Being graded as a cashier.

When I first became a cashier, I didn't realize I would be "graded" on my performance. Cashiers at the big chain retailer I work at are rated on our speed and how many credit card applications we get. Where I work, these statistics are actually posted on a bulletin board for all to see. We are either graded "green" which is good or "red" which is poor. 

How many transactions each cashier has had for the week is the basis for seeing if on the average we are green or red for our speed and credit card applications. I often service around 1000 customers a week so I figure that means I average anywhere from 100-250 customers coming through my register a shift. This depends on how long my shift is and how busy we are.

After completing each transaction, the speed score pops up on the register, telling us if we were green or red for that transaction. A big problem with this speed rating is that the timer doesn't stop until the transaction is completely finished meaning that if the customer is slow, it affects our score. When a shopper stands at the register and re-evaluates each item in their cart to decide if they really want it, our score will probably be red. Often a customer will search for exact change in the bottom of their purse or pocket, again slowing the transaction down, meaning the cashier will probably get a red score. It is an unfair rating system, cashiers obviously can't control how dawdling a shopper will be. Unknown to the customer, we cashiers are quietly grumbling inside as they take their time because of the ticking timer. I don't want to feel this way, I would rather be able to enjoy a little banter with the shopper but am pressured to move them along. I try not to dwell too much on my speed statistics,  I am always O.K in this area.

In addition to our speed we are also monitored on how many credit card applications we get. This is basically more a matter of luck than a matter of how good our salesman skills are in my opinion so I  try not to dwell too much on this. The amount the transaction is for and the manner in which it is paid determines if the prompt will come up on the register telling us we must offer the store credit card or debit card to the shopper. For those customers who stop and consider the offer, we are supposed to push it, trying to sway them into getting the card. A person is either going to want a card or not, our asking is usually not going to change their mind one way or the other. This is the most disagreeable aspect of my job. I'm not a big supporter of credit cards and know that some of these people applying have no clue of what they are probably doing to their credit score by applying and being turned down. I usually get the preferred amount of applications, averaging about 2-5 a week. 

Even though these areas of our performance are monitored, no one has ever said anything personally to me about if I am doing O.K or not. We are just reminded as a general group, that we need to keep our scores green. Our scores will not get us a raise or lead to us being fired. I feel being rated is just another degrading aspect of my job.