Need Advice, Please --

[Boss Mare]

Okay, I'll try to make this as short as possible, but include as much detail as I can....

I work at PETCO, as a Groomer. PETCO decided to send me to grooming school to be a Groomer -- I started out as a Grooming Assistant....

Shortly after I was hired they hired another Grooming Assistant, Kelly who also wanted to go to grooming school; only one could go; I was chosen due to my work ethics.... Since then Kelly has been out to make me look bad and talks trash about me behind my back any chance she gets, even making rude comments to my face which I ignore....

The store manager and grooming manager knows what goes on, but doesn't seem to do anything about it. Kelly seems to be the type of person who can get away with murder and still have a job. She completely just doesn't show up or call on her scheduled days (she admits she's a crack addict and alcoholic; PETCO doesn't do drug testing) and it seems just about every other day I have off I am being called into work to cover for her. She takes double the time she's allowed for lunch, she's always 10-15 minutes late, she'll leave an hour or two early when she's supposed to close grooming alone. She has been caught drinking alcohol on the job, shaving her legs and washing her hair in the tubs we bathe dogs in, yet she still has a job.... I don't understand. She doesn't do her part for cleaning and has had quite a few complaints about her work she does for clients, many in which I've redone for no charge to build cliental.

Well, my grooming manager is pretty much just as bad as Kelly as far as cleaning and leaving early. I feel like I get dumped on and cleaning is pushed 100% on me.. I used to pick up everyone's slack, but I was tired of it going unrecognized. Not to mention it's hard to run grooming 100% alone in the evening -- Trying to get my dogs done, help customers, answer phones, etc. etc. For the past week or so I've only been doing my share of cleaning (we have an assigned list) and now my grooming manager and store manager are complaining about me not making sure everything is done before I leave. I explained how I feel and how everyone doesn't take responsibility and how it needs to be fair.

The store manager and I have/had a good relationship or so I thought.... I've gotten many, many compliments, but it seems like lately even he is out to get me and I can't completely understand why. Yeah, I've had an attitude, but it's because I'm tired of it not being fair.... I have a lot of pride and a bigger attitude when I feel threat or feel as if I'm not being treated fairly.

Literally, this morning I was on the verge of asking my manager for my termination papers to sign.... After he made the comment that everyone in grooming was replaceable, but he "wasn't going to fire me, since this is minor"....

I don't know what to do, I've tried and tried explaining to him what goes on... All he'll do is talk to whoever I have the complaint about and whoever it is will straighten up their acts for a few days then they're back to the same routine... It seems like everyone is happy with me as long as I am bending over backwards for them to do their part, but when I stand up for myself then everyone has a problem with me.... It doesn't help being the youngest employee, but the sad fact is I am probably more mature in many aspects than all of them.

What do I do? I want it to be fair. I want to be recognized for what I do.... I like my job, I don't want to lose it or walk out, but I am also a very protective person when it comes to myself.....

 

[ab_smf]

hope all gose well for you sending prayers for you! :saludando:

 

[Wee Mite Miniatures]

Pick up the phone book and stop in to see all the other groomers in your area.

Start looking for another job.

 

[tinacvt]

I'ts time to contact your regional manager. And if that dosen't work go to where you are appreciated. Good luck.

 

[keeperofthehorses]

Well, your boss is right on one point; groomers are replaceable. But so are grooming jobs. Maybe take advantage of the training they've given you (how stupid is it to invest in an employee's training and then treat them badly) and head out to a better grooming shop! Even better, save up some money for tools of the trade and strike out on your own!

: I've always been happier leaving my dogs with the independent groomers than with big box store shops. Good luck to you.

 

[Marnie]

Thats a good idea, if it'd be possible for you. Take what they have trained you for and work out of your home. I remember what pain in the butts people can be sometimes when you work with them all day long. It sounds to me like you may be stuck between a rock and a hard place. Good luck whatever you do. And - if you were close to me, instead of taking Maggie to Petco, I'd bring her to you!

 

[Marty]

You gotta mess here.

If you want to keep your job, I'd just suck it up.

