Problem solving
You’re scheduled to open the store at 9 AM with your coworker Sam. It’s 9:10 AM and Sam still hasn’t arrived. The manager isn’t there yet.
Start opening the store by yourself, even if it’s a bit early and call/text Sam to see if he is coming.
While working, you overhear two coworkers gossiping about another employee. The gossip isn’t true and might hurt that person’s reputation.
Tell the coworkers the gossip is false and ask them to stop.
Your manager gives you some important instructions during a busy moment, but you didn’t catch everything clearly.
Ask the manager politely to repeat or clarify the instructions.
You need to explain a new task to a coworker who hasn’t done it before.
Explain the task step-by-step and check if they have questions.
You realize at the end of your shift that you forgot to complete an important task your manager asked you to do.
Tell your manager as soon as possible and offer to fix it.
You accidentally gave a customer the wrong change, and they left before you noticed.
Tell your manager right away and explain the mistake.
Your manager asks you to stay late to help with a busy shift, but you had plans after work.
Explain your plans and ask if there’s any way to help another time.
A customer is ordering quickly and you miss some of what they said.
Politely ask the customer to repeat or speak a bit slower.
Your manager gives you feedback about your work that you don’t agree with.
Listen carefully, ask questions to understand better, and stay open-minded.
You accidentally overhear two coworkers discussing confidential company information.
Keep the information to yourself and don’t share it.
Your friend at work keeps avoiding their duties and asks you to cover for them.
Talk to your friend and encourage them to do their tasks and tell your manager about problem if it continues
A customer compliments you on your excellent service, but you feel you didn’t do your best on that shift.
Thank the customer politely.
You’re trying to listen to a coworker’s explanation, but the environment is noisy.
Ask to move somewhere quieter or ask them to repeat important points.
You don’t understand how to complete part of your job.
Ask a coworker or manager politely for help or clarification.
You notice a coworker is overwhelmed and falling behind on their tasks.
Offer to help or ask if they want assistance.
You notice a coworker being treated unfairly by another employee during a team meeting.
Speak up and support your coworker politely.
The cash register stops working in the middle of your shift, and there’s a line of customers waiting.
Calmly explain the problem and offer to take orders manually while waiting for help.
Your manager uses a term or word you don’t understand during training.
Ask politely what the term means to make sure you understand.
A coworker is rude or uncooperative during work.
Stay calm, communicate politely, and try to understand their point of view.
Your manager praises you for a job well done in front of the team.
Say thank you and acknowledge your team’s help if applicable.
Your manager gives you some critical feedback about how you handled a task.
Listen carefully and ask for ways to improve.
Your team at work is assigned a project. One member isn’t contributing and makes excuses.
Talk to the team member privately to understand the problem.
You were busy stocking shelves and missed the manager’s announcement about a schedule change.
Check with your manager or coworkers as soon as possible to get the update.
our team is planning a project, but not everyone is sharing their ideas.
Encourage everyone to share their ideas and listen actively.
A coworker repeatedly leaves a mess in your shared workspace.
Politely talk to your coworker about keeping the area clean.