I have been employed here for 5 years now. I’ve managed a few locations over the last 4 years. I dabbled in area management for a few months before I got pregnant. They were aware of my plans- I was candid and let them know I would be starting a family soon.
They slowly started scheduling me back in one location to manage as time went on in my pregnancy. I didn’t mind, I worked less hours than usual- my pregnancy was rough.
I was gone for 4-5 months and explained my new accommodations and schedule.
And that’s where it all went downhill..
Originally I was excited to come back, I gave them my schedule and planned on being flexible. I was then told that with my new availability and “inability to manage one location” I would get a fat pay cut and wasn’t guaranteed hours. I caved and took the management position back after being told they would work with my schedule. Well- they didn’t. They scheduled me outside of said availability and told me to either do it or step down.
Went down to PT, took the L, decided to focus on my family.
1st straw- got told by management I was violating dress code, shorts were too short for my new mom-thighs.
2nd straw- got written up for cutting labor and sending people /myself home early. “They know I have a new baby, but can’t do that”. (Done it for 4 years, but okay!)
3rd straw- corrected an operational issue to follow what I’ve always known to be correct and was told I “screwed up the store”.
(How do I still have straws??)
4th straw- was told I’m aggressive and have been complained about by multiple employees. In fact they don’t even want to work at the store because of me.
“This has always been an issue, you’ve always been like this but no one’s told you.” “You’re not the manager anymore, just come in and smile.”
So you’re telling me after 5 years of experience, 4 years managing multiple locations, having the longest retention, highest volume sales, becoming an area manager- I’m abrasive, I don’t know how to operate a store, I don’t know how to manage labor AND I don’t know the dress code? Damn. Where TF have I been?
Should I leave this toxic place? I’m really not in a good position financially to do so.
For context- this is a job that HAMMERS their “mission statement” about being good people. I don’t feel good. They don’t make me feel good. In fact I feel the opposite.