I work at a “small business” that wraps cars. In my one year since starting there, I’ve picked up the trade, became the lead installer, and helped double the company’s output. I work 8-10 hour days depending on how busy we are, and have an hour and a half commute both ways. I will preface this story by acknowledging that due to my commute, and me taking morning classes, I get to work 3-10 minutes late quite often – something that has been spoken about and accepted by all three of my bosses. I always stay a full 8 hours, and even stay late to make sure everything gets done. I'm often the last one to leave. It’s also not a job that survives on me getting there at whatever-time SHARP, in fact all of my bosses come and go at varied hours because we have a receptionist who is in charge of greeting and taking in appointments. My job is to wrap, i do it well and i do it efficiently.
Now onto the story – one of my boss’ “good customers”/friends needed work done ASAP. After rescheduling three times, he tells my boss that the only day he can bring his car in is Saturday, and that it HAD to be done the same day. I don’t work Saturdays because I freelance on the side in the hopes of building my career. My boss practically begs me to come in and work, so I agree, but let him know that I had a freelance appointment about 80 miles away that same day. He acknowledges this and says “just get what you can done”. He tells me his friend is dropping his car off “first thing in the morning” so that i could come in early and work on it. I get to work at 7:50, open up the shop, and get to work. A 2 hour job turns into a 10 hour day. I had to cancel my appointment, but hey, at least the job gets done.
Yesterday, my boss pulled me aside and says “you embarrassed me on Saturday” because his friend got there at 7am and no one was there to greet him and take the keys to his car (even though we have several spots/methods for dropping off keys). His friend also lives 10 minutes from the shop, while I live an hour away. He then goes on about how even though I’m a really hard worker, sacrifice a lot of my time on the commute alone, stay late, etc. that me not being able to be there as early as he wanted on Saturday shows that I’m unreliable. My blood starts to boil as I realize that I am now being berated after coming in on my day off, working 10 hours, and cancelling an appointment that worked towards my ideal career. I stand there silent so he can talk himself out, and walk away after. I think it's time I bail on that “we are a family here” operation.
TLDR; i “embarrassed” my boss despite coming in on my day off, working for 10 hours and cancelling an important appointment, just to make his millionaire friend happy. Fuck small businesses who use “we are a small business/family” as an excuse to exploit and abuse workers.