I HATE the company I work for.

[BeachBum1984]

Basically, from the email I got today, I think what is going to happen is this: Associates that were scheduled to work during the hurricane but didn't because we closed early will be getting paid. So they get paid for not working, and I'll be getting my rate of regular pay for the hours I WAS at work. So I had to work in the hurricane, power going on and off all day, BEGGING (really) our regional manager to let us go home early (we got to leave at 3, when it was starting to get really bad only because our power went out. We were supposed to close at 5). Others get to stay in the safety of their homes while I had to go out in it 3 times (to work, bank, and home), and we both get paid? Not OK with that.

I'm ALWAYS the one getting stuck working during natural disasters because I live the closest, and it's the same routine every time. They don't care about the safety of the associates, they want us to stay open as long as possible to make every extra dollar possible. I can't keep working for a company who gives so little regard to the people who actually keep it in business.

[Gertie2u]

I hated that about retail. It is the same at pretty much every store. I found it slightly better when I moved to doing secretarial work, but only very slightly. I know people are in business to make money, but I just wonder about people's common sense sometimes. Sorry that happened to you.

[Doglover8180]

Unfortunately, the reality is, in this economy, the employer runs the show. Let's face it, everyone wants a job, employers can have their pick of whomever they want and pay as little as they wish because employees need a job and the jobs are scarce right now so employers have the upper hand.

[kbullsexy07]

We had snow in Dallas this past winter and of course I still went to work because I can't afford not to go. Alot of my co-workers called in for 3-4 days even though the roads were clear and schools were back in session.

I later found out that anyone who called in that week still got full pay without having to use any sick/vacation days.

It kind of made me sick thinking that I did my job as well as my bosses, while she sat at home all week collecting full pay..but what can you do!

[PHmom]

Last winter we got an email from one of the "higher up the food chain" peeps that basically said "if the facility is open, we expect you to be here" and went on to mention one specific way high up person and said "if he can get here - so can you!" etc...

Well, we had one particularly nasty day with snow and ice - I managed to get myself there (under fear of losing my job after that email) - taking about 4 times longer than usual and passing several wrecks along the way! I almost fell 5 or 6 times (had to grab random cars and walls) getting across the parking lot and into the building. I arrive to find that neither the person who sent this email NOR the other person referenced in the email had bothered to come in!!! I was FURIOUS to say the least and I can tell you that if we get more weather like that this year you can believe that I will be sitting at home!!

[Beka27]

I work at a retail job, been there for over 7 years, worked there through college, and I'm still there a couple days a week because I haven't found a job in my field yet.

A few winters ago I was scheduled to work during the worst snowstorm of the year. We have a very long driveway (about 1,000 feet); it's impossible to fully shovel it so we have a family member plow it, but we don't get plowed until after his paying customers are done. It might be early afternoon before we can get out. Now on this day, (for some reason) I was determined to get to work. I got stuck several times in the driveway, had to dig my way out. I got stuck on the MAIN ROAD! I had to use all of my "driving expertise" (lol) to rock my car out. I get to work and there's only 4 or 5 of us there, including the manager. We had maybe 5 customers all day. There wasn't any "thank you" from my manager for coming in despite my struggles getting there. And it wasn't even an "easy day". Instead, they made us clean shelves and stuff to fill our time. This was more physically taxing on me than had we been busy (I have a desk job). When I was leaving, I got stuck a couple more times in the driveway of the store. A good Samaritan with a truck drove by and had to pull me out.

When I get home and recount the horrors of the day to my husband, he says in his infinite wisdom, "Well, why did you go in?" It's at that point I thought to myself, "WHY on Earth DID I go in?!!? He has a great job, my job is just for some extra cash, and it's in no way vital to our survival.

So now, if there's too much snow, I call off. The company I work for is pretty good in that they would never fire an employee if they can't make it to work due to bad weather. It's not worth my safety if I'm putting myself in danger getting there. It seems like every winter now we'll have one really bad snow day, and if I'm scheduled to work that day... you will find me snuggled on the couch with my son. I never regret not going in.

[jkljkl]

They don't care about the safety of the associates, they want us to stay open as long as possible to make every extra dollar possible.

That is just so wrong.

[Doglover8180]

In the past, I have had those miserable jobs that I just hated and I can say with certainty, that it is worth it to find a job that you like, a company that you respect, and co-workers that treat you decent.... it's worth a pay cut even if you can find that.... cause being miserable 40 hours a week is alot - I often feel like I am at work more then I am with my loved ones so I think it is key to find a job that you like!