Work Problems

[Gamingphreek]

Ok so i have been having a problem with this manager for a long time. I haven't done anything wrong, any supervisor on the front line of my store will say i am one of the best we have. However, this manager in question uses my naivete against me. I have never missed a day of work and she knows this. So no matter what i put on my availablity sheet she doesn't go by it. She just schedules me where she wants me.
For example i spoke to the Assistant Manager about my schedule while this manager was away and she changed it to what it was supposed to be. About 2 months later the manager in question decides ill just set him to work every day without letting him know that he is working again. So i had to talk to the GM and he sorted it all out...he understood completely.
Now, i requested off for Black Friday (I work at BJ's so business is no different on Black Friday and they dont have a problem giving off). She just blew me off. I have asked for a supervisor/self check card, she blew me off. Then she recently blew off my schedule again and scheduled me tomorrow. I cannot work on saturdays and it has been that way for months. Now all of a sudden i am scheduled again!
I am a very naive person and easily persuaded into being a nice, but i dont want to be. I have had enough of this manager. The only thing is, i dont want to give the impression of a whiny 17 year old worker. I work and do whatever i am told without question. I have an EXTREMELY good reputation and dont wish to ruin it.
What should i do? I cant work tomorrow and i dont want to call out (Only called out 2x in nearly 2 years of employment).



-Kevin

Update: I checked the messages when i got back from my trip and that idiot manager didn't sign off/lost (probably on purpose) the schedule change sheets.


Update 2k well this situation just got 100432943290x worse.

So i decided that i will be responsible and go in there and see if i can clear everything up.

I go in there and talk to my FLS and CSM (both of whom are really nice!!) and they said that it was just a mix up.

I turned around and my Assistant Manager calls me over. She asks where i was and i told her, and i said that i switched schedules with another employee. THe employee in question, she took off register because she thought he was working electronics. I said, no he isn't.

What does she do?? SHe goes and checks the schedule. Im thinking, ok well it doesn't hurt to check, but i would never lie. Then get this:

"Did you just fill these out?"

!?!!!!!!!!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!??!

tenatively, "No". In fact i turned it in a week ago to the Personnel manager. Then she said she didn't get it. So while i was out i got my parents to take my copy (shouldn't have to make copies) and give it to her. They said they got there and my friend took it, made a copy and put one in the Personnel Managers box, gave one to the CSM (who said he has it) and she said she put a few more in some boxes. She then found my parents gave them another copy "just in case".

Well i guess the personnel manager didn't get that one either, and no one else got the other ones, miraculously (and i trust this friend A LOT, she put it in there).

At any rate:
"Well which manager signed this?"

"She wasn't there at the time so i put it in her box"

"This is no good if it isn't signed"

"But i have 4 more copies floating around plus the one in my hand"

"Are you sure you didn't fill this out just now?"

!?!?!?!??!?!??!?!?

"Well ill go check the mailboxes and see if they are in there"

"Do you want me to stick around while you check, in case you need me"

"No"

And i walked off. I was so pissed off at that moment that i was ready to chew the next person out who talked to me. I have never, EVER, given them a reason to distrust me, nor will i ever. I have never missed a day of work, and in 2 years of employment i have been late (30mins) ONE TIME.

I dont know what to do anymore. Ill go to the GM and ask him what is going on. And then, i think i may consider turning in my 2 weeks. This is absurd!

Edit: Well i haven't gone and talked to my GM yet. I did however get my schedule. After 3 of the exact same availability sheets, one she even acknowledged that she saw, i STILL am working all over the place. Get this 10 hours on Saturday. If my GM doesn't do anything, ill have no choice but to quit.

 

[meltdown75]

that's tough - but you know what... you're just going to have to be more stern in your demands. i know it's hard when you're so used to bending over backwards and being as accomodating as you have been, but when push comes to shove, you're just going to have to speak up a bit and make sure your demands are heard.

this job may seem like everything right now, and i was the same way when i was younger. but if you keep getting shafted, you have no other choice but to tell that flat out that you need them to meet you half way here, or you're going to consider seeking other places of employment.

"no more mr. nice guy"?

best of luck with the situation.

 

[Skunkwourk]

I would just make a copy of what you submitted for your availibility schedule. Inform your other supervisiors so everyone KNOWS. Then tell her again you aren't availible that day, and heres the hard part, don't show up that day. Don't worry about your reputation, from what it sounds like, everyone already knows your value, but if you don't stand up to this, your repuation will be the least of your worries.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Thanks.

I just dont want to give a bad impression. I cant stand it when people are mad, or have a grudge against me. My job in particular. But i feel that i am being taken advantage of left and right.

