Ugh I need advice.......I'm blogging

[The Kizzy]

THis is a long read, but please bear with me. I really can't figure out what to do.

So when I was pregnant with my youngest son, who is now 6, I worked for the same employer I work for now. I worked at the customer service desk, where I excelled at my job. I transferred with the company when we (the ex husband and I) decided to move closer to his family. Things were even better at the customer service department at the new store, but my dept. manager had Lupus and had to take some time off. I stepped up and took care of all the scheduling, reports, etc etc. I even came in once a week when I was on maternity leave to make sure the paper work got done. When I came back, I was given a pay raise, but not the title of Supervisor. This went on for a few months, and they decided to interview for the position when the Lupus lady officially quit. I interviewed, I thought it went well, and they gave it to a Kitchen Designer who had been with the company for three weeks. Then, to add insult to injury, they asked me to train him. I left a few weeks later after giving my two weeks notice.

Jump ahead 5 or so years. I started again with the company last July. In my interview he wanted me to be a cashier, and I told him flat out no. I wanted something more challenging, and explained my last tour of duty with the company. He put me in the sales department I am now. I told him I was interested in management, and he told me not to worry, some positions were opening up, and he would keep me in mind. So the first position that came open, I had only been back with the company for a month, so I wasn't too shocked when I was not interviewed. Then another position came open, and again, I was not interviewed, and I was told because they had found someone who was a professional plumber to take over the department.

Ok, that makes sense. I patiently wait, and the Customer Service desk supervisor position opens up, and I get excited becasue I had done this before, and I am good at it. I was told I didn't interview well and they gave it to a guy who was part time up until that point but just retired from the Navy, and wanted to stay with the company, but had to have X amount of money and the only way they could afford to pay him that was to promote him. Cool, he's a great guy, and is turning out very well.

Then a few weeks ago another department head position came up, and, as most of you know, I interviewed. According to the interviewer, I aced the interview except for when he asked me if I was shaking because I was nervous, and I said yes. I was honest about it, we joked around about it and I thought that was it. I found out later that the reason I really didn't get the position was because of some store politics. Someone had transferred from California and was forced to take a demotion because no supervisor positions were open. Then a few months later when an old supervisor that had transferred away had decided to transfer back, they created a position for him to transfer back to and keep his position. It caused a bit of a stink. I still think I am a harder worker than the last guy, but whatever. I knew my supervisor was on his way out the door.

So last Sunday it happened. My supervisor quit. My Assistant manager called me into the office today to tell me that he would not consider me for the position because I was not ready. I asked him why he felt that way. He told me to tell him why I thought I would be a good supervisor. I laid the facts out.

I have met or excelled at all the goals put in front of me. Whenever we need help, I am the one there. I work split shifts, I come in and work a 6am -3pm shift, I go home feed my family, put my munchkin to bed, and go back to work 10pm to 4am to get teh store ready for a big walk the next morning. When we close, I am the only one in my department to stay until its done. I don't clock out when the schedule says to go home. I clock out when the job is done. He agreed, he told me I was the best worker in my department.

His main problems were the following. My mouth. What can I say, I'm a pervert and I am very blunt and putspoken. Not a great combo. You can say anything, and I can make a sexual innuendo out of it. I'm serious, but, we have had that talk before and I pointed out that and also that I have been working very hard at keeping my mouth shut. Which he admitted.

His second point was that if I really wanted the position, I would have been doing my old supervisor's paperwork while he was still there. I told him that I offered to help him on more than one seperate occasion, and he always said no, I have it under control. His response was "You should have checked." Checked what? The paperwork to make sure he wasn't lying? What am I supposed to be his babysitter? He thinks I should be my supervisors "go to guy". I pointed out that I was and gave several examples of how I had made sure things got done that he asked to get done.

I have been busting my ass for the last year to get a promotion, and when the department comes up I really want, I am told I am not good enough, but keep doing what I am doing, AND make sure to do all the work for the supervisor that seperates the supervisor from a regular employee and he will consider a promotion next time, which could be another year.

