FAQ/Help |
Calendar |
Search |
Grand Magnate
Member Since Oct 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 4,684
(SuperPoster!)
4 11.6k hugs
given |
#1
I know there must be many of you out there who are providing essential service and must continue to work among people within this pandemic.
I am due to return to my essential service job in retail soon, I am nervous. How is it going for those of you working through this? I am starting this thread with the hope we can contribute our experience, share and get support. |
Reply With Quote |
Have Hope, TunedOut, WovenGalaxy
|
TunedOut, WovenGalaxy
|
Grand Poohbah
Member Since May 2019
Location: USA
Posts: 1,523
4 6,984 hugs
given |
#2
One of my family members recently got a job in retail--it is not as high stress as most retail places from what I hear. Three out of four of us are not worried about the virus but it is a reasonable worry for the person that is and perhaps some of us should be more worried than we are.
What makes you the most nervous? The stress from the anxious customers or the virus? |
Reply With Quote |
Discombobulated
|
Grand Magnate
Member Since Oct 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 4,684
(SuperPoster!)
4 11.6k hugs
given |
#3
It was the customers before my annual leave who were often aggressive and negative atmosphere in store but now it's the virus.
We are told it's virulent and we must stay home but yet many of us are being told we must work in these high traffic environments. I am not concerned about me but my husband and son who are both in higher risk groups and staying home. As per advice I have colour coded all cutlery and crockery, separate towels and I will shower thoroughly immediately on return plus hot wash my uniform daily. Just hoping this is enough. It's impossible to buy disinfectant now so just doing what I can with what cleaning materials I have. |
Reply With Quote |
TunedOut, WovenGalaxy
|
TunedOut, WovenGalaxy
|
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
#4
I work in an essential store. so I must report to work, or I can take time off with no pay. it is difficult because comes in looking for the elusive paper products and hand sanitizer, which we don't have. some are decked out in enough haz mat material to withstand an atomic explosion. everyone is on edge.
had one woman yesterday with her "not so service service dog" who did not have a leash on, when I told her it needed to be leashed for it's own protection she said "oh from the virus!" yea, ya can't fix stupid." our company just authorized hazardous duty pay by upping our hourly wage and our shopping % off, which helps. and they are also looking into getting sneeze guards at the registers which would so help. I don't enjoy working at this time but I do enjoy a paycheck. |
Reply With Quote |
Discombobulated, divine1966, TunedOut, unaluna, WovenGalaxy
|
Discombobulated, TunedOut
|
Magnate
Member Since Sep 2019
Location: Earth
Posts: 2,854
4 4,842 hugs
given |
#5
|
Reply With Quote |
Discombobulated, TunedOut
|
Discombobulated, TunedOut
|
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
#6
As a nervous customer myself, I think the work that needs to be done is very important in order for us to continue to function as we re-learn how to co-exist with over population and global warming in mind. Best to practice consideration and safe distancing. Learn to protect yourself. I would feel a lot better if I had access to cleaning gloves that were different than gloves used to handle money and food. Ideally these precautions would not be necessary, but to know when they are and when they are not is disconcerting to me. Uniforms in the workplace should help distinguish between a few of these tasks. One being- do not take out trash in your food service apron and another- keep harsh chemicals away from self, and- personal items you may touch at beginning or end of shift like purses, backpacks, Phones and wallets should be kept away from food prep.
|
Reply With Quote |
Discombobulated, TunedOut
|
Discombobulated, TunedOut
|
Grand Magnate
Member Since Oct 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 4,684
(SuperPoster!)
4 11.6k hugs
given |
#7
I spoke with my manager today, she was very supportive and specified what tasks I am to avoid to maintain best social distance to help protect my vulnerable husband and son. I feel more confident now. I am also politely but firmly enforcing our new one way system in store.
The company I work for is a bit lacking but I have to say our in store team are great. I am happy to work for them as long as mine and my families health is not at risk. |
Reply With Quote |
lizardlady, seesaw, TunedOut, unaluna, WovenGalaxy
|
seesaw, TunedOut, WovenGalaxy
|
Wise Elder
Member Since Dec 2017
Location: Eastern, USA
Posts: 9,083
(SuperPoster!)
