Venting.

[B1ondeange1]

So, still trying to make the best of a bad situation, but it gets harder and harder daily.

Evidently our GM promising to get us transfers was just that, him promising to get transfers for us.  There has been nothing in writing or any indications of such from anyone at a regional/district/corporate level... Our GM got transferred, 2 weeks ago.  We were supposed to get a "bench manager" whatever that is, but we haven't seen her yet.  In the meantime, we have our former ASM now acting as our GM.  In two weeks she's caused 3 people to quit.  One just walked out in the middle of her shift, the other two finished their shifts and just haven't been heard from and will not answer their phones.  So our understaffed store of 12 employees is down to 9, and the ASM/GM doesn't want to mess with payroll, so other people's hours have all been cut (including mine, I'm now stuck at 30 or less per week.)  Two more employees are about to walk out, she can't hire anyone, because honestly, who wants a job for less than 2 months only to get let go after everyone has hired for the holiday season.

Morale is in the toilet, sales have tanked, but somehow she thinks it's still all sunshine and roses and doesn't believe anything that is going wrong is her fault.  Regardless of the fact that everyone has told her how incompetent she is and the only reason she still has a job is all the GM's she's worked for covered for her (Which was stupid on their parts.)

Still making less than I have ever made since graduating high school 20+ years ago, having my hours cut is a huge strain on the family budget again... I'm not sure I'm going to last until the store officially closes in mid-November, I'm looking for another job, but no one seems to be calling back.

Sorry for the rant... but this is the venting thread and honestly, I hate posting this sort of stuff on facebook, y'all are generally much more supportive and encouraging than anyone else...

she sounds like my manager. Before my three week break for wedding and honeymoon she had been picking so badly on this one part timer at work. As in its almost outright bullying. Giving him lists of jobs for the day to do on his own that three of us would be lucky to get done then going off at him coz he couldn't finish it, constantly riding his arse about shell and accusing him of all kinds of sh!t. Yeah he is lazy, but abusing him isn't going to make him work any faster and there is no call for her to talk to him like she does. Half the time she treats him like a disobedient 7 year old when he is about 20. Every time he applies for a transfer to another store that is closer to his home and gives him more hours she blocks it. And its not his fault he can't get his assigned tasks done when hekeeps getting stuck helping customers becoz we are severely understaffed coz she doesn't know how to do rosters properly, and whinges about not having enough budget to have peopleon, only for me to overhear her bragging to another store manager how she saved so much on pays this last week. And on top of that she still can't manage properly, the way she treats all of us is getting worse, the good area manager who came in and was putting her in her place and making her pick up her act is gone and I'm not sure the new area manager is.

if the guy who is being bullied hasn't already quit, a couple of usmore senior team members are gonna try and help him get a job elsewhere because it isbeyond a joke.

in other news, wedding and honeymoon are over. Sigh, back to the real world. Only good thing is now thats over I can start saving money again and start serious job hunting coz I have to get out of my store before I completely go mad or rage quit (which doesn't work so well coz I hage to give 4 weeks notice). I can also start trying to get stuff done about my ankle, which, mind you, I finally gota letter about from the specialist.  Not giving me an appointment,  just asking if I still need treatment coz they are reviewing their records and it is coming up to 18 MONTHS since my referral was sent through. I got that letter a few days ago and I am still angry about it, probably not helped by the fact I've been in crippling pain for the last few days

[Master Bluespike74]

From the realm of Ultimate Chaos:

I wrote something way more profound earlier but decided it was too much to hit the post button.  No matter how hard I try, I am never going to escape the realm of chaos.  So I guess I better just make it my home.

I have taken a 1/3 cut in pay.  I have to drive across the state to attend my job.  My hours just recently got cut as in I will not be working a single day at one job for November.  

I thought things were looking up when I got into nursing school.  I even start taking classes on Monday.  

I just spent two hours speaking with a counselor about an allegation that my children are not safe in my care.  If I have ever made anything clear on the forums, Facebook or in person it is that I love my children.  I lost a child and rather than have her as a nameless soul wandering in the world to come, I gave her a name:  Anna Elizabeth.  My kids have never missed a dental or drs. appt.  They have been placed in a daycare that has an outstanding reputation.  They have no broken bones, plenty to eat, a roof over their heads, and the safety equipment in my car is the best I could find.  They are warm in winter and cool in summer.  My daughter eats fresh fruits and veggies and has milk with every meal.  She has never touched a soda or fruit juice.  I have never had anyone in professional positions declare that my children were unhealthy or unhappy.  They have never been spanked by me as the tone of my voice is enough to get their attention.  Where this came from, I am uncertain but it sure as sunlight tears at my heart.  

