Recent positive results toward achieving living wage in this sector have highlighted the level of this industry's pay inequity. This makes the questions about why I choose to do what I do seem more pertinent than ever. I know the pay sucks. But my peers, not always. And while I've answered this question countless times on countless occasions, nothing I say seems to quite capture why I choose to work in this notoriously low paid industry.
I have almost always worked in customer service or retail in some form or other. At high school I worked in our local garden centre cafe. At University, I worked in a call centre (this 'crap job' turned into my first 'real job'). Whilst at Unitec I worked in a winery and Indian restaurant, then afterward at a specialty art supplies store and video shop. When the recession hit and the 'real job' I had fell apart, retail welcomed me back. And when my store management job dissolved whilst I was on maternity leave, I returned to work for a previous employer in - you guessed it - retail.
Retail work has always been there for me. Retail work has always been a safe place for me.
While no-one ever says it, there's a reason why I'm asked so often why I work in retail. There's a snobbery around it. An assumption that retail is not a proper job, and as an educated, intelligent person I should want more. As if I'm some sort of oddity underselling myself. But the reality is that I'm not an outlier. Retail is full of educated, intelligent men and women*. And we're expected to want more. More challenges, more opportunity to progress our careers, more recognition and more money. And while I would love, and certainly deserve more money for what I do**, the truth is that for me retail meets those other needs, and more.
Me, working retail whilst pregnant,
featured in an article in the NZ Herald.
This was rewarding, challenging retail work.
I am challenged in my job and learn new things every single day. Working where, and as I do requires nothing if not versatility. While my primary role is serving customers, doing this well requires a broad skill set. Communication skills, computer skills, basic mathematics, problem solving and conflict management are just a few. I never know one day to the next whether I will need to become an expert on the mechanics of vacuums or if I'll be building a shelving unit. I never feel bored at work.
And I am recognised. Not just by my managers and my peers***, as someone who works hard, but by those that I serve. While in retail we are often faced with uncomfortable or confronting situations with customers, but the majority of the time we are faced with kindness. I have been told 'God bless you.' twice in the past week. I am thanked from the heart by strangers every day.
And in turn I have a job where I feel I can impact the lives of others. Yes, my primary role is selling products, but the best way to do that is to forge real connections. And this is what drives me in my work. I've seen a kid literally jump with glee when I found the specific TY toy (which wasn't on the shop floor) she desperately wanted for her Mum's birthday. I've given a young new Mum advice on how to manage her obvious mastitis without spending more than she had on one of our breast-pumps****. I've shared my struggles around having a kid with sensory issues with other Mums in the same boat. I use my position in retail to forge connections and help others feel less alone.
Because the truth is that even though often we are surrounded with people, many of us are lonely. We live in a country where many people don't have family close by. We live in a country where societal expectations often do not gel with who we are. We also live in a country where prejudice is a real problem, and this further alienates those communities with less support. Kindness and connection is an essential part of disrupting that prejudice.
While I can post meme's on Facebook 10 times a day about kindness and compassion, really, it's just words. And these words do not go far. Not far beyond my circle of friends and family, not crossing barriers of language or poverty. At work I can smile at every person I see. I can empathise with others struggles. I can show kindness by sharing something of myself to help others*****. And when I encounter anger or prejudice I can do my best to dismantle it using calmness and kindness. This costs me nothing, and gives me so much back in return. And I get paid to do it.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
A sparrow from my left-handed bird drawing series
The other side of this is that I have a job that I can leave at work. I cannot do my work from home. I seldom get home and worry about work. And that's important because I need to be present for my kids. And I want to be present to pursue my other work. Having a creative practice is like having a second job. Regardless of what form it takes, or how much money it makes, this is work. And this work is always on my mind. Whatever project I'm working on lives within me. Having a job that I can leave at work gives me space to live my life as a creative and a Mum.
This not only gives me a great sense of joy, but allows me to share this equilibrium with our kids. Etta knows you can be a Mum, and have a job and be a writer. She knows you can have exhibitions at home and make money from your art. And she knows you have to work hard to do these things. Through my creative practice our kids see that things don't always work out how you'd like, that what's important is to keep trying. Sometimes Mum gets published, sometimes she doesn't. But she keeps working, and trying to be better at doing what she loves. And it shows them that while they are my world, my world is more than them. And this makes their worlds bigger too.
