The phrase in question is "it's not my department"
Many years ago I managed a small team of customer service/telesales people. The phrase "it's not my department" was banned, as you are in effect saying "I don't care".
Instead they were encouraged to say "I don't know the answer to that, let me check who will be able to help and I'll get back to you"
Twice today in Morrisons that phrase was used in answer to my questions.
Yes, perhaps it was too much to expect the fishmonger to know if they had any chicken korma "out the back" but as he was the only member of staff visible, I thought I'd risk it. .
In fact, what I actually said to him was "Do you know where I might find someone who can tell me if there is any more chicken korma?" which imo is NOT an unreasonable question, but he still used the INMD response.
I also pointed out to another member of staff that an item on the shelf was marked "use by 4th August (today).
The response was "INMD, but I'll tell the manager" She did however thank me for pointing it out. (Bet she thought something else though!)
Things you find stressful that other people don't notice.