"They couldn't have managed alone": the students, very useful little hands from the supermarkets

Spun the war metaphor as Emmanuel Macron was able to do to sound the general mobilization against the coronavirus, Edouard Philippe praised the work of those appearing in "second line", like the employees of mass distribution, on Saturday at a press conference. To contribute to this "remarkable effort", the sector can count on a reserve army: the students, and more particularly female students.

Already brought to juggle between the courses and the work on the shelves and at the cash desk to finance their training or their accommodation in normal times, the little hands from schools and universities are at this moment crucial to ensure the good functioning of stores confronted with the absence of some of their employees who are sick or have to stay at home to look after the children.

Originally from Vichy (Allier) and a third year undergraduate student in tourism at the University of Clermont-Ferrand, Manon, 22, usually works 10 hours every weekend in a supermarket specializing in fresh products. With confinement, his weekly hours more than doubled last week. “I was told that I absolutely had to come to work because there were many absences. I also had to work the week before, but since I was a little sick, I said that I preferred to stay at home, ”says the young woman.

"Slightly desperate" employers

Lina's employers, 19 years old and in their first year of history degree at the University of Amiens, also quickly contacted all the students working for them. “They were a little desperate and sent us messages with little smileys. They could count on us, at least most of them did not refuse, but I think that we have not all weighed the risks, ”she admits. “You have to be realistic, we all need money. "

Like Manon and Lina, Alicia, a 19-year-old student at a design school in Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine), goes to her work in a large area with a little apprehension. They all explain, however, that they have agreed to lend a helping hand in solidarity with their colleagues. “During the first days of confinement, there were a huge number of clients. Our colleagues could not have managed everything on their own, says Alicia, who was temporarily full-time. If you can feel useful, it is important. "

These extra hours do not necessarily compensate for a lower time devoted to studies due to confinement, far from it. For the past two weeks, many teachers have been striving to ensure their courses continue at a distance. For the students responsible for filling the holes in the supermarket, it sometimes turns out to be impossible to find the perfect balance.

"The teachers are understanding"

Lina returned homework to her teachers a few days late and crossed her fingers so that her situation was taken into account in the grading: "I told them that I had trouble reconciling the two, but I didn't no response from the professor. We'll see. "

Alicia misses part of the online courses that take place according to her usual job, but she catches up in the evening and has extra time to do homework. "I only have to present proof of work at the school and the teachers are understanding," she appreciates. I manage to manage even if obviously I have less time than my comrades. "

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Manon's teachers had asked the students to return files to them. "As we are in license 3, they are trying to do everything so that we have our year," explains the tourism student. They send us documents and are available every day if we have questions. Since her work was already on track before the university closed, she should be able to return it on time. "Fortunately, I came forward, otherwise I think it would have been very complicated," said Manon.

Will the involvement of these students in "the continuity of the life of the nation" be worth a reward? Lina thinks that she will at least have the right to "a little compensation". Manon should receive a bonus based on the number of hours worked. For the twenty hours worked during the past week, it will amount to 110 euros.