And working retail gives me time. Part time, stable jobs that can work around having kids are difficult to come by. Unless you work retail. Here, I am blessed with a job that allows me to participate in the world and contribute to home finances, without compromising my need to be home. And because I work so close to home, and in an understanding team (many of whom are also parents) if something goes wrong with the kids I can be there for them.
I know this is not possible for all working Mum's, and I am thankful to be in the position where I can have some flexibility. As someone with diagnosed health, and mental health issues I need that time. While I am a high functioning anxious person with endometriosis and adenomyosis, I am functional because have a lot of downtime. I need adequate rest to manage my pain levels. I need adequate rest to calm my busy brain. And I need to be functional not just for my family, but for myself.
Because I've got shit to do! I've got plans. And while some of those plans involve creative ventures, and forging connection with others, another part of that is positive role-modeling for our kids. I don't want them to believe that life is purely about work. That amassing wealth is what they should strive for. I want them to see the world is full of possibilities. And if I can show them I can realise my dreams, this gives them the capacity to believe in their own potential to do so.
And this is made possible for me because I have flexibility in my work. Because I work where I do. And my job allows me to model the most important thing of all. As Abby would say (it's Kindy's current whakatauki): Manaaki ki te katoa - Be kind to all.
* But mostly women.
** I believe everyone deserves The Living Wage. I am excited about the changes union action is bringing to the retail sector.
*** I cannot stress enough that not all retail work is amazing and flexible. I have been very lucky in this respect. I have managed to work for, and with amazing people, and my current work is no different. The reason I am happy staying where I am, in spite of the pay is because of the team I work with. Our managers lead by example. Our merchandisers work their butts off (quite literally. Lifting microwaves and boxes of sheets and plates and racks of clothing is not light work). Our sales assistants are mostly like me - they care about people. Their drivers for work, I suspect, are not so different from mine. Our store is diverse which not only makes me lucky in the shared lunches department, but in learning about different cultures. I work in a place where, for the most part, I feel appreciated and loved. And I know this is not something that happens in every workplace.
**** Hand- expressing in a hot shower (she didn't even know you could hand-express), cabbage leaves, and if she has a temp get straight to her GP.
***** And I can merchandise the dolls section so that it's more reflective of the community I live in (more curvy, POC dolls in the front, less blonde barbies)
Fresh faced for Video Ezy
I have almost always worked in customer service or retail in some form or other. At high school I worked in our local garden centre cafe. At University, I worked in a call centre (this 'crap job' turned into my first 'real job'). Whilst at Unitec I worked in a winery and Indian restaurant, then afterward at a specialty art supplies store and video shop. When the recession hit and the 'real job' I had fell apart, retail welcomed me back. And when my store management job dissolved whilst I was on maternity leave, I returned to work for a previous employer in - you guessed it - retail.Retail work has always been there for me. Retail work has always been a safe place for me.
While no-one ever says it, there's a reason why I'm asked so often why I work in retail. There's a snobbery around it. An assumption that retail is not a proper job, and as an educated, intelligent person I should want more. As if I'm some sort of oddity underselling myself. But the reality is that I'm not an outlier. Retail is full of educated, intelligent men and women*. And we're expected to want more. More challenges, more opportunity to progress our careers, more recognition and more money. And while I would love, and certainly deserve more money for what I do**, the truth is that for me retail meets those other needs, and more.
Me, working retail whilst pregnant,
featured in an article in the NZ Herald.
This was rewarding, challenging retail work.
I am challenged in my job and learn new things every single day. Working where, and as I do requires nothing if not versatility. While my primary role is serving customers, doing this well requires a broad skill set. Communication skills, computer skills, basic mathematics, problem solving and conflict management are just a few. I never know one day to the next whether I will need to become an expert on the mechanics of vacuums or if I'll be building a shelving unit. I never feel bored at work.And I am recognised. Not just by my managers and my peers***, as someone who works hard, but by those that I serve. While in retail we are often faced with uncomfortable or confronting situations with customers, but the majority of the time we are faced with kindness. I have been told 'God bless you.' twice in the past week. I am thanked from the heart by strangers every day.
