Whatever floats your boat...
The Walmart sub culture
Today my sister sent me a link:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/1/26/204926/141/205/689339
She sent it to me because I work for Walmart. I work in the fabric and craft department. I hate working for Walmart, I have not been able to put my finger on why, but I do.
I have worked for the last 20 some years in retail management and more recently as an executive assistant for a promotional company. However, with our recent move from NY to TN and the loss of so many jobs, I was happy to even find a job, so who was I to complain that it was Walmart.
I love working in the department that I work in because I love working with people. It has been a great place to practice my "happy therapy" because believe me, there are some miserable people who come through. I don't mind having to stock the shelves or straighten out the fabric. I don't even mind that my dept manager is simple minded, she's a nice enough lady, so I grin and bare(sp) it. What I do mind is the politics. I mind that we have to watch these stupid videos about how to treat one another and we have to listen to speeches from upper management about how they made their way up through the ranks and about their "open door" policy and it is all just so much crap.
I can't even get my AREA manager (different then my dept manager) to stop long enough to ask her a question about how to do something, much less get her to sit and discuss a situation that needs her attention. She talks down to me like I am an imbecile, but still, I do my best to not say,"HEY, I am like 10 times smarter then YOU, so don't talk to me like I'm an idiot."
Another thing the 'scares" me about walmart is this. I look around and I see people who have worked there for 10, 15 and even 20 years. That is fine, that they have longevity in a job, but what bothers me is that they are still doing the same jobs they started out in. The maintenance guy from 10 years ago, is still the same guy sweeping the floor and cleaning the bathrooms. So how exactly are we supposed to move up? Maybe someone has to die or something? I'm not sure.
And talk about cliques, this place is full of them. And everyone knows everything about everyone else. Rumors run rampant from one end of the store to the other (which is no small feat since I work in a SUPER Walmart and it is like 26000 square feet).
I really can't put into words what it feels like to wake up and know I have to go there to put in my 8 hours. Knowing I should just be happy to have a job but feeling so overwhelmed with not WANTING to go. But I paste on my smile, slide into my happy place and I'm off for another 9 hours of torture... the only bright spots are those moments I get to share with customers.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/1/26/204926/141/205/689339
She sent it to me because I work for Walmart. I work in the fabric and craft department. I hate working for Walmart, I have not been able to put my finger on why, but I do.
I have worked for the last 20 some years in retail management and more recently as an executive assistant for a promotional company. However, with our recent move from NY to TN and the loss of so many jobs, I was happy to even find a job, so who was I to complain that it was Walmart.
I love working in the department that I work in because I love working with people. It has been a great place to practice my "happy therapy" because believe me, there are some miserable people who come through. I don't mind having to stock the shelves or straighten out the fabric. I don't even mind that my dept manager is simple minded, she's a nice enough lady, so I grin and bare(sp) it. What I do mind is the politics. I mind that we have to watch these stupid videos about how to treat one another and we have to listen to speeches from upper management about how they made their way up through the ranks and about their "open door" policy and it is all just so much crap.
I can't even get my AREA manager (different then my dept manager) to stop long enough to ask her a question about how to do something, much less get her to sit and discuss a situation that needs her attention. She talks down to me like I am an imbecile, but still, I do my best to not say,"HEY, I am like 10 times smarter then YOU, so don't talk to me like I'm an idiot."
Another thing the 'scares" me about walmart is this. I look around and I see people who have worked there for 10, 15 and even 20 years. That is fine, that they have longevity in a job, but what bothers me is that they are still doing the same jobs they started out in. The maintenance guy from 10 years ago, is still the same guy sweeping the floor and cleaning the bathrooms. So how exactly are we supposed to move up? Maybe someone has to die or something? I'm not sure.
And talk about cliques, this place is full of them. And everyone knows everything about everyone else. Rumors run rampant from one end of the store to the other (which is no small feat since I work in a SUPER Walmart and it is like 26000 square feet).
I really can't put into words what it feels like to wake up and know I have to go there to put in my 8 hours. Knowing I should just be happy to have a job but feeling so overwhelmed with not WANTING to go. But I paste on my smile, slide into my happy place and I'm off for another 9 hours of torture... the only bright spots are those moments I get to share with customers.
Views: 7
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Comment by photo2010 on January 27, 2009 at 2:45pm
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Dee, somehow I feel that with your level of knowledge and self-awareness, you'll be moving up, or to something better before too long. :)
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Comment by SydTheSkeptic on January 27, 2009 at 3:00pm
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:o)
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Comment by JustDee on January 27, 2009 at 3:08pm
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@photo- thanks for your kind words. I am trying to focus on my insides right now so working at walmart isn't the worst thing in the world, it sure leaves me plenty of thinking time. But I won't stay for very long...something better will make itself known when the time is right.
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@radio- That is rather ironic... to say the least
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Comment by NatureJunkie on January 27, 2009 at 4:06pm
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Dee, I so feel for you. I've had jobs that I have hated that way—where you clock in and count the slow passage of minutes until quitting time. I had one particular job that I hated so much I would get nauseous on my way to work. When I had jobs like that, I set myself a goal for something else. Usually it was another job, sometimes it was completing a course or series of courses that prepared me for another job. Keeping your eyes on the prize, whatever that represents for you, won't make the job fun, but it can make it bearable.
"So how exactly are we supposed to move up?" The truth of it is that in most organizations, you can't. So instead of moving up, you move on—to a better job. It's tough right now, but things will get better. Eyes on the prize.
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@naturejunkie- thanks for the advice. I so feel what you mean about getting nauseous on the way to work. I have a job waiting for me.. rather, I am waiting for a particular job to be ready for me. The reason I moved here to TN is to be an office manager for the business my husband is in with his friend. There have been issues with actually opening though and they can't afford me yet....but I do have my eyes on the prize.. thanks
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