[turquoisesea]

Today at the end of my shift I was told to wait, and 2 managers talked to me about my performance. One had written up some kind of complaint. It said that I had been flustered, not multi-tasking well enough, and sending phone calls to someone who wasn't there, and also that customer had been waiting for food for around 10 minutes when it had been waiting on the shelf.
I thought I had been doing ok at work, with an occasional misstep. I know last week was rough. I remember that day too, I remember that food, the person who finished making it placed it on the rack, I cant remember if he calling out the name or not, and I didn't notice it was ready so I assumed he was still waiting on his food, I had other calls coming in constantly and other people walking up to me so assuming he was being taken care of (by the person responsible for handing out food to customers) so I continued with my work. A manager was the one who found this customer. She told me what had happened and my co-worker was shocked that the customer hadn't at least announced his presence... the manager however was upset that I hadn't brought the customer his food.

I'm not perfect but I thought I was at least ok.

But this review says that if I don't show improvement in the next 2 weeks (in which time I'll have a meeting with the managers who will let me know how I'm doing) there could be repercussions including possibly my getting fired. It also mentioned getting crosstrained into a more suitable environment. They said I was not showing improvment they are after for someone who's worked there a few months. I thought I was doing ok,

Basically... I'm not doing well enough
I was proud of this too, and I'm afraid of this in the next few weeks. Bad time for this to happen with everything that's happened in the past few weeks, I don't know how to handle this pressure right now... just crying

[idontknow13]

((((((turquoisesea))))))
So sorry you have to go through this. The workplace can be a very stressful place.
Take good care of yourself

[Berries]

(((((((((((turquoisesea)))))))))))

I'm so sorry, turquoisesea. What a terrible thing to go through. I wish I could hug you until the tears went away....

[cafegrrrl]

You're not alone...i'm going through something very similar at my job too....I just got written up for the 2nd time in a month or so for not cutting fabric right and for not knowing something about a bolt of fabric. ONe more time and i'm outta there....

It's sooooo scary and disappointing, especially this time of year. I'm walking on eggshells at work too and it's making it harder for me to do my job.

Hope it gets better for you....

[pachyderm]

There seems to be an ethic in this country where it is OK to fire people or just blame them for making mistakes, rather than comforting them and trying to solve problems, instead of cutting them off. I can't think of anything much to do about it except just to find those hidden people who will not do that to you.

[leacon]

Sweetie I know far too well how hard the workplace can be. Keep on trying though. Maybe you could ask a manager how you could change things to do better.

[justfloating]

(((((((((((turquoisesea)))))))))))


I had a similar experience where I worked over the summer. That place did a real number on my self-esteem and I'm STILL dealing with some of the mental/emotional stress months after I quit. I did not understand my job description very well, was not trained properly and was not told what I was supposed to be doing most of the time, I was just expected to figure it out on my own and it somehow became my fault when I wasn't doing something right. Employers don't always see their employees as fallible beings. But you're human, you make mistakes and I think after all you've been dealing with lately it's amazing that you even CAN work. I'm not sure I'd be able to; I don't know how you do it!

Try to remember that your job doesn't define you, okay? If you're having a hard time, it says absolutely NOTHING about you as a person. Sending lots and LOTS of hugs.

[Yoda]

Two weeks seems a bit unrealistic to me to evaluate your progress. Besides everybody makes mistakes.

Gah! I hate work conflict. I had a charge nurse for awhile that despised me and I have no clue why. That was no fun.

Here is hoping everything works out for you, turquoisesea. Sorry this happened.

[turquoisesea]

Thank you everyone for the encouragment it means a lot

[Sabrina]

Sorry you have to go through this. It all seems to be a bit unfair to you!

[garden]

Turquoisesea, we've all experienced scrutiny and it seems so more with the way the economy has become. May I suggest asking the manager how she would handle that same situation and ask her to relate to you in a teaching manner? So how aware does she think she can be with a customer not making an acknowledgement? Or, is it usual for that kind of situation to occur? Hope that sounds reasonable. Cause if I can see/visualize I can see it through. HUGS

[lonegael]

Very good post above! I think that it sounds as if the one person doesn't quite get it. Also, I know that food industry work is extremely stressful! did it myself once and I will never go back if I have a choice. I think that it would also be good to get a clearer picutre of what you have to expect from them, and a right to ask for a bit more feedback earlier on. good luck to you dear and I am so sarry that this happened. I would be devasted. Huggs.

I would definitely ask for some specific suggestions and maybe even brief re-training to show you are motivated to fix whatever the problems are.

[Rohag]

I'm also sorry you experienced that and are in fear of losing your job. Here are a couple of thoughts I had pondering the situation (I wish to stress this is not advice; just the stray thoughts of a depressed, somewhat quirky mind):

1. Sure, you want to do well at your job; no one (OK, maybe a few) wants to be known as incompetent. But, do you really want to excel at something for which you are not suited or destined? What if Yo-Yo Ma had somehow gotten into food service and did so well at it that he never took up the cello?

