When I was younger I worked for a large retailer. I got the job when I was in high school and left 3 years later while in college. Looking back as an adult there was so much they did that was illegal like keeping people under 18 beyond the state cut off for when we had to leave on a school night. In fact one night we called the town police because they locked us in after closing and threatened to fire us if we demanded to go home before cleaning was finished. I think it was 10pm we had to be released and the police showed up at 10:45pm. The overnight manager (for the stockers) said we would be terminated if we didn’t speak with the store manager before our next shift as we were leaving under police escort. My next shift was the following day at 4pm. When I got there myself and 2 others met with him. After hearing the true story because the night manager said we walked out and didn’t mention the time and we were under 18 he was very apologetic and paid us off to not go further within the complaint that was being investigated. He gave us each $100. Every one under 18 was always out by 9:59pm. Night manager had attitude with me since then.
Fast forward later I was 19’at the time. I would normally stay pass 10 no problem I was an adult. I gave my two weeks notice and only had one more shift. That night I was at the door to leave at 10pm and she gives me grief. Brings up the fact the “police” can’t do anything for me now and if I leave I’m terminated. I say ok tomorrow evening is my last shift. She goes on how I’m making a bad career choice and if I’m terminated I can never work at any location again. I said ok, and she says I must come in and sign for my last check. I said ok and left. Next day about 5pm I get a call asking where I am. I relay the story to the manager on duty and didn’t go in. Payday comes along the following Wednesday and my direct deposit goes in no problem. We are payed 2 weeks behind And then my last paycheck for the last week goes in no problem for hours worked. 2 days (would of been 3 if I worked last day) The next day the nasty overnight manager calls and leaves me a voicemail to come pick up my last paycheck. I never call or go back because it’s a paystub and I’m not giving her satisfaction to see me sign any paperwork of theirs that I left without proper notice. She called me 3 more times getting bolder each time even reminded me I can never work for any of their store locations again in life and since I’m young that will hurt me in the future
A year later I’m in another store location near my college shopping and a previous manager I liked was there and begs me to work for him. I tell him i was black listed by NAME. Apparently that was not a thing and was rehired part time.
Finally after college I’m doing IT for another big chain store. I was covering a district. I go into a location to fix their POS system and who do I see working their but the nasty overnight manager who gave me grief about 5 years earlier. She doesn’t recognize me and I didn’t speak to her. I did look her up and she started a month ago. I’m having lunch with my coworkers and boss and told the story of my experience with her. Just laughing and reminiscing over life experiences. Didn’t think any more of it till I see on my list of terminated employees. Her name was there because the district director fired her as she was still on probation. I had a good relationship with the store manager where she was terminated and I asked what happened. Apparently my boss called the district director who followed up on my story including keeping minors locked in and decided she was not worth the risk and since she was on probation decided to let her go.