Frustrated

Today was a shittastic day. That's the best word for it.

I walked into work this afternoon to discover that my bosses have been using fear and intimidation to get the workers to do jobs they haven't been trained to do, threatening to send them home for things that they themselves do on a regular basis, and giving the message that if they don't learn to do the things that no one has trained them to do, they might get let go of.

I also found out that the other day, our manager gathered the leads for a meeting and forced them to vote on who should be fired out of our entire work crew. Now, maybe it's just me, but that sounds not only illegal, but completely unethical since it isn't their job or duty to play "Survivor" and vote to kick people off the island. This isn't a game, it's real life, real people, with real money that they each need to be earning, and to force coworkers to turn on other coworkers is just WRONG.

One side of me is really happy that I'm going to be moving jobs soon, but the other side is totally conflicted. I feel like the right thing to do is to make a report of some kind to, essentially the district manager, of our job site, because everyone is too afraid to voice their concerns to our manager, who's been responsible for all the shit going on at work.

Now, again, maybe it's just me, but if your workers are afraid to voice their concerns to you about what's going on in the place their earn their income at, something is not being done right.

I feel two things. Part of me wants to just stay out of it because I don't want any backlash. The other part of me feels that, as a supervisor at work, I have an obligation to these kids (they're all 18-20) years old, and that I need to say something. As it is, at least ten of them are planning to quit by the end of the school year because they are having such a hard time with our manager. Things are escalating and I don't know what to do.

I'm so frustrated at this point, but I needed to vent it out.

Comments

Its like you said its a shame that everyone working there has to feel afraid to speak up. I'd think if you get the district manager to observe the same BS going they'd be in some serious trouble themselves.
 
You do have another job you're going to start soon right? I'm of the opinion that you should speak up the food chain. Any repercussions would be minimal to you. If you haven't made a grand announcement of your quitting you could do it and say you're leaving because of the hostile environment, or leaving so that someone else can have your job.

Doing the Survivor style who to get rid of and forcing the leads to vote on them is cruel. Every place I've ever worked it was whoever had the least seniority in the positions becoming redundant that were let go first.
 
Turkey gave you some good advice.

I would add that if you do any reporting, complaining of any sort to seniority, make sure that you state only facts and they have been well documented.

As a supervisor, you have a responsibility to represent your staff and protect their work environment (IMO). Remember to stay focused, keep your cool, and stick to the facts.

Good luck... sounds like a bad situation
 
Well 1st off congratz on the new job.
2nd If i was in your position I would definitely bring up the issue because if this manager is going on his/her power trip and making work uncomfortable for these kids thats just not right.
3rd you are a supervisor, so yes you are kind of obligated, i wouldnt want people to start talking shit about me because im not saying anything.
4th although your getting a new job im not saying to go ape shit but yea you do have more breathing room. =P
Nice talkin to ya. ;-)
 

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jameshawket
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