I’m an Assistant Store Manager in a specialty retail store that has one store manager, two ASMs, and two retail sales managers who are essentially shift leads. Not sure if it’s relevant but I’m the longest tenured manager in the store (3 years last month) and I identify with the “designated survivor” stereotype.
We had a store visit from out district manager (who I’ve met once in 18 months) last Thursday 3/9 while I was off. In his visit “notes” that he sent to the whole store, he included an item that said the following.
“(Hr rep) working with (store manager) on leadership expectations.
When I asked (store manager) about this note on Friday he gave me a vague answer that included “well you’ve been through this before, when companies have a bad year and they start scrutinizing everyone’s roles and responsibilities.”
Ok. Vague, and definitely felt like something was off with him, it just didn’t sit right. Sure , we were down in sales last year but it’s also the first and only year this (high shrink) store has met (exceeded) PI goals, and that’s 100% due to my efforts as operations manager and inventory captain.
Yesterday I asked my colleague (the other ASM) about this note and he said that he had already had a sit down discussion with (store manager) about these “expectations” and had them in an email. Which was a little weird seeing as the day before (store manager) had blown off my questions and it was now obvious he was lying/misrepresenting.
Colleague prints out the “expectations” and it’s a list of petty mismanagement. That seems to be targeted directly at me.
- show up 15 minutes before you are scheduled, so that associates can clock in on time AFTER settling in, putting their stuff in a locker/etc. (I’ve had this discussion with him before and I said if you want me here at 7:45, schedule me at 7:45. I’m not going ti show up at 7:45 when you schedule me at 8 because that’s time theft. To the tune of $2,000/year. )
- start work activities immediately upon arrival (I’m often coming from the gym and I eat breakfast while I read over my emails)
- Music and podcasts must be “tasteful and appropriate” (I spend the most time in the warehouse, which is completely silent and boring. He’s got no issue with Cardi B apparently, because associates listen to that all the time when THEY are back there but he’s commented on my celebrity gossip podcasts. This is in the stockroom, not where customers can hear, only employees.)
- The only instructions I’ve ever received on what I can listen to in the stockroom (from the manager who hired me) is literally “whatever you want, you just can’t wear earbuds/headphones” Now apparently I have to screen all music/podcasts I play for curse words/topics/whatever.
- Also music/podcasts must be at a volume where you can hear the phone/walkies. (I’m always responsive, but I’m one of the few managers who does tasks that cannot be interrupted, so I’m not always the first person to respond to calls for manager assistance.)
I can’t remember anything else from the document but it was all of this nature, petty micromanaging for literally no reason.
So I text my boss (store manager) last night the following…
“Hey. We need to talk about this ASM expectations issue. I asked about it yesterday and I really don’t feel like I got an answer.
I asked (colleague) about it and apparently he’s already had a discussion with you and been given a list of expectations for the ASM position. I would like to know when you planned on discussing these expectations with me when they were formalized before I even asked about them yesterday.”
Response:
“We will talk on Tuesday, they have been a work in progress.”
So now I am split in three directions.
- I’m getting fired tomorrow, and the reason for the delay is coordinating with HR/DM.
- I’m getting out on a PIP and the reading for the delay is coordinating with HR/DM.
- I’m making a big deal out of nothing and my brainless boomer boss didn’t think I’d find out and have a meltdown/existential crisis over this.
Give me your take, and any advice you have on how to handle this. Happy to answer any questions. I will add that I’m well liked by my co-managers and I have a fantastic relationship with my staff built in mutual trust, respect and understanding and I am honestly just really really sad right now that it doesn’t feel like being good at my job really matters at all, at the end of the day.