So, for context:
I work for a state-exclusive thrift store chain. We have about 8 different locations. Non-Profit, and I make $13.98 an hour.
Since I transferred from one location to another to work full-time and sustain myself, I’ve been bogged down by numerous issues. At first, it was with my elderly coworkers who refused to ‘accept me’ as part of the team despite the fact I was a young pair of arms(Male, 23), worked more often than they did, and adhered more to the company rules. But now, it’s become a matter of higher management issues, and customer/donor aggravation.
First and foremost, I work 5 days straight every odd week, and I work seven days straight every even week(pictures for context. Since this is the week of the 4th of July, they put me in for an extra day of work. And then we have the 4th off. 8 days straight, 3 days off. But it usually starts from Monday, to Sunday). And I’ve become incredibly drained and broke down from how often I come in and what little freedom I have(with each paycheck I get 3 hours of PTO time. With two checks a month. Currently I have about 40 hours of PTO saved).
Secondly, customers(mostly seniors) are greedy and hyper-critical of every detail within our store specifically. We’re a fairly large location, but there’s usually one 4 or 5 people in a shift per day. Most of whom are in the back. They’ll judge the way I and my coworkers look, they’ll hoard every coin they can and refuse to donate to any of the charities we try to promote, and some have even physically assaulted myself and my coworkers(including my manager).
But the worst issue, the biggest drain on my well-being, is upper management. Specifically, the regional manager. She’s been in the company since its founding, and yet, she’s by far the worst person in that position. She has very little positive to say about any of the locations, she tells managers and assistant managers want to change and what to fix without so much as a good job or proud of you to either them or the regular workers that come in.
And the worst bit of it, she has no care or interest in the mental or emotional well-being of workers.
Quick story: She came in last Wednesday to inspect the quality of our store, and then pulled me over to the office to chat with me. She had gotten a complaint from a customer who thought I had a “depressing attitude”. This was during one of my seven day work streaks, and the customer asked how I was doing. To which I replied: “I’m here. I’m working 7 days straight, but I’m here.” The RM then threatened to write me up if I made a comment like that again, and stated that if I’m not happy working 7 days straight(which I’ve been doing for well past a year), then I should find another place to work. It disgusted me, and has met me jaded about continuing to work for this company.
And yet, the one saving grace to this hellhole, is in fact, my coworkers. Who are some of the most dedicated, attentive, and caring bunch I’ve had the honor of working alongside. They make each day I come in worthwhile, and are what mainly keep me from cutting ties entirely.
But, I want to pose the question to you guys: do you think it’s worth staying still? Or should I cut my losses and bail?