As a retail worker myself, I know firsthand that customers aren't always the kindest to the employees trying to help them out.
I've seen customers snapping at workers, getting angry when things don't go their way, and leaving huge messes around the store that employees have to clean up. Retail employees have to work hard on their feet for very little pay, and they deserve to be treated with kindness for the work they put in.
Here are six times that it's OK to treat retail employees with anything less than respect.
1. Never
Retail employees are trying their best to help you out – customer service is the main part of their jobs, and they really do make an effort to help customers find what they're looking for, even when they ask for something unreasonable. Snapping at employees isn't going to speed up the process.
2. Never
Contrary to popular (and bewilderingly misguided) belief, retail employees have very little control over the contents of the store. If the shirt you wanted to buy isn't in stock in your size, it's not the employee's fault. I repeat: it's not the employee's fault! They're just the bearer of bad news and can't fix the situation for you.
3. Never
Retail employees do have to keep the store clean, but that doesn't mean that customers should feel free to make a mess. When you leave trash in the store and a tangled heap of clothing in the fitting room, they're the ones who have to clean up after you.
Also, when you tear up a display looking for your size, someone has to refold and reorganized all of those clothes, and can you guess who that has to be?
4. Never
Many retail employees have to work terrible hours, what with overnight shifts and having to open the store early in the morning or close it down late at night. Most of them are exhausted and are doing the best work they can on that amount of sleep.
5. Never
Keep in mind that yelling at a retail employee when you get frustrated does count as verbal abuse, and it is never acceptable. This makes a huge impact on retail employee's days (as one would expect being yelled at by a stranger might entail).
6. Never
Even if you're feeling frustrated about something, please stop for a moment and continue to treat the employees trying to help you like they're human beings. No one deserves to be mistreated at work.
