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Bizzarre job loss experience.

LucidLucid Registered User regular
edited August 2009 in Help / Advice Forum
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.

Lucid on

Posts

  • VisionOfClarityVisionOfClarity Registered User regular
    edited August 2009
    He sounds shady, make sure you get paid. If he plays hard ball call your state's attorney general's office and they'll make sure you get paid.

    VisionOfClarity on
  • Al_watAl_wat Registered User regular
    edited August 2009
    That place seems fucked, just try to make sure you get paid your wages for time already worked and find another job.

    Al_wat on
  • firewaterwordfirewaterword Satchitananda Pais Vasco to San FranciscoRegistered User regular
    edited August 2009
    Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it - guy sounds like he's on the decline business wise if that's how he's operating.

    As an aside, it is perfectly reasonable - and generally expected - to discuss compensation in a job interview.

    firewaterword on
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  • RiemannLivesRiemannLives Registered User regular
    edited August 2009
    (assuming this is the US) did you even fill out a W4 and related forms?

    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.

    RiemannLives on
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  • admanbadmanb unionize your workplace Seattle, WARegistered User regular
    edited August 2009
    He just sounds unreliable and unprofessional. It happens. Count yourself lucky you only had to deal with him for a few weeks.

    admanb on
  • BrotherVoodooBrotherVoodoo Registered User regular
    edited August 2009
    Sounds like this place may be going out of business. He probably just couldn't afford to keep paying you.

    BrotherVoodoo on
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  • impskitchenimpskitchen Registered User regular
    edited March 24
    .

    impskitchen on
  • Seattle ThreadSeattle Thread Registered User regular
    edited August 2009
    admanb wrote: »
    He just sounds unreliable and unprofessional. It happens. Count yourself lucky you only had to deal with him for a few weeks.
    Second. You're probably jonesin' for employment but you really are much better off in the long run here.

    Seattle Thread on
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  • underdonkunderdonk __BANNED USERS regular
    edited August 2009
    He's having money problems. Walk away and don't look back.

    underdonk on
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  • ShogunShogun Hair long; money long; me and broke wizards we don't get along Registered User regular
    edited August 2009
    Have you actually been paid yet? When you started did you fill out any paperwork at all?

    Shogun on
  • LucidLucid Registered User regular
    edited August 2009
    Yeah, he did give me my check, He didn't even have it ready after me coming to him the previous day asking about it. He made me come back an hour after I came to him for it(and was let go). So I had to find something to do downtown for an hour.

    The only paperwork I filled out was an application, which was just basic stuff like previous exp, name, address, etc.

    Lucid on
  • ShogunShogun Hair long; money long; me and broke wizards we don't get along Registered User regular
    edited August 2009
    Is this check a personal check or a payroll check? Has anything been deducted from it? If so what and how much?

    Make sure the check clears and when it does move on from this shady dipshit.

    Shogun on
  • Aoi TsukiAoi Tsuki Registered User regular
    edited August 2009
    If you're in the U.S., a W4 should get filled out, your driver's license and SS card photocopied, etc., within your first week at the very latest. This guy is ludicrously shady.

    Aoi Tsuki on
  • EliteLamerEliteLamer __BANNED USERS regular
    edited August 2009
    Very Shady

    EliteLamer on
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