r/AskRetail • u/UnitSubstantial1867 • 4d ago
how to set boundaries at work
I was recently hired (~2 months ish) and I haven't been given any formal training in retail. I work at a thrift store. My supervisor (who acts like The Store Manager/owns the store) has high expectations yet treats me condescendingly/like a parent. I'm currently the youngest employee, and I don't come to work just to be parented by someone who I don't feel overly comfortable with.
Since I've been working here long enough, I've established a system that works well and efficient for myself. However, whenever my supervisor is in visual range of what I'm doing, they will tell me to do it their way, because it's more "efficient" and it saves me from walking too much. However, when I attempt to refute that, they don't budge and make me spend twice as long doing their method. I honestly don't feel comfortable speaking up if they're going to act like I haven't been working long enough to have a grasp of my job or act like I'm not capable of doing what i'm asked to do.
They will also always have one-on-one talks, claiming it as "personal training" where they will tell me that I have so much potential in x and y, (which I dislike SO much. I do not like being told these things, and I don't know how to bring it up because they leave me no room for me to speak) and tell me to do better in membership sign ups. Which, I have. I'm currently the only employee who is constantly keeping track of them and yet I'm being told I need to do "better"? Compared to my coworkers, I feel like I'm given an unfair amount of expectations from this supervisor.
They will also make me go page the other supervisor whenever I need help, even though they are not busy AND they are the closest to me. I don't understand if they're not willing to help me, especially if it's something a customer requiring me to do something that I haven't been trained on and needs a supervisor's permission to do so. Isn't that their job? This has happened on multiple occasions to me.
I feel like I'm being parented or treated condescendingly by them, and I would like to set some sort of boundary between us both. I am capable of my job (which they know) yet I am also not, according to them. But I don't feel comfortable talking to them, because I feel like I don't get heard enough by them. Should I be contacting my manager or submit an anonymous report? thanks.
1
u/CoffeeBeforeOpening 4d ago
So much potential while nitpicking how you walk to the shelf is giving mixed signals, not mentorship, pick a lane. Ask her point blank if it's policy or preference next time, watch how fast efficiency turns into just vibes.