Might get Fired =(

[Chazell29]

I know this is very long, but please read it, i really need help.

So, I work at Circuit City right now. I have only worked 3 days, and have was hired about 2 weeks ago. I'm only 17, but anyways...this is kind of a vent thread, and to try to see if you guys can help me out in this situation too, since alot of you aare older, and may have delt with this your selves.

When I was hired, i specifically told them, I cannot work on Weekends, because I have a summer job on weekends. I can work weekends starting September. They said that was fine, and then they hired me. Well this being my first week on the schedule, they scheduled me for both Saturday and Sunday. So, I talked to one of the managers who was really helping me out, and told me to talk to John Doe, the Store Manager. So, on Wednesday, I went in and talked to him, told him that I told the other managers I can't work weekends, and they scheduled me anyways. He then said "so if i look that up, i won't have any problems finding that you said that" and I was like "no, they wrote it down" and hes liek "ok, if you said that, I'll respect that, don't worry about it" and I remember this converation VERY clearly.

Well today rolls around, and I get a call from one of the other managers, asking where I am. I told them of the situation that I can't work weekends and that I talked to John Doe and he said don't worry about it. She said ok and hung up.

About 10 minutes later, I get a call from John Doe, my store director, and he is very mad. He says that I'm telling other managers stuff that he didn't say. He said that he never said "dont' worry about it, because thats not something he said." and then he started saying "you never even talked to me, you may think you have but you didn't" and I'm like "yes i didI know for a fact I did, Jack Doe was sitting there, I dont' know if he heard it but you may ask him" and hes like "i know you didn't tlak to me, becaues if you did i would have asked Jack Doe so you didn't talk to me about it." This bickering went on for about 10 minutes before he finally got the message that I can't work weekends. I was ilek I don't lie like that and I would'nt lie to you and hes like "people lie don't give me that" and so yeah hes basically calling me a liar. This REALLY PISSED ME OFF and ruined the rest of my day.

After I got off work from my other job, I was still very mad and insulted from what my manager said to me. I then go in when I got back in the area, and talk to my another manager who was there. I go in, wait for him to finish with a customer and another employee, and he goes "whats up?" and I'm like "I need to talk to you about scheduling and John Doe" and he goes "alright..." and i'm was really mad, so i was like "yeah I'm f word pissed" and he was like I can tell" so we went in the back, and I told him what went on, and i was still very upset about what the manager had said. I said the "s word" a few times while tlakign to him. After, he had me write down my availability, and then told me, that next time, i need to watch my language, because alot of other managers wouldn't have responded well to that. He then told me he was goign to call the store Director John Doe tommorow, and talk to him about the whole thing.

Now I'm tripping balls that I'm going to get fired because of my language. I know it was unexceptible, and immature, I was just so mad, and couldn't really control what I was saying. I also now feel really bad, becasue he was just trying to help, and i went in with a bad attitude, and I think he thinks its partly his fault becasue I got scheduled then.

What should i do..? I'll probably call and apoligize for my attitude tommorow, but I am still very upset about what the store director said to me...

[shadowpr]

best thing to do, is wait and see what they say to you about the schedule. most likely, i don't think they will fire you.

but you will have to remember that they're probably going to be watching you pretty closely.

and no matter what happens, you need to go in there and say sorry to the manager that you talked to today that was trying to help you. that's just the right thing to do.

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by shadowpr and no matter what happens, you need to go in there and say sorry to the manager that you talked to today that was trying to help you. that's just the right thing to do.

Yeah for sure, thanks for taking the time to read that.

[shadowpr]

i had a situation similar to that when i was your age.....

in my haste, and the fact that i only wanted to earn money, but didn't need it for food or shelter, i told my boss i quit.

i understand how at that age, schedule and priorities are important and sometimes it seems like bosses don't understand.

just always try to remain calm, and understand that it's just a job. this isn't a carreeer, so don't get too worked up about it. worst case scenario, you get another job.

[HAL9000]

On a side note, watch your language here as well. Masking it or whatever is NOT acceptable as per our forum rules... so if you can't post without the swearing, don't post.

-Moderator-

[juppy]

Like's already been said, I'd probably apologize to the manager for the bad language. That doesn't go over well in any employee/manager situation, whether it's a big corporate company or a burger flipping job.

