Ok, so, as some of you know, I have a job at a gas station. For around here, the $6.75 hourly rate isn't too bad in comparison to most other no-skill jobs. I've been there for about 2 years and it's been a good year since I've gotten a raise. For the past few months, mainly this summer, I've been getting more and more fed up with this job for a couple reasons, most of them childish.
1.) It seems to never fail that I end up working a close shift on weekends. Usually always almost the whole weekend, too. My girlfriend's new job is a regular, Monday thru Friday 8-5 job. You can see where the schedule conflict comes in.
2.) I've worked almost each and every one of the past holiday's. I'm pretty sure the only holiday I didn't have to work in the past year was New Year's Eve.
Most of that stuff is ok, I guess, working at a gas station, one should expect to work late hours and holidays (with NO holiday pay). But in these past few months I've noticed the general morale of the place go way down. Ever since we were robbed for about $5k from a former employee, the manager has become a hardass, not trusting anyone. For example, the place has about 8 security camera's and the VCR and monitor are capable of recording 4 streams at once, split over the screen. Well, since the robbery happened, the manager has been recording only the camera behind the counter, the one that watches the employees. Not the parking lot, or pumps where drive-off's occur and not the floor of the store where theft can occur. This has always bugged me, but I figured that's just how things are going to be now, since she has to suspect each and every one of us as theives.
Another thing that's kind of bothered me... the manager has working for her, her own daughter as well as her neice (whose father own's an oil company and is very good friends with the store owner.) I've noticed, upon perusing the schedule that nether of these two have to close, hardly ever at all, and never on weekends. Wierd, though, I've been there longer than both of them. I'm starting to realize that seniority means about dick in this place. That point was further illustrated when, 2 months before, I had requested a weekend off. Fri, Sat, and Sun. About a week before hand, the manager says to me "I don't know if I can give you this weekend off, or not, these other three girls have it requested off". Two of the other three girls were the ones I mentioned earlier, the other one is the daughter of ANOTHER lady who works at the store. Starting to make sense? I should also add that none of these three other people had been here longer than me. But, even if seniority doesn't matter, I'd put my request for the time off in before they'd even started working there!
Anyway... long story short, I ended up having to work Friday night and shorten my weekend trip by a day, even though I'd had the time requested off far in advance. Ok, so life's not fair, right? Let me tell you about the final straw:
Instead of talking to people about problems and issues, the manager likes to write big, grammar and spelling error-filled notes on a sheet of notebook paper with a Sharpie marker. Needless to say, we don't have meetings, either. The story goes, though, while I'm at work, I use my cell phone to send text messages occasionally, I know, sounds terribly childish, but I thought to myself "If the manager has a problem, she would've told my by now." So I continued my use of the cell phone, without having a single driveoff or incident because of it. Here's where it all comes to a head, I went in this Friday to pick up my meager paycheck and on the counter I see TWO notes! One is expressing the manager's disgust with everyone's dissatisfaction with thier hours (something she'd talked to me abotu a week before). It read "Since I'm not a mind reader, everyone needs to write down how many hours they want each week." Ok, so maybe this one wasn't neccessarily about me. Next note, a full-pager!
And yes, it was all one sentence. I wondered to myself, why in the holy hell didn't she just come talk to me about it? Or, at least leave ME a note on my timecard about it. Nope, let's make a note that everybody can see, so everone know's that Brian's a big asshole. No one else uses thier cell phone while they're at work, and everyone knows that, but let's just make it overly clear that Brian's the one in trouble. It's this kind of childish, unprofessional conduct that's made me decide on getting another job.
Besides the bad vibes I get on my own side of the counter, I get harassed by customers about all the things I'm directly responsible for, such as:
1.) Gas Prices (I raise them when I need a few extra dollas for a beer run on the weekends, since, you know, I see a bigger paycheck when gas prices are up.)
2.) Coupons - To hear these people talk, I'm thinking we are the ONLY store on earth that doesn't accept cigarette coupons. I've been told that a.) We have to accept them, because we sell that specific brand b.) It's the law c.) This place is a shiznit-hole and I'm calling the cigarette company on you to put you out of business.