I was also told that it isn't wise to sort of give them an ultimatum ("You gotta help me or im leaving") because they will merely said fine. Isn't that the way retail works. The only thing keeping me at that job are my direct coworkers (FLS, and Cashiers). My GM, CSM, and Recieving Manager are all very nice, but i dont enjoy cashiering. My CSM has told me that i can have a supervisor position, yet when i tell my Personnel Manager, she just blows me off.

THe thing that really throws me off is that it seems she is 2 faced. When i talk to her directly she subtely manipulates what i am doing, and is nice to me. Behind my back though she doesn't give one sh!t what happens.

I dont want to be a bad employee, but i dont want to constantly be rearranging my life for this job.

-Kevin

 

[Gamingphreek]

Well im going to work now. Ill let one of the managers know the situation, but i dont think it will do any good

-Kevin

 

[Ime]

Welcome to the cold-hard reality of workin' for The Man. Don't worry, the sting in your backside goes away eventually.



Alright, Alright! Just kidding! Seriously though, it's retail, it's dog eat dog. I've worked it. You're going to have to toughen up and learn to make demands and back them up. Otherwise other people in retail will walk all over you.

 

[icelazer]

When I started at what I considered my first important job (in IT) after just a couple of days on the job, I told a faculty member that I couldn't replace her toner in her printer because we only paid for staff (not faculty) supplies. She then said "You wouldn't say that if I wasn't a woman". Then told me to get out. I was upset for a while thinking I was going to get fired for this crap. A couple years later, I realized I had become a "real worker" when I was faced with a coworker going nazi on me because I had borrowed his (company owned) usb hub in a pinch while he was on vacation and hadn't put it back yet (he came back early). We had an awesome exchange of words out in the hallway, I refused to take crap anymore. Gotta stand up for yourself man.

 

[meltdown75]

Is this a specialized retail position that required certain training or something?

You seem very attached to this job. Unless you're going to be making a career out of it (which I HIGHLY doubt if you're 17 and posting here - I'm assuming you will be shooting for an IT-related job in the future) - look for something else.

There are so many jobs out there for young guys like you. Go for something that you can use on your resume later! 10 years from now, you will probably omit having worked where you're at from your resume, or at least a concise resume.

You should also have some more confidence in yourself. Just because you are at odds with your boss, manager, co-workers or otherwise doesn't make you a bad person. Try not to be afraid to voice your concerns.

 

[Skunkwourk]

Theres no point in being an angel when you're surrounded by devils. Either confront the problem or get taken advantage of. Thats pretty much the trade off. You should know by now that the world isn't filled with nice and reasonable people. If you aren't willing to risk the manager not liking you, then just bite the bullet and goto work that day. However, this is one job of many you'll probably have, so you don't have much to lose. Worst case scenario, you get fired, but your supervisors and everyone else will gladly say good things about you. About the reputation again, understand that no matter what you do, some people will never be happy. You mentioned you don't want to give a bad impression, well after 2 years I think you've already left a good one, minus this one manager.

 

[Jzero]

I find this to be a common problem in retail. The availability sheet/time-off request book is just for show. I had the same thing happen as well. Eventually I took the manager aside and told him that:
"I am a good worker - I always come in. That means that when I request off, it's not because I just know I won't feel like working that day, it is because I CANNOT COME IN that day. I give as much notice as possible, sometimes MONTHS in advance. So from now on, without further notice, if I request a day off in the book, I will not be at work on that day regardless of the posted schedule. I will not call to warn you, and I will CERTAINLY not call to find a replacement, so if you don't want to be understaffed, you need to honor my requests."

I figured I could play hardball - it was just a high school job and I could easily find another.
Also, it worked. For the remainder of my employment there, I was never again scheduled when I had previously requested off.

 

[Britboy]

I work and do whatever i am told without question. I have an EXTREMELY good reputation and dont wish to ruin it.

That's your problem. You are also building a reputation for being a push over and that's not good especially when you get older and move up in the job world. She thinks she can treat you like crap and you will put up with it, so does it, either because it makes her life easier or maybe just because she's a b1tch.

You have to stand up for yourself and not be intimidated. If you are doing a good job you don't need to worry, if it continues to be a problem you would be better off working somewhere else anyway.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Well she wasn't in today. So but i did talk to my CSM. He said that he really cant do anything about it; he has no power over any of it. From the sound of it though, he said that she is screwing someone elses schedule up. He advised me to go an tell her first thing tomorrow.

To give an example of the "skill" of this woman i refer back to the 3 weeks i was out in which i was in Roma and the Bahamas. To go on those trips (over July 4th) my GM and i decided that i would "quit" per se and then just be rehired upon return. So, eh ill lose some tenure, what the hell. I come back and tell her that i am back.

You cannot make this up lol; here are her words:

"Omg! Did a manager approve your absence!? Did you put in for time off!?"

Im just standing there in the office thinking to myself "WTF!" The after about 2 minutes of searching:

"Hmmm i never terminated your employment for those days. Who authorized this?"

