This subreddit seems like a good place to post this, I’ve generally been a fan for a while, but I also live amongst a family who’s been completely brainwashed in the whole “work at your own expense” nonesense. My mom raised me on this idea that the workforce was this highly revered, professional environment where people work together to benefit society. I’ve worked 3 jobs, and each time I describe them to her, she is absolutely flabbergasted and in disbelief. It’s kinda funny lmao, but she wants me to give more of a shit than any of these companies have even thought of giving, so I just explain to her “no”.
Anyway, I’ve worked at Chick-fil-A, Red Robin, and now I’ve been working as a produce manager at a Piggly Wiggly (grocery store) for a year now. I make 9.24 an hour (fuck the “etiquette” of not discussing wages), and 40 hours a week. I gotta work holidays if we’re open on those days (thankfully Christmas and Thanksgiving we’re closed). This weekend, 4th of July weekend, is inventory. Lots of shit to do. Not enough pay to justify it to myself to care too much. Obv I take pride in whatever I do, I don’t just do nothing. But like, here’s the thing. This Piggly Wiggly is a smaller one. It’s no Foodland, nothing like Target or Walmart. I’m the only produce worker in the store, period, and my produce area is a small corner of the entire store. The grocery and dairy are literally operated by two people alone, they’ve worked there for 30+ years, and it’s their way or the high way. One of them is toothless. Other guy curses anyone who breathes in his general vicinity under his breath, lovely fella. Meat guys are nice, they’re in a similar “don’t give a whole lot of shits” spot that I am. Meat manager’s wife died last year, and his son who also works in meat was only given one day of grievance pay for his mom dying. The front is also just as lovely, high turnover rate for cashiers except for a small handful of older people who stay for some reason. Front office is lazy AF. I’ve had paperwork given to me late or not at all until after I’ve needed it (for context, I need this paperwork for prices and deals and stuff, so when I don’t get it, it can range from a minor annoyance to almost catastrophic). But it’s somehow on me when I don’t get my paperwork, even when I was told when I got the job that it’s their job to give it to me and that I don’t have to worry about it.
This all would kinda be okay, because the job is only 10 mins away, and the labor itself isn’t too bad. I enjoy helping the customers I’ve had, I’ve met some nice people, I even donate some less than ideal produce to a dude who owns a wildlife rehabilitation and reservation (he specifically asked for bad produce, I’m not just giving him shit just cuz. If it were up to me, I’d give him some free food shit lmao. One day I might).
Where my tolerance wades is the upper management. People who run the district and between multiple stores and shit. This store is clearly like, a ma and pa type store. But they want people (me specifically) to treat the job super professionally, act like it’s some kind of high tier company store like target or some shit. I’m not allowed to have my phone on me, apparently the grocery supervisor (my boss’ boss) hates phones, and has been known to explode on people if he sees anyone with one. Obv I keep my phone on me, no one can justify to me why I shouldn’t be able to respond to an immediate emergency should it come up, instead of being at the mercy of the company phone line which is constantly busy, and only on one line. And yes, I do get on it when it’s slow, and there’s not much to do. I’m not just gonna stand and watch the clock tick, nor am I gonna check the same fruit I just did 5 mins ago over and over. It’s mind boggling to me. Besides, everyone else does it. Meat guys, folks up front, but I’m the only one who gets any kind of flak. Additionally, they want me to do things a certain way, lose their shit if one little price things didnt to right, they worry about shrink and whatnot (when they’re the ones who preorder this shit), it’s mentally exhausting, and the longer I work this job, the less worth I see in staying. I had to work a year before I got any PTO, and it’s only a week. No indication or implication of a raise. Overtime isn’t even worth it. They really want me to come in on my off day to do inventory because it’s easier on them, and I just say no every time.
Anyway, I’m not particularly here to bitch about my job (as admittedly fun as it is), I wanna know things I can do to do better. Jobs around here (Alabama) aren’t so hot. Gas and food going up, I don’t wanna go far. I don’t know any actual good companies to work for (as far as I’ve seen so far, they’re all shit). I absolutely refuse to work for a corporate entity.
I feel stuck, and I hate where I’m stuck at. Any advice or suggestions?