3.) Anything and everything else that I've done to make someone's day really really shiznitty. I've watched people try to pay at the pump with thier credit card and do things out of sequence. When they come in expecting a receipt, I inform them of thier incorrect operation of the pump and suggest the correct way to do it. They simply tell me "nope, I did it the right way, your machines are broke."
Those are just a few things, I could write a book about what a unique experience it is to work at a meaningless, dead-end service job like this, but who would read it? Probably the few and far between that have actually stopped to read this entire post.
So, that's my story and I'm sticking to it... people have been telling me (as a result of hearing me complain a lot) that it's time for me to get a new job. This week I'm calling a guy I know up at school to see if I can get a job up there again and drop this register-jockey career like it's hot. So now, I invite you, friends, to share your experiences and thoughts regarding a job like this and the shoddy, chickenshiznit management that accompanies it.
as for the cellphone use, as stated in the note " I do not want to see them if you have a problem with it come see ME", pay the manager a visit, and see if the manager has the backbone to say anything to your face, whats the worse that can happen "you approached me about a note and youre fired?"
just find another job. There are prolly jobs that would pay $$$ more for the same types of things. At $6.75.... I know what that is like. I worked at little ceasars for $5.50 for like 1 1/2 years. Basically, they want enough money from you to make money, and just enough that you wont be looking for more. If you will stay for $6.75 that is all that you are gonna get. So what if you find another job? No offense, but you could be a cashier pretty much anywhere and make that much. Check out banks jobs, they rake in dough. Just look into it. I have learned to never really stop looking for a job, because there is always a better one out there. I went from $5.15 to $8.50 in about 2 weeks. It is worth it. and worst comes to worst, your not out anything if you dont get another job.
Go in and ask. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to go in and argue but there should be no problem talking about it. Atleast you will be the bigger person by confronting the issue in person.
With your experiences though, I would consider a new job. A good manager will talk to you to work out any problems and not leave notes to make you look like an ass infront of everyone. I make a considerable amount more than that and I don't have to deal with a lot of BS.
I've been lucky. My management has been ok at both jobs that I've worked. Annoying a couple times but nothing to the extent of your manager.
dont worry alot of jobs are like that i make 10.75 working in a factory. i start 3rd shift today and the 3rd shift lead ask me what to do, he has been there for 15-20 years i been there 2.
so yea just walk up to your boss and talk to them they may just say ok well then go for it. who knows
This is exactly why I have never and WILL never do cashier work where it involves alot of the public...I hate trying to deal with some idiots and I have too much of a fornicateit additude to give a shyt what they have to say to me, and Im not kissing their ass if my life depended on it because the customer is never right!
I couldn't have put it any better myself. Public service sucks because the public is stupid. Why do people treat cashiers like they are the responsible party for everything that goes on in the store? I went through the checkout at wal mart and some lady was yapping on her cell to her sister, who was in the store and left her cart (with her kid in the seat) just in front of me, supposedly to save her spot. She checked out and left, so I jumped in front of the cart with the baby in it long enough to check out my 3 items. This other lady comes back a copule minutes later, after I was being handed my receipt, and chews out the cashier because he told me to come up and check out. A.) I don't think an unattended baby counts as a place holder B.) Why did her sister just leave the kid there alone? and C.) why wouldn't you just jump out of line to get a couple things you missed instead of holding up the line.
I'm willing to bet the kid behind the counter was about ready to snap and kill the lady, but he didn't because he can't say a word and keep his job.
I had a completely unrelated job, but had a similar experience. I used to work where you had to work at a certain rate, like 90% or something. I always covered the 90 without a problem and that's all I did, because those were the requirements. I was passed over time and time again for promotions while family members, who did less work than that, got promoted. The only way to win a position over them was to pick at a rate a lot higher than 100%. I was there for two years doing the same thing and just quit. Now I work for $2 less per hour but don't have to deal with favortism. I know what the job market can be like in a smaller town, I've been there and done that. I used to make $6.10 at a mcdonalds after 3 years there. I'm not sure what to tell you, but at that low wage, there has to be SOMETHING that will pay a little bit less or even more without having to deal with management issues.
worked at it one time in fast food i will never go back you do meet some stupid people tho and i feel sorry for everyone in fast food i try to get out of there as fast as i can.
