Bit of advice

TheEffect

I started a new job and have only had 1 shift. It's at a large bingo hall. In the interview, I stated I lost vision in one eye but it does not affect me dealing with money etc...

Have started the job and have been put on 'floor duties' which is basically walking around giving out change and running over and reading barcodes when someone shouts bingo.

I found it extremely hard to spot people and missed a few people who were waving money at me for change, they got annoyed. I also found it hard to find the winner once shouting bingo as they put there hand down before I get there and theres a time limit to find them and read barcode.

Explained to manager but he just said explain to the customers about eyesight if they complain or get annoyed.

I'm not comfortable and am straining being on the floor. I have a shift tonight. Would it be rude if I spoke to the manager again and said I cannot do the 'floor' anymore as it's straining for me and uncomfortable and I'm not happy doing it?

I'm a student and obviously need the money, but being on the 'floor' is not worth the difficulty and stress to me.

I've new to the working world and do not really wan't to get sacked or forced to quit tonight when I say I cannot do it!

Any advice?

an9i77

Can you ask for a meeting, explain that you like the job and want to work there, but are having some problems on the floor. However there are other duties you could do (specify the ones which won't cause a problem) and can you be put on to these instead? If you go in with a solution focused approach and be very positive and polite, they may change you to these alternate duties. If they don't, however, then you may want to take a firmer stance. How far would you be prepared to push it if they say no? Would you consider yourself disabled as defined by the equality act?

Jarndyce

I would not put it such that you 'cannot do the floor anymore' but that you would prefer not to do it as it is causing you anxiety and stress because of your restricted vision. Do not quit and do not give them any ultimatum.

You probably have a disability in the eyes of the law and are therefore covered by the Equality Act, which requires the employer to make reasonable adjustments to your job to accommodate your disability. You need to give them the chance to do so eg by assigning you to other duties. They also have a duty of care to you to avoid you being abused or hassled by customers. See what happens tonight and let us know.

TheEffect

I am registered disabled, however my managers are not aware of this. I told them I am blind in one eye and slightly in the other, but did not go into it in that much detail. They just asked whether I could read okay.

When speaking to the manager last week, he told me there are 4 departements and they would see where we fit in, but has given me two weeks of 'floor'.

I will ask for a moment tonight and mention I'm finding it difficult and if I could be placed/trained in any other department (food, bar, front desk) it would be appreciated!

I will mention this after doing the 'floor' shift tonight as it's hopefully not going to be busy tonight!

Jarndyce

TheEffect wrote: »

I am registered disabled, however my managers are not aware of this. I told them I am blind in one eye and slightly in the other, but did not go into it in that much detail. They just asked whether I could read okay.

When speaking to the manager last week, he told me there are 4 departements and they would see where we fit in, but has given me two weeks of 'floor'.

I will ask for a moment tonight and mention I'm finding it difficult and if I could be placed/trained in any other department (food, bar, front desk) it would be appreciated!

I will mention this after doing the 'floor' shift tonight as it's hopefully not going to be busy tonight!

That would suffice - for the purposes of the law it is not whether you are 'registered' disabled that matters, but what the effect of your condition is on yo9r day to day activities. If you are blind in one eye and have restricted vision in the other I would presume (although one can never be sure without more details) you are covered by the Equality Act (formerly the DDA) and having told your employer they should be aware of their obligations to you.

That said the informal approach is always the best in this sort of situation, so I hope that works for you.

TheEffect

Manager was fine. He said he'll train me and place me on a different department this week! :T

katerinasol

Hurrah! Nice to know he was understanding about it.

Jarndyce

TheEffect wrote: »

Manager was fine. He said he'll train me and place me on a different department this week! :T

Excellent news. I do like a happy ending!

TheEffect

This didn't happen in the end.

Rota showed I was on permanent 'floor duties'. I asked the manager who said 'short staff means you have to stay on the floor'. What annoyed me more is went in yesterday and the new girl who started with me has been placed on permanent 'reception' and being trained for that department.

Looks like I'll hold it out for as long as possible as I need the money, but it seems everyday I go into work at the moment, I'm having to constantly explain to angry customers why I missed them when they were waving at me, or embarrassing myself when not able to find the bingo winner once they shout 'bingo'.

LisaB85

TheEffect wrote: »

This didn't happen in the end.

Rota showed I was on permanent 'floor duties'. I asked the manager who said 'short staff means you have to stay on the floor'. What annoyed me more is went in yesterday and the new girl who started with me has been placed on permanent 'reception' and being trained for that department.

Looks like I'll hold it out for as long as possible as I need the money, but it seems everyday I go into work at the moment, I'm having to constantly explain to angry customers why I missed them when they were waving at me, or embarrassing myself when not able to find the bingo winner once they shout 'bingo'.

Maybe if the customers say something to the manager he might listen. As you have a disability they should make reasonable adjustment.

There is a bingo place near me and they have a huge staff turnover but one guy was partially sighted like you and he was never on the floor he was always in reception.

Although after I went for a job there a few years ago and was treated like !!!! at the interview I can see why they had a high staff turnover. They treated me so badly I went to the papers and the manager doing the interviews got the sack, I then got a job with the jobcentre and he signed on with me....karma

TheEffect

You're right, there is a huge staff turnover. The only people that seem to enjoy it are the people who have been there years and who seem to disappear for an hour to play snooker in the staff-room and end up chatting to their friends all day, leaving all of the work to us new employees.

Gosh, the more I write, the more I'm questioning why I'm staying there.