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Quitting my job after the first day?

Hey Everyone

So I got this job at a factory, and it's £6 an hour, with 12-hr shifts. I had one on Sunday 6am-6pm and I am meant to have night shifts, 6pm-6am on Wed, Thurs and Fri.

However I really don't want to go back. I spent the whole time breathing more potato than oxygen, on my feet, picking out bad chips from good ones on a production line. I don't mind that. It's painfully boring but I can handle boring. What I wasn't prepared for was being the only person there whose first language is English. I wouldn't mind it if I was on my own or if I had someone to talk to.

What I had was everyone around me chatting happily while I stood and wished the time would go by. It didn't. Every hour felt like four.

When I was being told what to do I couldn't understand what was being said because the man's accent was too strong and his English too poor and I had to wear earmuffs to protect my ears from the noise of the factory. There was also a moment when I couldn't understand what one of the women was saying and so she muttered something to her mates and they had this jolly convo and I don't know that they were laughing at me but it sure felt like they were.

I'm aware of how hard it is to get a job and even though I really need one to be able to afford uni next year I don't want to go back to the factory. I know first days at jobs are always difficult and this isn't my first job, but I hadn't realised I would be the only English person there.

When I said this to my dad he was all like "Oh, I told your mum you wouldn't last more than a day" and when I said the only real issue I had was that nobody spoke English he told me I should just learn Polish then. He wasn't even joking. Then he suggested I buy some ice cream and follow the Olympic torch selling ice cream as an alternative.

Then today we went to a local Jubilee party and he kept introducing me by saying "This is my son Will, he spent one shift at the chip factory and now he wants to quit". It wasn't very nice being introduced to people like that but until I get another job it'll probably carry on.

My dad says I'm being unreasonable but I know for a fact he's never had a job like this. Mum said she thought it was worth the money but she said she could understand why I didn't think so. She's worked in a factory before and she said it'd be a laugh and we'd be allowed to chat as we worked. We were allowed to chat, but I only speak English and GCSE level French.

So I guess I'm asking you, fellow TSR peeps, what should I do? Is it too much to expect to work with people who speak English. Bearing in mind everyone else was chatting, it's the most boring job in the world and the shift is 12 hours. Should I quit or should I just deal with it?

Edit: Have since quit and found another job waiting at a local pub :smile:
(edited 11 years ago)

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I have never been in your position before so I can't really offer much in the way of advice except to keep your job and look for a new one, as soon as you get an offer somewhere that you feel would be better (even if the money isn't as much) then leave.
I haven't been in the same situation but what i will say is stick to it but look for another and once you get a better job you leave and start the new better job. Use where you are now as a motivator to get a better job you will like.
Reply 3
It's a tough one because you need the money for Uni.. but it's just not worth it. Low pay, and such a boring job with ridiculously long shifts picking bad potato chips off a conveyor belt? Make an informed decision and go for it, it's just not worth your time.

Think of the number of brain cells that will die from boredom with every potato chip you'll pick up!!

Good luck :P
Reply 4
You need the money for Uni? Use your student loans.

I wouldn't work there for £6 an hour, but each to their own.
Original post by willbee
Hey Everyone

So I got this job at a factory, and it's £6 an hour, with 12-hr shifts. I had one on Sunday 6am-6pm and I am meant to have night shifts, 6pm-6am on Wed, Thurs and Fri.

However I really don't want to go back. I spent the whole time breathing more potato than oxygen, on my feet, picking out bad chips from good ones on a production line. I don't mind that. It's painfully boring but I can handle boring. What I wasn't prepared for was being the only person there whose first language is English. I wouldn't mind it if I was on my own or if I had someone to talk to.

What I had was everyone around me chatting happily while I stood and wished the time would go by. It didn't. Every hour felt like four.

When I was being told what to do I couldn't understand what was being said because the man's accent was too strong and his English too poor and I had to wear earmuffs to protect my ears from the noise of the factory. There was also a moment when I couldn't understand what one of the women was saying and so she muttered something to her mates and they had this jolly convo and I don't know that they were laughing at me but it sure felt like they were.

I'm aware of how hard it is to get a job and even though I really need one to be able to afford uni next year I don't want to go back to the factory. I know first days at jobs are always difficult and this isn't my first job, but I hadn't realised I would be the only English person there.

When I said this to my dad he was all like "Oh, I told your mum you wouldn't last more than a day" and when I said the only real issue I had was that nobody spoke English he told me I should just learn Polish then. He wasn't even joking. Then he suggested I buy some ice cream and follow the Olympic torch selling ice cream as an alternative.

Then today we went to a local Jubilee party and he kept introducing me by saying "This is my son Will, he spent one shift at the chip factory and now he wants to quit". It wasn't very nice being introduced to people like that but until I get another job it'll probably carry on.

My dad says I'm being unreasonable but I know for a fact he's never had a job like this. Mum said she thought it was worth the money but she said she could understand why I didn't think so. She's worked in a factory before and she said it'd be a laugh and we'd be allowed to chat as we worked. We were allowed to chat, but I only speak English and GCSE level French.

