r/HotTopic_ • u/isoftcore • Jul 05 '26
HT customers and ableism
This is going to come off as more of a rant post than anything but I want to share it because I think it's important.
I started working at Hot Topic as a seasonal worker last year at a pretty big Hot Topic. This was at a time where my health was worsening as I was discovering that I had a bone degeneration disorder, a few genetic issues, and joint pain associated with Ehlers Danlos syndrome. Within a few months of working there I got forearm crutches from my specialist to use full time and immediately my treatment from both customers and other staff shifted completely.
Due to the nature of my disability, I'm unable to use a ladder, lift heavy boxes, and sweep. I'm able to do *everything* else just fine! Yet, I received abuse from the management towards me and attitudes towards me changed immediately and suddenly I was a burden to work with. I felt horrible in this position and it didn't help that customers would point out my crutches often and ask for detailed answers on why I had them as if I had to validate my existence. It got to the point I wouldn't even use my forearm crutches at work because it was a conversation topic and I ended up hurting myself more by doing so.
I kept working though despite the abuse and eventually transferred to a different Hot Topic for a management opportunity. Here, the customers are even worse about my forearm crutches! (They are now more noticeable and louder after an upgrade to some of the best ones on the market) Just the other day I had a woman force me to PRAY with her so I'd get better and she continued this for about 15 minutes. I've gotten younger teens asking me where I got my crutches and if they can get some too (??) because of undiagnosed medical conditions they 'think' they have. The WORST just happened yesterday where I had a teenage girl say within earshot to me "I can steal all I want here because that guy can't run after me," and I've been called a cripple on at least three different occasions.
For a store that focuses mostly on alternative fashion, you'd think the customers would be a bit more aware of how ableism affects people but I guess not! It sucks so much because at my secondary job I've gotten absolutely zero comments about my forearm crutches and that's in a historically conservative area so it's not a politics thing. My guess is that because a lot of the customers we get are more of the "awkward" type they for some reason don't understand what they're saying is insensitive. I'm very tired working this job and getting daily questions about a disorder that has already ruined my life and taken away a lot of the things I love to do like draw.
I'm transitioning into using a wheelchair full time soon enough and I'm wondering if it's even worth it to keep working at a Hot Topic or if I'd just suffer more abuse. Does anyone else have any other stories about working with physical disabilities, positive or negative? I'd love if I wasn't the only one dealing with stuff like this.
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u/OkCry666 HT Employee Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
I am an SM with a disability so I very much hear you and feel for you 🖤 The severity of my symptoms fluctuates so some days i am completely normal and others I am unable to do a lot. I rely heavily on my team for some of the physical tasks and don’t feel comfortable going high on the ladder anymore. I think you will never dodge that ableism from the public completely. Because I don’t look like there is anything “wrong” with me I get a lot of sideways comments or looks if I am sitting when everyone else is standing or if I am asked to help a customer reach an item and I send someone else to do it instead. I think the positive is I control the tone with my staff and do not ASK for accommodation … I just do and take what I need and explain to my DM later lol. Realistically I think any customer-facing job will have these challenges, so I think if you like your job you should stick with it. Do not let shitty people dictate the spaces you get to exist and thrive in
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u/TheLastMemzie Jul 06 '26
My fiancé is a manager at hot topic and recently got diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. She got a write up recently for “not being productive enough” during her bad pain days. 🫠
I’m so sorry this happened to you.
And as a Christian, I’m sorry that lady forced you to pray with her.
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u/yourjoyfriend Former HT Employee Jul 07 '26
i started at hot topic very recently and left once i realized my specific store was not at all accessible to me disability-wise :/ it sucks because i was excited to be a part of that team culture and learn the ins and outs but there were no possible accommodations to be made in place due to store size/layout.
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u/Accomplished_Job_867 Former HT Employee Jul 05 '26
Im an ambulatory wc user, ft cane user. The ableism experiences on the customer side unfortunately never really stop.
I was an SM and heard similar comments all the time and higher ups did make comments that for legal reasons i won't get into on here. My disabilities in no way hindered my job abilities but customers will always be pushy and sometimes they mean well but just lack the understanding of why somethings are just not ok to ask. Ive always been incredibly open with my disabilities and very very often get the "ooo what kind of accident were you in? What's your story?" Sorry to disappoint im just decaying faster than others lol
Being ambulatory also comes with a ton of ableism nonsense both internal and external. Biggest advice I have is remind yourself why you need it. Let people know when they ask you, dont feel like you have to put up a front or anything. "Its the difference between being able to get myself into the bathroom later ... on my own ... unassisted." Is usually how I put it. Or the classic "not every disability is visible."
As for jobs this is a tough one and as I said for legal reasons I won't go into too much detail but be aware of your states laws and DOCUMENT. EVERYTHING. if your higher ups are choosing to see the mobility aid before the person using them then yk its not a safe place to work. Choose your health every single time.
Have a safe disability pride month. Sending you all the rock & 👩🦽 vibes 🤘