Trouble with the new boss..
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
April 16, 2011 10:39am CST
I've been working my part-time job for nearly 3 months now and for the most part I couldn't be happier. I'm a hard worker, and the owners and managers have recognized that. I got a raise about a month ago for my hard work. I've been praised by owners and managers. Everyone is happy with me, and I'm relatively happy with the job. As happy as I can be working a part-time minimum wage job in a fast food type place.
So, a couple weeks ago the manager stepped down. She's having some health problems and decided she needs less stress and responsiblity. I don't blame her at all, I think any one of us would have done the same thing in her shoes.
The trouble is I'm not sure I like the girl they got to replace her. The new manager is a 20 year old girl from a different store, and she's turning our store upside down.. at least in my opinion.
I am generally a closer, and we have our set closing routines which just about everyone in our store adheres to. We get as much of the work out of the way as early as possible so that when it comes time to close the store we don't have a lot to do and can get out within 20 minutes to half an hour after we close.
Well the new manager is from a much busier store where you're not allowed to do any of the closing tasks until you've phyisically closed the store. She doesn't like our routine of getting things done early. If she closes with you, she won't help with any of the tasks and there's a pretty good chance you'll fall behind and end up not getting out on time.
However that's not the only problem I'm having with her.
I'm not sure if it's just me taking things personally or what.. but I'm feeling very underappreciated right now.
For the past couple months I've been averaging between 20 and 25 hours a week, one week I actually got close to 30 hours. Not bad for a part time job. However she did the schedule for next week and I only have 16 hours in 3 shifts (after saying I can pick up more hours because hubby is on vacation). I explained to her that I want and need more hours (plus I was once told by one of the owners that they'd rather I get the hours than most of the other people who work there because I work harder than them) and she basically said "Well, everyone needs hours..nobody got good hours next week". Well the other people who work there don't have 5 kids to support, $20,000 worth of debt they're trying to pay on, and a goal of buying a home in a year!
But that's not even the worst of it.
Today is our Customer Appreciation day. Buy one, get one free. They figure it's going to be crazy busy.. perhaps it will be, I don't know yet. I work 3-close tonight.
So for the past few days the manager has been creating a task sheet for all the employees. This includes stations. We're basically going to be working on an assembly line. There's someone doing meats and cheeses, someone doing veggies, someone wrapping, and someone running register.. then a few people in back doing dishes, cleaning, prep, and grabbing things for the line.
Now I know I haven't been there as long as some people have, but I am a very capable worker and I believe I'm faster than many of the other people. I feel like she doesn't see me that way.. because she put me on wrapping from 3-5 (which will probably be the slowest time of the day) and after that I'm grabbing things for the line. I don't think that's the best use of my talents.. and it ticks me off!
I feel like she's underestimating me, and underappreciating me. The old manager knows how valuable I am, the owners know how valuable I am.. and believe me, if I continue to feel this way the owners are going to hear about it!
What do you think? Am I being too sensative or am I being underestimated?
Have you dealt with a boss who underestimated and underappreciated you?
4 people like this
11 responses
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
25 Apr 11
Oh yes! I've dealt with a few bosses who've under estimated and under appreciated me. I think I get in a lull with those sometimes, until I get so fed up that I start looking for other opportunities.
Being not used to the best of my potential is the one main reason I jumped into this new job. I felt I was getting stupid, that I needed to find new challenges. It's been OK so far.
The thing with your new manager is to let her do as she wants first. Even if you are feeling what you are feeling right now. If she is any good (as a manager), she should then recognize your potential and utilize you the best way possible.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
26 Apr 11
Yes, you're right. I believe it's getting better there. The manager and I have been getting along well lately and she's been calling me in for extra hours. That seems promising.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
18 Apr 11
Been there and done that, but not in a food place. I will speculate that some of it is her age. She has to prove herself and prove she is the boss. I thought for a minute or two that maybe you were going to say that you decided to take the manager position yourself. I bet you would be good at it. If you can manage five kids, you are terrific. Perhaps she underschedules because she expects to keep you later to do the closing chores. Every place I ever worked for food service expected you to get your side or close work done as early as possible so that you could get out early. She is somewhat strange.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
19 Apr 11
I tried to respond to this the other day and it wouldn't let me.. but it let me respond to all the others, so that's just weird!
I personally wouldn't want to be the manager. First off I couldn't afford the child care.. I only want about 25 hours a week right now. I think even with the raise I'd recieve to become manager I still couldn't afford to pay a sitter.
As a person the manager seems okay. She doesn't seem to be trying to impose herself on us.. she's not coming off as "I'm the boss so there!". I just keep hearing "This is how we did it in my store.. this is how they do it in the other stores". I wish she'd realize we aren't those other stores and our way has been working for us just fine thus far.
