Bad start with manager?

Question

I'm 16 and today i went to work for my first day at my local supermarket. I got there at 6 in the morning before opening, and there was this girl there and she was stacking shelves. my line manager then told me to give her a hand. after a few minutes she said 'i have to go, you keep working this' that annoyed me alot as i was new. then a few minutes after she came round and told me to mop the aisle, so i said 'why don't you, it doesn't look like it needs it anyway'. then she goes 'do it.you really don't want to argue with me.' so i did that then she says 'now go and mop round the corner' i got annoyed so i said 'who says?' she says 'i do.' then i got really annoyed and said 'isn't it your job? then she goes 'i'm the ADM if you don't ******* stop answering back, i will throw you out of here personally'
and it turns out she is later she was in her suit walking around, shes like 23 though and looks younger, she got fastracked apparently. it was an easy mistake. how can i make amends?

Answer 1

Lesson in life - respect everybody at least until you've got good reason not to. You don't have to like these people but even if she was just a co-worker you've got to work together.

The fact that she was stacking shelves early in the morning suggests that she'll do anything to make sure the department functions correctly and she doesn't consider herself beyond doing the jobs below her. The sign of a VERY GOOD manager. Also she probably wouldn't have told you to do it if she wouldn't have done it herself (if push came to shove).

Its also worth noting that in some jobs people who are meant to be interviewing you may well greet you pretending to be a receptionist, strike up conversation with you and you can get (or be refused) a job based on this small talk.

Start the conversation next time with "I think we got off on the wrong foot.....I didn't realise.........I'm sorry". Perhaps in future jobs if you introduce yourself formally and expect others to do the saME.

You sound like a keen worker, 16 and getting up at 6am! But remember my first point "RESPECT OTHERS UNTIL YOU'VE GOT GOOD REASON NOT TO". If you later found out that she wasn't the boss and was carrying on like that THEN you go about showing her disrespect.

Answer 2

It has been my observation that people are less able, for some reason or another, to make small talk. In most cases, while I would like to think that this is related to time constraints, I really believe that people just aren't interested in what they are doing. Most managers really do not possess the people skills required by the position; moreover, they really have no social graces to offer on any level. This is not true of all managers, but it seems more the rule than the exception. Brace yourself---while you are not a robot, you are only a little pulse within the larger organism and will be treated as such. Your best armor is keeping your sense of social decency and good manners about you and serve as an example of how others should behave.

Answer 3

You are probably just out of school where you used to be able to backchat teachers, knowing there was no real comeback on it. You are in world of employment now and you will need to lose the attitude fast.

Even if she was just a regular worker, if you were that rude to her, she could still have put in a complaint about you, which could lead to disciplinary action against you anyway.
Also, if it was your first shift, I assume you are on a 3 month probationary period. They could still turn round and tell you at the end of it that you are not needed.

Bottom line is, don't let people walk all over you, but respect your colleagues.

Answer 4

You're 16, you have no resume, no experience and you aren't likely to get any either if you keep this up. I notice your wanting to apologize comes AFTER you found out she is your superior...so your apology means nothing. You're very lucky she was nice enough NOT to throw you out; I would have! You NEVER EVER EVER talk to ANYONE at work like that, no matter what their position or title. You don't have that luxury. You are new, and they hired you to see how you do, and so far you have proven that you are virtually worthless and have a bad attitude and a smarta$$ mouth. Now it is up to you to work your *** off and prove yourself and keep your lip shut. You are way too young to have ANY attitude, lose it or look forward to living on the treets, unless your parents are millionaires.
Who do you think you are? You're just a teenager with no skills and nothing to offer, so remember that next time you want to mouth off to someone because you don't like something, it's called maturity and working in the real world...ALL of us have had to do the same. Deal with it.

Answer 5

As a new employee you should never have acted like you did regardless of who she was. There is no way to correct the situation, but you might want to work on your attitude, or you will be stocking shelves and mopping floors a long long time.

Answer 6

That was rude, disrespectful, and to be honest it was stupid of you. What a dumb thing to do, particularly on your first day.

Honey, you really can't behave that way at work. However, if you apologise and then prove that you're a good worker, that would be a good start.

Either that or learn from your mistake and start afresh elsewhere.

Answer 7

you were in thwe wrong, but theres nothing stopping you from approaching her and appologising for the bad start. just say to her that you were new and nervous. she should accept your appology is she is a decent person.
hop ethis herlps

Answer 8

really didn't matter if she was a mgr or not - you were told to give her a hand...... (you can't talk to people you work with like this) Work can suck sometimes.....but you have to do it..... unlke your parents who you probably back talk to (most teens do)....your job can get rid of you..... good luck.....i think i'd look for another job and start over...............................

Answer 9

I would walk out.

Answer 10

you were wrong even if she wasn't a manager.