So I guess I'm asking you, fellow TSR peeps, what should I do? Is it too much to expect to work with people who speak English. Bearing in mind everyone else was chatting, it's the most boring job in the world and the shift is 12 hours. Should I quit or should I just deal with it?


You can't expect success without having to struggle

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my HTC Desire HD A9191
Reply 6
Original post by M1011
You need the money for Uni? Use your student loans.

I wouldn't work there for £6 an hour, but each to their own.


My student loan doesn't cover it and my parents can't afford to subsidise my accommodation fees. But I've decided I'm not going to go back there. I have an ebay thing going and I reckon if I invest the money into that then at least I'll still be earning slowly but without the total boredom until I get a proper job.
Reply 7
Original post by willbee

So I guess I'm asking you, fellow TSR peeps, what should I do? Is it too much to expect to work with people who speak English. Bearing in mind everyone else was chatting, it's the most boring job in the world and the shift is 12 hours. Should I quit or should I just deal with it?


At least give it a week or two and wait to see if you can actually find anything else. To be honest, it sounds like you are being a bit of a fanny about it. You should listen to your dad - he is probably just trying to help you man up and get on with it.

You are only trying to save a few quid for uni - we aren't talking about a long term thing. People saying that it isn't worth your time wanna have a word with themselves - you aren't there for self improvement - you are trying to pull in a bit of cash.
Reply 8
Original post by Jake22
At least give it a week or two and wait to see if you can actually find anything else. To be honest, it sounds like you are being a bit of a fanny about it. You should listen to your dad - he is probably just trying to help you man up and get on with it.

You are only trying to save a few quid for uni - we aren't talking about a long term thing. People saying that it isn't worth your time wanna have a word with themselves - you aren't there for self improvement - you are trying to pull in a bit of cash.

This. It sounds like it's not such a bad job in the grand scheme of things. And you're often going to get people being a bit funny the first few days if the work means they've formed a clique. It's not like they're just going to actively pull you into and keep you in their chat without knowing you, it's a workplace, not a support group. I'd certainly give it a week at least.
Tough it out for as long as possible until you find another. In the meantime, get pounding the pavement as if your life depended on it.

Provided your CV is copacetic, interview technique is up-to-scratch, and of course you prepare yourself for everything, I don't think it'd be unreasonable to state that you'll find another job in a matter of weeks/a month or two.
Wow anti foreigner racist their language isn't good enough for you? Ignorant bigot learn Polish NOW they shouldn't have to learn our language when living in our country you owe them.
Reply 11
Original post by Ronove
It's not like they're just going to actively pull you into and keep you in their chat without knowing you, it's a workplace, not a support group.


Haha, that's a good one.

This user is on the money. To many young 'uns are walking around with their heads full of magic because of the absolute crap they are fed by their schools and universities about what they should expect from work like it is some kind of self improvement program or a hobby or something. Unemployment in the under 25 age bracket is near 20% - it is an employers market.

If I was the OP I would suck it up and try to gradually let on to my workmates. I bet that they actually speak some English too. You have to look at it from their perspective: If you went over to Poland and were working in a factory with a group of English fellas and a college boy turned up for a summer job - would you really make the effort to speak in a foreign language and ingratiate him into your circle on the first day? Would you buggery. As has been shown already - you don't even know that he will hang around for more than one day. In any job with a high staff turnover you generally have to wait a while before your workmates start letting on because they want to know that you are actually hanging around a while before they bother getting to know you.
Reply 12
Try and make more of an effort with them and stick at work for a few more days at least before you call it quits; they could actually be nice people if you look beyond the language barrier and you may get to learn a new language in the process or at least some foreign swear words lol if you asked and most people do! There are many people that I hate at my work place (not because of a language barrier but because they're complete ****ers!) yet I still have to get on with them amicably to get work done. If the worst comes to the worst, could you not bring an mp3 player/ipod to work? Would this be allowed?
Reply 13
I'd say, go and have a try again at it mate; who knows, maybe you'll like it. I was a school teacher before and on the first day I asked myself; "What the hell am I doing here!?".

Now, after a year working with the school and leaving to continue my studies, I sorta miss it :/
Reply 14
dude, your getting paid for it when many others can't even get a job.

Be an outcast, be creative and try put earphones under your earmuffs? Do what it takes.

Also, you don't seem very tolerant of immigrants, this is probably going to make it harder for you. I say this because you say you'd be fine if you were on your own but if theres people around you that don't speak English well, then it bothers you?

One day, your going to have to become a man and your problem is a 1st world problem.

lol, I probably sound like your dad right now.
Original post by internetguru
Wow anti foreigner racist their language isn't good enough for you? Ignorant bigot learn Polish NOW they shouldn't have to learn our language when living in our country you owe them.


If they live in our country, they should learn our language.
Reply 16
Original post by willbee
Hey Everyone

So I got this job at a factory, and it's £6 an hour, with 12-hr shifts. I had one on Sunday 6am-6pm and I am meant to have night shifts, 6pm-6am on Wed, Thurs and Fri.