I feel so fucking used. I am not just bitching when I say I do more than most others, AND to top it off, I am the lowest paid person in my department. THe guy that has been there 10 years makes $6 an hour more than me. Granted he has been there for 10 years, but he doesnt DO anything but is a fixture because he is the "pro" meaning he used to install floors for a living for 15 years before coming to work there. There is another girl in our department that makes $3 more an hour than I do. She just got back from maternity leave, she is great at paperwork and computer work, but not any of the manual labor and because of her very limited schedule, she can only work part time. The other guy in my department makes $3 an hour more than me, and HE JUST STARTED!! He isn't even ranked as high as I am on the pay scale.

I got a whopping 50 cent raise. I make just enough to not qualify for help from the state, but not enough to feed my family or get my own apartment. I have to live with my brother. I drive a car that leaks oil. I paid cash for it because I can't afford a monthly payment. Yet I am always the one that bends over backwards for anyone who asks.

I want to transfer, but that means a 45 minute drive, and I dont have a very reliable car. NOTHING in this area will pay me what I need to make. I love the poeple I work with, I am just so frustrated I am literally crying as I type this up.

What should I do?

[Narrock]

Janet, when you go on these interviews, do you sound unmotivated and monotone when you speak? I'm sure you're more than qualified for the position, but you have to sound energetic, enthused, and really hungry for the position when you interview. That shows eagerness, motivation and a sincere desire for the position, other than just saying, "I really want this postion..." So, for what it's worth, next time you get an interview, try to show a real passion for wanting the job. Act if you must, but be energetic and upbeat and look them in the eye. Half of winning the interviewer over is to dazzle him/her with an upbeat and positive presentation.

[The Kizzy]

Janet, when you go on these interviews, do you sound unmotivated and monotone when you speak? I'm sure you're more than qualified for the position, but you have to sound energetic, enthused, and really hungry for the position when you interview. That shows eagerness, motivation and a sincere desire for the position, other than just saying, "I really want this postion..." So, for what it's worth, next time you get an interview, try to show a real passion for wanting the job. Act if you must, but be energetic and upbeat and look them in the eye. Half of winning the interviewer over is to dazzle him/her with an upbeat and positive presentation.

Eric, the interview is not the problem. I wasn't even interviewed for the supervisor position over the department I have worked in for over a year.

Then a few weeks ago another department head position came up, and, as most of you know, I interviewed. According to the interviewer, I aced the interview except for when he asked me if I was shaking because I was nervous, and I said yes.

[Gaazy]

Keep looking for a better job, they're using you. I would keep your chin up and keep looking for something better. If you really try im sure something better will come up for you. Then when you do find something better, you can give a nice big fuck you to Home Depot (I think thats where you work?).

[Gaazy]

I wish I had a hard worker like you as a secretary. Mine is a fat, lazy piece of shit >< The accountant secretary is great, but the other one is such a bitch. Its so godamn hard to find a good secretary nowadays. The first one was the best we had, she was great until she got pregnant and left. She did what this bitch does now and 10 times more, along with school full time and shit. She was hot too, gave great blowjobs at lunch~ All this btich does is bitch and moan and complain. Godamn, I ask her to stay and work an extra hour and she bitches and cries. Christ, its a fucking hour over, she's 30, time to grow up and work over if need be. She acts like shes in a fucking union or something.

[Narrock]

Then it sounds like whoever is in charge has something against you. Either that, or he feels that you lack something to be in a leadership position. You might want to ask him straight up what you need to do in order to advance to management. Hopefully you're always on time in addition to doing a good job, and not running out the door as soon as your shift is over. Try doing a little more than what is asked of you. Tidy up your work station a little better before you leave, and ask your manager if there's anything he/she needs help with before you leave. I believe the term is "going the extra mile." Make yourself the obvious choice when it comes time for them to promote somebody. A little ass-kissing goes a long way.

When I come back from a delivery, I'm the only driver who washes his truck when he gets back. I clean the windshield, spray all the bugs out of the grill, windex the chrome, etc. My boss already talked to me about becoming a team lead. Trust me... the extra stuff you do will get noticed eventually.

