I’m young, 17, I have been working at Giant/Martin’s Foods (a grocery chain that spans over several states) for 6 months. As background, my job consists of bagging groceries, stocking shelves, cleaning up spills, bringing in carts, taking out the trash, among other things.
I’m really annoyed at the fact that tasks frequently (every day) are neglected until I do something about it. I’m no saint, nor scholar, but if I see a trash bin over flowing with trash, I…EMPTY it.
Same with carts. All of the other associates blatantly disregard their supervisor after being instructed to round up carts. They’ll bring in about 30, and then go back inside.
I’m disgusted by two things:
I’m the hardest working associate there, and I’m one lazy kid. But when it comes to my job that I get PAID for, I do what I need to do. Everyone is lazy and I don’t get credit for the extra work I do.
The supervisors don’t do anything about it. One kid just left work in the middle of his shift, and he’s still hired (they found out he had left his shift)…What gives, I’d fire that punk.
My parents, partly joking, say that this how life is. One person might do a lot of work, but the rest kind of drift along.
Am I naive, exaggerating, making a big deal out of nothing, right on the money???
I think the key to your predicament is that you discribed yourself as “I’m a lazy kid” from my experience any one who considers themselves lazy tends to not be lazy at all, instead they tend to be someone who actually tries to do something with their time (and hence notices when they are inactive). Most people are extremely lazy, and most of those lazy people do as little as possible each day, and all of them tend to believe they are overworked. It is possible to feel resentful of them, but really they are the unlucky ones, because they never get to do what they want to do due to their innate lazyness. You work, and when you see extra work needed, you do it, that may seem unfair in your workplace that this is not noticed, but in most places it will be noticed, and out of work this ability to not be lazy is its own benifit. When you have a more demanding job, your lack of lazyness will be more noticed and more appreciated.
You can keep hold of that job, yet be looking for others at the same time, right?
I was lucky enough to get a job at 16 in a (chain) record store, full of people who enjoyed music. I wasn’t considered a geek for wanting to help the customers find what they want and pay for it quickly, I was considered an asset. I knew I was lucky, and they kept me there for a lot longer than if they’d treaten me like shit.
If you’ve legitimate concerns about whether everyone is behaving as they should, then you should be able to complain to someone. If it’s not clear who you complain to, or if complaints to your supervisor go ignored, then go to someone high up and say ‘I’ve no idea who to talk to’, that’ll guarantee action
You could complain to the supervisors or whatever, but you are not going to complain away all of your problems all throughout life. Everything is a case by case basis, but my guess is what you are dealing with now is what you will see from now on, probably at every job you ever have.
You are developing yourself as a man with character, who works hard. Leave it at that, don’t even mention anyone else.
Those co-workers of yours are developing their character as well. Never go farther than this statement. When it comes to other people, WHO CARES! When he takes a 20 minute break when he was supposed to have 10, don’t get bent, just say to yourself, “He is choosing who he wants to be in this one life that we have to live. He is developing HIS character, I am developing mine.” KARMA is real.
Let’s see who is still working at a grocery store in 20 years.
Your parents are right; life is like this. You will have to put up with lots of next-to-worthless co-workers.
But a reputation as a good worker is a very good thing to have; you will need references for your next job. So don’t slack off because every-one else gets away with it.
And if you are ever injured on a job, your manager is more likely to whole-heartedly support your comp claim (oddly enough, I know this for a fact.)
Now that you have proved yourself to be a valuable employee, ask for a raise; mention that you are reliable and trust-worthy, follow instructions, complete tasks, and take on extra responsiblities.
Get used to working with slugs, kid. Nice part is that when your forty, and retired due to your hard work, those people are still rounding up carts and bagging your grocerys.
My advice: Worry about yourself and everything will be fine.
Welcome to the 90/10 rule of life WarlokElf in which you see 10% of the people getting 90% of the work done. This is not said to discourage you, quite the contrary.
Whether it’s cart gathering or any other task to which you set your hand, do it to the best of your ability, and with a smile. Customers and supervisors alike will notice and although it make take years, you will receive your due in terms of retention, raises, and promotion. Reality note-sometimes you will go backwards, despite your diligence, because things aren’t always fair or just.
When the system doesn’t treat you fairly, remember that when you’re true to your core values, you have the respect of the man in the mirror. Good luck, young man.
“The Man In The Mirror”
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
and the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
and see what that man has to say
For it isn’t your father or mother or wife
whose judgement upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
is the one staring back from the glass
Some people may think you’re a straight shootin’ chum
and call you a wonderful guy
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum
if you can’t look him straight in the eye
You can fool the whole world down the pathways of life
and get pats on your back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
if you’ve cheated the man in the glass
He’s the fellow to please, never mind the rest
for he’s with you clear to the end
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
if the man in the glass is your friend
You’re going to do fine. I feel the same way about most places I work. Bare minimum seems to be okay for everyone else but I think I should work for my money.
Beware complaining. I complained at my last job that while our understaffed department was working, our supervisor was sitting in the back chatting with another coworker about “hot chicks”. The manager told me I was at fault for not telling them sooner and then asked me to shape up my attitude or leave the company. I (and my boyfriend) quit the next day.
Your parents are right; life is like this. You will have to put up with lots of next-to-worthless co-workers.
But a reputation as a good worker is a very good thing to have; you will need references for your next job. So don’t slack off because every-one else gets away with it.
And if you are ever injured on a job, your manager is more likely to whole-heartedly support your comp claim (oddly enough, I know this for a fact.)
Now that you have proved yourself to be a valuable employee, ask for a raise; mention that you are reliable and trust-worthy, follow instructions, complete tasks, and take on extra responsiblities.
There’s another point; those of us who are older (and more likely to complain about ‘kids today’) should take the time to tell managers about kids who do work hard.
