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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (May 29, 2018)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2018 FEATURES Employer has us working dumb hours Dear Annie: I work in health intense. This is pretty much how the and wellness for the largest retailer day goes — dealing with irate cus- in the world. I love my job, but tomers and getting no sales. What can we do to let members there are so many things I don’t of management know there are bet- understand. Management is always on us ter ways to treat their employees about making money (which I and still save money? They simply understand), but no matter what we will not listen. It’s typical top-down do, it is never enough. We management. Things are DEAR reside in a depressed area good for those who are on and really do quite well for top but frustrating for those ANNIE where we live. who aren’t so far up the With all the pressure ladder. — Love My Job but management puts on us Just Don’t Understand about sales and eliminat- Dear LMJBJDU: ing waste, our district man- Many companies today ager demands that we work have wised up to the value such wasteful hours. We of employee feedback and Lane are at the office until 8 in Annie started conducting periodic Creators Syndicate Inc. the evening even though reviews. If your employer no one comes in that late. does, take the opportunity I keep looking for something to do. to share your insights. Focus on We work from 12 to 5 on Sundays, what the company stands to gain and usually there are no customers by cutting back during low-traffic — just people walking by asking, hours. Your case will be more con- “Why are you working on a Sun- vincing if you can offer some con- day?” On Memorial Day, Fourth crete examples — so the next time of July, Labor Day and other holi- you’re working one of these shifts, days, we work from 9 to 6. It is not take notes on sales, staffing, etc. unusual to have customers who are Because it’s such a huge retailer on vacation and want trial contact with stores nationwide, there may lenses because theirs are ripped or be blanket policies that your manag- lost. When we can’t give them what ers have to follow even if they don’t they want (we need a doctor’s per- make much sense at your location. mission to give out contacts), they But it’s worth at least proffering become irate. Sometimes it gets your two cents. If management brushes you off and things continue not to change, it might be time to channel your frustration into filling out some job applications — preferably with smaller companies, where you might be able to play a bigger role. Dear Annie: While shopping at our local grocery, I overheard an elderly woman complaining that the new digital coupons limit her from getting the reduced price. She does not have a smartphone with which to pull up the coupons, nor does she know how to use a computer. She expressed that this is unfair to older people (many of whom really need the reduced prices) who would like to be able to participate in this pro- gram. I wonder whether any of the companies that have gone digital have considered this problem. — Digital Age Discrimination Dear Digital Age Discrimina- tion: A smartphone isn’t always necessary, as many companies allow customers to download and print coupons from their websites — but that still presents a frustrating obsta- cle for seniors who aren’t familiar with using a computer or don’t have access to one. Rather than give up, I would encourage anyone in this boat to call the Eldercare Locator (800-677-1116) to find a class for people new to technology. 5A TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Social grace is at least as much about knowing what to say as it is about leaving room for others to be themselves. You’ll nail this and enjoy the spontaneous trajectory things take because of it. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). When it comes to making others happy, no striving or strain- ing will be necessary. Do what’s natural, and then rest. Working too hard to please people will only make you a prisoner, trapped in the bars of needing their approval. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It’s the same on the “Wheel of Fortune” board as it is in life. The more turned letters you have, the easier it is to fill in the blanks. Ask for more clues and the next correct action will be obvious. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ll be connecting with those you haven’t seen in a while. You might feel like you can’t get to the hanging out part until you play catch-up, but if you only have limited time, go for the hanging out. It’s what you both need. must, or 2) you follow the impulse to make them happen. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). If you choose something that, it turns out, you don’t like so much after all, do not stick with it out of a loyalty, fear or a sense of challenge. It won’t serve anyone in the long run, least of all you. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It’s an ex- cellent habit you’ve developed — not offering up information unless you’re pretty sure. This works toward building your reputation. People will trust what you say because you say what you know to be true. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Clicking with someone’s sense of humor is nothing to take for granted. Humor requires a match of so many factors that it’s quite rare for people to make each other laugh on a regular basis. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Meetings will be far more interesting when you have a stake in what goes down. Prepare yourself with questions and relevant information about your side of things. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It’s not the big events that determine what a relationship is, not really. It’s the forgettable Wednesdays that are made somehow unforgettable by the unique laughter and love you share with each other. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). When you show up, you aim to do so with at least as much enthusiasm as you had back when you accepted the invitation. You’ll keep this in mind before accepting new invitations today. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The deep conversation between I and me will not lead anywhere productive, rather it’s a dialogue that tends to corkscrew down to a basement of moods. For a lift, focus your energy on others instead. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (May 30). You long ago realized that you’re the one who gives your life meaning and the lengths you’ll go to do that will make this a magical year indeed. You’ll make a courageous move before June is over that sets the tone for the year. Business favors you in July and August. New friends being joy and fun to 2019. Leo and Virgo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 19, 2, 22, 28 and 39. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). There’s not a “right” moment for things to happen, just a moment in which things do happen because 1) they have built up to a place in which they FRANK AND ERNEST BLONDIE THATABABY SALLY FORTH PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN B.C. LOLA DILBERT SIX CHIX BIZARRO MUTTS NON SEQUITUR BABY BLUES WIZARD OF ID ZITS ROSE IS ROSE
