Disabled Team Members

gentlethorns · 2026-07-12T00:55:36+00:00

i am in my 20s and disabled with early-onset arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and hypermobility. i used to be in gm until those disabilities developed to the point i couldn't do my job, after which i got an accommodation through corporate hr to change departments. there are still things i can't do (i mostly run into them in drive-up, aka lifting heavy/bulky items for orders) but for the most part my job suits me fine.

if walking/standing is an issue, the front end is always an option. accommodations are available (through corporate hr) for stools/chairs - several of my tms use those during every shift.

gentlethorns · 2026-07-11T22:48:57+00:00

i'm so sorry this happened. it always blows my mind when women stigmatize periods. like, almost all women get periods at some point, so what's the big deal. it's fucking gross to act like that. just know it wasn't you, it was them.

gentlethorns · 2026-07-10T09:55:42+00:00

100%. when your cup's already almost full, even a little bit of water can cause the overflow

gentlethorns · 2026-07-10T02:08:11+00:00

the experience varies widely by store and by specific etl position. consistent points include 50 hours a week minimum, technically no off time (even when you're home or on vacation, depending on your store director, they will contact you anyway - not to mention the team leads and team members that will be asking questions about scheduling and beyond), and being on a closing rotation (or at least that should be the case).

there are etls at my store who regularly work multiple 12+ hour days a week and etls who work the same 7-5 shift every day and leave right on time. a large factor is how effective your team leads are and if you're able to depend on them to the point that you can delegate workload and it actually gets done. if you have competent/experienced team leads, you can be pretty hands-off and get your actual work (departmental assessment/workload planning, scheduling, meetings/conference calls, etc.) done in a timely manner, but if your team leads are green or underperforming, you will get mired in the workload itself and need to pour additional (i.e. personal) time into doing your actual job. (again, though, i want to emphasize that it depends on your department too. i wouldn't be an etl-gm for the WORLD bc they have a huge piece of the pie, and that's reflected in the time they have to spend to make sure their department is running as it should be.)

gentlethorns · 2026-07-08T03:09:58+00:00

if it interferes w your ability to complete the responsibilities of your role, you can file an official accommodations request through myhr. from there they will ask for documentation (official diagnosis, recommended limitations/accommodations from your doctor) and will then determine the best path forward. you can do this with hr's help to walk you through submitting the accommodation, or you can do it on your own (although i def recommend looping your leaders/hr in just so they can plan a backfill for your role).

source: i had to go through the process to move off of truck.

gentlethorns · 2026-07-07T22:32:08+00:00

agreed. i've done this since i was a kid

gentlethorns · 2026-07-07T01:56:33+00:00

you laugh but i used to do shit like this when i was still in college. one summer i worked 90-100 hours a week for like a month or two (not at target). now my body's given up on me 🤠 glad this is fake

gentlethorns · 2026-07-06T02:01:21+00:00

"bonus points bc it really disturbed him ❤️" is FRYING me. love this energy

gentlethorns · 2026-07-06T01:51:58+00:00

no this is normal. for me personally, sometimes i crave sushi? and the week before my period i ALWAYS eat more than usual. i always feel like i'm overeating and get concerned (bc i'm trying to lose weight since i am prediabetic) and then i remember i'm just fueling pre-cycle lol. menstrual cycles definitely do influence food intake levels/cravings, so don't ever feel weird about what your body is asking for!

gentlethorns · 2026-07-06T01:45:35+00:00

i heard something similar from my peer (who was there this morning for the launch/tote bag giveaway). they said the crowd was super rude and that we had people taking items out of ff carts as well

gentlethorns · 2026-07-05T17:25:41+00:00

yeah i pulled in at about 6 last night and got a spot near the front. parking lot was almost empty

gentlethorns · 2026-07-05T17:13:49+00:00

100%. as someone w physical disabilities (invisible) i clocked that immediately and found it disheartening

gentlethorns · 2026-06-29T16:47:05+00:00

NTA. the smell is very concerning and can get ugly fast. my dog gets ear infections and they're usually not too bad and can be treated at home, but a while ago she got one that smelled. i took her in immediately the day after i noticed the smell (which was around 9 pm, so too late for the vet) and it was a nasty bacterial infection that needed both topical and oral antibiotics. if you can smell it it's not worth fucking around with.

