Threatened with dismissal

[Disgruntled75]

Need advice I have worked for a well known supermarket for the past 18 years , I recently had my annual review where informed by manager that i functionally do my job 100% but that emotionally I am not loud and in your face enough this has never been a problem before I am a quiet by nature person and my personality reflects this when I pointed this out I was informed that I needed to change my personality then because it's is now how the company wants it (I feel I'm being punished ) They then said if I didn't they would hate to lose a valued member of staff. Other than this they have no-complaint my attendance is 100% I'm never late and I work over at short notice. I would appreciate your thoughts on this.

[stevemLS]

Re: Threatened with dismissal

Nothing to do with personality but behaviour.

If they want you to smile and offer carrier bags etc that's what you must do.

But it does sound odd from a performance review perspective.

[leclerc]

Re: Threatened with dismissal

Steven, this doesn't sound anything unusual to me, especially in a sales orientated role. To be honest with the OP, I wouldn't worry for a number of reasons.
1. You've worked there 18 years and have experience of the customers and built up rapport with them. To sack you, and to hire someone else and train them will cost them money.
2. The manager sounds like they are simply saying that underperforming has a consequence that might lead to dismissal however, it's unlikely to happen unless you specifically tell a customer where to stick their shopping
3. Personally, I would not have argued with the manager and simply said, yes I'll try cos as you've said, it's once a year and I would have thought you'd know how many managers you've worked under and how quickly they come and go .

Once last point, if you have never had any disciplinary issues in the whole of those 18 years then it is very difficult to get rid of you because you might not be the life and soul of the supermarket..... keep your chin up cos management normally under appreciate staff in supermarkets

[Disgruntled75]

Re: Threatened with dismissal

Thanks for your reply it helps as you stated I've never had complaint from customer nor have I ever had a disciplinary.

[teaboy2]

Re: Threatened with dismissal

Maybe you should have an informal chat with the manager to clear the air, and ask why he threaten you with the sack reference what he said about hating to lose a valuable member staff. It may have just been the manager under pressure and taking it out on you, which he/she shouldn't do. but it is human nature, and may be he/she needs to change his personality too! - Invite him/her to go to personality school with you lol