As for the other guy saying you didn't talk to him and all that, have you thought that maybe he's EXPECTING you to get mad? Translation: he denies what you said and calls you a liar = you get so mad that you quit = he doesn't have the problem of scheduling around the weekends for you. Sort of a "make you quit so they don't have to find something to fire you for" scenario.

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by shadowpr i had a situation similar to that when i was your age..... in my haste, and the fact that i only wanted to earn money, but didn't need it for food or shelter, i told my boss i quit. i understand how at that age, schedule and priorities are important and sometimes it seems like bosses don't understand. just always try to remain calm, and understand that it's just a job. this isn't a carreeer, so don't get too worked up about it. worst case scenario, you get another job.

Yeah, I know I can get another job, but still. Like you said, this isn't for food or shelter, so if I do lose my job, I'm not screwed, however, I do need my job, to pay for my gas, my insurance, my phone, and my free time stuff...so I do need a job, which is why I'm so worried.

Originally Posted by HAL9000 On a side note, watch your language here as well. Masking it or whatever is NOT acceptable as per our forum rules... so if you can't post without the swearing, don't post. -Moderator-

Sorry, i didn't think saying " x word" would be considered bad language here.

Originally Posted by juppy Like's already been said, I'd probably apologize to the manager for the bad language. That doesn't go over well in any employee/manager situation, whether it's a big corporate company or a burger flipping job. As for the other guy saying you didn't talk to him and all that, have you thought that maybe he's EXPECTING you to get mad? Translation: he denies what you said and calls you a liar = you get so mad that you quit = he doesn't have the problem of scheduling around the weekends for you. Sort of a "make you quit so they don't have to find something to fire you for" scenario.

Meh, possibly, but I don't think so, because I'm a Customer Service Assoc. so basically im the cash register person, and we only have like 4 including myself...so I dont' think they'd want to intentionally fire me...

[Statica]

Chalk it up to one of life's little lessons and learn from it. I know it sounds harsh, but you have to learn to take stock of the situation here. If you do, you aren't going to get fired because of a scheduling conflict - the reason you are going to get fired is because of the unprofessional manner you conducted yourself.
If it was a mere manner of a scheduling issue, you might have been able to negotiate for more suitable timings, or failing which might have been able to reach a situation where you could part amicably - perhaps being able to talk them into re-hiring you when you got more time, or even a word of recommendation to a similar job elsewhere. Yes, perhaps the managers and everyone else might've been unprofessional in getting your scheduling down right, but you could've done a number of things to get out of that situation (One of the biggest do's in situations like this is getting someone to commit on paper, rather than just verbally - like getting the manager to write down possible timings that you could be working, rather than just having him tell you about it .. a simple "I have such a hard time remembering these pesky details, do you think you could just write it out" is a good enough way to cover your behind).
At the heart of it - scheduling conflicts are issues that cannot be avoided .. you cannot work at a certain time and it is vital to their business to have you work at a certain time .. these things happen.

The biggest lesson you need to learn is how to conduct yourself. Swearing casually is bad enough, but swearing in a professional situation just puts you in a bad light. Personally, I think that people who interject with swear words show nothing more than their sheer inability in communication and articulation. That is a situation you created for yourself. Learn to walk away from such situations if you dont trust your ability to communicate things out more professionally.

Think about it, of all the people you see swearing and fuming around, how many do you think actually get their way because they started swearing - be it customers or even subordinates .. it's quite the other way .. talking calmer, smoother and with more restraint actually gets people to listen to you, and if nothing else opens the door for more civilized negotiations.

You're only 17 .. you've got a lifetime of jobs and career moves ahead of you, so dont worry about it too much .. but it's a lesson you should probably be paying heed to now.

PS: saying lines like "I don't lie like that and I would'nt lie to you" will get you nowhere, because you indirectly insinuate that the other person - or some other person - is a liar. Getting into a name calling match, even if it was very subtly started by you, gets ugly.

[mairving]

It doesn't make sense that you are trying to get on with the 'Firedogs' at CC and then are cussing out your boss because you didn't get your way. Calling your boss a liar and cussing him won't ever help your career path. You should go back and apologize and make sure that it doesn't happen again. Explain again that you are not able to work on weekends. If this can't be worked out then quit the job.

