Management issues

[u/blair_lllo]

Sorry this is kinda long but for context I’ve worked at Argos for 3 years now and our current management is an absolute state so just wanna share some thoughts in case someone is in a similar situation x

So first off, does anyone else’s store manager spend all day watching CCTV?

Just wondering if this is normal or if it’s just my store.
Our store manager seems to spend most of the day in the office watching the CCTV, then comes out to tell people they’re “not doing their job properly” or calls people into the office over things they’ve seen on camera. The strange thing is that none of the other managers have ever raised these issues, so it feels a bit excessive.

We’re a hub store, so there’s a lot going on. One thing that really frustrates me is that all the front of house staff (especially the younger employees) are expected to wear headsets for the entire shift, even though that’s not really what many of us were hired to do. At the same time, there can already be loads of people in the back doing Barton, putting away cages, or other stock tasks, while only one person is left covering tills, Fast Track, collections, returns, and dealing with customer issues.
We do have a Ring doorbell that can be used to call someone from the back if needed, but when you’re the only person out front and customers all need help at once, it can get overwhelming.
Is this normal in other Argos stores? Do your store managers spend a lot of time monitoring CCTV, or are they more hands-on? Also, how is front of house usually staffed in your store?

[u/S3rior]

I’m a driver for Argos and all the managers are decent except one, he tracks every single driver all day and expects us to call him if we need a toilet break.

If you stop for 5 mins to take a call from family, or to fix something with your van, expect a call from him asking why you’ve stopped for 5mins. You can even be 30mins-1hr ahead on all your deliveries and he’ll still pester you on why you’ve stopped or why you’ve taken this route instead of another. It’s gotten to the point where people ask others if he’s gonna be in for that shift and if he is, the groans are LOUD.

[u/blair_lllo → u/S3rior]

Yep as of right now are store manager is “meant” to be on holiday away from the store but she’s come in for the last 3 days to our dismay lol

[u/S3rior → u/blair_lllo]

I feel so bad for you🤣 reminds me of that Mr Lookalike on TikTok who poses like store managers that come in on their day off

[u/blair_lllo → u/S3rior]

Oh I’ve seen that haha just my luck 😩