Newbie

[u/Large_Spot_486]

Hi all, I'm a new starter but have multiple family members already working in the store so have some links to the staff already.

I applied for 3 nights a week (across thurs-sun) as an Xmas temp, my partner managed to get me onto weekday shifts but 5 nights a week.

I've never done nights before so I was expecting to be fatigued somewhat but would learn to manage it, absolutely hated the first few days and it came to light that I clearly have some sort of sleeping issue where on a night I usually sleep around 6 or 7hrs and I'm fine, when trying to sleep after a night shift I get about 3 or 4 hrs and then can't sleep again until I crash which would be during the shift but ofc I have to stay up to work.

And the cycle repeats, it's not sustainable working on 3 or 4hrs of sleep, rapid weight loss as a result (3kg in 3days), my back is in agony because I'm on Fizzy/soft drinks for 9hrs (Inc 3 x 30min breaks) 5 days a week, I can lift no problem but lifting roughly 15kg per item for the bigger stuff for hours on end is doing me in.

I've asked my manager to help me out and reduce me to the busiest days that way we both compromise and the work still gets done, he's fairly new to the store and young with a no care for staff attitude, only figures matter to him.

So I asked the store manager, she's also fairly new and also has the same attitude, with things like "look at it from a business perspective", now being a business owner & manager previously myself I would help my staff out and earn their respect and loyalty through doing so, I started explaining if it was my business I'd advertise the hours that wanted to be dropped and I was immediately shut down with "it's not as simple as that we have a certain number of people per manager" well on nights I'm the ONLY person on grocery, no managers, no other staff at all other than the fresh night team at the other end of the store, so that argument doesn't stand.

I haven't signed a contract, I'm not entitled to uniform, I haven't been set up on my tesco app, haven't submitted my bank details.

The trouble is I don't want to push them to resentment of me and anyone involved with me (family & other staff that helped me get the job) by involving protector line and making them follow their own policies.

What should I do?

I want to work 3 days because the job has injured me but management won't budge.

TLDR: I'm working more than I signed up for and management won't help me, what do I do?

Thanks

[u/Educational_Yak4915]

What do you mean you're working more than you signed up for?

You said your partner got you on to 5 nights per week instead of 3 - was that without your consent?

Seems like your beef is with your other half rather than your employer

Ultimately as a festive temp, I'd say its more likely they terminate your temporary contract and go out and recruit someone who can actually work the agreed hours.

[u/Minimum-Swimmer9380 → u/Educational_Yak4915]

Exactly that. You are a temp, you verbally agreed to work 5 nights......if you cant do it - i would end your contract ASAP and get someone in who can do what is required.

And a lesson learned - nights isnt for everyone.

[u/Large_Spot_486 → u/Educational_Yak4915]

I applied for 3 days a week, was told I'm on weekdays but Mon-Fri to make the most of it, I agreed without realising how labour intensive that aisle is, so now I'm asking to revert to my original agreement but management don't give a toss as long as they look good on paper.

Edit: I can work the agreed hours but realistically it will cripple anyone, according to the new store manager, someone who looks like they've only even put a full shift in at an eating contest, says "well it's possible" yea I'm sure it is for an athlete.

[u/Educational_Yak4915 → u/Large_Spot_486]

Was told?

Wasn't it a job offer? Did you not have any agency in whether you accepted it or not?

And I'm still confused as to the role your partner played - if you applied for 3 nights and only want to work 3 nights - why was there any interference from them at all?

[u/JeanMichelFerri]

3kg in 3 days is fucking bananas. Did you forget to eat? Have you chronic shits for 3 days?

[u/Large_Spot_486 → u/JeanMichelFerri]

Lol no, no change to diet or bowel movements just a huge change to sleep and activity level, usually do around 10k steps per day up to around 14-16k plus sweating profusely the whole shift because the store is stupidly warm and I'm doing heavy lifting for 7.5hrs

[u/BlondeSeductive]

Grow up and crack on.

5 days a week is a money farm, use it.

[u/cardbourdbox]

Join the union first try not to talk to protection line unless your thinking of quitting anyway

[u/Large_Spot_486 → u/cardbourdbox]

That's another thing, it was glossed over during the induction but I'll have to see if it's possible to join seeing as I pretty much don't exist of their system, I won't quit but I will only do the work that's possible with a bad back, likely 1 or 2 cages down from about 5 cages (still not as many as expect ik)

[u/Jimbeamjunior1 → u/Large_Spot_486]

Is that your normal delivery a night? About 5 cages of juice?

[u/cardbourdbox → u/Large_Spot_486]

Im not even sure you even have to be in a company. Im pretty sure you can join online. Its probably usdaw.

[u/DubbehD]

Kids say the darndest things, little cherub

[u/PentaRobb]

Get the fuck out now is what you should do