When i worked at micheal tire they told me i was working too slow, so i approached my boss about this he dident have the balls to tell me to my face but when i got home that i had two weeks to speed up or be fired. So i showed up for work on friday grabbed my tools put them in my car , then went up front to tell him that i have offically quit.
(the moral: Some bosses and supervisors are cooches that need thier higher up "power" to punk on people just to make themselves feel better)
Not trying to be an ass but it's low wage-low skill job. Those work environments will always be the same. You need to dig hard and find a job that doesn't deal with the public or not as much. I would have told them I wouldn't be showing for work when you requested two months prior. Tell them you have plans and deal with it. Also tell them its a low paying job in a terrible work environment and they can hire someone else. I have been through those jobs and basically I was like you. You got to have a **** it attitude, if not you will have high stress and really hate your job. Also I would leave with a bang. I would take out the circuit breaker for the gas pumps just so they would loose money. Maybe they will learn how to treat an employee next time.
James :rolleyes:
man that sucks.dont really know what to say.been there!dont want to do that again.its not like pitty im feeling here,but kinda like a lump in my throat.i think i betterstop there or i would probably get myself banned.why do people gotta be that way?isnt there enough bs in the world!?
Man just ask or demand a raise or respect. I worked at wendy's for 6 months and got 3 raises in that time. When I worked for the computer store I went from 6.75 to 8.25 in 1 year and now at auto zone I told them I wanted a raise after 8 months and I got 50 cents. Now that I have been bumped to manager I make 10.01 ( I know its dumb) because I told them I wanted some dough. If you get another job, wich I recommend as well just be upfront and let them know how you feal.
Quit. Then join the military in a technical field requiring a security clearance for four or six years, get your 4-year degree during your time in, then get out at the end of your enlistment and work for a corporation making really good scratch where you don't have to put up with that .
-OR-
Try selling cars at a dealership.
Try starting up a small lawn care business or computer service or something. I don't know but anything would probably beat working for that jackass.
While I tend to agree with most of what is said here in that you should probably find a new job, I do take issue with one point.. the talking on the cell phone shiznit. Maybe it's just because I am sick of cell phones, and more often than not would rather see people beaten senseless with their cell phones than listen to them talk on them, but I tend to think that if you're on the clock, your ass better be working and not talking. I don't care if you're going through a dull period and decide to call someone.. find something to do. There's always something to do. And if you're under video surveillance, maybe finding that something to do and doing it might get noticed.
All good comments, I'm glad this has spuppiesed a lively discussion. I'm not sure if I mentioned it, but I'll say it again because I'm too lazy to read through that monstrous post. Fall and part of Spring semester last school year I worked in the Training & Development department at school. At the time I was doing probably 20 hours there, 20 at the gas station, and going to school full time. I did ok, but my grades were slipping. So, partway through spring semester, I quit the school job. I was supposed to be a Traning Assistant, meaning that my boss gives training sessions for faculty and staff teaching various computer software and skills. I bet 90% of my time, though, involved making copies, collating stuff, and just general office bitch work. While I preferred it over standing at a register, I still couldn't take it anymore.
Anyway, fast forward to my last couple week's at the T&D office. I was over at a lab, manually ghosting 20 brand new Dell machines and my boss had called over this guy named Joe from the dep't of Media and Academic Computing. He said to me, "so, how do you like working for Donna?" Feeling confident he wouldn't run and tell her, I told him how I spent most of my time runing errands, delivering stuff across campus, etc." And he told me, "well, if you're ever looking for a new job, give me a call" and he gave me his card. At the time, though, the last thing I wanted was to keep trying to do 2 jobs plus school. So I never gave him a call right away, but lately it's looking like a better and better idea. I should be able to make $6.25 an hour (I know, peanuts) and be doing something that doesn't involve the general public, and it sure as hell won't be running errands and doing copy work.
So, my plan is to call this guy up tommorow and see if he still needs anyone. If he does, then I'll be able to still work a reasonable amount of hours (20 a week is the limit on school-jobs) and still have a pretty decent schedule. I think of it this way, if I can get a few hours of work in around my classes and not have to ring up cigarettes and beer on the weekends, I'll be a lot happier and not nearly as stressed out. And, of course, I'll still give my boss at the gas station oodles of notice about me quitting. I'm hoping that doesn't mean she gives me shiznitty hours, but if she does, so be it. At least I'll be on the road to recovery from wasting so many hours of my life at that dump. As for if the guy doesn't need someone to work... well... I'll figure that out. But I still have a goal of having another job by the time school starts. Because, as you college students know, we LIVE for the ed weekend, and if I have to spend mine selling generic cigarettes and skunky beer to toothless drunken yokels... I'mma be pissed.
