I'm off at 5pm yesterday and as I'm leaving one of the two evening staff is starting to lose it in front of a client. I smooth things over and switch places with him and the client leaves unaware. My coworker, let's call him Dan, is breaking down. He tells me he's worked for 10 days straight, there's only one other staff tonight and she's new and it's a deep cleaning night (WAY MORE WORK) plus there are still 58 clients in the building (a busy night would be 30). I offer support, I relate to him, comfort him, share stories about things I've struggled with to let him know he's not alone. I suggest going to the owner, I talk about some things she's done that I feel were not helpful, and I validate him. By the end of it he was able to work again. He felt supported.
I get home and I get a group message from the owner, Luna, to me and Dan. Basically saying she knows we were up front complaining and how we are not to complain to one another and to only go to her. I said I was confused. What I meant by that was that I was confused why my actions warranted this message.
She said she was LISTENING IN ON THE SECURITY CAMERA.
I feel very very very done. Did I say some things that probably hurt her feelings? Yes. Were they all true? Absolutely. She often dismisses us when we tell her we need help. Don't want to hear people complaining about you? Don't listen in. Also you're a boss… I used to supervise over 50 staff and staff complain about bosses. It happens. And it happens a lot less when you're doing a good job. Grow up.
In the group chat Dan breaks down and tells her everything he's overwhelmed with and she legit rambles on telling him WHY HE IS WRONG. She even had the audacity to say she was stressed because she's in the middle of buying her new building. HAHAHA SORRY YOUR MILLION DOLLAR BUILDING IS STRESSING YOU OUT. She only was able to grow her business because of us. Her underpaid staff busting their butts. Dan even shares how bad his mental health is in detail and hopes his upcoming trip helps and she replies, “I hope your trip helps too”.
I am 32 and the owner is 25. I left good money to try a new career and I've put a lot into her business. I volunteer at fundraisers, I go above and beyond constantly and I make minimum wage. She constantly leaves us short staffed and takes risks with our safety.
I like the one person I work for the most but I've now lost all trust in the owner. Shaming your stressed out staff and the person who is there trying to comfort them while they sob in your lobby.
Ew.