However I really don't want to go back. I spent the whole time breathing more potato than oxygen, on my feet, picking out bad chips from good ones on a production line. I don't mind that. It's painfully boring but I can handle boring. What I wasn't prepared for was being the only person there whose first language is English. I wouldn't mind it if I was on my own or if I had someone to talk to.

What I had was everyone around me chatting happily while I stood and wished the time would go by. It didn't. Every hour felt like four.

When I was being told what to do I couldn't understand what was being said because the man's accent was too strong and his English too poor and I had to wear earmuffs to protect my ears from the noise of the factory. There was also a moment when I couldn't understand what one of the women was saying and so she muttered something to her mates and they had this jolly convo and I don't know that they were laughing at me but it sure felt like they were.

I'm aware of how hard it is to get a job and even though I really need one to be able to afford uni next year I don't want to go back to the factory. I know first days at jobs are always difficult and this isn't my first job, but I hadn't realised I would be the only English person there.

When I said this to my dad he was all like "Oh, I told your mum you wouldn't last more than a day" and when I said the only real issue I had was that nobody spoke English he told me I should just learn Polish then. He wasn't even joking. Then he suggested I buy some ice cream and follow the Olympic torch selling ice cream as an alternative.

Then today we went to a local Jubilee party and he kept introducing me by saying "This is my son Will, he spent one shift at the chip factory and now he wants to quit". It wasn't very nice being introduced to people like that but until I get another job it'll probably carry on.

My dad says I'm being unreasonable but I know for a fact he's never had a job like this. Mum said she thought it was worth the money but she said she could understand why I didn't think so. She's worked in a factory before and she said it'd be a laugh and we'd be allowed to chat as we worked. We were allowed to chat, but I only speak English and GCSE level French.

So I guess I'm asking you, fellow TSR peeps, what should I do? Is it too much to expect to work with people who speak English. Bearing in mind everyone else was chatting, it's the most boring job in the world and the shift is 12 hours. Should I quit or should I just deal with it?


Deal with it & look for a new job in your spear time.
Reply 17
Original post by Jake22
Haha, that's a good one.

This user is on the money. To many young 'uns are walking around with their heads full of magic because of the absolute crap they are fed by their schools and universities about what they should expect from work like it is some kind of self improvement program or a hobby or something. Unemployment in the under 25 age bracket is near 20% - it is an employers market.

If I was the OP I would suck it up and try to gradually let on to my workmates. I bet that they actually speak some English too. You have to look at it from their perspective: If you went over to Poland and were working in a factory with a group of English fellas and a college boy turned up for a summer job - would you really make the effort to speak in a foreign language and ingratiate him into your circle on the first day? Would you buggery. As has been shown already - you don't even know that he will hang around for more than one day. In any job with a high staff turnover you generally have to wait a while before your workmates start letting on because they want to know that you are actually hanging around a while before they bother getting to know you.


I think I love you
Reply 18
mate stuck it out, i mean you are only there for a short time till you get back to uni, is not as if is a life long career. i am in a similar situation, i work night shifts at a sainsburys supermarket and most of my colleagues are from bangladesh, most hardly speak english, they don't invovle me in their convo's, the only time they will talk to me is just probably to ask me to do something, but i don't really care cause i'm there to work not to socialise, i need the money as i am also starting uni in september. my advice is do not quit for any reason, go in and do your work and get out once your done. i am sure you are allowed to listen to your own music on an mp3 or something so get one in every night and entertain your ears with some good tunes, before you know it the nigth will be over. have to say i do a 12hrs shif like urself..
Reply 19
Original post by Emzio
mate stuck it out, i mean you are only there for a short time till you get back to uni, is not as if is a life long career. i am in a similar situation, i work night shifts at a sainsburys supermarket and most of my colleagues are from bangladesh, most hardly speak english, they don't invovle me in their convo's, the only time they will talk to me is just probably to ask me to do something, but i don't really care cause i'm there to work not to socialise, i need the money as i am also starting uni in september. my advice is do not quit for any reason, go in and do your work and get out once your done. i am sure you are allowed to listen to your own music on an mp3 or something so get one in every night and entertain your ears with some good tunes, before you know it the nigth will be over. have to say i do a 12hrs shif like urself..


I second this. You might also want to consider listening to audio books if you get bored with the music at some point. If you really need the cash, I suggest that you turn up for the next couple of shifts at least, try to calm down and not get frustrated quite so quickly :smile: If you need instructions from some of the foreigners perhaps you could ask them to speak slower and louder next time and if that fails, talk to someone higher in the hierarchy for advice such as the manager or quality control. Should it still not work out for you, you can always quit.

On a side note, my first language isn't English either. Do keep in mind that those guys might be trying to stick together because they are really struggling with English and don't want to be laughed at. My elder sister worked in a sandwich factory in Northern Ireland a couple of years ago and she was one of the few people there who actually spoke decent English.
(edited 11 years ago)

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