21 weeks, 21 weeks at my job- and I already know I have to leave.
I work selling cannabis, which is pretty much like any other retail industry these days. Before this, I specialized in liquor sales. In the end, it’s all kind numbing retail.
When Covid hit I was laid off from my liquor selling job, a job I was hoping to go back to. Restrictions eased, work reopened, and I’ve never been called back.
So, I applied to a Budtender job on a whim, and with my years of retail experience- I was a great candidate. I went into the interview hoping for day shifts at $17 an hour. I was convinced by management, that the quickest way to move up in the company was to work the afternoon shift to start, and earn my way to key holder and then assistant manager. Each coming with raises, as the $17 I was asking at the moment was just .50 cents too high with no weed selling experience. I accepted the offer; it’s close to home, it wasn’t minimum wage, it came with benefits after 3 months (although I didn’t technically need them) and I really needed the job.
Our location is totally new, and I accept offers of helping to unpack and set up the store. Weeks start passing and I establish myself as a leader. My colleagues respect me, because I respect them- but they also look up to me because I’m older. I go above and beyond at keeping the store clean and organized, I pick up shifts and cover for others. I become safety rep and I even improve my sales average.
By two months in I’m being told that I’ll be a key holder after the 3 month probation mark. Which is great, because I need the extra money, and two day shifts a week would have been wonderful.
3 months comes and goes, with promises of key holder being delayed by upper management. Although, I’m being taught all the ins and outs of an assistant manager, in hopes of becoming second in command. Finally, at the 4.5 month mark I sign the paperwork for a key- a week later I finally get the key in my hand. I ask about the raise that comes with it, and I’m told that- as of now I won’t be getting any raise, but my manager is fighting for it. Well, at least I’ll be getting my two day shifts a week.
But no.
Today, I am shown the full July schedule and the only day shifts I have are during the 9 day vacation my manager is taking with his partner (who is also an employee at my store). A week that I am told we will all have to work 6+ days because they are both away.
In addition to that, I am informed that no key holder in our company is now entitled to a raise, and 3 months isn’t long enough to establish I am deserving of a raise anyway. I’ve actually been here almost 5 months. And the other stores have their key holders already (positions that originally came with a raise). I am also told that because our store is losing roughly $1600 a day, there is no money for a raise in our budget. Our owners are millionaires, and we have 3 cannabis stores. We are NOT losing money as a whole company- just this store; which is because of their own poor management and marketing (our prices are super high! Plus 2 other cannabis stores are within walking distance). We are also short a staff member who quit, and was never replaced. In addition to all of that, I am told no one is making more than $17.50 an hour- which was a bold faced lie to my face. As wages are regularly discussed amongst staff from all three stores via our delivery drivers.
I am being told by my manager to wait it out, continue going above and beyond- and the raise will come. No timeline. Just extra work for no extra pay. Cover mine and my wife’s 9 day vacation- but don’t expect more money!
I am completely defeated. I have condensed my work to the bare minimum I can do. I am applying for multiple jobs elsewhere. The first chance I get, I am leaving my keys behind and never looking back.
I am just hoping I can get another position before the final week of July. I think it’s fair that I want my manager to be as fucked over as he has fucked me over.
It’s a shame it has to end this way, because I do enjoy this job- but I am through being treated like shit.
Thanks for reading my rant. I just needed a vent, while I sit here at work planning my escape.