My Life as a Retail Worker Chapter 8: Privileges
The moment we had all been waiting for had finally arrived.
An email from the big bosses had come through.
Pick Your Product is doing exceptionally well. Due to excellent progress, the store will remain open for many more years to come. Staff promotions may now take place, new staff can be hired, new uniforms will be issued, maintenance work will be done around the store… and all staff members will receive an increase in wages.
The moment everyone heard the news, excitement exploded across the store.
Some employees could only talk about the pay increase.
Others, especially the shelf packers, had their minds on something completely different.
"Our new uniforms!" Jess said with a huge smile. "My shirts have holes under the armpits. I can't wait for new ones."
Isha burst out laughing.
"Jess, don't even talk. You don't know where half your holes come from."
Not wanting to be left out, I pointed at my apron.
"Look, I've got holes too."
That only made everyone laugh even harder.
Joy filled every corner of the store. Even the customers seemed happy for us, and before long we found ourselves sharing the good news with them as well.
"Hi, Mrs. Nathan," I said with a grin. "Very soon you'll be seeing me in my brand-new uniform."
Mrs. Nathan smiled back.
"Will we be seeing new prices too?"
We both laughed.
But while some of us were excited about uniforms and salary increases, Lance and Mark seemed excited about something entirely different.
I walked in on the two of them deep in conversation.
"Did you hear what he said?" Lance asked excitedly.
"Yes," Mark replied. "He said new job openings are coming up. Anyone can apply. We can finally grow in this place."
Lance nodded.
"I can finally become DIY manager. And once we get new staff members, I'll finally have someone helping me in the department."
I stood there listening, realizing they were right.
A pay increase was nice.
A new uniform was nice.
But growth…
Growth was something else.
Then a soft voice came from behind me.
"Layla."
I turned around.
It was Mr. Adams.
He looked at me with an expression I wasn't used to seeing.
"You know," he said, "you're one of the hardest workers here. You're always on time. You make sure you're at work every day. You run the floor for Germaine whenever he's not around, and on top of all that, you always go the extra mile."
I stood there speechless.
Mr. Adams smiled.
"You were the first person I thought of when promotions were announced. So when there's a position suitable for you…"
He paused.
"You won't even have to apply."
My heart skipped.
"I'll put the contract in your hands," he continued. "All you'll have to do is sign."
With that, he walked away, hands in his pockets, a small smile on his face.
For the first time, I had seen his softer side.
But as soon as he turned the corner, he was back to telling staff members to get back to work.
A month later, our new uniforms finally arrived.
Everyone noticed the increase in their pay.
The maintenance work had also been completed…
Though there seemed to be one small problem.
The air conditioning had not been fixed properly.
It turned cold in the winter…
And hot in the summer.
But honestly—
Nobody really cared.
Because for the first time in a long time…
We finally had privileges.