6 3,626 hugs
given |
#8
My husband is required to continue to work with the public, and I am scared and worried sick about him getting sick. As of this morning, two of his co-workers are sick, one with flu-like symptoms, and the other, we do not know yet. I am livid that his workplace won't shut down temporarily, but he works in automotive and it's considered essential. They're put at risk every single day. His hours were drastically cut due to lower demand, but he still goes in 2-3 days per week right now. We're both sick with worry. On top of that, we have to take out a personal loan to cover the loss of income, which his workplace doesn't cover. Unemployment for part-time income loss is insanely low and barely enough to cover a week's worth of food. We are stressed... I am very stressed.
__________________ "Twenty-five years and my life is still trying to get up that great big hill of hope for a destination" ~4 Non Blondes |
Reply With Quote |
Discombobulated, Train of Thought, TunedOut
|
Legendary
Member Since Nov 2002
Location: Mid World
Posts: 17,483
(SuperPoster!)
21 7,513 hugs
given |
#9
Quote:
Quick, someone alert the CDC! We all need to start wearing leashes to protect us from the virus! |
|
Reply With Quote |
TunedOut, unaluna
|
TunedOut, unaluna
|
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
#10
our company stepped up and added a 2% surcharge to all items in the store which will be an add on to the hazard pay and we are still getting the $#2/hr extra as well. still sucks tho..like waiting for the bomb to land. and some crappy customers don't want to pay the 2%- it's optional.
|
Reply With Quote |
Discombobulated
|
TunedOut
|
Legendary Wise Elder
Member Since Dec 2014
Location: US
Posts: 22,367
(SuperPoster!)
9 1,277 hugs
given |
#11
Quote:
|
|
Reply With Quote |
TunedOut
|
TunedOut
|
Grand Poohbah
Member Since May 2019
Location: USA
Posts: 1,523
4 6,984 hugs
given |
#12
Quote:
Also, I will be glad when there is a test that shows that we have had it and are now recovered--this would be a great way to get our economy moving again. |
|
Reply With Quote |
Discombobulated
|
Grand Magnate
Member Since Oct 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 4,684
(SuperPoster!)
4 11.6k hugs
given |
#13
Over here the big supermarkets have all given promises for bonuses, it varies between 10% to 6% to a week's extra pay. They need to budget as despite the high profits during panic buying this situation is costing them dear with paid leave for vulnerable staff and also charitable donations.
I have taken unpaid leave indefinitely as my family situation involves 2 vulnerable people who I live with, I cannot take the risk. I feel guilty for my colleagues left. Although we have temps in. Thanks to all those still working. |
Reply With Quote |
TunedOut, WovenGalaxy
|
TunedOut, WovenGalaxy
|
Grand Poohbah
Member Since May 2019
Location: USA
Posts: 1,523
4 6,984 hugs
given |
#14
Quote:
I am sorry for the people who are getting seriously sick but this might be the opportunity the temps and new hires (I assume the people choosing to work are at a lower risk--many people recover) need to get a job. We are in a new cycle. People who were not thriving before might find ways to thrive again. Everything has a season. Enjoy your time off. Rest, reflection and family are important too! I thank everyone at the store for working. |
|
Reply With Quote |
Discombobulated, WovenGalaxy
|
Legendary Wise Elder
Member Since Dec 2014
Location: US
Posts: 22,367
(SuperPoster!)
9 1,277 hugs
given |
#15
Our local grocery store (major chain) hiring temporary workers, a month or longer if needed. On a spot. They don’t pay too bad and they offer variety of shifts, day, night, part, full etc I saw it on nextdoor app. Couple people posted that they got the job right away
|
Reply With Quote |
Discombobulated, WovenGalaxy
|
Grand Magnate
Member Since Oct 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 4,684
(SuperPoster!)
4 11.6k hugs
given |
#16
Yes same here, on the spot hires, they are mostly young fit people who are low risk.
|
Reply With Quote |
TunedOut
|
Grand Magnate
Member Since Jan 2014
Location: US
Posts: 4,887
10 3,785 hugs
given |
#17
@resurgam is the 2% separate from the donation they ask about at the end? I want to pay the 2% but I said no to a donation.
|
Reply With Quote |
Reply |
|