What will happen today????? (long)

[LadyV]

Well, I'm fairly to new to this board but I need to vent a bit. I recently started a new job (bout a month ago) and my employer tends to be nasty. I have been a professional groomer for 16 years. This woman seems to think I can do nothing right. I don't put bandanas on the pets right, don't use the correct scissors, don't hand scissor correctly, in her eyes I don't do ANYTHING right, yet when I mention that perhaps I should find other employment, she gets really upset! I e-mailed her a letter last night. Here it is:

XXXXX,
I Had been waiting on sending this because I was hoping that I would find a chance to talk with you face to face but that's just not gonna happen so....here is what's really bothering me. I don't feel too comfortable in my current position and it is very apparent that you are not please with me either. I over hear things that are said concerning the work I do, and concerning which dogs you don't want me doing or touching. I do not want to end up being in a situation such as XXXXXX is in. You are keeping her in your employment, but as soon as you were to find other, better help, you would let her go. If you do not feel I am competent to do my job, than I shouldn't be there, its just that simple! Your remarks, or rather, the way you say some of the things you say, makes me feel as if you find everything I do wrong. I am having a hard time understanding why I am still working for you, unless it is because, in your opinion, I'm better than no extra help at all and you are coming into the holiday season You simply can not keep employees if you make them feel as if they are there until you find someone else you consider better. People need to be treated in such a manner as to boost them, not tear them down. Other wise, you have very unhappy employees, that will leave when they find something better! I also find it uncomfortable knowing about XXXXXX or anyone else's mistakes. I feel that is something that should be handled in a professional manner between employer and employee, it's none of my business, or any one else's. It is also no one else's business when I make a mistake.** I would also like to know why, when there is a problem, you do not come to me yourself and tell me. You usually have XXXXX tell me. I understand that you are having XXXXX "oversee" my work and that's fine, but XXXXX is not my employer, you are. When there are specific problems, it should come from you.We can discus this in person if you would like, or you can e-mail me back, but either way we need to straighten these things out if I am to continue employment with you and to make things more pleasant and make for a less stressful environment through the coming holiday season.Talk to you later,
Cloud

Do you think this was the wrong thing to do? I sent it last night when I was still fuming. This Salon is a family shop...a lot of family issues always being thrown around, PLUS they are ULTRA Christian...the closed minded type and this is the first time I have been in the closet at my work place, for 20 years!
Well, I'm off to work.......I'll let you all know..I'm nervious!

[Da Witch]

I think you did the right thing , congrats. Instead of b*tch*ng and whinning to others (like she is apparently doing) you are trying to remedy the situation. I applaud you for that. You aren't afraid to defend yourself.

[Margie]

I agree :thumbsup: to you. Great job!

[Methanespirit]

ladyV; I believe you did the right thing. I have found that family operated businesses are the easiest or the most difficult to work for -it depends on how well they accept you. It has nothing to do with the quality of work you perform., but rather it is simply a social issue with them. Often I have found their word is no good, that is, you cannot depend on anything in the way of promises, or inferred promises they may say toward your welfare and job security. There are some birthdays that usually denote those proprietors to avoid especially in family-operated businesses. They are Jan. 15 to Feb. 13, April 15 to May 15, and July 17 to Aug. 16. Also, I have found that those who claim to be "Christian" with those birthdays are all the more untrustworthy.

Hugs.............Methane

[Myst]

Just a note. I think you were right in facing the issue head on, but I think it is essential for people to remember that what they "hear" about someone is almost never exactly what was said. Something is almost always misinterpreted, misunderstood, or misrepresented. I hope this goes well for you and the issue will be cleared.

[Illuminatus]

rrrow! hiss!!!

That's pretty much sums up your e-mail, doesn't it?

If you have a problem with someone, you bring it up politely and professionally to their face. E-mail, an IMPERSONAL form of media, is the professional equivalent of the silent treatment over the dinner table. "Billy, please ask your mother to pass the potatos." "Mom, dad says please pass the potatos." You say things in e-mail because you are scared to say them directly, and you end up coming off completely bitchy in so doing.

I'm glad I'm a man and I don't have any qualms of telling people what I think directly in a personal setting. You think your e-mail has cleared the air between you and your employer? All you've done is given her another reason to gripe.

You should talk to her in person, and failing that, track down her superior and have a word with them.

- Ill

[gunner]

as i read that post she has tried to tell that boss there is a problem, if an employee asked me if she should "find other employment" i'd figure that there was a problem but as she describes it rather than either say "maybe you're right" and try to work it out or let her go to find a better place the boss "gets upset" and stops listening. in that case i'd say the e-mail was a "knock on the head" to get the bosses attention. given her state of mind i'd say that ladyV did a decent job of stating her case. what the outcome will be we'll likely hear soon.

[LadyV]

Well, she didn't get my e-mail last night but when I left work today I told her to check it as I had e-mailed her last night. The day was awful, I did nothing right, and once again she told my co worker, not me, that things were wrong. She also made the remark that she didn't think I'd be staying there long but that they'd do fine without me. This is what she says about everyone that leaves. I have never heard her say anything nice about any past employees and she talks about everyone that is currently there. The other employees are upset because if/when I leave, she will not schedule less animals, just expect them to do more work! Before I started, they were there some times till 8 at night 6 days a week. In the grooming profession, an 8 hour day is considered long due to the fact that it is a very physical and mental job! How you feel and what is going on with you , the groomer, effects how you groom. Its a craft and you are dealing with living creatures using extremely sharp instruments. She is burning her help out quickly! I am just so upset. I am dependable and reliable, I come in on time and I do quality work, I just don't get it! I am hoping to hear from her tonight, but my co workers all agree she will deny, lie and insist that I am completely wrong! I'll keep you informed.