Working the register

[killer_queen]

Okay, so I started a new job recently, and I'm still kind of training. Today was my first time working the register, and I accidentally gave this one lady the wrong change (too much, actually...) and she FLIPPED about how I'm ignorant and uneducated and blah, blah, blah... So, I talked to my manager and apologized, and she said that they don't usually make a big deal about those kinds of things if you're still training. My manager was really supportive and nice and she just hugged me and said it wasn't a big deal at all which really made me feel SO much better.

But now I'm really paranoid that I might have maybe given the wrong change to some other customers. Like what if the drawer is off balance by a huge amount because of me??? I mean, I know how to count money, but what if I just made a ton of mistakes under pressure? I'm going on vacation next week, and I'm afraid that once I come back I might get yelled at or fired. Am I just overreacting?

[unknownuser]

Just chill, girl ~ don't anticipate the worst! It was your first time and you were just nervous, it could've happened to anyone. :) It sounds like you have a nice and supportive manager, even if something was off, it seems like she would understand and not make a big deal of it.

Just take your mind off it and enjoy your vacation!

[phuckphace]

they're not going to fire you. businesses are aware that mistakes happen, the best you can do is be careful about your counting. it's normal for register tills to tally up a little over or under at the end of the day (change gets dropped, sometimes bills stick together, etc.)

[Karkat]

Honestly, when I worked at McDonalds, for the first little bit I was always scared to death that it would happen. Truth is? It happens to everyone. And unless you are literally the worst worker known to mankind, if something DOES happen, they'll work it out with you.

Unless you're working at a place that's snooty beyond belief, they won't want to fire a worker over a small mistake. Especially if it's a mistake, and not intentional. (If you were caught stealing, it'd probably be a different story.)

[phuckphace]

a friend of mine works (or worked, not sure if she still does) at WalMart, and one day her till tallied $100 short. they called her into the office and asked her sternly if she had any idea why such a huge amount had gone missing. they looked at the security camera footage and she hadn't taken it, so they eventually decided that a $100 bill had been mistakenly put in the 20's slot and she accidentally gave it to a customer as change. they didn't fire her or even write her up, although they were pretty mad. shit happens though, as long as you're not deliberately stealing you don't need to worry about keeping your job.

[Xandle]

They'd have to be pretty harsh to fire someone so new for giving some slightly wrong change, and it sounds like you work with pretty reasonable people. Don't worry, and make sure to count your change extra well next time until you get more used to it :)

[Jean Poutine]

From my experience, they usually take what's missing from your till off your paycheck. That both serves as reimbursement and punishment.

[Camazotz]

Obviously it was a mistake. In totally like you; I'd become paranoid. Your manager seems super nice and understanding though. Customers will always suck; I'm not sure why they treat workers like shit, but anyone in the service industry will tell you that people can be real judgemental assholes.

Anyway, the best thing you can do is brush it off and pretend it never happened. Don't stress these kinds of things, it'll only negatively affect your work. When you return to work, just be diligent and careful. And never be too hard on yourself.