I lost it (almost)

(Written March 11, 2014)

Yesterday I got a call from one of my managers.  He left a message asking me to call him before my shift.  When I called him back he tells me there was a message left in the office saying "no more" telling him to call me, not to come in for my shifts the next couple of days (a dinner shift and a double) and that I need to talk to our general manager (GM).  When I asked him why he replied "Well, I was hoping you could tell me!?"

To me, that sounds like I'm fired.  I can't go to work and make money to pay my bills and I have to talk to the GM...

So, to the job board.  My fiancé went online and found a position open at a closer to home restaurant. We go in, turn in my resume and score an interview. Then I head across the street to the mall where I talk to a manager who really seemed to like me.  Fill out their application online and score another interview with them. Go me (with the help of my wonderful fiancé)!

I call the GM today and she insists that I come in and talk to her.  I asked her over the phone if I was fired, and she says "Well, I don't know yet." That's very reassuring. Though I would like to know if i'm fired or not before I make the 45min drive to have a 5min conversation about me being booted out.

I get to the restaurant, having called before hand to let the GM know I'm on the way, and she has me wait in the lobby for about 25min before she finally comes up to talk to me.  That allows time for me to get further pissed off for having drove all the way out there.  I almost walked out.

Our conversation was somewhat productive.  She wanted me to stay, or rather she wants "this to work out."  I already knew we were short people in the restaurant and she shouldn't be letting go of anyone.

She wanted to talk about the night of my last post, Sunday.  She wanted my view of what happened.  I explained that I was having an off night, that happens from time to time.  And I told her that I knew I was making mistakes and I thought my biggest mistake that night was forgetting about that appetizer.  She agreed with the manager that was working that night, because that guest was having problems from the get go I should have asked my other tables to wait while I cashed her out. Though she seemed surprised to hear that the only things that I needed comped that night (food etc. given to the guests for free because the restaurant staff messed up) was a chicken dish that was undercooked and (apparently this counts) a gift card given to the lady that was extremely impatient.

I also went on to tell her about the issues I was having with management:
•The new busser that is being over paid as a manager. I understand when he is defended as a busy body, needing to do things an keep himself busy, but if that is what he's doing then why can't he help us keep things stoked? Why is he only helping bussers?  He could even help the kitchen as well, but no, he is only helping bussers. And no, I don't care that the last restaurant he managed was a buffet, that is not what this restaurant is and he needs to adjust for that.  The last straw came for me when I was actively using a tray to pre-buss tables and he walked off with the tray!
•Playing favorites.  This particular manager that I was working with Sunday night plays favorites big time.  She has her select group that she likes and protects (in a way) from warnings and write ups, then the rest of us she hangs out to dry.  I was only observing this and thinking about what side I might have been on for her, but after this, taking about $160 out of my pocket by not allowing me to work these past couple of days because she decided to write me up for having to comp an undercooked chicken and give a gift card... obviously I'm not liked.
•The stress they put on all of us, but especially one manager who wrote me up and told me (I'm paraphrasing of course, this is not what he said, but it is how he made me feel after that meeting) the next time you mess up, you're fired.
•The simple fact that this place is not managed well.  We have a new GM so I am understanding of the transition period, but the managers below her should be able to run the restaurant by now.
•And how unprofessional the management is at this restaurant!

By the end of the conversation she decided to take me off Friday nights and Saturdays, our busiest times because she thought I couldn't handle doing the job. And told me that she will talk about the good points I brought up to the appropriate people. She also said I need to be more responsible for what is happening because I have "not an excuse.... but, a... reason I guess" for everything that's going wrong.

I'm very welcome to any interviews and job openings that come my way. This place is not going to get any better like this. And having a manager out to get me fired: not interested in sticking around. Thanks though.