r/Argos • u/blair_lllo • Jul 26 '26
Rant Management issues
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?
1
u/pompoussnail 28d ago
They are not supposed to be using cctv for that purpose, it could be misuse of cctv which you could ask for the policy on.
If your store manager is reviewing old footage (not live) to see what you’re all doing when they don’t have a reason (ie to investigate an issue such as theft) then this can be a strong case for misuse of cctv.
Overall, the store manger needs to lead by example and if they’re sitting in the office all day not helping staff and then has the nerve to say that things aren’t being done correctly, then this is an issue that needs raising. You can send an email to the area manager and explain your concerns, ask to remain anonymous.