Angela, 53, sales assistant at a clothing retailer, County Down
“Previously, I worked in retail management but when I was diagnosed with cancer in 2021, I didn’t want to go back to management after I finished treatment so I decided to work part-time in store because I missed working in retail.
“It’s an entirely different place to work now, people have become impatient, ruder and we’re completely understaffed. The last few weeks have been horrendous to the point where I have considered resigning. Two duty managers have resigned in the last two weeks because it was draining the life out of them. We can’t physically do any more, so morale is low. There aren’t enough of us to keep fitting rooms tidy so customers complain, throw stuff down and walk off in a huff. I thought things would calm down after the pandemic but people have got into that habit of behaving this way so it’s now the norm.
“I have been in management conference calls and nobody speaks up because they’re afraid of losing their job. I think having an anonymous service that allows colleagues to feel comfortable about speaking up would help. I have worked in retail all my life, since I left school and have always loved the social aspect. No two days are the same and I love meeting people but even when you have lots of great customers telling you you’re doing a great job, you remember the one who was horrible.”
