You know when you get a new manager, and you can just tell that he's a corporate asshole? Well, that's our new CSM.
work at a grocery store chain. We just got a new CSM and so far, he's a piece of work. He hasn't even been here a week, mind you. I just met him for the first time the other day. I introduced myself, and he introduced himself. Then said, “Are you going to be my future assistant?” I replied, “Yes.” “I'll have to have a talk with you.” So, I go back to checking people out. It's a relatively slow day, not many customers. He comes up to me and another employee, and, instead of asking us politely to “redline” (which wasn't even needed because it's not busy at all, mind you) he asks us, “Have you guys seen our training videos?” We reply yes, and in turn he says, “Well, then you must know about redlining, I suggest you do that.”
Not a great first impression. This guy seems like one of those corporate fucks that thinks that he'll get a gold medal if he does everything by the book. He takes me, just me, into the office and says, “Alright, so I want you to know, I like things tight. So tight that if pops. It's either my way, or the highway. If I tell you to do something, I expect it to be done. I'm very approachable.” I just say, “Okay, thank you for communicating that to me.” Then, he asks, “So, you're going to be my new assistant up front, right? You've got a lot on your plate. Are you nervous? You gotta tell me how you're feeling, if you're confused.” I tell him “No.. I'm excited for a new experience.” He replies, “Okay, great, so we're on the same page.”
He then tells the closing clerks that they have to “Polish the wood paneling, and dust the drink area” every night that they close. The closing clerks already have to vacuum all of the carpets, close out the tills, clean the registers, clean the bathrooms, empty the trash. Polish the wood paneling? It was all just so weird, and feels as though he's just testing his authority over us. I got sick over the weekend, and had to call out today. I'm not usually the one to call out. I'm very timely, I always show up on time. I'm at work everyday. I got sick over the weekend, so I had to call in, and of course, he answers the phone. I tell him that I'm not feeling great today, got body aches, headache, stuffy nose, slightly sore throat. My Mom is also sick and running a fever.
First thing he says is, “This is —– my future new assistant?” I reply, “Yes?” “You know, I'm not really a person who likes people that call out. You gotta take this seriously. You understand that?” I just say, “Alright, cool, thank you.” Just to end the call faster. I'm also slightly offended that he's that quick to question my work ethic, when he doesn't even know me. I'm thinking about just becoming a front end clerk, and letting someone else deal with this nightmare. Maybe find a better job while I'm at it.