Beaks, the beloved TY toucan
And in turn I have a job where I feel I can impact the lives of others. Yes, my primary role is selling products, but the best way to do that is to forge real connections. And this is what drives me in my work. I've seen a kid literally jump with glee when I found the specific TY toy (which wasn't on the shop floor) she desperately wanted for her Mum's birthday. I've given a young new Mum advice on how to manage her obvious mastitis without spending more than she had on one of our breast-pumps****. I've shared my struggles around having a kid with sensory issues with other Mums in the same boat. I use my position in retail to forge connections and help others feel less alone.Because the truth is that even though often we are surrounded with people, many of us are lonely. We live in a country where many people don't have family close by. We live in a country where societal expectations often do not gel with who we are. We also live in a country where prejudice is a real problem, and this further alienates those communities with less support. Kindness and connection is an essential part of disrupting that prejudice.
While I can post meme's on Facebook 10 times a day about kindness and compassion, really, it's just words. And these words do not go far. Not far beyond my circle of friends and family, not crossing barriers of language or poverty. At work I can smile at every person I see. I can empathise with others struggles. I can show kindness by sharing something of myself to help others*****. And when I encounter anger or prejudice I can do my best to dismantle it using calmness and kindness. This costs me nothing, and gives me so much back in return. And I get paid to do it.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
A sparrow from my left-handed bird drawing series
This not only gives me a great sense of joy, but allows me to share this equilibrium with our kids. Etta knows you can be a Mum, and have a job and be a writer. She knows you can have exhibitions at home and make money from your art. And she knows you have to work hard to do these things. Through my creative practice our kids see that things don't always work out how you'd like, that what's important is to keep trying. Sometimes Mum gets published, sometimes she doesn't. But she keeps working, and trying to be better at doing what she loves. And it shows them that while they are my world, my world is more than them. And this makes their worlds bigger too.
I've always wanted to be on a game show!
So glad we could show our kids our dreams can become a reality.
So glad we could show our kids our dreams can become a reality.
And working retail gives me time. Part time, stable jobs that can work around having kids are difficult to come by. Unless you work retail. Here, I am blessed with a job that allows me to participate in the world and contribute to home finances, without compromising my need to be home. And because I work so close to home, and in an understanding team (many of whom are also parents) if something goes wrong with the kids I can be there for them.I know this is not possible for all working Mum's, and I am thankful to be in the position where I can have some flexibility. As someone with diagnosed health, and mental health issues I need that time. While I am a high functioning anxious person with endometriosis and adenomyosis, I am functional because have a lot of downtime. I need adequate rest to manage my pain levels. I need adequate rest to calm my busy brain. And I need to be functional not just for my family, but for myself.
Because I've got shit to do! I've got plans. And while some of those plans involve creative ventures, and forging connection with others, another part of that is positive role-modeling for our kids. I don't want them to believe that life is purely about work. That amassing wealth is what they should strive for. I want them to see the world is full of possibilities. And if I can show them I can realise my dreams, this gives them the capacity to believe in their own potential to do so.
And this is made possible for me because I have flexibility in my work. Because I work where I do. And my job allows me to model the most important thing of all. As Abby would say (it's Kindy's current whakatauki): Manaaki ki te katoa - Be kind to all.
Makyla Curtis, Renee Liang and me - the production team from The Kitchen
* But mostly women.
** I believe everyone deserves The Living Wage. I am excited about the changes union action is bringing to the retail sector.
*** I cannot stress enough that not all retail work is amazing and flexible. I have been very lucky in this respect. I have managed to work for, and with amazing people, and my current work is no different. The reason I am happy staying where I am, in spite of the pay is because of the team I work with. Our managers lead by example. Our merchandisers work their butts off (quite literally. Lifting microwaves and boxes of sheets and plates and racks of clothing is not light work). Our sales assistants are mostly like me - they care about people. Their drivers for work, I suspect, are not so different from mine. Our store is diverse which not only makes me lucky in the shared lunches department, but in learning about different cultures. I work in a place where, for the most part, I feel appreciated and loved. And I know this is not something that happens in every workplace.
**** Hand- expressing in a hot shower (she didn't even know you could hand-express), cabbage leaves, and if she has a temp get straight to her GP.
***** And I can merchandise the dolls section so that it's more reflective of the community I live in (more curvy, POC dolls in the front, less blonde barbies)
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