I'm currently working at a specialty sporting goods store, at minimum wage for the past three years. Last fall, I relocated for school, but I come back during my winter break and summer breaks (most places don't want to train and hire someone to be there for a limited amount of time). Up until recently, it was going okay. Also to put into consideration I am a queer person of colour in an industry where the overwhelming majority seem to be hyper-privileged white women. As one can imagine, I'm one of two non-white people who work at this set of franchises.
1) I recently found out that two of my coworkers (with less seniority of at least a year)are getting paid more than me (50 cents an hour above min wage) for no real legit reason.
2) Got invited to a work function, but coworkers left within 30-45 minutes of me leaving, barely acknowledged me there and acted like I wasn't there/ didn't want me there.
3) Franchise owner (four locations) claims that she can't afford to pay others more, even though she's always on vacation, has three kids, owns a horse at an expensive facility that got a very expensive surgery (8k+), all her kids participate in expensive sports/hobbies, etc… and flaunts it, knowing damn well that many of her employees live paycheck to paycheck. Due to the irregular scheduling, it is almost impossible for me to secure a second job.
4) Because I'm not white and visibly queer (I've run into a few people I knew pre-transition) in an industry of mostly white people, I've endured racial harassment and harassment regarding my gender and sexuality from customers. I've come forward to management regarding this issue, and I have essentially been laughed off. This company has no HR.
5) After I initially left for school, the store went downhill quickly. Shifts weren't getting covered, nothing was getting done, etc… More often than not, I was the one who did all of that. As long as I want to work there, I will always have a job there (which is why I'm currently staying due to the nature of my situation regarding school/home)
So today I finally fucking snapped. I spent the day being belittled by another coworker. I was driving home and threw my water bottle through my window and thought about wrapping my car around a tree or flipping it in a ditch. Apart from my car's window, I'm okay and healthy. I'm now debating writing whether I my letter of resignation that would be effective immediately. However, I still need to make money.
No workplace is ever worth your physical and mental health (or your car's passenger seat window in my case).