Jan. 31st, 2009 at 10:55 PM
At the end of the year, we found out that the bakery next door was going to be shutting down for the month of January. A vast majority of our business comes from people who come to our little hamlet specifically for their bread, and then happen to wander over our way afterward. Without their business being open, we knew that things would be really, really slow, in an already slow economy. On top of that, the owners of my shop usually close down the shop for 2 or 3 weeks in February and take their vacation. They had said that they were unsure about taking a vacation this year. ...not sure that they had the money to spend....but they had also discussed taking their vacation in January instead. Unsure about what they were going to do, they knew they wouldn't need three people on the floor during January, what with the bakery being closed...and them being unsure if they were even going to be open. So..I offered up my weekends for January. I figured it would be a nice thing for both of us. I would get to enjoy some time at home with my mom. And Thea wouldn't have to stress out over who's hours to cut. Today is the last day of the month. One of the things that I hate/fear most is the unreasonable wrath of Thea. If I didn't call her and ask about when I should be there...and god forbid she had expected me...even if she didn't tell me what my hours were...I would be at fault and I would be yelled at. -I hate this. I once helped out a girl who worked for her...by giving her my hours for a few weekends...and she didn't show up. Even though she had previously worked for Thea, and had arranged everything with her...guess who got yelled at??? Guess who got the heat for that??? -Yep you guessed it..it was me. Bah!
Tonight I found out that I was not going to be starting my weekend job again until MAY! MAY!? WTF?? However, Thea does expect me to be on call if she needs me. Hahahhahahhaha. I didn't comment on that. But I did let her know that May was a little far out for me to wait, and that I might have to find a different job. We'll see. This could be the best thing ever actually. I was growing to hate not just working with Thea...but Thea herself (a woman who I consider to be like family to me). Working with her just sucks. She's kind of a shrew with her employee's. I really think that our personal relationship will be much nicer and have better boundaries when I don't work for her. So I'm glad about that. Plus...I'm sure I can find a better paying job. This is just the catalyst I needed to get me out there looking. In a major way this is all really good stuff. ...Not to mention...I've seriously enjoyed having my weekends off. I've come to realize that I've been exhausted...and rightly so! I think everyone SHOULD have two days off a week to recover, de-stress, be with their loved ones, and also do all of the personal maintenance chores that need to be done in our lives and homes.
I am honestly angry about a few things though. And I don't know if I should ever discuss them with Thea. A large part of why I would not discuss them with her are based off of my past experiences with her when I have talked with her about things that have come up. She flips out. She gets very angry and high drama...and then she punishes you. For me..the punishment would be less hours...or having to contend with her negative comments, or the threat of not having a job. Yay! I called in sick once, and she really made it sound like I was going to be fired for it. Bear in mind that I don't think that I have ever called in sick with her before. If I have...it was over a year ago -Once..and I honestly don't think I did. I was really sick. And when she threatened me, I got up, and got ready for work, and called her. She knew she was being unreasonable (and also..I think after thinking about it for 5 minutes realized that she *didn't* want me at work because not only would it look bad, I could get her sick, and also she'd be paying me to work..and wouldn't get her full money's worth out of me because I was so exhausted and ill.) so, she told me to stay home and get better....but only after she threatened my job. -Nice huh? The really lame part about this is her daughter will call in just when she's tired. -Not sick. -Not anything really. Just doesn't want to go to work today. Lindsay, her future daughter-in-law will do that too...plus she also calls in after partying hard the night before...or once a month she will call in because of cramps. -I kid you not. Once a month she is out for cramps. These people never get treated the way I do. She doesn't criticize them the same way, or threaten them, or bully them. I think it's because I am *not* family but do have a certain amount of dependence on my paycheck that has allowed her to feel like she has the power to wield over my head. I need my job. I need the money to take care of my mom, and pay our bills. I don't work two jobs for shits and giggles. And Thea has always known this. She's abused this fact. I am actually glad that I won't have to endure that kind of treatment anymore. The thing I'm mad about though is how she basically gave me no notice. I still remember how angry she was at me for calling in sick...one of the things that made her the most upset was the lack of planning and notice...(which is just the dumbest thing I've ever heard because...duh...I didn't expect to be sick...I thought I would be at work...and even if I was just a little sick...I would still be at work. But this wasn't a little sick...this was knock down drag out sick. And I think it's reasonable to expect that human beings get sick once in a while..deal with it.) However, cutting my job until further notice in MAY...well I think she really should have given ME SOME FRIGGING NOTICE! This is not even comparable. I'm just angry at her lack of caring or responsibility to her employees. She did offer a light, casual, afterthought "I'm sorry for the short notice." To which I simply pretended that I didn't hear her. Because if I acknowledged what she said, then I would have to confront her. And it wasn't the appropriate environment to do that, but honestly knowing her the way I do, I'm not sure that it would EVER be a good idea to have that conversation, unless I was well on my way and KNEW FOR A FACT that I would NEVER EVER have to work for her again.
Mood: excited
Comments
witty_banter wrote:
Feb. 2nd, 2009 01:42 am
Honestly, I am very happy to hear you might not ever work for her again because nobody puts my Vanessa in a corner!
vanmedi wrote:
Feb. 2nd, 2009 06:38 pm
Aaah yes! "because nobody puts my Vanessa in a corner!" -I love that movie! Thanks. That totally lifted my spirits. -Love you Jodi!
kitty8fish wrote:
Feb. 2nd, 2009 04:56 pm
vanessa, as a boss thea has been a total bitch to you. put that together with the fact that she's also a friend who actually knows how much shit you're going through, and she's really been a bitch. that knowledge should have expanded her compassion instead of shortening it. i think it will be an amazing opportunity for you to work somewhere else on weekends (or not work weekends at all!) and it will help save the relationship you have with her now. although, honestly, the way she's treated you is completely inappropriate for a boss and especially for a friend. i mean, just so you know, what i hear she has done to you makes ME want to tell her off.
also, consider that it may not only be that thea treats you a certain way because she knows you need the money, but also because her "kids" that work for her aren't going to really care if she freaks out on them. the trick with a lot of people is that they'll push you as far as you let them, and in my humble opinion as someone who loves you dearly, you are such a kind and responsible individual that you error on the side of taking more crap because you don't want to be petty. thea can probably tell that you will avoid a confrontation as much as you can, and she -- maybe subconsciously -- takes advantage of that.
i have to say that i'm not at all impressed with her!!! but you are absolutely fantastic and deserve a wonderful job(s)!!! i love you!
kitty8fish wrote:
Feb. 2nd, 2009 04:56 pm
also, i find it humorous that your tag for this entry says "goo." I know you meant good, but it's funnier as goo.
vanmedi wrote:
Feb. 2nd, 2009 06:37 pm
haha. I noticed that too. It was supposed to say: "unexpected things that can be really good even if they're scary at first"
...but I think "really goo" works as well. ;)
Thank you for all of your support. It really does have an accumulative effect which is not only needed, but deeply appreciated. I love you Leslie.
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