The Highs and Lows of Working in a Mall

The thought of working in a mall might appeal to a lot of people. I know because it did appeal to me. And for four years now I have literally been a mall rat. And I'm not complaining. But neither would I say that I am enjoying every minute of it.

My previous job was rather taxing, physically, mentally and emotionally. That's why the instant I heard that two malls were opening in our city I grabbed every chance I got and applied for a job in both malls. I applied online and passed my resume to whoever has a connection and can refer me as a qualified applicant. I was quite confident I will pass the screening because there are very few human resources practitioners in our area. And I was actually right. I was considered by both malls but actively pursued the better one of them. (And I am just glad I made the right choice because our competitor is now falling apart.)

I was sent to a training at the main office for a week together with my coworker. Even on my very first day I knew that I will really love to stay and build a lifetime career in this industry. When we went back to our city we did our recruitment at a temporary office that was far from what was ideal (it was just ventilated and was humid all the time) but still, I looked forward to the mall that was to open just a few months from then.

Two months prior to opening, our team transferred to the site and held office inside the still constructing mall. A gamut of construction materials made everything dusty and smelly. And worst, none of the comfort rooms were functioning so we were provided only with portable toilets which were shared by everybody - including construction workers. Imagine how difficult it was for us to try to limit our intake just so we can control our bladder. In desperation, a nearby house instantly became our extended wash room when we learned that one of our successful applicants lives there.

A few days prior to opening, the mall still did not look ready to open. A lot of finishing touches had yet to be done. The walls were still unpainted, the floor still had no tiles, and most of the tenants had no items yet to display. We, the back office people, were uncertain about things but the technical people knew better.

And just as was scheduled, the inauguration witnessed a stream of selected people entering the mall as the President cut the ribbon and invited the guests in. We were all thrilled. That day was exclusive for specials guests, business owners and employees who all enjoyed special pre-opening discounts, delectable variety of food and other freebies. I know it sounds like the start of unending revelry, but I tell you, there's more to it than these pleasant things.

The day the mall opened to the public was unbelievable. People from all walks of life could be found in the mall. From babies to white-haired elders, from students to professionals, from paying to window shoppers. You would really feel the excitement by just watching the people moving around and taking a look at every single thing the mall has to offer them. Indeed, the mall opening was a success. Not for long though.

At least for a couple of months it was like that. But austerity took over eventually. And here is why I am writing this article. I've seen the mall through its highs and lows. And I have a list of my own highs and lows as a mall employee.

I guess the anticipation of the mall opening was overwhelming that it got almost everyone of us excited. Even before the mall opened we knew the line up of activities our events group has prepared. We knew the roster of celebrities that would grace the mall and even have the privilege of seeing them since the holding area for them is just in front of my desk.

Through these years, I've had my share of photo opportunities with some famous and not so famous celebrities. I'd have to admit that it is one of my personal major highs. Imagine, seeing the stars without any effort on my part. I really am so lucky!

Hear (read, hehe) this: I was able to tell my all-time most loved singer/actor that I have been a fan since I was in fifth grade, And as if to show his appreciation, he motioned me to come over, and when I did, he wrapped me in a warm embrace. Can you believe that? And that wasn't the best part yet. During the show, he went down the stage, knelt before me while singing 'Got to Believe in Magic' and smacked me on the lips right in front of everyone. That really sent me to 7th heaven and kept me awake the whole night. My hang over lasted for days, I tell you.

Furthermore, as an employee, I also know the mall-wide sale schedules. That is very important for a thrifty shopper like me. I buy almost everything I need on these days. I am able to prepare well and save enough for some wiser spending. I am so glad that I am not an impulsive buyer because if I were, I would have maxed out my credit cards by now.

Moreover, as an employee I have the privilege of purchasing on credit and paying through salary deductions without interest charges. This is truly helpful especially for unscheduled and unbudgetted disbursements. But caution is also called for because some tend to overdo it. Others who have overused this privilege have experienced receiving only 20% of their normal semi-monthly income.

Another very helpful and enjoyable privilege are cinema passes. I can watch any movie of my choice for free anytime I want. This is something I take advantage of every chance I have. That means spending for only one ticket on date nights with my hubby. Although, we haven't really been watching movies for sometime now since we had our baby, the thought that I can always watch any movie for free is delighting.

Working in the mall has also been saving me numerous precious time. I have everything that I need in the mall. I can do my grocery shopping during my lunch and coffee breaks. I also save money and do not need to buy magazines and books to be able to read them. I read a few articles each day and go back for more on the following days in the book stores.

And since I am a familiar face to the tenants, I can always ask them to reserve items for me and promise them to buy it on the next pay day. Some would even tip me on when the next batch of new items will be delivered. Or when certain items will be on sale. Cool huh? You bet.

But like what I said earlier, working in the mall has its lows as well.

How would you feel if you were spending each day of you work week at the mall seeing things that you would want to have but could not afford to buy? It's pure torture!

And how do you concentrate on your work when you know that a certain artist is performing outside and that people are enjoying what they are watching while you are on your desk pretending to be hard at work?

This industry is very demanding. The mall is operational everyday so we practically work everyday and have only one day off each week. Holidays are not holidays for employees. Holidays are only for shoppers. The only consolation is that we are paid extra on these days. But even that could not replace quality time we would have been spending with our loved ones.

I have extreme experiences such as coming to work even while it was storming heavily when I was eight months on the family way. As a Human Resources Officer, I just cannot stay put at home while I know that problems at work needed to be attended to. But thanks to the fact that my husband works in another company at the mall so he also had to go to work that day. But now, when I look back, I ask myself, how can I be so stupid?

Because, you know, I realized that time is not just what this industry demands. It demands everything from us. We're practically manipulated, if not dictated, to spend our earnings on buying our necessities from the mall stores. Even our rest days are spent strolling the mall with our families. This has become a part of our system -- unconsciously, even while we are off from work.

And can you take the politics that's in about every organization you have been with but is just really worse in this kind of industry? Everybody wants to climb up the ladder and have power over the others. Everybody wants to be the better one. Everybody wants to be the envy of everybody else. Everybody in the organization is a sucker come to think of it.

But after all these time, after all my realization, after listing down my highs and lows, why am I still here?

I honestly am not sure. My guess is that because no matter what angle I look at it from, I would still see that I am making a decent and generally pleasurable living out of it. I still enjoy some perks despite the things I am missing, and hating. And these days, are there other options left for me? If I would consider relocating maybe. But for now that I am decided to stay in my hometown where the important people in my life are staying, this would have to do.