Oh... and about the cell phone thing. I've never made a call on it during work, just send short text messages now and then. As time went on I didn't even try to hide it anymore because I was just waiting and waiting for the manager to say something. I've kind of used up all the valuable life skills ( :rolleyes: ) this job has taught me anyway, so losing it wouldn't really make me too sad.
Well, I'm probably not the best person to comment on using one's time wisely at work. I tend to be a workaholic who does insane shiznit like stay until midnight on a 9-5 job, (when I have to go in the next day) doing shiznit I'm not getting paid for, (like cleaning the shop when no one else will.. without being asked or it even being mentioned by anyone else) just because I take some insane amount of pride in/satisfaction from my work. When you have a disease where the symptoms are mainly pain and fatigue, it's not the best of ideas to throw yourself into your work like I do.. which is why I have to pick what I do carefully. So if my work attitude seems a little harsh, for lack of a better term, that might explain it.
Why are you giving "oodles of notice"? You don't really think that'll change the way they treat you? Or maybe you think they'll beg you to stay? No way, you're disposable - get over it. Wait till the next weekend that "the girls" have all asked off. On Friday night (decide for yourself if you even want to wait until closing time...) shut everything off, leave a note on the counter (in Sharpie) that you quit and lock the doors. Don't look back. Don't even worry about returning the keys make them pay to have the locks rekeyed. Plenty of "service" jobs in most places that will treat you better than that and pay just as well. A cruise through the Sunday classifieds should turn up something.
Concentrate on school, it'll pay off later.Your grades matter most right now, your income means jack until you finish school. Go down to the financial aid office if you have to and see if they can help with a grant or something. Yeah, I know I sound like your Dad.... :)
Well, I called this Joe guy, and as I sort-of expected, he doesn't need anyone right now, nor anytime in the future. But I guess he'll talk to his supervisor and see. Meh, I dunno. I'm having second thoughts about getting a new job, now.
Well, as soon as I'd gotten done typing that message, Joe calls me back again and refers me to Randy, associate director of Media & Academic computing. I call Randy, he says they'll need someone in the fall and to bring a resume in sometime this week :confused: Looks like I've got some work to do. The thought of needing a resume scares me.
The school probably has an office that'll help with that too. A resume is one of the things you'll need when you graduate unless you're going into government service (and be poor). Getting a head start is a good thing, easy to just change it once it's written the first time.
I've made up several resume's for various classes. The only thing is... I don't have anything "worthy" to put on my Resume. Maybe the 8 months I worked in the dep't of T&D and maybe I can make mention of my computer service "business"?
Man, I remember the first job I had. Washing dishes at an Italian restaurant. I still shiver when I see baked cheese. That stuff was a nightmare!
Oh right, back on topic. Definitely see if your school has a website with job listings, and see if you can get a work-study grant which would really reduce your taxes. My work study jobs at school were by far the easiest money i've ever earned. Better yet, get a work-study job that fits in with your course of study so you have something for your resume too. Screw the gas station! And 2 weeks notice should be more than fine for those s.
I worked in 4 different tires shops 1 machine shop and hated all of them for differnt reasons. The tires shops were horrible because you had to run the counter, mount tires, change oil, clean the shop, and deal with the public.
At one shop we sold several different name brand tires and always had people coming in with new cars wanting tires fixed under the dealer warrenty, but we wern't an atourized dealer. You want to
talk about the public being an ass.
When changing the oil they would ask for a specific kind. I didn't see the differenc between the name brands most of them came from the same manufacter.
Now the machine shop job. I worked there 3 months hated every min. of it. I was running a Fadal vertical mill, had to produce 55 parts an hour I was making 70-80. I had the rest of the guys in the shop bitching because I was making that many and it would be hard to keep up at that rate for them. So I was supposed to slow down?
Hell no I didn't and yes the treatment I got kept getting worse.
