How's this for unprofessional...

Topic: How's this for unprofessional... (Read 4093 times) previous topic - next topic

How's this for unprofessional...

July 17, 2005, 02:24:42 PM

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!

Quote

"As of 7-15-05 There will be no use of cell phones while duty they will not be kept on your person but in cars and purses (I guess you can see where I'm supposed to keep MY phone) they are not to be used to send messages or make calls I watch the securty tapes so I know who the guilty parties are they are not to be taken into the bathroom and I do not want to see them if you have a problem with it come see ME"

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.

Re: How's this for unprofessional...

Reply #1 – July 17, 2005, 02:46:51 PM

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?"

Re: How's this for unprofessional...

Reply #2 – July 17, 2005, 02:59:46 PM

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.

Re: How's this for unprofessional...

Reply #3 – July 17, 2005, 03:07:35 PM

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.

Re: How's this for unprofessional...

Reply #4 – July 17, 2005, 03:37:31 PM

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

Re: How's this for unprofessional...

Reply #5 – July 17, 2005, 05:43:06 PM

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!

Re: How's this for unprofessional...

Reply #6 – July 17, 2005, 06:24:17 PM

Quote from: Snubz-N-Ttown

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.

Re: How's this for unprofessional...

Reply #7 – July 17, 2005, 06:29:20 PM

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.

Re: How's this for unprofessional...

Reply #8 – July 17, 2005, 07:19:12 PM

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)

Re: How's this for unprofessional...

Reply #9 – July 17, 2005, 10:42:38 PM

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:

Re: How's this for unprofessional...

Reply #10 – July 17, 2005, 11:18:33 PM

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!?

Re: How's this for unprofessional...

Reply #11 – July 17, 2005, 11:44:14 PM

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.

Re: How's this for unprofessional...

Reply #12 – July 17, 2005, 11:55:06 PM

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.

Re: How's this for unprofessional...

Reply #13 – July 18, 2005, 12:17:17 AM

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.

Re: How's this for unprofessional...

Reply #14 – July 18, 2005, 01:10:12 AM

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.