Options
Dandruff ridden supermarket staff
CloneClown
Posts: 6,296 Forum Member
✭
Just got back from Tesco where I was served at the checkout by a man ridden with dandruff. Not only was it visible in his greasy hair but it was covered all over the front of his shirt - not just a few specks but a dusting of it. I know it shouldn't matter but what made it worse was that he was obese so it just made it more grotesque and made me feel sick. I dread to think if he has responsibility for shelving up the fruit and veg.
I did wonder if I should make a complaint but felt bad at the prospect of him potentially losing his job because of it. However on the flip side surely with any job not taking care of your personal appearance or hygiene is an issue that needs immediate action especially one where you are dealing face to face with customers in a food environment! I know it would cause issues for the company but surely sending him home to clean up (as an initial warning) should be the step taken here as opposed to apparently allowing him onto the shop floor?
I did wonder if I should make a complaint but felt bad at the prospect of him potentially losing his job because of it. However on the flip side surely with any job not taking care of your personal appearance or hygiene is an issue that needs immediate action especially one where you are dealing face to face with customers in a food environment! I know it would cause issues for the company but surely sending him home to clean up (as an initial warning) should be the step taken here as opposed to apparently allowing him onto the shop floor?
0
Comments
Unfortunately people need a job, you could complain then the manager would obviously have to act on any complaints but he would likely either sort it out or he would quit his job and hide away in embarrassment on benefits.
Surely his colleagues would be aware if it was a problem and the manager must be able to notice but since when has been overweight been an issue to working in a shop.
I have psoriasis, and I have it on my scalp which during flare ups gets me covered in flakes. I have people looking at me like I'm contagious and have even had remarks, which is very upsetting.
Not sure about that, especially when working around food, from my experience staff are expected to have high personal hygiene standards. I can only assume it's a condition or I can't believe his supervisor wouldn't have had a word with him about it.
I was served by two shop floor assistants in John Lewis with terrible BO. It was a bit offputting but nothing to complain about.
I have some sympathy with your concerns, but not in the way you're addressing them. If it bothered you so much then you should have had the guts to go raise the issue with a supervisor, not hide behind a keyboard or a complaint letter.
Go back to the store and explain to the supervisor. There might be extenuating circumstances why this person was in front line duties at the time, but that's a management issue. Whoever is running the store that day needs to balance the business requirements with the public image of the company. If there are hygiene issues then, as difficult as it may be, they have to be addressed. However, if the cause is medical then the situation needs dealing with in a different way that respects the individual.
If it was a normal Tesco then why not use another till or the self serve?
LOL. They wouldn't send him home. That cost money out of their pocket because they are down one staff member and may have to get a replacement. Simply put, they don't care.
Next thing you know Morrisons will ensure all their staff have scabies. while Asda will announce that from Monday all staff will contract leprosy (and something which will cause everyone to pat their bottoms to alleviate the itching).
Aldi and Lidl will find obscure European diseases which involves much falling off of limbs and give their staff two diseases for one.
Waitrose staff will of course continue to cough gently into blood-specked handkerchiefs and explain quietly that 'no Madam, nothing so common as Ebola, WE maintain the great tradition of TB'.
..wonder why the dandruff was especially prevalent on the front of his shirt ?..a dusting sounds serious,and the poor love being a porker on top of that can't be nice...perhaps they could have him out the back doing something menial away from food to save upsetting the customers...
Gross exaggeration is at work here..
Yesterday I had the dubious pleasure of standing next to a woman who thought it was just fine to sneeze extravagantly, not once but twice, over the entire display making no effort whatsoever to use a tissue, hankerchief or anything else
I moved swiftly away just before the second sneeze and did not touch any of the items of the display in question but other people coming later would have had no idea.
I wondered about telling a member of staff but really couldn't believe that they would clear the entire shelf so did nothing
...the same could be said for apples and the like...you don't know who's been fondling them or what they've been up to pre fondle...sort of like the crisps/peanuts on the bar thingy...
Why menial? If this chap does have psoriasis does that also mean he's thick?
I wonder how many graduates are reduced to working in supermarkets or fast food restaurants or warehouse jobs and the likes? If they have bad skin or are fat should they do "menial" work too?
....if they show an inability to control their chronic skin condition,then,yes they should...someone blighted by red skin and itching is not a sight you want presenting to your customers when they're purchasing foodstuffs,however liberal your intentions...
Others may correct me here, but my understanding is that the condition has flare-ups. Some triggers are external; beyond the sufferers direct control. But that wouldn't count as far as you're concerned. Nice attitude. I'm glad I didn't have someone like you managing my staff.
I don't think it's liberal to show a little human compassion.
Yes we get flare ups, and it's a condition that we put a lot of time, effort, and money into trying to keep under control.
For scalp treatment alone I'd have two creams, the coal tar one for night, a steroid based one for the day, and a special shampoo, because we can't use any proper soap products. In fairness if I listed all the things that go into maintaining my skin as best I can, people would probably realise how badly this condition affects people, especially when others then call them not fit to be seen in public.
...compassion doesn't pay the bills unfortunately...if only that were so..retail is a business like any other,and whether you like it or not,some people,not all,will shop elsewhere if they're served by someone red and itching scaly skin all over their groceries...and,more than likely,won't return...