2. Sometimes I feel ornery. Fantasizing about your situation (you did say elsewhere you think you've found a new therapist, yes?), I think I might go back to the managers and request a hard copy report of their counseling to present to your therapist; you need it because the report will supply evidence of the impact of your disorders on your "activities of daily living" (ADLs). What's going to buzz through their minds? "Argh! Americans with Disabilities Act! Lawyers! Potential lawsuits! Mountains of paperwork!" Ah, a middle manager's nightmare! Let them have some sleepless nights.

I can dream...

Turquoisesea!

[turquoisesea]

Thanks everyone!

And Rohag - I LOVE your second suggestion =D It brought a huge smile to my face, I couldn't help but laugh

[NuckingFutz]

*IMPORTANT INFO FOR ANYONE IN THIS WORK SITUATION: There is a document called the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) that had some info in it that saved my *****. Same situation as our cello playing friend here. In my situation I told my employer why I could not work each time I called in. One time I even called in when I was on the psychward. Told them I had depression. I was walking on eggshells. Got out of the hospital and was finally was cleared to go back to work in writing by my pdoc. Corporate policy stated head of personnel had to sign off on important personnel docs. Supervisor pulled my entire file and stated she would just have them sign off on my last review. As personnel read my last review and the release, personnel's jaw dropped and turned white as a sheet. I was immediately told I could go back. Next day boss lady was walking on eggshells and review was rewritten in a positive light. Turns out I could have sued my employer because of the FMLA doc. I will see if I can help you.

[youOme]

i know the feeling, when your working your hardest, doing your best, thinking your doing good...then some ones gotts take the wind out from your sails... i hate that. it really sucks, but don't let them take it from you, just keep tugging on doing your best, it's the only thing you can do.

[Bill1800]

Hi there everyone. I was just perusing the forums and stubbled upon this one and thought I could put my two cents in...

I really feel for people who do their best and still get written up, we all make mistakes but unfortunatly there are managers out there that think they are like a god who never make mistakes, we all do, just some people will either not admit it or will make it look like it was someone elses mistakes.

I am a branch supervisor for a construction supply company and have done my fair share of mistakes, my last one was only a couple of weeks ago and boy oh boy it was a biggy, it cost the company 2000.00 plus. I was soooooo distraught about it, got me into a very deep depression as I take my job very seriously and am somewhat of a perfectionist when it comes down to my work. I almost lost a quarter million dollar account with this mistake. Well, things worked out in the end we negotiated with the customer, he is a real *** and bipolar I think, just wont admit it, but we still have his acct, which is the main thing. So like I said we all make mistakes.

Now saying all that, I am not sure what your education level is, but why not take some night school courses or even go to college full time if possible. When I was in my early 20 s I worked at a minimum wage job and could not find anything else as I had no skills that were in demand. I found out that the federal govt was putting on a heating ventilation course, a one year course where they paid you for going to college, I jumped at the opportunity and have not looked back since. I now have a very in demand job and have done well. All because I took a big chance and quit my job and went to college.

I realize that not everyone cannot do this but if you can, try to find opportunities like this and see where it takes you......Good Luck

[lonegael]

Ah, those Bipolars who don't admit it! what a squirrley bunch! Huggs TS. Anything new?

[turquoisesea]

Thank you everyone =D

lonegal - nothing new about it, I probably won't hear much until 2 weeks are up, but I'm probably going to have to leave work anyway to go back to school (this is more about how this makes me feel) Everyone has actually been pretty supportive at work, the managers all supportive in their own ways - but that makes them hard to read because I'm not sure what they really are thinking.

I was partially responsible for one mistake that was made yesterday, costing the business a $20 gift card, though it wasn't completely MY mistake (it was someone else's job to make sure this didn't happen) it still gets back to me... so I'm hoping that won't come up. Today ZERO mistakes as far as I know. Granted the managers who brought the issues up weren't there to see that *sighs* but still, it's good to have a day where there were no problems.

NuckingFutz- thank you for letting me know about this. I think I'm going to file this away because one thing I've been SO SCARED about is losing a job because to an employer "mental disorders aren't the same as physical ones" or "don't count". *looks more information about his up*

((((you0me)))))

Bill1800 - nice to meet you and thanks for the advice and example. I am going back to school! So that's good It's good to hear this from someone in a management position, this particular workplace is VERY picky about their employees - their waitresses are reviewed at regular intervals. I find it incredible - they're judged on how many appetizers they sell, the percent tips they're getting, how fast they turn their tables - these factors are so influenced by the people that come in the door! If I go into a restaurant, no matter how hard the waitress pushes I'm only going to get water, and probably no appetizer

[darkpurplesecrets]

((((turquoisesea)))

Just wanted to send you gentle hugs and loving thoughts. I know things are tough but we are here and pulling for you.

dps