The link leads to a 2014 discussion of shy employees, how to mark shop reports regarding them, whether they are disabled or not, and feedback from viewers. The concept has popped up in a few other threads in this forum.

To me, this is a thing at many places, and we need not think about the named grocer as the villain. Rather, shy people might work anywhere and be subjected to a shop grade that they might not be able to change.

What did you think of the comments left by people who watched the video?

[krogerforum.activeboard.com]

If you sign up for a customer-facing job, you have to learn how to make eye contact and say "Hello", disability or not. It's not like they're required to talk to us for an hour.

Customers are not the only enemy. The article does not delve deeply into other matters, but I will go one layer deeper. Some people dislike the lighting and literally feel ill when forced to be under those lights. If one has no other option but to work under those lights, they will be sick all the time at work. You can only pretend to want to be there for so long before the facade cracks, the smiles fade, and the willingness to put up with customers evaporates. Shy, sensitive to lights that one cannot control, possibly in fear of which customer is there for a shootout, such as the recent incident in Boulder, and other factors might take a chunk or two out of employee's once or potential sunny workplace personas.

Mind you, this subsection is only about 15-20% of the population and probably less of the working population. They are HSP (highly sensitive people, not hysterical and not snowflakes) and they are not disabled because of this cluster of traits. They are constantly challenged by various seemingly unchangeable factors in workplaces and other places. Thought it was worth a mention here. If someone does not initiate a friendly greeting or respond to mine, it should never be an issue. Rather, for reasons that are none of my business, they are concerned about something else. As long as they are not vicious, they are not a problem for me.

Yikes. I've "shopped" many grocery stores. I have always felt so sympathetic to the poor schmuck that had to answer "Is that the hottest pepper you carry?" and other inane questions. I will never forget the ONE truly honest answer I got: "Lady, I don't eat vegetables, I don't cook vegetables, so I don't know the answer. Just Google it."
I put in the report that the guy was quite honest, and I appreciated his honesty, rather than blathering out some blahblahblah that would have confused me if it had been a REAL question from a real customer.

I have dealt several times with employees who I felt were disabled (not physically obvious). I always just thanked them anyway, and found a different employee to answer my questions. I just didn't put the first, handicapped, employee in the report at all, except perhaps mention in the report that I noticed disabled employees, and laud the store for providing jobs for them. I believe I ran into this more in the "bag boys" than anywhere else, but do recall running into same stocking shelves and doing other work.

I believe Wendy's (yes, I know, fast food, not groceries!) prides itself on hiring disabled at front counter jobs. Kudos, Wendy's!!! (Knowing, of course, this is a case of "enlightened self interest", as they reap enormous tax benefits for same "good deed". Others are aware of the tax benefits, but still won't hire the disabled.)

When I was married, we went to Walmart. The cashier was very mechanical and precise in doing her job. It was obvious that she had a disability. My ex-wife was very upset at how slow the cashier was checking us out. All I could think of was how proud she was of doing her job correctly.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/2021 10:15PM by wrosie.