I felt like I was taken advantage of but I’m not sure how to handle it?

[Anonymous]

I worked with 3 guys today at my grocery store, we usually take turns taking out orders for customers. My “leader” originally tells one of my coworkers to take out an order, but he refused to do so for no reason at all except sit and do nothing. So then my leader suddenly calls me to do it, which I instinctively said “no” because he asked the first guy to do it and should have stayed that way. He gets mad and calls everyone lazy to which I reply “And you’re not very fair”. He then turns to my other coworker who WAS going to do it, but claimed he couldn’t because “his check out device was broken” (like he suddenly couldn’t get himself another one) Later I end up being the one to take out the order. Part of me felt that I needed to be the bigger person, but I also felt like crap because I feel like I was taken advantage of and had to do someone else’s work.. I know this all sounds hella petty but was I in the wrong?

[OrdinaryDaniel]

I understand how you feel but that is how jobs are sometimes. I used to have a job where I go to work in the morning at 6 am. I did not eat much only snacks because of the traffic. I go to work and carry grocery items in the mall that is all I did but I do it from 7 am to 3 pm without break. One time I ask to take breaks from my boss and he did not want to. So this one time I was so exhausted and hungry that I vomited blood and collapse. The boss finally gave me breaks to eat up and rest.

My point is that life is sometimes unfair. I try not to think about it too much if it is little things and persist through it as best as I could and it helps me. That is just my experience though.

[Asker]

Thank you so much for sharing, I just have a problem of coming off “weak” and have no authority over myself. I’ve often been told that I need to get better at it, and in that moment I just felt vulnerable. But you’re definitely right, life isn’t always fair

[OrdinaryDaniel]

From what you wrote. You did not come off weak at all you tried to stand up for yourself but you also don't want to go too aggressive. You don't want to lose your job or create a toxic working environment. I think you did a good job in that situation.

[Asker]

Daww thanks :)

[Jjpayne]

It's fair to say but I will say this, the person that gets promoted is the one that does things without question. If they make you do something dumb, be eager to do it. Show that you are a person they can go to, to get things done and rely on. Do that for a while and see what happens. I'm not saying you want to be taken advantage of but more than one person will see you do things.

Nobody wants extra things or work but the one that takes it on, gets promoted while the other people stay in limbo.

[Asker]

Ya know.. you always give out really nice answers. Thank you :)

[Jjpayne]

You are welcome 😊

[Jjpayne]

Thank you for the mho 😊