My job is an essential asset that provides me with earning power and results in self-fulfillment. However, this was not the case when I made the choice to apply for the Family Dollar store. My experience at the Family Dollars store was the worst. There were many things that contributed to me disliking this job. Having tons to do and not having good management. I was not earning much money nor would I ever get breaks. I would spend days with 12 hours shifts with no time to neither eat nor be able to use the bathroom. With this experienced, I learned a lesson taking a less desirable job.
I engage a cash register position at the Family Dollars store which was the worst job ever. My job duties as cash register sinks. I was expected to lift very heavy boxes during my entire shift. I was the only person who worked on floor. Whenever there was a customer, I would have to run to the cash register in order for the customer to be attended. None of the employees would realize how much stress I was under. During the rare times, when I was not stocking nor watching the register, I had to go around the store making sure all of the merchandise was neatly arranged.
I had to take a shopping cart and put back all the items that the customer returns back on the shelf. I very must hated went the customer came to return worn clothes to the store. There are many reasons why my position was horrible. The amount of work I was expected to do was unbelievable. I disliked working at the Family Dollar because of my lack of breaks. I would come to work directly after school and work until at least an hour after closing each night without any down time. The only time I got a break was the day when I worked a twelve hour shift. I only got a fifteen minute break.
When I will ask my manager to take my break, my manager would tell me to wait and finish my job. After I finish the job I was doing and then went to take my break. When I came back from my break, my manager was mad at me for taking my break too late. I reminded my manager what she said, to first finish what I was doing before I can take my break. I told my manager that under the Florida labor laws, employee can take a 15 minute short break when employee work 6-8 hours shift. I need my breaks. I cannot continue working for 6-8 hours straight without a break.
Also, during the lengthy work day, I only got paid for the hours I worked during my normal shift, not the extra time that I worked. I only made minimum wage working at the Family Dollar. I hated this job. I was only working at the Family Dollar to help my parents make ends met. I wanted to help my parents out, but I was only getting paid minimum wage which is not that much. I didn’t understand why I had to get paid minimum wage, if I spoke English. I was only making $280 per week. What I was getting paid was not enough money for all things that I was doing.
Out of that amount, I had to give my parents $120 every week. I was only left with $60 that I use for gas. I continue to work just to please my parent. I sat down with my manager one day and ask my manager if I can get a raise. Guess what, my manager laughed at me and walk away. I told my manager that I work very hard. I help my manager do her job, but the answer was the same. I got very mad and asked my manager “why is my co-worker that doesn’t speak English getting pay more then me? ” My co-worker did less hours and less work and yet got pay more then me. I worked very hard.
I run the floor and did the cash register. I didn’t want to continue getting paid minimum wage. I wanted more money so that I can help my parents more. I wanted to have more money for me. Minimum wage was not for me. I was not happy with working like a salve and getting pay like one too. “The salve days are over” I told my manager. I told my manager that if the Family Dollar was not going to pay me for all the extra hours that I’ve worked. Then I was no longer going to stay after the time that I given on my schedule. My Managers had poor communicators between us.
Every time new merchandise would come in to the store. I will have to do inventory along with the log sheet. After the inventory was accounted for I had to organize the new merchandise on the shelves. I was always confused to where the new items went. My manager was always in a hurry, and can’t be bothered to take the time to give me instructions. I always thought that it may simply be that my manager is not skilled to give instructions. My manager love to gossip and not do her job. Regardless, when I have to guess what I was supposed to do. I would likely get it wrong, which results in poor work performance.
I felt that my manager was unskilled and unprofessional. When my manager blame me for my manager confusion, causing resentment and anger. As a resolve, I was resentful, angry and was less likely to put all of my energy into my work. The worst part was closing. I had to bring in all of the items from outside. After spending at least an hour bringing in the outside items, and then bring in the tables that the merchandise was displayed on. Besides that I had to sweep and mop the entire store by myself. I was feeling like a slave since I had to do all of this by myself. It was very exhausting and overwhelming.
Especially knowing nobody would appreciate me nor give me a hand. By the time I had to leave I was dead. Every day at work when I saw the time that said 30 minutes until closing I would get very happy. I was always deeding to leave. I wanted to get the hell out of there. For all these reason mention above, the Family Dollar was the worst job ever. This is why businesses should have excellent managers to lead their staff. Having an excellent manager will keep the staff up to date and have them working at their fullest potential. Hopefully in my next job my manager is a good one!
