Frustration

This past week has been very frustrating for everyone at work and it
has been interesting to me to see how different people handle their
frustrations. The store has been installing a new system that affects
almost everyone and as is usual with a new program there have
been many glitches. But, once the program gets the kinks out I think
it is going to work well and in all honesty, I think it is similar to the
old one---just more pages for us as bookkeepers to sort through.

Training for this new program was set up for front end managers
and checkers last week. Times were signed up for, but sorry to say
those who were in charge were late getting there, slow to set up and
kept many standing around. Very frustrating to those who had
arranged their daily schedule around the training only to find that
they were sent home after standing around. Some were fine with
it, but others were very upset.

Management was also frustrated because times were having to be
rescheduled and of course, wages were being paid for no work!
People again were frustrated because they would have to reschedule
or be trained by someone else.

On top of all this, glitches often made it impossible for a checker
to access her drawer, credit cards weren't working as they should,
products were not ringing up correctly. Much frustration!

I was scheduled for training with the bookkeeping aspect on Monday
with a couple of others, but got a call on Saturday saying it was
postponed until Tuesday. Didn't bother me a bit! Just gave me a
extra day to enjoy at home as I was supposed to work the rest of
the week while my job sharing partner took some time off to help
with family. Tuesday came and went as did Wednesday and still
no training and we found ourselves doing everything by hand.

I was quite surprised with my job-sharing partner and how she
has handled all of this. Not good! She has been extremely
frustrated and has come in everyday which I don't think has helped.
Today I spent 8 hours at work with two others on conference calls
working out things and learning the new program. Things were
not totally resolved, but I think we're getting there. Will go in
early again tomorrow and see where we are at.

The week has been frustrating to everyone and I've seen a side
to some that is not the best while others are patient and just roll
with things knowing that eventually all will get worked out.
Yes, it has been hard, but I am beginning to see the light at the
end of the tunnel. I'm sure we are all learning how to deal
better with our frustrations as it isn't just the employees who are
frustrated, but management also feels it and so do those
computer guys who are installing the new programs and trying
to get them set up to everyone's satisfaction.

Perhaps this is just a test in patience and endurance...
The question is: How are we all doing?