I put up with shiznit jobs for 6-7 years after collage until I landed a job with an engineering contract firm. Now I design and detail parts for caterpiller tractors.
Moral of my story: Don't give up looking for a better job there all over you just have to look hard enough.
BTW, What is your major anyway?
My major is Information Technology.
That'll do... You're what? 21? They know you're in school, I'm betting they aren't expecting a long resume with every skill in the world on it.
22, but close enough.
I totally agree also when i went last friday to cash my check i almost got hit by some stupid asswipe in a saturn because she was paying more attention to her cell phone.
Watched someone almost plow into a gas pump next to me today, because she couldn't be bothered to interrupt her conversation long enough to do a 3-point turn in a gas station's narrow parking lot.
yes the public can be assholes but how many times do you peeps go thru the drive thru and just grab the bag and ask wheres my darn ketcup and dont even say thanks but maybe im different cuz ive been there i think that every one needs to start being nicer to every one hey whens the last time you held the door open for someone and looked right in there eye and smiled at them youll be suprised how doing something so simple with make everyone feel better
but i do agree with cell fones shut the sonabitch off and drive or work and dont talk so loud that i know that your planning on leaving you boy/girlfriend
peace kyle
Wow, suddenly this has become an ass-shag party about talking on the cellphone. C'mon it's not like I killed that many people while I was driving and talking. Babies don't count, right?
they only count if they are ejected from the car
Im sure its hard to put anything on your resume because you have worked at a gas station for 2 years which is not exactly resume worthy. I would forget the gas station job and spend some time looking for a part time job pertaining to your major. It will require some research and networking, but in the long run it will pay off. Lets face it, your resume is crucial both now and later. So this time should be spent building things to put on it. I would definately look for some type of technical job, whether it be at your school or some other company. You'd be suprised how willing many companies are to hire college students and you should have no problem making $10/hr. I also cannot stress how important your GPA is, trust me, concentrate on your grades more than anything, atleast a 3.0. I know the feeling, Ive worked 35hrs/week with a full time electrical engineering schedule. My two main jobs in college were electrical maintenance and machine shop work. It will pay off later. Goodluck
We haven't neglected the original topic.. just branched out into a second line of discussion.
Sadly working at a non-skilled job usually means your dealing with non-skilled bosses as well. (Where do you think they found them..lol...promoted from with-in.) I agree that putting up the note wasn't the best way to handle the issue, it was the bosses way of "dealing" with it. (You said you were waiting for them to say something....well, they did) Some bosses won't even go that far. They will simply let things ride. When it comes time for raises you find out you don't get one because you were using the cell phone / or doing something else you knew you shouldn't be doing on company time.
I had a buddy that worked as a temp for a company. He was late often, left early, surfed the web during working hours. All the time the boss didn't say word one to him. When it came time for the temps in the office to be offered full time positions everyone but my buddy got a job. Wonder why that was? The boss wasn't worried about trying to correct his behavior, he just let the temp time run out and the problem was solved.
As for dealing with the general public, that takes a toll on anyone. It takes a special breed to work with them for long periods.
Ray
Your job sucks Brian. But hey, you got a new Neon with it, right? So at least it is work. If I were you, I would try to find another, perhaps more desirable job, and keep it until you get out of school. I've had three jobs since I started working 10 years ago. (10 years ago? I'm getting old.) First was at a restaurant washing dishes, cooking, cleaning, whatever they needed me to do. I made $4.25 an hour starting. I was there for 2.5 years making $5.00/hr when I quit. My next job was at a grocery store. I started there as a bagger and yes, working with the public was bad sometimes but other times it was kind of cool to meet all kinds of different people. The vast majority of people are decent and kind, but unfortunately the nasty self-centered ones are the ones we remember. I started at that place making $4.90 and, three years later I was working in the office there making $6.75. By that time I was done with college so I got a job at Dnet, the place where I work now. That was five years ago. They hired me at $8.50 and now I'm a supervisor and make $12.48. I have made progressively more money every single year since I started working.