[Lyion]

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do but to keep searching for a better setup.

That sucks. I'm sorry to hear that, but unfortunately it seems common with a lot of places.

[Jennay]

Meet with the store managers or the one that matters anwyay and tell them you want to come up with an action plan and would like their cooperation. Basically say, "I want to be a floor supervisor within X months" or whatever the position is you're after. Come up with some goals (not sure if your store uses statistics or not) and then have them check em off for you as you go along. This way they can see you are goal orientated and follow through with what you say you'll do. If this doesn't work, then you still come out ahead because you'll have something to document on your next application for a raise.

Ask if there are any training modules you can take in the meantime to help prepare you for management, join the safety team if your store has one, go for team trainer or peer lead if that's possible. . Also let them see you go the extra mile whether its with a customer or next time there is a problem, step up and take care if it without them asking but act as if you don't want them to notice.

I did the above when I transferred Targets to San Diego and the whole management team was basically kissing my ass wanting to promote me asap...until I found a way better job making more than double and they couldn't counter it hehe.

I'm sure you're always a great employee year round so its just a matter of time before its your turn.

[Harrison]

The problem is you work for the largest retailer second to Wal Mart...

I'm assuming this is Home Depot, from what little I skimmed over.

You are expendable to them.

[Gypsiyee]

Do you love your job? I mean.. what is it exactly that's keeping you there? Is it the people, the actual job, the pay.. or just the fact that it's another job? I guess I just can't distinguish what exactly is stopping you from looking for another job while you're employed there.

Even if you get a supervisory position, will that be sufficient for you to live off of and will the job actually make you happy?

One thing I will say is the amount of money someone else makes should be irrelevant to your case; there is a reason that it's taboo to discuss wages between employees - their pay isn't relevant to your pay; in the end you should make what you're worth because that's what you're worth, not because that's what employee_001 makes.

[Zanchief]

Quit your job, become a prostitute. You might want to claim to be a post op tranny.

[The Kizzy]

Do you love your job? I mean.. what is it exactly that's keeping you there? Is it the people, the actual job, the pay.. or just the fact that it's another job? I guess I just can't distinguish what exactly is stopping you from looking for another job while you're employed there.

Even if you get a supervisory position, will that be sufficient for you to live off of and will the job actually make you happy?

One thing I will say is the amount of money someone else makes should be irrelevant to your case; there is a reason that it's taboo to discuss wages between employees - their pay isn't relevant to your pay; in the end you should make what you're worth because that's what you're worth, not because that's what employee_001 makes.

I love my job. I love what I do, I love the people I work with, I love the people that come in everyday and know me by name, or know who I am when I am grocery shopping on my day off. I'm sitting at the diner, and an old man comes up and says My floor turned out beautifully, I went to your tile class. I'm good at what I do, or at least I thought I was until every Assistant Manager in the store has told me now that I am not.

[kinghooter00]

Quit your job, become a prostitute. You might want to claim to be a post op tranny.

niiice....

That does suck though... Get a new job... fuck em.... They sound like cocksuckers, anyways.

[Lionking]

<img src="http://eteamz.active.com/rebeltdclub/images/lowes.jpg">

[Narrock]

<img src="http://eteamz.active.com/rebeltdclub/images/lowes.jpg">

rofl

Home Depot pwns Lowe's.

[Mop]

<img src="http://eteamz.active.com/rebeltdclub/images/lowes.jpg">

I see what you did there. Clever.

[Gypsiyee]

Do you love your job? I mean.. what is it exactly that's keeping you there? Is it the people, the actual job, the pay.. or just the fact that it's another job? I guess I just can't distinguish what exactly is stopping you from looking for another job while you're employed there.

Even if you get a supervisory position, will that be sufficient for you to live off of and will the job actually make you happy?

One thing I will say is the amount of money someone else makes should be irrelevant to your case; there is a reason that it's taboo to discuss wages between employees - their pay isn't relevant to your pay; in the end you should make what you're worth because that's what you're worth, not because that's what employee_001 makes.

