Sometimes I just have to go

[IDontWorkHere]

So I've changed jobs... I'm now a shift manager at a dollar store - how exciting. Suffice to say, my employers like to skirt workplace regulations- by skirt, I mean flagrantly violate. Until I find something better, I'm pretty much stuck with the job - so I haven't made a big deal about it, but customers are making it so much worse. I generally work 8+ hour shifts. Alone. No one to cover a lunch break, let alone a bathroom break. Occasionally, when I absolutely have to, I sneak to the back for a quick restroom break - 2 minutes or less, usually. Every Single Time I get back to the front I get glared and yelled at for DARING to not be at the counter the minute the customer wanted me to be. I'm not a damn robot!! It isn't my fault that my employer refuses to hire more help! I can't be everywhere at once, and sometimes I HAVE TO PEE!!!!

Sorry, needed to get that off my chest.

I'm sure you can look forward to more stories over in MiM soon, too.

[bhskittykatt]

I feel your pain. I don't get breaks at the desk. It can be dead quiet for hours, but as soon as I have to use the restroom or dare to attempt to eat food, I get hit with a wave of customers. It's almost like they're intentionally waiting for me to go into the bathroom before they come in!

[Mytical]

I feel your pain. Heck even when you have help sometimes it seems impossible to get any kind of break as management. I swear that when I was CSM on third shift..as soon as I was about to do anything like dare to try to sit down..my name would come over the PA. Out of two 15 minute breaks, and a 30 minute lunch..I was LUCKY to get 2 minutes..total.

All I can suggest is .. when you are about to go to the restroom..lock the dang door for a minute .. oh wait..that is probably a bad idea.

[Plaidman]

Wait, your a manager, and you can't get anyone to cover a til for two minutes? How come they don't do what you say? your the manager...?


I do feel your pain. THere have been tons of time where I have hours of customers, and I'm wiggling and dancing, and seriously considering peeing on the floor cause I have to go that bad. You beg them, and they laugh at you, or say they're only need a minute. Naturally that means ten minutes, and you get more customers wandering around. Can't leave them alone for a minute, because they'd grab a bunch of beer, or cartons of cigs and run out, and I'll get written up. Joys of working by yourself at a convience store at night.

[IDontWorkHere]

Wait, your a manager, and you can't get anyone to cover a til for two minutes? How come they don't do what you say? your the manager...?

If I'm the only one working for the entire shift - there is no "they" to cover me.

[AdamaGeist]

I'm gonna say this, and it's terrible to say it, BUT...

If you've got no staff? You're not a manager.

[aurelemsrealm]

As a convenience store clerk, I know exactly how you feel. I hate working a shift by myself because it never fails that's when you get the stupidest, rudest, and neediest of customers.

On top of dealing with the virtually endless stream of customers at the register, management often expects you to keep up with the chores "in between customers." News flash, there is little to no "in between customers" time when you're the only clerk on duty. After years of trying to do what's expected with little to no gratitude on the part of the company, I've finally reached a point of no longer caring. I refuse to bust my ass to get everything done when I'm the only clerk on duty, and I have a steady stream of customers. To be honest, I probably still accomplish more than most of my coworkers based on what store manager, assistant manager, and a few favored customers tell me.

I'm tired of carrying workplace stress into the rest of my life. I have a full load of classes, all the homework that goes along with school, and a family and home to tend to outside of work. I just report for duty when scheduled, and do the best I can until it's time to go home. If things get done, they get done. If I'm not able to get it all done, I no longer give a damn.

[Swordsman422]

Wimp! True customer service demands that you wear a cathoder and an IV.

[IDontWorkHere]

I'm gonna say this, and it's terrible to say it, BUT...

If you've got no staff? You're not a manager.

Never said there's no staff - I was addressing specific times when I'm alone. Thanks for the insult, though. Truly appreciated.

[chainedbarista]

wow, can't even catch a break to pee? wtf? i hope that something new, better and much shinier comes your way, so you're not stuck polishing this particular turd any longer than necessary.

[AdamaGeist]

Never said there's no staff - I was addressing specific times when I'm alone. Thanks for the insult, though. Truly appreciated.

Not intended as an insult against you, just addressing a point... That the owners cheapness doesn't give you the respect due to your position.

I mean, I know I'm harsh to almost everyone, but I never meant to offend you. x.x I was aiming that view at the people who employ you. After all, if you generally work your shifts alone... Well, then their under-staffing diminishes the authority of your title.

Geh, is there a way to not make that sound asinine?

[Plaidman]

Never said there's no staff - I was addressing specific times when I'm alone. Thanks for the insult, though. Truly appreciated.

That wasn't an insult by AdamaGeist. You said it yourself that your alone the entire shifts, not specific times. I may be alone most of the time, but I can also call up workers and get them to come down to help me at any time and they usually have to comply. If you have no help, then your really just a worker with a fancy title with no real manager powers and possibly higher pay.

I am sorry you can't ever go to bathroom. Alot of us totally understand that.

[Shalom]

I have heard tales of pharmacists talking to customers over the "sneeze guard" (shoulder height wall backing up the counter, with a couple feet of plexiglass above that) while simultaneously, out of their range of vision, peeing in the sink.

Me, I just stick a note on the counter "Back in 5 minutes" and go do what I gotta do. If I'm alone in the store (never happens at a chain, constantly happened at the independent before they brought in staff for the front end) I'd lock the door and put the note on the door. Like you guys said, I'm not a damn robot.

[hotelnpa]

It does seem when it gets slow at the desk, the moment I decide to use the restroom or just step outside to get some fresh air, the phone rings, a guest drives up to check in or check out, or a guest already in-house comes to the front desk. Or when I prepared a nice hot meal to quickly eat, I get a very long reservation on the phone and then all of the check-ins for the night arrive and my food is now cold.

We get chewed out for not being at the desk sometimes too because a customer will complain about it, as sometimes we have to leave the desk to take care of a customer complaint. You know 1 minute = 5 minutes in sucky customer land.

I'm surprised some managers out there haven't suggested we wear Depends at work so we don't use the restroom (I bet some thought of that though.)

[Peppergirl]

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