Part Time Job Trouble.

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Hello,

I just got a job working for a supermarket, Tesco, and have been working there for a few weeks now. At first I felt fine and enjoyed the work, but recently I have been feeling like I can no longer cope and want to leave. The reason being is because the manager gives me a job to do, then 5 minutes later tells me to do something else, and 5 minutes later tells me to do something else. She then returns later and starts complaining that I've missed something, or done something wrong or else she just asks about one of the jobs and I get confused about which one she means, then she thinks I'm stupid.

Part of the job involves checking for out of date food, and the manager told us we had to check each thing individually per aisle. So I was doing what she told me to do and she came back later telling me I was taking far too long. So the next time I tried to speed up and not check absolutely everything, and she complained because I missed things.

I have been finding this all very distressing because I can't cope with having so many things to do at once, which is why I end up making mistakes. I also hate people thinking I'm stupid especially when I won a scholarship for being in the top 3 in my class at university. I really felt like I wanted to just walk out yesterday because the manager was constantly barking orders and complaining at me all day, and I felt on the verge of a meltdown.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice?

Should I tell them I have AS and can't multitask, etc? Or should I just leave? I don;t know what to do!

I think it would be great if your manager could write down what she wants of you and in what order she wants you to do it. The only thing is, I wonder how receptive she would be to the idea? We often find it easier to cope with written down instructions and I don't think it's too much to ask but the sad thing is, some people do think it's too much.

Sounds like work to me

I have always had trouble with management expecting an amount of multitasking I am incapable of and have never found anyone for whom I can work fast enough for.

I just tell them "One thing at a time" and "It will be done when I've done it" or have been known to say; while tapping head "runs DOS and some say not even with the full 640k"

The important bit is to tell then you need to complete one task before starting the next else thing will be forgotten and missed. Don't need to explain to them why or disclose anything much about yourself. I don't care if they think I'm thick, I just let them if they stick around long enough they learn otherwise (although NT's can be a bit slow).

My boss issues me a list and I still f*** up frequently but were still on talking terms quite a few years on now

You should bring a pen and note pad with you so you can write down when your boss tells you to do so you won't forget to do it.


When your boss is telling you to do something else, does he mean now or after you're done what you're doing? You should ask him if he means you should do it now or after you're done.

Yeah, just be calm and keep telling her you're doing the best that you can. Over time, you'll become faster, but you've only been there a few weeks. Don't take it personally, many supervisors always expect way too much of their employees. Maybe talk to your coworkers about your concerns, they can probably relate and give advice.
No need to tell her about AS, imo. Just stay calm and do your best, you'll reach an equilibrium of sorts.

Sounds to me like your boss may have a few troubles of her own and likes to take it out on you? From what my NT friends say to me it seems most people let stuff like this whizz over their heads, especially if they're getting paid six quid an hour to check for out of date food in Tesco. But we take it personally, let it get to us.

You may not be able to get into 'don't care slacker' mode of thought. I can't no matter how hard I try. But if you talk to some of the other staff there about her, they'll probably say, 'oh yeah, she's a b***h' and that might make you feel a bit better.

Some bosses demand faster, better and more no matter how fast, well or much you produce. It's their way of insuring that they're getting the most out of you for the dollar a month they pay. It's especially true on unskilled labor jobs because that's where a lot of slackers end up. Just say you'll pick up the pace and go on as you were. Even though you'll never hear it, you'll be seen as somebody who does a good job without causing trouble. After work, find something to do or someone to talk to and decompress.

It's just another mind game out of a million that get played on jobs everywhere every day. It's not personal even though it sure does feel that way. If the stress gets to be too much, find another job before you leave this one or look into some meds.