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
17 Apr 11
Everyday for the last 26 years! Well I think they know how valuable I am..but to show some appreciation would kill them....sometimes they come up with things too I wonder where did that come from especially when I am the one who handles alot of the responsibility there so they can have time off etc....but they are the bosses..sounds to me like she just wants things done her way and that is usually the case when a new manager comes in.....alot of times though they even switchout employees.....good luck honey! Hope you can stick it out...believe me though..the owners will notice!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
18 Apr 11
Wow, I can't believe you stuck with that job for 26 years.
I'm not worried about my job.. unless I do something stupid which I don't plan on doing. The owners are the ones who do the firing, and so far 2 guys who desperately need to be fired still have their jobs.. so I'm not worried about losing mine.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
17 Apr 11
sORRY U GOT A BOSS like that. Sounds like to me she feels her importance. When i was working a 2nd job in a convenience store i got a new supervisor & she was like that. We got along like two old tomcats . I'm very bad about first impressions but i finally let my guard down w/her & was always sorry i did.My first impression was right. She was a bitc*. U better keep your eye on her. I hope things get better for u w/her.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
17 Apr 11
Thanks. I don't think she's a bad person I like chatting with her and stuff. I just wish she had more confidence in me.
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
16 Apr 11
sounds like she may be a bit jealous of your good fast work and may be worried you could make the owners recognize this.
somethings up with her snottiness. 
id talk to someone over her head soon. @katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
17 Apr 11
I don't think she's jealous, I just think in her head I'm still a newbie.. and I'm not. People who've been there longer than me always have to ask me questions about how to do things.. I catch on very quickly.
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
16 Apr 11
She's a little girl trying to do a woman's job. Obviously she doesn't know how to manage staff properly. Just do whatever she assigns you to do with a big shtit a$$ grin on your face. As if you are so happy. Obviously your not, but letting her see you sweat won't help any. She won't be there long. Maybe you can apply for a manager job and when one opens up, you can have the better job with more hours. Still horrid pay, but it's more fun.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
17 Apr 11
I don't want her job.. I'm in school so that in a year or so I'll have a good job. For now I just want 20-25 hours a week.
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
17 Apr 11
From what you say, I think your new manager is doing her job well. She turned the store upside down, because she is doing what she has done before, and knows a routine that works. Don't feel bad about being unappreciated - I worked for 20 years in a Company with hundreds of other employees and Never once did any of my Bosses say a simple, "Thank You!"
Also remember that its not your new manager's fault that you have 5 kids or that you want to buy a house. She cannot make use of this info while doing her job to the best of her ability.
Also its her job to judge who can do each job best, and to suggest otherwise belittles her judgment and ability. Perhaps in time, (if you work well, and do not upset the applecart,) your new boss will come to appreciate your work ethic.
@wongchoiyee (7413)
• Malaysia
17 Apr 11
What the h*** this people on earth? Are they doing their job or are they picking up on people who are kind and weak? I suggest you to continue doing your work. One day, the upper managers will get to know that you are being bullied.
@p3ks626 (6538)
• Philippines
20 Apr 11
Wow! This is one long post. I bet you still got $.01 for this. lol I wish mylot would give more credits to posts like this.
Anyway, my boss was also like that. He also underestimated us, thinking he is still better than us cause he is the so called general manager of the company though the main reason why he got that position is not because of his education but because there was no one else to appoint as manager in that company. I hate him so and good thing I wont have to deal with him anymore.
@penrockerchic (1903)
• Philippines
16 Apr 11
Hi there katsmeow1213! You sounded to be a really hard worker and I respect people who work hard in any kind of job whether it be part time or full time. You seem to be having lots of concerns regarding your new boss especially with the way she manages the whole place. She's 20 years a old and I think you should cut her some slack. There's a reason why she was put in your store and maybe her purpose is not that clear yet. Maybe it is so that workers are not overworked and that everyone gets a fair share or everyone is pushed to be more productive than they used to be. It's your gift to be have that hard work and passion you have with regards to your job. Maybe you can teach or show others how it is done than to be as productive and efficient as you are. As others say, share your talents. But then if you still seem to have lots of concerns after a few months or so, try to ask a group meeting or a private meeting with your boss and let her know your concerns so both of you can compromise and come to a reasonable agreement.
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
16 Apr 11
What connection is there to fair and work? Bosses don't care if you are overworked. They only care that the records don't show you working more than is legal. I've had bosses put in fake time sheets putting my hours on different days than I actually worked. I worked more than 80 hours when possible, but they can't pay for that many hours in a week. They put the excess hours down on a different week.
