I'm actually a little new to the forums and actually found this place almost by accident. But going through some of the forums here, I'd say I found a good place to discuss work related issues and actually hopefully give me some help to do better at my job.
That being said, I have a bit of a situation that I want to know how I may do something about.
I've been working at my current location for about seven months. I am currently going through a bit of a situation that I'm wondering if I can get any actual advice on. Mostly how to do better. But first a bit of background:
I started working at my store and have been a part of the Sales Floor team while also knowing cashiering. My concerns come with cross training, which seems to be something that is near impossible for me (it seems to be... just me) to do at my store. This began with actually just asking about Electronics. And the only reason I even asked about that in the first place was because my Sales Floor ETL was putting me there from time to time. Especially during the time that one of the the employees was actually gone. About a week or so after this I began to get much interested. Since then, I asked my ETL about going through the official training. To which I was immediately disbarred from actually working back there again on account of "not being trained." I thought that was odd considering at this point, they'd had no qualms putting me there, but now it seems I'm not allowed. Yet I am still allowed to cover breaks and be called in should someone not show. Yet I'm not allowed to be scheduled there (ironically enough, the very next day after I was told this I was immediately called to cover someone's shift).
Upon asking what I could do I was basically told I must do an interview. Unfortunately none of my ETLs seem to be that interested in helping me get to that point. This is only the first time. I have asked about instocks, backroom, Guest Services and each time my ETLs either give me the reply of "We'll see..." or I received no actual feedback at all. This was in September. So I continued to work Sales Floor without any questions.
Recently I went and asked again, only this time I was told that the reason I was not given the training was because I don't zone fast enough. This struck me as odd because, once again, it did not explain why they were more than willing to let me work in Electronics and be open to letting me work elsewhere BEFORE I actually asked. I can definitely pick up the pace when it comes to zoning, but I still find it very strange that suddenly my wanting to be cross trained became an issue when before I was simply put in an area. Now that I actively ask there's an issue with it where as before when I didn't ask they were okay sticking me whereever they needed someone.
I have been to HR and was told that I do not zone fast enough, which I said I could work on. However, it found it odd that I was never actually given any feedback by my TLs or ETLs in the first place.
It does not end there. I have watched as new people and seasonal workers have come in over the past few months and weeks who have found themselves cross trained and able to help out more after just being there for mere weeks. A fellow co-worker was crossed trained in almost every morning activity there despite only being there for three weeks. Another is already a team trainer after just a month. Neither one asked for these things (the team trainer had specifically asked NOT to be a team trainer) and yet they were just handed to these employees despite being there for such a short time. After six months I feel as though I have been treated just a little unfairly in pursuing more opportunities.
Am I doing something wrong?
What can I do to remedy the situation?
Most importantly, how can I be cross trained in other areas if it seems as though the TLs and ETLs are keeping me down or giving me the run around? I get no feedback whenever I ask now and everyone else around me is moving ahead without even inquiring. I do not understand what it is I did wrong.
That being said, I have a bit of a situation that I want to know how I may do something about.
I've been working at my current location for about seven months. I am currently going through a bit of a situation that I'm wondering if I can get any actual advice on. Mostly how to do better. But first a bit of background:
I started working at my store and have been a part of the Sales Floor team while also knowing cashiering. My concerns come with cross training, which seems to be something that is near impossible for me (it seems to be... just me) to do at my store. This began with actually just asking about Electronics. And the only reason I even asked about that in the first place was because my Sales Floor ETL was putting me there from time to time. Especially during the time that one of the the employees was actually gone. About a week or so after this I began to get much interested. Since then, I asked my ETL about going through the official training. To which I was immediately disbarred from actually working back there again on account of "not being trained." I thought that was odd considering at this point, they'd had no qualms putting me there, but now it seems I'm not allowed. Yet I am still allowed to cover breaks and be called in should someone not show. Yet I'm not allowed to be scheduled there (ironically enough, the very next day after I was told this I was immediately called to cover someone's shift).
Upon asking what I could do I was basically told I must do an interview. Unfortunately none of my ETLs seem to be that interested in helping me get to that point. This is only the first time. I have asked about instocks, backroom, Guest Services and each time my ETLs either give me the reply of "We'll see..." or I received no actual feedback at all. This was in September. So I continued to work Sales Floor without any questions.
Recently I went and asked again, only this time I was told that the reason I was not given the training was because I don't zone fast enough. This struck me as odd because, once again, it did not explain why they were more than willing to let me work in Electronics and be open to letting me work elsewhere BEFORE I actually asked. I can definitely pick up the pace when it comes to zoning, but I still find it very strange that suddenly my wanting to be cross trained became an issue when before I was simply put in an area. Now that I actively ask there's an issue with it where as before when I didn't ask they were okay sticking me whereever they needed someone.
I have been to HR and was told that I do not zone fast enough, which I said I could work on. However, it found it odd that I was never actually given any feedback by my TLs or ETLs in the first place.
It does not end there. I have watched as new people and seasonal workers have come in over the past few months and weeks who have found themselves cross trained and able to help out more after just being there for mere weeks. A fellow co-worker was crossed trained in almost every morning activity there despite only being there for three weeks. Another is already a team trainer after just a month. Neither one asked for these things (the team trainer had specifically asked NOT to be a team trainer) and yet they were just handed to these employees despite being there for such a short time. After six months I feel as though I have been treated just a little unfairly in pursuing more opportunities.
Am I doing something wrong?
What can I do to remedy the situation?
Most importantly, how can I be cross trained in other areas if it seems as though the TLs and ETLs are keeping me down or giving me the run around? I get no feedback whenever I ask now and everyone else around me is moving ahead without even inquiring. I do not understand what it is I did wrong.