When I worked in fast food for minimum wage, they would yell at us and lecture us about “stealing” fries and burgers (while we had to throw out TONS of food every day) as though the giant billion-dollar corporations of McDonald’s and Sonic couldn’t afford to give their employees something to eat (while not even paying us a living wage).
Now I work at an upscale restaurant (it’s fancy, like celebrities eat there fairly often) and not only do I make WAY better money but they give us 2 free meals a day (eaten on the clock) and they’re GOOD. Today I got baked cod, spring rolls, rice pilaf, stir fry, and mashed potatoes and eggplant. Oh, and free espresso and juice. From this restaurant owned by a local man who is in no way a billionaire.
Obviously money is not the issue, valuing your employees as people is.
if you were previously homophobic but realize you were wrong: that’s ok, u are learning
if you are struggling with internalized misogyny: that’s ok too, keep fighting to overcome the sexism that society perpetuates
if you were accidentally trans phobic but are fixing it: great, we need everyone on our side
if at any point u were wrong and are trying to fix it: we accept you and we were all there. keep working to be a good person
cashier: sorry for your wait. we’re short-staffed today
millennial: oh that’s ok no worries 🙂
baby boomer:
But listen that’s the thing.
We are short staffed almost 97% of the time at my retail job. Because corporate has figured out you can overwork 4 people at minimum wage instead of paying for the 8 people you should probably have to be on the clock.
Baby boomers grew up with stores that were adequately staffed, with workers who most likely had weeks of training for their jobs as opposed to the 1-2 shadow shift training we get now. Also those workers most likely were able to be full time if they wanted. Now retail, except for management positions, is mostly made up of part time workers, because you don’t have to give them benefits. So you have a workforce of perpetually underpaid, overwhelmed, undertrained people trying to do their best all while dealing with an entire generation of people who refuse to acknowledge that the system has changed and the average retail worker has NO control over that change and is being taken advantage of.
Like we got our customer surveys back, and almost every single one mentioned that they couldn’t find someone to help them or we needed more people on register because it was TOO SLOW, but what did management tell us instead of scheduling more people? We need to be quicker on register and call for backup if necessary. Which makes no sense because we can’t call for backup THAT ISN’T THERE.
Y’all my parents haven’t worked retail since the 70s and they absolutely never believe me about the things that happen at work. I explain the schedule for next week gets hung up on the Friday before and they scoff and go “well when i worked at X they had it a month up your manager is just lazy.” No mom, its company policy to only do “two weeks” in advance. They won’t give you a full month’s scheduling in advance cause it let’s you plan for a world outside of work.
Or about the hours, workload or anything. They just assume its an individual’s failing instead of corporate mandate. Or, if they do believe me (that its company policy) they call it ridiculous and point out some survey that argues its Good Business to do (insert decent thing here).As if they think the higher ups don’t know this and are simply ignorant of Good Business Practices. They don’t understand that retail has completely shifted from caring about its employees to squeezing out every penny now instead of investing it for later.
Cause that isn’t how it was when they worked and they just can’t seem to see otherwise.
I think there should be a ‘bring-your-parent-to-work-day’ instead of ‘bring-your-kid-to-work-day’, it would shock so many parents and would probably make them finally realize how much retail indeed has changed in the US.
when i first got hired as a cashier, my manager who had been doing that since she was like 17 in 1975 told me that back in The Days, when you were hired as a cashier in a grocery store it was a) a well paid job & you could get full time work easily b) a respected career choice c) the store closed at 6pm and was closed on Sundays so the hours were a lot more pleasant d) they made you go to cashier school for 2 weeks, which was basically a fake grocery store and you just learned the trade completely before even meeting a customer now its like : you get like 20 hours a week, bullshit shifts like 3:45 to 10:15, a 20 minutes training before being thrown to the wolves, customers tell you you deserve your shitty lowlife job as soon as you don’t thoroughly kiss their ass
The millennial experience is tied to growing income inequality and the indentured servitude of student loan debt
This applies to food service and quick service jobs as well. If you’re not making them money, you’re not working hard enough.
In honor of Pride Month, here are some things that I needed to hear when I was in the closet.
I hope they help if you’re struggling, questioning, and/or unable to come out❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
if you want to RT this on twitter, I copied it as a thread here)
It’s okay if you can’t come out right now. Whether it’s because it’s not safe for you to, you’re afraid, you aren’t sure of yourself, you’re not ready, or any other reason, it’s okay. I fully respect your decision and hope one day you’re able to live your truth. You’re still part of the community and you are so loved.
It’s okay to be confused. Everyone goes through a point of uncertainty with their identity because of cisheteronormativity. As you grow older and understand yourself and the world around you more, things will make more sense. Figuring yourself out is a journey that can be frustrating and take a long time. Go at your own pace!
It’s normal to be afraid. It can be incredibly terrifying to come to terms with being LGBT+. You’re not weak for feeling scared. It will get less scary over time. You will become more and more brave. There are people advocating for your safety.
It’s okay to try different labels or not use labels at all. If labeling your gender/orientation makes you feel more comfortable and confident in your identity, great! Use one! But if stressing over labels is holding you back, you don’t even need a label. You can just say you’re unsure or you prefer not to use labels. If it feels empowering to have a label, good. If it feels like you’re putting yourself in a box, it’s not worth it.
You’re part of an amazing community of people. The LGBT+ community has made so much progress and continues to fight everyday. We are so diverse and while we may not always agree on everything, there is a space for you in our community. You will find people with similar ideals who love you and cherish you and help you grow.
There is nothing wrong with your gender/sexual orientation. You are just as worthy of love, respect, and happiness as anyone outside of the community. Your LGBT+ identity is not a flaw and should not be treated as such.
It gets better. I know that sounds cheesy but it’s a popularized saying for a reason. There are so many people you haven’t even met yet and you will find people who love you for who you are. I know it can feel so hopeless, but I swear to you there is hope. You won’t feel this way forever.
You are never, ever alone. If you need someone to talk to, there are thousands of people on social media who care and want to help (myself included!)
If anyone has hurt you or told you you’re wrong for being you, you didn’t deserve that. People who are homophobic, transphobic, lesbophobic, biphobic, etc. are ignorant, cruel, wrong, and riddled with pent up negativity that they unfairly took out on you. That’s their fault. It was never your fault and never will be.
Internet friends are real friends. If the only people you know who support you or know about this part of you are people you met online, that’s okay. I’m proud of you for making connections and reaching out to find people who can help.
You are so strong and this is making you stronger. You’re self-aware and capable of making connections and being confident and standing up for yourself.
You’re going to be okay. Keep your head up and stay strong. I love you.
Citizens in Puerto Rico laid shoes at the San Juan capitol to represent lost loved ones not counted in the official government death toll. The number is estimated to be 4,645, the official US government number is 64.
Astronaut bird 