fuck this job.com

After posting my last little self-indulgent recap, I had an idea. We all share stories about the terrible ways our bosses constantly attempt to crush our souls into a fine powder and snort it off of a hooker's ass. Let's switch gears and try to remember those managers, supervisors, and other higher-ups that are, or seem to be, decent, competent, and diligent. Rare as they are in our American service economy, these people deserve to be appreciated.

I had many terrible managers during my tenure in the food service industry, but I had one store manager who really seemed to have a talent for balancing the welfare of his employees against the wishes of his bosses and customers. This is especially notable since these factors directly contradict each other, especially in a high-volume restaurant. Since he was really good at training, every employee was confident and empowered in their ability to handle every circumstance, with a large and well-trained management team backing them up. Food quality and proportion was always in line, so lectures regarding these issues were very rare, if not non-existent. Since it was always so busy, everybody got all the hours they wanted, without having to give up important events at home. Because sales were high and complaints low, evaluations and raises were given fairly and regularly. Because of all these factors, employee morale was high.

I was just reading some of my old blogs. Do me a favor and do a search for Demandred. Feel free to tell me how much of a tool I was. Come to think of it, I might still be.

Did you know that FThisJob.com does not have an entry on Wikipedia? Can we not do something about that? Just a thought.

Get back to me on that.

I have been lucky these last few months. If you ever get the chance to work in file custody, even as a temp, at a big company, take it! I started with very low expectations, at $8.50/hr, doing monkey work. After working in restaurants for the previous six years, this was so easy it was pathetic. I started with a great supervisor who looked out for me, and gave me a little more responsibility here and there, but not so much that I felt taken advantage of. Within a week, I was a (unofficial) team leader, but without the extra pay. But, since my duties were not unreasonable or difficult, I didn't complain. I didn't have to suck up or go out of my way to impress anyone (which I swore I would never do again). I just showed up every day and exceeded production standards (which isn't difficult considering these standards are for people who have just now mastered how to operate the drink fountain at Mickey Deez) and spoke my mind on all subjects on which my input was called for. After two months, a team lead spot opened up and my then supervisor (!) personally recommended me, saying "I've been trying to get you a raise anyway and I've been needing someone in that department I can depend on to cooperate with me." No pressure, right? Right! It turns out that these guys in my new department were lazy and slow, and their former team leader was buddies with these guys. My new supervisor almost immediately replaces half my new crew with young women who will work harder and with more initiative. There's even heavy lifting involved. But overall my new position didn't really require extra work, but it came with a $2/hr raise.

It's been almost five weeks now and I'm wondering when this job was supposed to get hard. They keep piling on more responsibilities every week and acting like this is serious stuff. I see now why they get temps to do this, but I'm wondering why they pay us this much. On the other hand I see so many people struggling with it and getting fired for not making quotas, workers and supervisors alike (most of my supervisors are temps, too. Go figure.). I now help run one department and work in another, yet I still get bored and end up clock-watching. It's hard to be pessimistic when things are going so well, but I know it's not going to last. I will soon reach my level of incompetence, whereever that is in an office environment.

Well, I got a new job. After talking so good about my current job, I actually had a better job fall into my lap. As of Monday morning, I was looking forward to another week at Johnny's Pizza, now it's Thursday night and I just finished my last shift at Johnny's. I know a month from now I will be writing venomous, angry words on this site, but right now I'm just a little excited to be doing something that doesn't require kissing customer ass. Now I'll be kissing my boss'es ass over at Chase Mortgage.Granted it's temp work, but it starts at $8.50/hr with unlimited overtime, or so I've been told. But in inimitable Morvayne style, I'm gonna stay optimistic until evidence that that they're screwing me over is beating me over the head.

I swear, working as an instore sucks so bad. I am seriously pissed right now. I cut pizzas when they come out of the oven, which is easy when things go right which they only do when I'm making the pizzas AND cutting them. Last few nights have been terrible. Last Friday night was really busy so we are supposed to have one person cutting and one person putting orders together. There is only one other crew member who knows what he's doing, because I trained him. The MOD decides to assign him another position and puts himself in that spot, and disappears for most of the night, except to walk by and jump my ass for not being fast enough.

Here's a little update for you all. In late 2004, things were going from bad to worse at Pizza Hut, until one Thursday I was scheduled to come in early at 2PM to cover for my store manager so she could go to a meeting of the area's managers. I showed up and realized that she had sent every crew member home early and the evening crew would not begin showing up until 6. Oh and the supply truck would be showing up at any moment. So I was stuck trying to put away all the food, making pizzas, serving tables, and cashing out customers. Now she knows that the dinner rush starts around 4PM every day, but rarely schedules anyone to come in at 5PM, and never at 4PM.

Demandred makes his auspicious return under the new guise of Morvayne! It has been two years since I disappeared from Fthisjob.com, and many thing have changed. I still work in the pizza business, albeit for a smaller regional company. I am no longer a manager, thanks to the back-stabbing management culture at Pizza Hut, but am a lowly peon. But no pity is necessary, forthcoming or not, because I am happier with my current job, despite any incidents or occurences that you may hear about in future posts. I make less money, but I don't constantly have a headache from stress, and for me, the two balance out beautifully. But enough talk about me. I see Mister X and Ndiezel still post, so a big whassup to both of you. If there is anybody else still posting that recognizes or even remembers my former user name, please speak up and be heard.