Some work rules
Rule#1 - Always treat your boss with respect...even if you don't respect him/her.
Rule#2 - Don't cuss your boss, co-worker, customer for any reason.
Rule#3 - Always go beyond what is required for you.
Rule#4 - Never complain about your work while you are at work.
Rule#5 - If you hate your work find somewhere else to work.
Rulle#6 - Always get to work on time, don't call in sick unless you are sick, don't take excessive days off.

Follow those and you will be successful.

[daboggeyman]

One more thing you need to understand about large company,s every manager also has a boss he has to anwser to and if they cant get help to preform their duties they to can be replace. It a hard deal for a young person to get respect but it can be done with hard work. My advice to you is take what you learn from this and stay in school and try to extend you education beyond high school it will pay off in the long run and you could be in the shoes of management in some big company, Then and only then will know why these guys did what they did. Adjust you aditude and control your temper and mouth will get you far.

[XenaWP]

Excellent post, succint, comprehensive, utterly true.

Originally Posted by mairving It doesn't make sense that you are trying to get on with the 'Firedogs' at CC and then are cussing out your boss because you didn't get your way. Calling your boss a liar and cussing him won't ever help your career path. You should go back and apologize and make sure that it doesn't happen again. Explain again that you are not able to work on weekends. If this can't be worked out then quit the job. Some work rules Rule#1 - Always treat your boss with respect...even if you don't respect him/her. Rule#2 - Don't cuss your boss, co-worker, customer for any reason. Rule#3 - Always go beyond what is required for you. Rule#4 - Never complain about your work while you are at work. Rule#5 - If you hate your work find somewhere else to work. Rulle#6 - Always get to work on time, don't call in sick unless you are sick, don't take excessive days off. Follow those and you will be successful.

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by Statica Chalk it up to one of life's little lessons and learn from it. I know it sounds harsh, but you have to learn to take stock of the situation here. If you do, you aren't going to get fired because of a scheduling conflict - the reason you are going to get fired is because of the unprofessional manner you conducted yourself. If it was a mere manner of a scheduling issue, you might have been able to negotiate for more suitable timings, or failing which might have been able to reach a situation where you could part amicably - perhaps being able to talk them into re-hiring you when you got more time, or even a word of recommendation to a similar job elsewhere. Yes, perhaps the managers and everyone else might've been unprofessional in getting your scheduling down right, but you could've done a number of things to get out of that situation (One of the biggest do's in situations like this is getting someone to commit on paper, rather than just verbally - like getting the manager to write down possible timings that you could be working, rather than just having him tell you about it .. a simple "I have such a hard time remembering these pesky details, do you think you could just write it out" is a good enough way to cover your behind). At the heart of it - scheduling conflicts are issues that cannot be avoided .. you cannot work at a certain time and it is vital to their business to have you work at a certain time .. these things happen. The biggest lesson you need to learn is how to conduct yourself. Swearing casually is bad enough, but swearing in a professional situation just puts you in a bad light. Personally, I think that people who interject with swear words show nothing more than their sheer inability in communication and articulation. That is a situation you created for yourself. Learn to walk away from such situations if you dont trust your ability to communicate things out more professionally. Think about it, of all the people you see swearing and fuming around, how many do you think actually get their way because they started swearing - be it customers or even subordinates .. it's quite the other way .. talking calmer, smoother and with more restraint actually gets people to listen to you, and if nothing else opens the door for more civilized negotiations. You're only 17 .. you've got a lifetime of jobs and career moves ahead of you, so dont worry about it too much .. but it's a lesson you should probably be paying heed to now. PS: saying lines like "I don't lie like that and I would'nt lie to you" will get you nowhere, because you indirectly insinuate that the other person - or some other person - is a liar. Getting into a name calling match, even if it was very subtly started by you, gets ugly.

They actually did have it written down, the manager checked last night, and had me write it down again.

Originally Posted by mairving It doesn't make sense that you are trying to get on with the 'Firedogs' at CC and then are cussing out your boss because you didn't get your way. Calling your boss a liar and cussing him won't ever help your career path. You should go back and apologize and make sure that it doesn't happen again. Explain again that you are not able to work on weekends. If this can't be worked out then quit the job. Some work rules Rule#1 - Always treat your boss with respect...even if you don't respect him/her. Rule#2 - Don't cuss your boss, co-worker, customer for any reason. Rule#3 - Always go beyond what is required for you. Rule#4 - Never complain about your work while you are at work. Rule#5 - If you hate your work find somewhere else to work. Rulle#6 - Always get to work on time, don't call in sick unless you are sick, don't take excessive days off. Follow those and you will be successful.

