SHOUT-OUT TO RETAIL WORKERS

It has been a trying time for many retail employees in the past eleven months. The grocery employees have been on the front lines of the pandemic since day one in early March. There has been no shut down time for these businesses or their employees. As a manager in grocery retail, who has worked in the grocery business for over 35 years, I would like to give a special "shout-out" and thanks to all our front-line retail workers across the Island.

Excellent customer service is required in this business to be successful. I believe that all employers try to train their employees to be competent in their job, have positive attitudes and be friendly to each customer. With a small staff in our location, I train and empower the staff, including the students, to make decisions on their own. Having five students on a staff of 14, they are also trained and empowered to make responsible decisions each and every shift. They communicate well with customers by talking to them and doing their assigned tasks. (Communicating has been somewhat hindered lately with people wearing masks, as it is more difficult to hear and read facial expressions.)

Often, our youth are not given the recognition that they deserve. For most high school students, a job in retail is their first time working. The growth and development of character and maturity of these students from when they start until when they leave at the end of Grade 12 is amazing.

Not many retail businesses could survive without the availability of part-time students who work flexible hours. I enjoy immensely having students work WITH me, not FOR me. I enjoy helping them learn new tasks, deal with a variety of situations and become great ambassadors for our community. Next time you're in a store, be sure to be patient, kind and show appreciation for the customer service which the staff are providing, whether they be 15 or 85 or anywhere in between.

David Fraser,

Souris