DUH!!!!

I was just really nice during all of this, didn't have one incredulous statement or anything, i just merely said that my GM did, remember. And that was that, i was away for 3 weeks and it wasn't even a break in my employment.

"I am a good worker - I always come in. That means that when I request off, it's not because I just know I won't feel like working that day, it is because I CANNOT COME IN that day. I give as much notice as possible, sometimes MONTHS in advance. So from now on, without further notice, if I request a day off in the book, I will not be at work on that day regardless of the posted schedule. I will not call to warn you, and I will CERTAINLY not call to find a replacement, so if you don't want to be understaffed, you need to honor my requests."

I really want to say that but im too worried about pissing someone off. Yeah, i know, what a wimp, but as i said earlier i cant think straight knowing that i have pissed someone off or something like that.

-Kevin

 

[Gamingphreek]

Bump:

Ok guys, today i have to go into work for many reasons:

A. I put in for off for next week for a Latin Convention in RIchmond, as well as Thanksgiving out of town.
B. Check schedule for that
C. As why in the world i am scheduled for ANOTHER saturday tomorrow
D. DO what needs to be done in response to all of these

I want to avoid quitting AT ALL COSTS, but i dont know what to do

If they say "Well we cant give you next week off", what do i say?? I dont want to quit, but i sure as hell wont be there. I put that i needed off in plenty of time and did all in my power to ensure that i am off.

If ANYONE has any advice i NEED it right now. I dont have a clue what i am going to do and am extremely nervous about doing all this stuff.

Thanks,
-Kevin

 

[sixone]

There has been a lot of very good advice offered in this thread, but you keep coming back with reasons why it won't work. That's YOUR call, and 400 more opinions/suggestions won't change that.

 

[EKKC]

i didnt read OP's thread, but if you're unhappy. start sending out resume

 

[Patt]

Stand up for yourself, be nice, but firm. If they can't handle it, your power-tripping supervisor will have to cover the shift herself Move on, and be a bit more assertive in dealing with management, they'll appreciate it if they are worth working for.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: sixone
There has been a lot of very good advice offered in this thread, but you keep coming back with reasons why it won't work. That's YOUR call, and 400 more opinions/suggestions won't change that.

Im not saying why it wont work, rather i am asking what to do in a certain instance.

I have never really disobeyed/argued with my boss like this, and am very worried about it.

If worse comes to worse what should i do? I know quitting on the spot isn't good, but i dont have 2 weeks to turn in a 2 week notice. Should i say that "Im sorry, but you guys wont work with me. I really dont want to, but Im going to have to quit" ... or should i give them a day and then go in and see what i can do.

-Kevin

 

[meltdown75]

i think your main issue is the inability to begin the confrontation. or, perhaps you should view it as more of a conversation and not a showdown.

jump in, the water's fine!

seriously - you can do it. don't let it be a big deal - just "git er done"! you'll feel better about it once you get it over with.

 

[Patt]

If worse comes to worse what should i do? I know quitting on the spot isn't good, but i dont have 2 weeks to turn in a 2 week notice. Should i say that "Im sorry, but you guys wont work with me. I really dont want to, but Im going to have to quit" ...

Yes. That is exactly what you should say. You seem to be reasonable about it. They might surprise you. Good luck OP

 

[Gamingphreek]

Alright im leaving in 5 minutes.

Real quick though, will outright quitting damage any of my other future jobs or something. I dont want the rest of my job opportunities to go down hill because of this.

-Kevin

 

[PHiuR]

retail sucks people are evil...wait no people are evil all over the place.

grow some balls of steel my legion, and fight for yourself.

 

[meltdown75]

dude, seriously!

don't worry, just speak your mind!

if you end up having to quit (or get fired), i think you can be confident in the fact that this job is meant for someone else - someone with less backbone that prefers to be walked all over.

 

[sixone]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
Alright im leaving in 5 minutes.

Real quick though, will outright quitting damage any of my other future jobs or something. I dont want the rest of my job opportunities to go down hill because of this.

-Kevin

If you are a push-over for the rest of your life, it will damage your employment future.

 

[Cheetah8799]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
Alright im leaving in 5 minutes.

Real quick though, will outright quitting damage any of my other future jobs or something. I dont want the rest of my job opportunities to go down hill because of this.

-Kevin

It may. I suggest you look for a new job, get it, then resign your position at the old job. Don't feel bad about taking days off of work if you have to. You've been there long enough that you should have some sick or vacation days you can call in and use even though they scheduled you to work.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: sixone

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
Alright im leaving in 5 minutes.

Real quick though, will outright quitting damage any of my other future jobs or something. I dont want the rest of my job opportunities to go down hill because of this.

-Kevin

If you are a push-over for the rest of your life, it will damage your employment future.

bingo