BUTTTTTTTT while sucking, I'd be looking for another groomer's position too.

 

[Triggy&Blue&Daisy Too]

Michelle, I think it would be a great idea for you to eventuallly branch out on your own if you like grooming. Maybe just consider the job a way to learn the most important aspects of the business to keep you from focusing on how unfairly you are being treated at the moment. I think you'd make an excellent business owner and because of your work ethic it'd be certain to be a successful venture. Like Marnie, if I was closer I'd definately want to be one of your clients!

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Ditto what Shirley says but let your satisfied clients know you will be doing this and let the dissatisfied ones know how you feel and, again, that you will be setting up on your own. You could have cards printed giving details. Yes it would get you into trouble if it was discovered but, once you have decided to go what does it matter.

Personally I would have a very well worded letter of resignation, outlining ALL your reasons for leaving, signed and stamped and addressed to head office, with you at all times. If you find your Boss is trying to fire you, giver him a copy of the letter and mail the original straight away!!

It will only be a moral victory but it will make you feel better

:

 

[sharon]

I once had a job where very similar things were happening. To make a long story short....I finally left the job.

I think you should start looking for another grooming job, and also privately let your satisfied customers know where you are going.

Also, do write to the head of the company. Maybe even give his name and addy to all the unhappy customers and have them write him too.

 

[lvponies]

As someone said....you are between a rock and a hard place!!! It sounds like you've done the mature thing and addressed your concerns in a professional manner. Unfortunately, the situation hasn't resolved itself. Sounds like you maybe have 3 options:

1. Go higher up, regional manager or whomever. This can back fire on you as your store manager will probably resent that you've gone over his head.

2. Stay there, suck it up and continue to the absolutely best job that you can. Your clients will recognize it even if no one in the store does. Continue with your high work ethics and be proud of the job YOU do!

3. Look for another job.

 

[Sonya]

I agree with what jane and shirley said, use the training they gave you and see what you can do. Believe me, hard work will pay off, you're not seeing it now, but the others will get what they deserve in the long run and you will be successful. Good Luck!

 

[Jill]

I am sorry you are going through this. Some of it reminds me of things that happened to me at the bank, where the more I did, the more that was expected to the end when I was doing three jobs and making a very small amount of money even though I was a loan officer.

But, the reality is, I think that it's like this at many employers and it is probably true that every groomer is replacable, as is every cashier, every stock person and every manager. If the company is run "right" really, everyone is replacable because the jobs are structured and the proceedures documented.

Someone as smart as you, and who is obviously as good with animals, should probably one day have her own business. Try and think along those lines if you think that's what you'd eventually like to do, and use the job oportunities you have to learn how to do things, and how not to do things.

Also, take advantage of every training oportunity they allow! And seak them out. Just get all you can out of them, because they will do the same to you and the time will pass regardless.

 

[mininik]

Welcome to the "wonderful" world of corporate groomers! BLAH. Several years ago I worked for Petsmart as a groomer's assistant for two weeks and had to quit. The head groomer was also the district's head groomer, so no help there as she had already picked favorites who could do no wrong.

What finally did it for me (besides the gross back room where bad doggies are taken) was being asked to hold onto a Pom who was "all done and ready to go home." Well, as I stood there petting her I noticed one entire side of her was still a giant matt in her undercoat. I politely pointed it out to the groomer upon her return and all I got was a nasty snarl. SEE YA! I decided that if that's what they were teaching at their grooming school I had no need.

My suggestion would be to deal with what you've got for now to pay your bills, but also be putting out your resume to local groomers. I much enjoyed my time working with privately owned shops even though there's always a bit of this or that going on in them, too. For more opinions and information I would also suggest you check out www.petgroomer.com

Good luck!

 

[Miniv]

I agree with mininik.......Suck up and live with it....bite the tongue, etc. for now. But put out the resumes and job applications now! (Be a wonderful groomer, in the meantime.....for the reference!)

Do NOT quit until you've got a new job in the wings!

Good luck,

MA

PS: When you do give your notice -- request a WRITTEN reference for your files and the future.