u/ImpossibleMind

I’m an international student working at Co-op. I usually work 18–19 hours a week and mostly do closing shifts. My shift is scheduled until 10 pm, but we only close the shutters at 10, and then the remaining closing tasks take another 10–15 minutes.

These extra minutes are not added to my hours or pay. Only twice has my shift been scheduled until 10:15.

I also worked at another Co-op store once where they closed the main doors 15 minutes before 10, finished everything, and we left by 10.

Is this normal at other Co-op stores? What should I do about the extra unpaid time?

I’m an international student working at Co-op. I usually work 18–19 hours a week and mostly do closing shifts. My shift is scheduled until 10 pm, but we only close the shutters at 10, and then the remaining closing tasks take another 10–15 minutes.

These extra minutes are not added to my hours or pay. Only twice has my shift been scheduled until 10:15.

I also worked at another Co-op store once where they closed the main doors 15 minutes before 10, finished everything, and we left by 10.

Is this normal at other Co-op stores? What should I do about the extra unpaid time?

I joined Co-op as a Team Member in December and have seen a Team Leader vacancy at another store. The other store has much better bus connections (£1.75 fare and buses all day, including weekends) and is inside London, so the pay is also better.

Can I apply directly even though I only joined in December, or do I need to speak to my current manager first for a referral or approval? Has anyone gone through a similar internal move?

Indian international student here. Got my practical test at Chingford at 3 pm and honestly getting a bit nervous 😅

Anyone done their test there recently? Any last-minute tips or things to watch out for?

I’m an international student based in Uxbridge. I’ve been driving in India for over 6 years and have also been taking driving lessons in the UK.

When I asked about booking a driving test through instructors, I was quoted £270–£380, so I decided to check the DVSA website myself. I unexpectedly found an earlier test slot in Taunton and booked it immediately without fully thinking through the logistics.

My test is on Thursday at 11am.

I don’t have access to a suitable car, and I’d also like to familiarise myself with the local roads and test routes. I’m looking for a local instructor who could offer a short lesson before the test and, if I’m at the required standard, allow me to use their car for the test.

I know it’s short notice and a bit of an unusual situation, but I’d really appreciate any recommendations or advice. Thanks!

I’m an international student from India studying in the UK and working part-time at Co-op.

About 3 weeks ago, I informed my manager that I would be unavailable from 31 May to 8 June because I have a university study tour. I reminded him multiple times, including through WhatsApp, but never received a clear response.

I’ve always tried to support the team, including staying past my scheduled finish time a few times without extra pay. I also didn’t complain when I wasn’t given my full 20 hours. Whenever he asked me to come in early or help out, I did my best to support the store.

When I asked about booking the time off, he told me to apply for holiday hours. However, the system wouldn’t allow me to book those dates, and when I told him, he didn’t give a clear explanation.

Later, I noticed I had been scheduled on the rota during the dates I had already said I was unavailable. When I raised this, he told me, “It’s your problem, get a swap.” I managed to swap 1 of the 3 shifts, but couldn’t find cover for the others.

Today (31 May), I’m travelling for the study tour. I called him this morning to discuss the situation again. Instead of addressing the issue, he asked me to come in and start work at 11:30. I explained that I was already travelling and couldn’t attend because I had informed him weeks ago. He then hung up the call.

I’m not refusing work at the last minute. I gave around 3 weeks’ notice, reminded him several times, and have messages showing that I informed him well in advance.

What should I do now? Has anyone dealt with a similar situation in the UK? Any advice would be appreciated.

So recently I am seeing a huge hype in Fitbit air launch. It's more evident the disappointment with WHOOP subscription model. What if a company comes with just a good hardware similar to whoop all the data will be locally stored and transmitted to your preferred storage option. you own local AI model over your data.

How much will you be ready to pay for such a device.

Need to vent a bit.

I’m an international student from India working in a Co-op small store in UK. Been here around 6 months now.

Honestly Co-op itself is not bad. But most of the time my manager and some team leaders act like everyone is a robot and should know everything perfectly from day 1.

When I joined, if I asked questions sometimes they would say things like “you should know this already” or “why are you asking so many questions?”. Bro, you’ve been working here for 20+ years, I joined few weeks ago. How am I supposed to know everything?

I noticed same thing happened with other new part-time staff also.

One thing which hurts is I always try to help. If delivery is not finished, I stay and help. If they call and ask me to come early, I mostly say yes. I never sit on my phone during shift, never go for smoke breaks, never disappear. Even for 8+ hour shifts I sometimes just take 20-30 mins break because there is too much work.

But when I needed help once because of a serious university issue, my manager just hung up the call. I had a report submission problem and was literally trying not to fail a module. Called him asking for a little time, he hung up. Called again after solving the issue with university staff, he hung up again.

Still I rushed to work. Reached there sweating after cycling fast with almost no sleepwhats the  and no proper food. Then he just said because I didn’t clock in on time, I don’t have a shift anymore and can go home.

Maybe my mistake also. But at least tell me on the phone instead of making me come all the way.

Now another issue.

I informed him around 3 weeks ago that I have a university study tour during first week of June. Told him on WhatsApp, reminded him in a call, reminded him again in person on Sunday.

Today I checked rota. Three shifts added.

When I asked, he said “I can’t do anything, find someone to swap.”

Seriously? Then why did I inform so many times?

What made me feel even worse is one colleague told me people talk about my work behind my back. That honestly hurt. I’m not saying I’m perfect. I make mistakes. Everyone does. But if I do something wrong, tell me directly. I’ll fix it.

I never complained about anyone to manager. Never tried to get anyone into trouble. When people needed help, I helped.

Sometimes I feel being the quiet introvert guy is the biggest mistake. People think I won’t say anything.

So recently I am seeing a huge hype in Fitbit air launch. It's more evident the disappointment with WHOOP subscription model. What if a company comes with just a good hardware similar to whoop all the data will be locally stored and transmitted to your preferred storage option. you own local AI model over your data.

How much will you be ready to pay for such a device.

imax film cells are expensive, where can I buy the raw/ original blank cells. And how much does it cost in minimum terms.