an apartment with my girlfriend next summer (her parents are abusive to her, so it's almost urgent that we remove ourselves from this situation), and my family will be pissed at me if i quit, so I don't think quitting is an option, but I'm just wondering what the hell to do. Is there anything I can do to lessen this job's burden on my mind and body?
I worked a register at a grocery store for a few years and honestly it is such a miserable job. It got so bad I would just curl up in a ball at the end of my bed and lay there for a while after every shift.
My advice on customers is to not bother trying to make a personal connection and beyond greeting them, avoid conversation altogether if you can. If you do get in a confrontation, either bend over backwards for them or assert yourself, but only do the latter if you absolutely know it will succeed. They all (even the nice ones) view you as a machine and as fucked as it is, it's easier on you to just play along like you are a machine. Anything more requires you having a genuine social interaction with every single customer who comes through your register. Even if they were all pleasant that would be exhausting. Say your script, scan and bag items, and send them on your way. The silence might feel awkward but you'll get used to it.
Don't be a super careful bagger. As long as produce, bread, and eggs aren't getting squished it's fine (unless customer specifies otherwise). Plastic and reuseable bags are strong, pack them heavy.
Sooner or later you'll figure out how much your till can be off by before you get in trouble. If it's more than a couple of dollars don't bother counting pennies, round up to the nearest nickel or dime.
Only thing I can suggest for your feet is walk around when possible, sit when possible, and get a good pair of shoes. Assuming you can, it is worth it to shell out $60 to $100 for something with good support.
Is there anything I can do to lessen this job’s burden on my mind and body?
Minimum wage = minimum effort. Do the least amount of work you can get away with without getting fired.
I've kept that in my mind, but it seems to me like that can't apply to cashiers. I'll have to get the people in my line checked out no matter what speed I do it at.
Can you slow down to the point where you constantly have lines? Do that and then tell them "look I'm not cut out for cashier, I'm obviously too slow, could you move me to another department?" if they can good, go to a department wherein you can slack off, if they can't and they need to fire you, maybe you could collect enhanced unemployment? Is the place hurting for staff?
they hired me without an interview, so yeah. seems to me like any other department is worse though
I guess you could play around with seeing how little you can get by doing, see how far that gets you. Worst case they fire you and you collect, which I'm assuming you can in your state?
Yeah ok the slower you go the longer your line gets and the less overall people you deal with
can you raise your compensation by stealing from your job
unassisted shifts
hmm does this mean there are no other employees to rat on you? still have to plan around cameras of course
during my training phase, I'd have someone there to help me bag. That's not there anymore.
If working was fun, they wouldn't have to pay people to do it. I think the feelings you're describing are better known as "employment"
If you can afford to visit a doctor you might be able to get a note saying that you should be allowed to sit down, but they might just move you to another role or tell you to fuck off. The only chain I know of that allows cashiers to sit down is Aldi.
