Conflict

I had a conflict with a customer that resulted from my ignorance of store policies, because I had only been working at the store for a little over a month. It was October, 2008, and everyone’s minds were on the coming election. I was bagging groceries for a woman who made a comment to the cashier about how his name was the same as a person that was currently in the political lime light. As I walked her out she asked me if I was going to vote, to which I replied that I was only sixteen. She then asked me if I could vote, who I would vote for. Not knowing that Publix has a policy stating that employees should not voice political opinions to customers, I went with the strategy of “do what is asked of you”. When I told her my answer she seemed horrified, and proceeded to tell me that I should get ready for boot camp. When I finished unloading her groceries, I ended her rant by saying “well I hope you have a nice day” and going about my business. I wish I’d known the policy, so I could have told I could not discuss the topic.