This week, I’ve mostly been working.

Firstly, even though I sent a card, I really want to apologise to Gracie for letting her Birthday pass without me wishing her a Happy Birthday on her page. I’ve posted a belated one but it’s not the same. So sorry…

So, working. On Tuesday I attended an Induction for the supermarket job. I should be working in the café but with social distancing, the café, along with other areas, is closed for now. I said I’d be willing to do what needs doing, so I was put to work on the tills. For the first morning I was standing behind the cashier for half hour, then I was on the till for half hour with her watching me. Then we swapped again. It was okay. In the afternoon, she stood back and watched me and another newbie on the next till in case we had any problems. I did a 6-hour shift, spending most of it sat down though I did have a 15 minute break.

The following day I was asked if I was okay on the till by myself: I’ll give it a go, I said. They placed me on a till near the supervisor’s station, so she was on hand for when I had any problems. It was okay, though going home, the last thing I wanted to do was sit down lol.

My final shift was today, Saturday, another 6 hours. It was mostly good, though the last half hour I was starting to flag a little and was quite relieved when my time was up. I now have Sunday off. Next week I have 19 hours scheduled over 4 days instead of 3 which I think I’ll find easier.

Most of the shoppers have been really nice; thanking us for being open and available with food, and some have even left the staff gifts including boxes of biscuits which is lovely of them. I only had one customer who seeing how slow I was, asked to be moved to another till lol. Plenty of customers liked that I didn’t rush, especially the older ones. I can rush, or I can do it right. I am telling people that I’m new so won’t be very fast, and mostly people have been very nice about it.

I like to take a little humour in with me, and a smile, and I do like chatting with the customers; you can tell quite quickly those that don’t want to chat, and that’s okay too. So far, it’s going well, and unlike my previous stint in a different supermarket, I’m looking forward to next week. The company that makes the uniforms is either closed or on slow week due to the virus; I can’t remember, so I only have 2 polo shirts, and no fleecy jacket. The first day I was freezing, and noted other staff had a long-sleeved top on under their polo shirt, so I spent my first two hours’ pay on 2 tops to wear underneath; cosy! Unlike the previous job, I’m already on the system, already have a clocking-on card and a colleague number and my hours are also on the system. No idea when I’ll get my first wages though I’m guessing I’ll need to work a month in hand as they say. Oh, today, they gave all of us an Easter egg. How nice is that?

Most people have been really good with the social distancing, and I hate to make a sweeping generalisation, but it seems mostly young people who are really following it to the letter, and being safe. So long as we all keep our distance, wash hands frequently, and respect that we’re all in the same boat, all should be okay. One shopper, out with her daughter, was starting to edge towards the person still packing, and her daughter told her to stand back. I took out my hand-held scanner, aimed it at her, and told her: back, back I tell you. That raised a smile and her daughter had a good chuckle. In these unprecedented times, I think a sense of humour is paramount. I have a piece of paper in case the police stop me stating I’m a ‘key worker’ (so long as I’m wearing the uniform and travelling to and from work) and we all have badges stating we’re key workers too. I feel so special :)

Enjoy what’s left of the weekend and enjoy the ‘mini heatwave’ if you have it; no sign of it yet in my part of England.