I wasn't calling him a liar. It was the other way around.

[David M]

When you put on the company polo shirt you also put on the company's image and reputation. You lose some of your natural personality in order to become the personality that the company desires. That is just how it is and there is no fighting it.

No job is perfect and no boss is perfect. You accept the occasional bad and seeming injustices for a paycheck. In my world of politically correct academia...If I swore around a student, I am almost certain I would be fired...not immediately but through a system that would eventually fire me....even with 16 years on the job. You just cant swear at work...no excuses.

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by David M When you put on the company polo shirt you also put on the company's image and reputation. You lose some of your natural personality in order to become the personality that the company desires. That is just how it is and there is no fighting it. No job is perfect and no boss is perfect. You accept the occasional bad and seeming injustices for a paycheck. In my world of politically correct academia...If I swore around a student, I am almost certain I would be fired...not immediately but through a system that would eventually fire me....even with 16 years on the job. You just cant swear at work...no excuses.

What do you mean, "not immediatly, but through a system that would eventually fire me?"

I don't know...the manager i talked to last night stayed calm the whole time, and didn't seem really all that mad, maybe just a little bit, and was like "im a cool laid back guy, but you need to watch your language, alot of managers wouldn't have responded to that very well" or something along those lines. So, I don't think he'd be the one to fire me for that, but if he tells the Store Director, then I'm almost certain I'm toast.

[XenaWP]

Chaz, the hardest thing to grasp here is that it isn't about being right, it's about playing the game right. That sounds disgusting, but it's the way it is.

Anyone who would cuss to their boss and get that angry, is someone who any competent retail manager would seriously question whether they have the emotional maturity to work in a retail environment. Suppose some customer showed up and started arguing how you had done something wrong, they were cussing and carrying on? You'd have to behave like a professional and not try to prove you were right.

[Kuch]

I don't know...the manager i talked to last night stayed calm the whole time, and didn't seem really all that mad, maybe just a little bit, and was like "im a cool laid back guy, but you need to watch your language, alot of managers wouldn't have responded to that very well" or something along those lines.

This guy was leading by example. He wasn't going to get flustered just because you were. He let you be unprofessional but maintained his composure. That is the sign of a good boss and listener.

[Strider]

Just remember companies do stupid things all the time, I know my company does it all the time. For example, just last week a supervisor came up to my manager and said they were working this Saturday for we were falling a little behind (an understatement and another story ). My manager said he would ask someone in a different lab if he could work it, if not he would ask one of us in the lab. Well, come 2:15 pm on Friday (My shift is 6 am to 2 pm) another manager comes in stating the person who said they would work Saturday all of the sudden can't, which leads with one of us having to work Saturday. Since technically I wasn't supposed to be still there I quietly snuck out the door, but as I was sneaking out I overheard my fellow co-workers arguing over this (I can't blame them and they're probably a little sore at me right now). I have learn in the past it doesn't pay to argue with them, but if you were hire with the stipulations that you stated they are in the wrong and they were just figuring a young person wouldn't put up resistance if they "change" their mind on those stipulations. Is it right no, but losing your temper over it isn't going to solve anything as you found out. Take advice from people who said stay in school and earn a degree for when something like this occurs (It will) in the future, you'll have a piece of paper reminding you that you don't have to take it for you can easily find another job.

[Chazell29]

Thanks guys. A lot of good advice here. I don't want to get fired, but I guess I'm alright with it because I deserved it.

That post about getting a degree was good, I was planning on enlisting in the army and doing some type of law enforcment job after, and not go to college, but that was a good point, college would be good with fall back plans.

I guess I need to learn to control my anger. I'm not usually like this, I'm actually pretty quite. But when someone makes me really really mad, I guess I just get aout of control.

Thanks again.

[shadowpr]

i tell you, enlisting will definately help you with the whole biting your tongue thing. I just got out. If you would want to talk about the benfits of enlisting, just let me know, and you could also do school while in.

[mbossman2]

ok, you popped off and ran your mouth.

Apologize - - take your lumps - - accept the consequences and learn from them.

