Trouble at work

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2005
Trouble at work
5
Wed, 02-08-2006 - 9:44am

As most of you know, I've been unemployed for a long time and finally got a part time job that is nights and weekends. Working those hours is a big sacrifice so that makes this all the harder to bear. I've been there for about a month.

I thought I was doing a great job at my part time job. But yesterday, the manager called me in for a meeting. She said she was concerned that the job isn't a good fit for me! Well, it's not my dream job. Who wants to stand up for that long? But I really need a job and I've been giving 100% and working just as hard as anyone else there. I was so shocked that I only said something like, "Although it is true that for my long term career I would like more administrative duties, I have been trying to do an excellent job here and I thought I was doing well." Later I thougtht of better things to say, but I'm worried that if I say anything more she'll just interpret it as more complaining. This has never happened to me before, and the worst part is that I feel that I have been doing an excellent job, for only $9/hr, even though my feet hurt so bad and have swelled up a lot.

Her are her complaints, and my side of it:

1. She's worried that I'm a bad fit for this job becasue I've asked to do other duties and when she asked, I admitted that it is hard for me to stand up for so long and I don't love doing only customer service.
My side: I thought it was good to volunteer to do more work! I was hoping for extra duties in addition to, not in place of, the front desk. I said it in a positive way each time, and only because SHE ASKED! Several times, she told my shift partner to go do other tasks (the type of task I want) and I would cover the desk the whole time, but then asked if it's OK with me. So I said, "Yes, of course I'm happy to cover the desk the whole time. But if the opportunity ever comes up, I would really like to take on other types of tasks as well." What is wrong with that? Everyone else gets time off the desk, so of course I want that too! It's pretty hard for me to see everyone else get a mix of jobs when I just do one thing.

2. There is concern that I take breaks without finishing the pile of work, so the person who covers me has to do it.
My side: Sometimes it's so busy that if I waited until I finished the work, I'd never get a break! And I really need one to be able to stand up for four or 8 hour shifts. Now, I'm pretty sure that the co-worker I worked with on Sat. complained about me because my boss doesn't work my shifts so she has to be getting this from someone else. Now, I'm so angry that she complained instead of first telling me. But the thing is, I try to get caught up at all times but since it's busy and people are constantly dropping items off in the return bin, it almost never happens! Isn't it the law to have 15 minute breaks for each 4 hours worked? On Sat. my co-worker never takes breaks, even though I offered to cover for her many times. She was cold to me and I wondered why. Now I'm guessing that since she never takes breaks, she thinks I shouldn't either. But I need them! I can't even believe this is an issue! I asked her each time if it was OK to go on break now, and I also told her a few hours ahead of time that I wanted to take a break at 11:00 if it was OK with her. What more can I do?

I am working as fast as possible the ENTIRE time I'm at the desk. If I don't finish the work, it's becuase there's too much of it not because I'm wasting time or standing there doing nothing. And becuase I work at such a fast pace, it makes me need the break even more! I've never heard of a break policy like that, when I worked retail we always got our breaks no matter how much of a line there was. Because if you wait until you finish the work, you'll wait until closing time!

I am so upset becuase I have worked so hard, and bending over backwards to be proactive and thoughtful towards my co-workers, and yet they're unhappy with me? Because I take fifteen minute breaks, and offer to do more work?

What should I do at this point? Should I sent my boss a polite email, or would that make it worse? Why doesnt' she understand that I want to advance in my career and do more than just customer service? And again, why did she ask if I couldn't be honest? I thought companies should value an employee who is eager to do more and take on more responsibilites. This is terrible because I need a good reference and from the sound of it they're not happy with me. And I've been working so hard for them, I thought they would love me! And I'm giving up my Valentine's day for them, working that night. I should be getting praised not nitpicked and picked apart like this.

I just feel like dirt. It was hard not to cry at that surprise "meeting". I thought she was bringing me into the office to give me a project! What a terrible surprise when I found out the truth.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-12-2004
In reply to: bluerains
Wed, 02-08-2006 - 11:39am

Hi Blue,


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2005
In reply to: bluerains
Wed, 02-08-2006 - 12:22pm

Lori,

My coworker's been there ten years and they probably like her becuase she doesn't take breaks. But that's her choice because she can physically do it. I work hard for them, but that fifteen minutes off of my feet makes all the difference. My feet hurt so bad I'm limping as it is, even with breaks. They didn't notice.

I do need this job becuase I can't find another one and I really need a good reference from them when I leave. I feel awful becuase I need this job as a springboard to better one and it almost seems like they're keeping track of all my mistakes so they can fire me. Then I would never get a good job!

The last job on my resume was so long ago that I desperately need something current becuase I think companies toss out my resume when they saw I'm not working for two years.

Doesn't she understand that I have to care about my career? I need to be independent and I can't do that making $9/hr and working eight hours a week. So of course I am asking for more responsibiliites, I'm at the bottom of the ladder and can't even begin to support my family like this.

I can't believe that they make everything I do or say seem negative. How would they like to do my job? Don't people have any empathy?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-2005
In reply to: bluerains
Wed, 02-08-2006 - 5:40pm

I'm so sorry about your troubles at work. From the sounds of it you have a very positive case on your side. Although, unfortunately, people don't always see it that way. I hope that it's not that she's narrow minded, but rather that your boss just didn't realize your side of it.


Congratulations on all your hard work. If your boss won't say it, I will!


Hugs,

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Amanda

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2005
In reply to: bluerains
Thu, 02-09-2006 - 3:38pm

Thanks Schitz. This was a huge blow to me becuase I need a reference so much, if I ever want to get a better job. It seems like I can't do anything right as far as jobs go and I've been trying so long. This was the first job I've managed to get in over a year, so if I don't impress them I'm in serious trouble.

Update:
On Wed. I work with a very nice woman and I think if she was my partner every day, there'd be no problem. Last night, when she came to give me a break I told her the policy is that I can't leave until I finish all the returns, and she was shocked. My Tue. partner had the same reaction so now I know it must be the third coworker who complained. I wish she talked to me first! Isn't that unprofessional to run to the boss without taking to me first?

I got some validation last night because Nice Coworker said she's never seen me standing doing nothing, and she loves working with me and thinks I'm doing great. Also before I even told her about the break, she complimented the way I handled a difficult situation with a huge fine that took a long time and lots of paperwork to resolve. She said that she noticed I didn't get flustered even though it's hard when the customers are emotional and upset. It made me feel good and that I'm not the problem. However, if the boss thinks I am, I'm still doomed.




Edited 2/9/2006 3:39 pm ET by bluerains
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-2005
In reply to: bluerains
Fri, 02-10-2006 - 12:42pm

Glad to see some people are recognizing all the hard work you are doing. Too bad it's not the person who counts. Keep up what you are doing and hopefully the boss will clue in.


Stay strong.

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co-cl of the Self-Injury

Amanda