This fashion retail worker details their experience returning to work.
As a retail worker, the lockdown during this pandemic was quite a relaxing journey for me personally.
I finally got to let my body rest but as the restrictions started to ease off, I got riddled with anxiety being told I would be going back to work with just two days of notice.
I dreaded it immensely, but I knew that this day would eventually come… just not this soon.
The first day back I was shaking from nerves and anxiety which may sound ridiculous but I knew what was about to hit me.
From taping the floor to being handed multiple copies of rules and regulations for social distancing, it was very overwhelming.
Has it worked?
The abuse I’ve had to put up with has been mentally and emotionally draining.
I’ve been abused for asking people to keep their distance; not being able to pay with cash; having to line up to use the fitting room because only a limited amount are open; not being open for seven weeks; the list goes on.
It’s hard; I think people really underestimate retail workers in general but during a time like this, it’s incredibly difficult for your mental health.
I come to work now not knowing what I’m in for, what I’m about to face.
Being back at work, seeing shopping centres being filled with a huge amount of people, exceeding our budgets has been positive.
But it’s pretty clear to me that no one is taking this seriously anymore and they’re shopping because they’re bored and I’ve been told that many times by customers.
They don’t go shopping in a quick amount of time to urgently get what they really need, they’re shopping because they have nothing else to do and want to waste some time.
Little do they know that their outings are potentially affecting the health and wellbeing of not only themselves but so many around them.