I love my job. I love what I do, I love the people I work with, I love the people that come in everyday and know me by name, or know who I am when I am grocery shopping on my day off. I'm sitting at the diner, and an old man comes up and says My floor turned out beautifully, I went to your tile class. I'm good at what I do, or at least I thought I was until every Assistant Manager in the store has told me now that I am not.

Well dear, I think it's a matter of prioritizing then - if your job is rewarding to you and you truly love what you do, not because someone tells you you're good at it but because you have a passion for what you do, stick it out and know that your diligence has to eventually pay off because in the meantime, it's incredibly rewarding, even if your supervisors aren't a rewarding aspect for now.

If it's not enough to truly love your job, then I'd say start looking for another place where your hard work is recognized. I'd say that the actual passion for a job is worth it's weight in gold and you have to take the good with the bad though - so few people truly love what they do, so if you have to deal with some shitty people for some time in order to fulfill that sort of passion, it's more than worth it to wait.

The people who've been put above you won't exhibit the sort of work ethic you have for long and they won't last as long because they simply don't have the love of the job that you do - eventually that'll pay off; you just have to decide if you have the patience and enough desire to keep doing what you're doing to wait for that.

[The Kizzy]

So they moved the guy that was in the Navy from head of customer service to head of Flooring, where I work. Which leave his old position open, which they gave to a cashier with no experience whatsoever. I'm done. I got a call from an old friend who now works at the blue box. They need help and pay alot more than they do where I am at. And they make commissions. Its only 1%, but I sold $180,000 in installed flooring last quarter. 1% is $1,800 over a three month period could turn into some nice cha ching

[Lyion]

Sounds like a good idea, Kizz.

Unfortunately, work situations are subject to the managers handling. If they don't want you advancing, it doesn't matter how good you are. Total bullshit, but all one can do is what you are doing.

[Gaazy]

Maybe its cuz you are woman. Most women are shitty employees. Hell, one of our secretaries today is gone actually because she had some women doctor problems. Woman just suck as employees If I could find a man who wanted to be a secretary id hire in a hearbeat and fire these moody cunts!

[Gypsiyee]

Who knows, maybe things will look in your favor when you give them your notice. They'll of course ask why, and if it's a matter of losing you or promoting you perhaps you're valuable enough for them to get off their asses and do something about it - if not, cest la vie and good luck with your new job

[Narrock]

Maybe its cuz you are woman. Most women are shitty employees. Hell, one of our secretaries today is gone actually because she had some women doctor problems. Woman just suck as employees If I could find a man who wanted to be a secretary id hire in a hearbeat and fire these moody cunts!

ROFL

[Harrison]

Who knows, maybe things will look in your favor when you give them your notice. They'll of course ask why, and if it's a matter of losing you or promoting you perhaps you're valuable enough for them to get off their asses and do something about it - if not, cest la vie and good luck with your new job

If she does indeed work at Home Depot like I suspect, there is no "worth" to a a floor monkey beyond the department head to them.

[The Kizzy]

Maybe its cuz you are woman. Most women are shitty employees. Hell, one of our secretaries today is gone actually because she had some women doctor problems. Woman just suck as employees If I could find a man who wanted to be a secretary id hire in a hearbeat and fire these moody cunts!

I don't think thats fair. Although you didnt say ALL women, you said most. I make my appointments on my days off or on my lunch hour. I never call in sick or come in late. I do have to leave wrok every few weeks because Kael keeps getting strep throat every few weeks. But tomorrow morning he is having his tonsils taken out to help stop him being sick all the time. I'm willing to bet that your female employee is either married and has a busband to support her, or is single with no kiddies so no responsibilities.

[Tacks]

Maybe its cuz you are woman. Most women are shitty employees. Hell, one of our secretaries today is gone actually because she had some women doctor problems. Woman just suck as employees If I could find a man who wanted to be a secretary id hire in a hearbeat and fire these moody cunts!

They're moody yeah but where I work they're generally the hardest workers and don't slack off. Other than Jabba the Pregnant who works with me.