Each week, Dr Kirstin Ferguson tackles questions on the workplace, career and leadership in her advice column “Got a Minute?” This week: a confronting bag-check policy, a competitive manager and a life put on hold while waiting for a job offer.I work the evening shift at a retail store. Recently, the company introduced a policy requiring managers to inspect employees’ bags before we leave at the end of our shift. This only applies to employees who finish after the store has closed.
I had a casual sales position for over three years. I enjoy it, have developed great relationships with our clients and my sales figures are good – I am often congratulated by the owners of the company. However, my manager repeatedly criticises my work and can often be rude to me in front of clients for no apparent reason. I have tried to calmly raise my concerns with her, but the conversation never goes well.