Month: March 2022

Today I had the absolute displeasure of walking into a “family run business” with the family nowhere to be found, and a young girl still in university doing almost everything at the little restaurant. Cleaning, serving, cash, literally everything. She was being paid the minimum wage for her age, (I live in Europe) which is lower than the adult minimum wage. To basically run the place. She couldn't even string a sentence together other than the basic “How can I help you” etc. I really saw myself from years ago, struggling like that, burning out. Nobody was behind me in line. So I asked if she was ok. She said yes, and i said you don't look ok, are you sick. So she said she was tired but it was all good. I told her to take her time with the order. She said the family owners would complain if…

I have been a GM with this company for nearly 4 years. I weathered the storm as best as I could, but the Great Resignation has been brutal. I took this position because of the quality-of-life promises that came with it. Well, those perks have all completely deteriorated. Most of the talent on my roster has left for better paying, less stressful jobs. My boss is completely ineffective in hiring, identifying, and developing talent. I'm putting in 6 day, 55+hour weeks regularly. If i was adequately compensated for that time, I would have much less issue. However, I am salaried so my payrate just plummets the more time I put in. So I turned in my notice before leaving Friday (emailed directly to my boss, so there's no chance it has not been seen by now.) It is now Tuesday, and I have not heard a single response. As each…

To Americans from an American: I see tons of posts over and over again about what minimum wage should be, cost of housing and the cost of living etc. I wish more people would open their eyes as to the bigger picture: Taxes. People blame it on political parties, I’m here to tell you that Democrats are no better than Republicans; they’re both screwing us over. We are underpaid and over-taxed. Why am I paying some 20% in income tax out of every paycheck? What do I get in return? I wouldn’t mind paying income taxes if I received health benefits, disability insurance, maternity/paternity leave, free community college, etc. we literally pay into a system that doesn’t benefit most of us. With the baby boomer generation reaching retirement age and most politicians fitting into that category I wouldn’t be surprised if they give themselves a raise in benefits on their…

Title says it all really. I work in a corporate coffee chain who naturally attracts entitled and rude customers. Most of the time it’s fine, little things here and there we can brush off and continue on. But sometimes there’s that one customer who goes above and beyond trying to upset you. They insult and berate you to tears, and expect you to just let them do it. I’m not usually one to let that happen. I’m never insulting or mean, but if they raise their voice at me or start insulting me personally I just answer them in ways that make it obvious they’re being ridiculous. I had one such customer the other day. Rude, belligerent, insulting, downright nasty. Accusing us baristas of taking advantage of his disability to purposely make his drink incorrectly every single time he comes in. I answered all of his questions he threw at…

When I interviewed for a new job I was told that it would be 3 days in office and 2 days WFH every week. The position is over an hour from where I live and with rising gas prices I would not have taken it if it was in the office full time. I get paid about half the usual salary for a skilled worker (which I am) in my field but took the job because it’s extremely relevant to what I want to do for my career and thought it would be good experience. Immediately after starting in office I was told that actually I would have to work in office full-time. I explained to my manager that I was told it would be part time at home to which he replied that HR was “working on a policy for this” and he would get back to me soon.…