My confidence just got kicked back down
About 7 weeks ago, I had left a shift in the Casey's kitchen early because a co worker got on my case about something, something that has happened to me too many times over the years. I posted about it that night. Here is the link:
viewtopic.php?t=372095
Thankfully, I haven't had anything like that happen since then. In fact, I have gotten to like quite a few of my co workers, as they seemed to understand my differences. And I have taken a lot of shifts from people too. I've gotten pretty proud of myself
Yesterday, however, that all came crashing down.
School was cancelled for me yesterday(I'm a senior in HS), so when someone texted me asking to take a shift, I jumped at it. That's the 6th time in less than 3 months that I have done that.
This also meant that I will finally meet the head manager of that store(I've met the assintant manager, but not the primary manager since I've only worked when she wasn't).
Not long after my shift started, I was asked to change the coffee pots(I was on store side). I don't remember how it led to this, but the manager ended up saying dialogue that I have heard many times before(Did you not understand anything I said? You look as if you're not paying attention, etc.). After this, she pulled me into the office, where she accused me of the following things:
Not knowing where things are, and asking co workers to get something for me when that's the case
"demanding" others to do things.
Spending time in the office to be upset
She actually told me that I was working against my co workers, and that I was a "body standing in the way". She didn't mention this, but It also doesn't help that for several weeks, the only shifts I had gotten was 5-10 on saturdays, and 1-8 on sundays. And now for the next couple weeks, I'm only gonna get the 5-10 shifts, while giving the 1-8 to other people.
She had also asked me if I thought this is the job for me
One thing that bothers me is that like I said before, It seemed as if most of my co workers had accepted that I have aspergers, but it turns out that they have been bothered by me to the point that they have talked to the manager about things I've done several times.
My confidence has taken a huge tumble. I do things based off of how my mind is wired and this is how people respond to it.
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Early 20s male with Asperger’s and what feels like a mood disorder
Sweetleaf
Veteran
Joined: 6 Jan 2011
Age: 36
Gender: Female
Posts: 35,278
Location: Somewhere in Colorado
The commercial food/restaurant industry is harsh so try not to let it get you down too much. Its seriously a terrible fit for most people with aspergers...my last job was dishwashing at this bar and restaurant, I figured it couldn't be so bad but even that didn't work out and even seemed mildly abusive I didn't get lunch breaks.
I am sure if I had tried to take legal action they would have just said I have the right to take a lunch break, neglecting to mention I was the only person in the dish pit on most my shifts so I didn't have time to go out to lunch or the dishes would pile up and I'd have waitresses yelling at me for silverware and more cups with piles taller than me building up. They also messed up and gave me a 9 day week with full time hour shifts every-day when I had gotten hired for part time...
My advice is stay away from restaurants and fast food, to avoid these crushing experiences seems those places have a toxic work culture by default. Seriously though in this case it wasn't you it was the job so try not to beat yourself up over it.
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Tis the time to melt the Ice.
Omg Cubs, that's not right.
Nobody should be using such derogatory language to an employee, such as "a body in the way" etc.
I wouldn't stand for that sort of treatment. I would approach her superior (head office or such) with a detailed letter of complaint and then get the hell out of there. There are so many hospitality places where employees are valued. Don't settle for this trash - you deserve better! Or - and this would be even better - see if there are other employees who this boss has picked on, band together and see if you can get her fired. My colleagues once had to resort to this while I was overseas, and they managed to have fired a horrible boss who took months of work away from me. It was most satisfying.
And if you want to take my advice, zip your confidence right back up because it's this stupid manager who's the one with the problem, not you. She needs to take a good, hard look in the mirror and work on her people skills. (She thinks she can get away with being mean to you, am I right?) No way - she should be forced to change her behaviour. Nobody should think they can get away with treating honest, hardworking people like this!
Ask yourself: If YOU were the head manager, how would YOU treat somebody who was doing their best and sometimes stuffed up, probably out of the natural nervousness that comes with not wanting to displease a boss she's working with for the first time?
Exactly.
Don't feel sorry for her. Don't get down on yourself. It should be the other way around.
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"There once was a little molecule who dreamed of being part of the crest of a great wave..."
(From the story 'The Little Molecule' - Amazon Kindle, 2013)