So I guess my point is that sometimes you have to put up with some to get to the good part. But the most important thing to remember is that you have a job and a nice reliable car and things could be much much worse than they are. You may feel as if you are stuck in a boat you don't like that much, but at least it isn't sinking! People are always going to need gas and beer and smokes! ;)
Hang in there man. Once you finish school, life will get a lot easier for you.
jkirchman, not tryin to diss your job but you have a degree and a job that only pays $12.48 an hour after 5 years? 90 percent of the supervisors at GLW have no degree and after 5 years they are making over $13 an hour...Just wondering...I dont know maybe where you are 12.48 is hella cash...
I don't think he plans on stopping at 12.48 an hour.
Anyways, you guys think you have it tough dealing with the public. Everyday someone comes in and complains that the parts we sell are junk. 90% of the time they are hooking it up wrong and/or don't really know what they need. Tonight a guy left bitching at one of my guys because we didn't have an Upper Tie rod end. And thats the part he asked for, not inner or outer but upper. Yesterday a man came in to appologize because he had made us switch out his battery and alternator because they were "junk". He said that his power antenna was busted and causing a drain. Now his battery doesn't go dead.
100% public job. And they all hate me..... because I don't sell blinker fluid.
i hope you at least sell ler bearings cuz i need a set
You work at Autozone? I hate to say it, but a lot of Autozone remanufactured parts are junk. I realize, though, and you don't make 'em. You only sell 'em. Just like I don't make gas prices nor store policies regarding coupons.
In regards to junk parts I'll admit it there are some.
For example the "valuecraft" rebuilds only replace the bad parts in starters and alternators.
The "duralast" rebuilds replace all parts except the armature and bendix if they are ok.
The "Duralas Gold" rebuilds all parts are new, they just reuse the case.
Price reflects this and geuss what people always buy? Yea you geussed it.
I'm sure 90% of your complaints are people who bought the cheapest reman part and keep coming back for replacement. Right?
Yes and 90% of those pass on our fancy new test machine. Most of our customers came to buy an alternator because thats why there back tires go flat all the time.
Always the military...
Im not a recruiter, I just do my job and have been doing it for 12 years. Ill retire when I am 38 and I make over 55,000/yr. Not a whole lot of money in the Chicago area, but I am comfortable. It sucked in the early years, having to put up with your leadership who doesnt know as much about the job as you do. But, you slowly rise through the ranks and *POW* youre the boss now! You call the shots. Im a mechanic (officially), but currently in the network administrator field with the Army Reserves full-time. I know there are jobs directly related to networking and computers in general. You might be able to apply some of that knowledge in the military if you wanted to. Some other key points that other may overlook;
1. Pay is salary based on rank and time in service.
2. Health benefits that are free for you and your family-not the best, but it is free. Try pricing health insurance these days.
3. The job is always a variety!
4. Paid vacation, holidays and lots more time off-all with pay.
5. Last but not least: Serve your country! :america:
The military is not for everyone, but when I hear about folks with a deadbeat job, it makes me wonder why they dont consider it. :hick:
You're right. $12.48 is pretty good for where I live. The pay rate is not as high here but, then again, neither is cost of living. For example, my wife and I rent our apartment (1 bedroom, 1.5 baths, fireplace, central heat/air, full kitchen, utility room, and garage on a little more than an acre) for $200 per month. Granted, we got a good deal, but you can find $350/month rentals around here all day long.
Also, that $12.48 per hour doesn't count the benefits that the company pays for. I have full medical, dental, and vision plus a 401(k) account and the company matches 85% of my contributions. I'd have to make over $15/hour if I had to pay for benefits and still bring home the same amount I do now.
WHAT?! $200 a month? Don't let Ashlie see that... she'll be packed for NC and out the door! That's incredible, Jim. We'll need to talk about this at CJ if you're going. Cripes, a 1 bedroom, 1 bath costs $375+ around here.
Wow, that is impressive. Efficiencies in Northwest D.C. go for more than $1,000 a month, and they're smaller than hotel rooms. Man, I really need to get out of this area!
Yeah... D.C. traffic sucks ass too.
Chicago suburban apartments that size go for 700-900. I think I need to move to NC now... :hick:
Now you guys know one of the reasons I like it here. Plus you guys should see the view from my front yard. It's beautiful in the Blue Ridge mountains.
Unfortunately Brian I won't be going to CJ this time around. The Cougar needs too much work and I have to work on Saturday as well.