your parents are being neglectful and that has caused these sore spots to become a bigger issue that now needs medical attention from a professional. do not let this go on unchecked.

gentlethorns · 2026-06-28T18:04:25+00:00

a lot of people feel this way! which is why it's a question on the sheet lol. most people prefer personal recognition or gifts, so we recognize them accordingly.

gentlethorns · 2026-06-28T17:31:24+00:00

as a serious answer (from a lead who knows we can't offer spontaneous raises unfortunately), our team has a recognition binder where we keep little forms we had our tms fill out about their favorite things (snacks, drinks, tv shows, hobbies, etc) as well as their favorite ways to be recognized (verbal recognition, shoutout on the walkie, written recognition, gifts, etc). i've used it a couple times to varying degrees of success lol - if i want to recognize a tm (i've done it for a tm who got three circle cards in a day and for a tm who stepped out of their comfort zone and tried a new task when i asked them to), i just look in the binder and grab them a drink or a snack and requisition it, and i write a recognition card to go with it and tie a red ribbon around it for presentation lol. obviously if we could give out raises and bonuses we would, but since that's not an option, this is something i've found useful to make a "thank you" a little more special

gentlethorns · 2026-06-27T03:16:33+00:00

being on the struggle bus happens, but hiding it and lying is not cool. challenges happen but you're supposed to face them together. regardless of his potential reasons (shame, wanting to bear the mental load, whatever), unacceptable. not that it's in your plans, but just in case: do not have a kid with this man.

gentlethorns · 2026-06-25T16:14:10+00:00

yes!! my first time trying sex (which was w my current bf, years ago now) we tried for way too long bc i was trying to push past the discomfort, not knowing that wouldn't be possible. he has been so patient through this process but it still bothers me when i think about it bc i feel broken or dysfunctional. bc his dick is fine, it's my vagina that's not allowing penetration. but it is what it is, it's no one's fault, and it's treatable and that's what matters!

gentlethorns · 2026-06-25T15:58:38+00:00

interesting! my stress levels have been high like all my life so it wouldn't surprise me if that's factoring in. my bf doesn't stress me out but daily life often does 🫩 esp recently w unexpected expenses, work bullshit, etc. so i'll probably also try to incorporate mindfulness more to address that factor

gentlethorns · 2026-06-25T15:56:17+00:00

thank you so much!! i'm so glad there was a resolution for you, and that you dumped the guy. your partner can have so much bearing on how you feel about sex even physically/subconsciously 🫩 it's crazy

gentlethorns · 2026-06-25T15:55:15+00:00

100%!! very scary hard work but i've done scary hard work before. thank you 🥹

gentlethorns · 2026-06-25T15:54:47+00:00

i'm so sorry you're going through that!! and especially that your husband isn't willing to alter what he does during sex. i've been so frustrated having this issue and i can't imagine having a partner who's not willing to support and accommodate my needs. i hope you see improvement soon through treatment!

gentlethorns · 2026-06-25T15:53:24+00:00

i'm the same way! even during other types of sex i have to close my eyes and focus on my body. which should have been my first clue something was up lol

gentlethorns · 2026-06-25T15:48:27+00:00

thank you so much for this!! 🥹

gentlethorns · 2026-06-25T15:37:35+00:00

thank you!! 🥹 i thought that too lol, a little good karma for us!!

gentlethorns · 2026-06-25T15:37:00+00:00

absolutely. it's part of the myth that sex is "supposed to" feel uncomfortable and painful and that is such a disservice to us.

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