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Bizzarre job loss experience.
Lucid
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So, I just lost a job, one that I got 2 weeks ago. Usually someone must fuck up pretty badly for that to happen. Here though, I'm pretty damn sure that isn't the case. Here's the story.
I am a student and wanted part time work. I handed a resume in to an organic grocery store a few months ago, a few weeks ago the owner called me for an interview. First off, the interview was weird. I acted polite, mature and followed what typically goes for interview procedure. The owner however interrupted me to answer and talk on his cell phone or check his email. He said he'd send me a schedule in my email at the end of the interview, but he never actually gave any sort of acknowledgment of me being hired or not. So a week later I got the email, and he said to reply back if this was good. I did, and showed up for the first shift, which was produce. He saw me there and said good to the produce manager, and I thought okay this is working out then. I did produce for the first week and stock/inventory for the second.
I had no idea how I was supposed to be paid. He didn't say anything to me in the interview and he went out of town shortly after I got the job. I've heard it's not good to ask too much about getting paid in the interview so I assumed this would be something he would make sure we worked out(every other job I've had they give you details) I was left with asking fellow employees how this worked. They said he should cut me a check, and I could ask about direct deposit. I made a note to do this when he got back. I was also not given an account for the computer inventory management system, or the cash register system(I was not assigned to cash, but still).
I went on a non work day to his office to ask him about getting paid and direct deposit and he said come tomorrow(today) and he'd give me my check and details needed. So I come in today(also not a work day), and he says he's going to give me my check but then I'm done. I'm like asjhgasghkh what? I ask him what's wrong, why? As far as I know I've been doing fine. I ask questions of my fellow employees to make sure I know what to do, and how to do it. I am polite to customers who need help and do my best to assist them. I've only been working there 6 shifts, so I'm learning and think I'm doing so at a reasonable rate. I know this can be obviously bias sounding, but I'm mature enough at this point in my life to recognize when I do things wrong. I have no desire to fuck around in my life, I'm in school to build a successful career.
He explains to me that on my 4th shift where I started at opening, doing inventory, that produce was left empty (until the produce worker got in later on)and even though I wasn't assigned to that department I should have dealt with it. He even said and acknowledged to me that this wasn't explained to me before but still, etc. I told him that fine, that's something I would obviously watch out for in the future but it seems a little egregious to get rid of me simply based on this. He wouldn't be swayed however. I was just stunned really. That was all? Apparently.
After reflecting on things, he seems like he could be shady/unprofessional. He runs a cafe/restaurant attached to the store. He shut it down just after I started to do.. I don't know, the most I could get out of others is renovation. The things is however, there was like 6 or 7 people working there who are fucked, and I've heard some have just moved on. Nothings happened at all in the couple of weeks it's been shut down. It's just sitting there. That's in addition to the other things previously mentioned.
So, I wanted to know what others think of this situation. I feel fairly confident I didn't do anything 'wrong', I will admit what he said I didn't do should be done, but fine.. it was my fourth shift where this happened. Every job I've ever had has had at least a 3 month probationary period. To get rid of someone for something like this seems absurd to me to. I tried a mix of initiative and following tasks, as I've learnt different employers don't like things one way or the other in many cases. I try to go for balance unless I'm explained directly not to one way or the other.
I am a student and wanted part time work. I handed a resume in to an organic grocery store a few months ago, a few weeks ago the owner called me for an interview. First off, the interview was weird. I acted polite, mature and followed what typically goes for interview procedure. The owner however interrupted me to answer and talk on his cell phone or check his email. He said he'd send me a schedule in my email at the end of the interview, but he never actually gave any sort of acknowledgment of me being hired or not. So a week later I got the email, and he said to reply back if this was good. I did, and showed up for the first shift, which was produce. He saw me there and said good to the produce manager, and I thought okay this is working out then. I did produce for the first week and stock/inventory for the second.
I had no idea how I was supposed to be paid. He didn't say anything to me in the interview and he went out of town shortly after I got the job. I've heard it's not good to ask too much about getting paid in the interview so I assumed this would be something he would make sure we worked out(every other job I've had they give you details) I was left with asking fellow employees how this worked. They said he should cut me a check, and I could ask about direct deposit. I made a note to do this when he got back. I was also not given an account for the computer inventory management system, or the cash register system(I was not assigned to cash, but still).
