Rennie1989
27-03-14, 17:20
Hiya guys
I work for a chain of bookmakers and as of next Monday we will be single manning, cashiers will only come in during the busiest period of the day and to allow the manager to do duties that they can't do away from the counter and to have a break. My job role means that I am predominantly a cashier but can do managing shifts as and when I'm needed.
Next Tuesday I am doing my first single manning shift, 4-9.30pm. The idea of sitting in that shop on my own for five and a half hours has not left my mind since getting my rota yesterday. To put it into perspective I am very petite, people think I am under 18 sometimes, how the hell am I going to tackle a situation, like a fight, on my own?? Yes, I can call the police, but it does not stop me feeling terrified. My bus is 13 minutes after close and if I miss that I have to walk 2 miles home or wait for an hour for the next bus, which only cuts the journey by a third anyway.
I really REALLY don't want to do this but:
1) I am not the only one suffering
2) If I don't do it then someone else will have to
3) I will let people down
I really want to talk to my line manager and say that because of my stature, the fact that I am a young woman and suffering from an anxiety disorder I feel that I should not do the single manning, but for the reasons above I'm not so sure. My husband has to do it, he's 6'3 and twice my weight and even he is not looking forward to it.
Just thinking about this now and writing this is making me want to break into tears from worry. OK, I've got a new job lined up, but I have no idea when I start and there is a risk that the checks will not go through. I want out NOW but I'll only be jeopadising the financial situation at home, and my husband will have to bare the brunt and work more evenings alone!
I'm trying to remind myself of the techniques I've learnt and taught myself, thinking 'don't worry about something that hasn't happened yet', 'it may not even happen', 'it will be fine' etc etc. All I can think of are people coming in drunk, fights breaking out, underage causing problems, fraudsters doing me over and, worst case scenario, being robbed in the shop or on my way home. I have not had a panic attack in 13 months and I want to keep it that way, if this job gives me a panic attack I will feel so defeated!
I don't really know what I'm asking for, anybody worked alone in a dangerous environment who can offer a pep talk or advice?
I work for a chain of bookmakers and as of next Monday we will be single manning, cashiers will only come in during the busiest period of the day and to allow the manager to do duties that they can't do away from the counter and to have a break. My job role means that I am predominantly a cashier but can do managing shifts as and when I'm needed.
Next Tuesday I am doing my first single manning shift, 4-9.30pm. The idea of sitting in that shop on my own for five and a half hours has not left my mind since getting my rota yesterday. To put it into perspective I am very petite, people think I am under 18 sometimes, how the hell am I going to tackle a situation, like a fight, on my own?? Yes, I can call the police, but it does not stop me feeling terrified. My bus is 13 minutes after close and if I miss that I have to walk 2 miles home or wait for an hour for the next bus, which only cuts the journey by a third anyway.
I really REALLY don't want to do this but:
1) I am not the only one suffering
2) If I don't do it then someone else will have to
3) I will let people down
I really want to talk to my line manager and say that because of my stature, the fact that I am a young woman and suffering from an anxiety disorder I feel that I should not do the single manning, but for the reasons above I'm not so sure. My husband has to do it, he's 6'3 and twice my weight and even he is not looking forward to it.
Just thinking about this now and writing this is making me want to break into tears from worry. OK, I've got a new job lined up, but I have no idea when I start and there is a risk that the checks will not go through. I want out NOW but I'll only be jeopadising the financial situation at home, and my husband will have to bare the brunt and work more evenings alone!
I'm trying to remind myself of the techniques I've learnt and taught myself, thinking 'don't worry about something that hasn't happened yet', 'it may not even happen', 'it will be fine' etc etc. All I can think of are people coming in drunk, fights breaking out, underage causing problems, fraudsters doing me over and, worst case scenario, being robbed in the shop or on my way home. I have not had a panic attack in 13 months and I want to keep it that way, if this job gives me a panic attack I will feel so defeated!
I don't really know what I'm asking for, anybody worked alone in a dangerous environment who can offer a pep talk or advice?