New Store - Giving it Time (ASDA Stores)

Member Name: Tinchick

Product:	ASDA Stores
Date:	18/05/07 (1113 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Discount cards, great customers, good colleagues

Disadvantages: Disillusionment and favouritism

I've worked in a new store for about 6 months now and I've found it an uphill struggle, not to do my job, which is the easiest in the store, but to balance what ASDA say it will be and what it is. I feel that there is always going to be a 'bedding in' period with so many people trying to learn how to work together.

I'm a Greeter, which comes under the heading of Services and work closely with the Customer Service Desk, Kiosk and Security colleagues. What I find really hard to swallow is the amount of favouritism that exists in this department. I'm not there to be liked, but I am there to do my job to the very best of my ability, which is hard when you find yourself stymied by people who are constantly disappearing for fly fag breaks or going away on jaunts, leaving me to help cover CSD/Kiosk. Within the first week of operating as a live store I had a run-in with one of our two service managers. Since that time we've been civil but never friendly to each other, and at my appraisal only yesterday, I found I had to fight for what I felt I was worth, rather than her judging me on the store's overall performance.

I think that 6 months is more than enough time to make an educated guess whether you are happy in an environment or not. Any less and you're not really being fair, but I think, if the option is there, take up a different position in store, as it might just suit you better.

It's little wonder that recently I opted to switch to Security, with a new boss, and working with another different squad of managers on the night team. These hours suit me far better as I have children, and whilst I am sure there will always be people that bring you down, I believe my new manager will be hard but fair, and it's basically all you can ask.

I use my 10% discount more than I thought I would but the other fringe benefits are less likely to be taken advantage of. I'm a member of the Law Club, which hopefully, will never come in handy!

Summary: Keeping your cool and finding your niche