I went on a non work day to his office to ask him about getting paid and direct deposit and he said come tomorrow(today) and he'd give me my check and details needed. So I come in today(also not a work day), and he says he's going to give me my check but then I'm done. I'm like asjhgasghkh what? I ask him what's wrong, why? As far as I know I've been doing fine. I ask questions of my fellow employees to make sure I know what to do, and how to do it. I am polite to customers who need help and do my best to assist them. I've only been working there 6 shifts, so I'm learning and think I'm doing so at a reasonable rate. I know this can be obviously bias sounding, but I'm mature enough at this point in my life to recognize when I do things wrong. I have no desire to fuck around in my life, I'm in school to build a successful career.
He explains to me that on my 4th shift where I started at opening, doing inventory, that produce was left empty (until the produce worker got in later on)and even though I wasn't assigned to that department I should have dealt with it. He even said and acknowledged to me that this wasn't explained to me before but still, etc. I told him that fine, that's something I would obviously watch out for in the future but it seems a little egregious to get rid of me simply based on this. He wouldn't be swayed however. I was just stunned really. That was all? Apparently.
After reflecting on things, he seems like he could be shady/unprofessional. He runs a cafe/restaurant attached to the store. He shut it down just after I started to do.. I don't know, the most I could get out of others is renovation. The things is however, there was like 6 or 7 people working there who are fucked, and I've heard some have just moved on. Nothings happened at all in the couple of weeks it's been shut down. It's just sitting there. That's in addition to the other things previously mentioned.
So, I wanted to know what others think of this situation. I feel fairly confident I didn't do anything 'wrong', I will admit what he said I didn't do should be done, but fine.. it was my fourth shift where this happened. Every job I've ever had has had at least a 3 month probationary period. To get rid of someone for something like this seems absurd to me to. I tried a mix of initiative and following tasks, as I've learnt different employers don't like things one way or the other in many cases. I try to go for balance unless I'm explained directly not to one way or the other.
Lucid on
"...these long walls have narrowed so quickly that I am in the last chamber already, and there in the corner stands the trap that I must run into"
Posts
As an aside, it is perfectly reasonable - and generally expected - to discuss compensation in a job interview.
If not then count yourself lucky you are out after only 2 weeks as this guy is probably not doing anything right with regards to taxes. And yes, this can screw over employees as well as the owner. Don't sweat it yourself, just count yourself lucky to not find this out after you've been there a long time.
Edit: This is to say, if this guy is not doing the taxes right employees could end up owing the govmn't some money. But in your case it would be all of a few bucks. Even if they came after your for it, which they wouldn't for that much, it would not be a problem to pay.
Someone who had worked there a long time being payed "under the table" without their knowledge could be on the hook for real money.
This guy's doing you a favor by cutting you quickly like this. I've worked for non-corporate companies/businesses a few times and this seems like a shining example of one that operates on the wrong side of the fun and/or professional side of the line.
Don't get me wrong though, non-corporate businesses can be great places to work, but when they aren't, oh man they can get bizarre.
There was a time I was managing/running an online business for someone and the pay and hours were great. We got along just fine for months and then stuff just started getting weird for no apparent reason. One day I came in and found that while my duties/responsibilities hadn't gone down, my pay had by quite a bit (60%). When I dropped my keys off and left the company because I had to go find a job that would pay me enough to afford living expenses, the owner flipped the eff off and started emailing me like crazy with over the line insulting and unprofessional rants. Nothing from this scenario would have made it very far in a corporate environment.
I'm not sure what I was trying to get at with all of this other than it looks like you'll be saved a lot of headache by not working there, so know that it wasn't you and go get another one. I probably wouldn't even use this place as a reference either. No sense associating yourself with that screwball.
The only paperwork I filled out was an application, which was just basic stuff like previous exp, name, address, etc.
Make sure the check clears and when it does move on from this shady dipshit.