I am a firm believer that you learn a life lesson by being fired (don't ask how I know and I won't tell you no lies) - it'll probably be the 1st time you have to pay a personal and heavy price for your own, controllable, actions - it is best that you learn this one when you don't have a family relying on you and your income.

[shadowpr]

Originally Posted by mbossman2 (don't ask how I know and I won't tell you no lies)

that just reminded me of Lynyrd Skynyrd - Don't Ask Me No Questions.

lol

[doubledragon5]

I worked for a Wal-mart yrs ago, and when they hired me I told them that I have to finised by 10pm. This was because I had to make it in time for my full time job that started at 11pm.. So one day a manage that I did not get along with said to me " you have to make a decision, it is this job or your other job" I told him him do I want to keep a $7 hr job or a $20hr job, that wasn't hard to decide...

[Chazell29]

Thanks, after reading all this, I realize i did something I shouldn't have, and this is a good life lesson to learn, and someone made a good point that at least its now and not if i had a family relying on me. So, after help from PC Mech yet again, I am alright if I get fired. Yes I will be dissapointed, not mad, but dissapointed, but I know i was more in the wrong than them, and I will take my consequences. So, I'lll leavce it at that. If i get fired, sure it will suck and look bad when trying to get another job, but whats done is done. Thanks.

[Chazell29]

Originally Posted by shadowpr i tell you, enlisting will definately help you with the whole biting your tongue thing. I just got out. If you would want to talk about the benfits of enlisting, just let me know, and you could also do school while in.

Yeah, i was thinking about doing some school while in, depending how long I enlist for (prob 2-4 years) So, if you want to PM me some primary beneifts, that'd be great. Thanks.

[David M]

Originally Posted by Chazell29 What do you mean, "not immediatly, but through a system that would eventually fire me?" I don't know...the manager i talked to last night stayed calm the whole time, and didn't seem really all that mad, maybe just a little bit, and was like "im a cool laid back guy, but you need to watch your language, alot of managers wouldn't have responded to that very well" or something along those lines. So, I don't think he'd be the one to fire me for that, but if he tells the Store Director, then I'm almost certain I'm toast.

What I meant is that I cannot be fired on the spot like so many other people can. There is a big procedure for firing a university employee. It includes a review of that employees personal file and a committee.

[Markoman01027]

I think you should do the "right" thing and apologize. Also, "John Doe" or whatever should apologize to you for calling you a lier. But you should not worry about other people's morals, other than your own. So, do the "right" thing, and apologize. Be the "Better" person, and more will follow in your footsteps. It takes a real man to own up to his mistakes and become a "better" person that way. That person who called you a lier, will sooner or later realize what he did was "wrong", feel guilty about it, and then try to "better" himself by learning from his mistake.


On another note, next time you get hired, and any negotians that are made from the employer side, should be properly noted, and/or a signed contract with the noted stipulation of hire.


You are Young. Relax. I have been fired before. Who cares. Never stopped me from getting future employment

[kamikazi_tom]

Number ONE Rule of Working:
BOSS = GOD


Tom =]

[shadowpr]

Originally Posted by kamikazi_tom Number ONE Rule of Working: BOSS = GOD

definately can't agree with that.

[Stuey]

Things like this happen and will continue happening. Managers tend to have a lot on their minds, and they don't always care to pay full attention to their conversations. I've also learned that managers usually don't care too much about teenagers, let alone part time teenagers.

Back in HS I worked at a supermarket. I typically took the subway home from school and then went to work way after most of the other HS-aged cashiers started since they got out of school locally. The store changed over from one franchise to another and they scheduled me for retraining when I was still supposed to be in school. They did this to me a few times and every time I told the manager that I couldn't come in, she told me I either came in on time or not at all. I'd say something like "you're aware of my availability and school is more important" and then she'd mutter oh, ok, and then walk away.

Retail stores like to take advantage of teenagers becausethey're readily replaceable. What you want to do is perform your duties very well so that you're not easily replaced, giving you some protection against being exploited.

[Markoman01027]

Originally Posted by kamikazi_tom Number ONE Rule of Working: BOSS = GOD Tom =]

I beg to differ! The day a Boss is God, is the day that I turn 12. Since I am almost 23, that will not happen! :-D . Besides, most of them go/are on a power trip, anyways. They have that sense of pride in them, that makes them seem they are better than everybody else, when in reality, they are nothing more imperfect than the next homo sapien.