I am committed for the next 2.5 years to finish nursing school.  I had to wade through 40 nursing jobs just to find even a part time lab job.  Why?  Because I used to work with idiots that thought this was a sword:



I have seen employees and patients walking the halls with .40 and 9mm strapped to their hips with no weapons violations being reported to HR.  I bring an f***ing walking stick to work when I was called in on an emergency basis after teaching a private martial arts lesson and I am fired.  

One court case has been decided in my favor and who knows when the 2nd one will be put on a docket.  

So I sit here now wondering if my children are going to be taken from me.  I wonder if I am an idiot for even trying to go to nursing school as the ones that are my motivation for trying to get myself on more solid ground.  

One of my best friends saw me today and made the following comment:

"When I first met you, you were really a happy person.  I always thought you were kind and compassionate.  Now you just look either sad or mad all the time.  What happened dude?"  

I have just come to the realization that if you do not have money, you do not have power or any sway.  Most of my female friends often comment that they won't even look at a man that doesn't have money.  Everyone preaches compassion and forgiveness but they lie.  I don't see the compassion and forgiveness coming my way.  

In the past 17 years of working in healthcare, I have had nurses spit in my face; doctors physically hit me with a chart, first, or hand; patients bite me, kick me in the groin and knees, and then have all of them complain that I wasn't nice to them.  

It has all just become too much.  I have moved into the apartment that is attached to my basement.  My son is in daycare and in the care of his mother.  My daughter is currently staying with my parents.  I am just about as destroyed as Anakin after being burned on Mustafar.

My closing comments are these:

1.  If you have a great life, enjoy it.  Don't make others work so hard for your love.  If you have someone that cares about you, be happy that you do.  Don't let me rain on anyone's unicorns that puke rainbows.  You are truly a special breed and I admire it.

2.  If you are just starting out in life, do your very best to attach yourself to as much money as possible.  It is not the root of evil, it is the root of power.  You are less likely to wind up in the friend zone or gutter.  That means you need to get an education or develop a skill that no one else has and guard it with all your energy.  It is the only true secret to success.

3.  Compassion and forgiveness are nothing more than meaningless sentiments like the "War on Drugs, Terror, or Poverty."  You'll spend your entire existence trying to dig a hole while others are throwing the dirt on top of you.  If someone seeks to take things away from you, be sure to fight back with all your might and cunning.  Destroy the snake before it can take hold, wrap around you, and force the last ounce of life you have left.  

Everything written by me is from an American location and American point of view.  If your part of Terra has its shiz together, then be thankful.  

Hoping everyone is having a great day with lots of sabering.

Blue, Chaos' envoy of the end.

[B1ondeange1]

Im sorry things are so rough Blue.

but at the same time, money is NOT everything. Money can make life easier, hell if I had money I could afford to get this damn ankle operated on. Not having money makes things difficult, but money itself has never brought me happiness. Loving friends and family have done that. I grew up on welfare with a severely depressed father and while it was rough, I feel I was far far better off than many of my friends who grew up with materialistic attitudes- we learnt to appreciate the little things in life, the times spent together as family. We did a lot of little things and made a big deal out of xmas for the crafty things we made, for what we did as a family, and not for expensive presents because we couldnt afford them. And you know what, making a gingerbread house together as a family and seeing the joy on kids faces when they see it is worth more than expensive presents to me. So is seeing the excited looks on the faces of my nieces and nephews when I give them their home made advent calander every year. Its not the cost of what is inside that matters- its the wonder and joy of opening each day and discovering what they get.

money might make the world go round, but it doesnt provide true love and happiness.

[Dauntless Seven]

Hi Blue.  Really sorry to read about your ongoing woes and battles.  Since you asked a question about continuing nursing, I have to say no because you are just getting deeper into the dragon's den.  Nurses don't get much and at times any respect from co-workers, patients, families and visitors.  We are just the worker bee's and the complaints department.  Sure we get paid more for this, but work lousy shifts with a lot of free overtime and the union dues are multiple.  That is if a new grad can even find a permanent line.  Most are working on at least two different areas so that they can get closer to a high part-time or full-time pay so that student loans are covered.  As an older/more mature person, there is definitely a generation and values gap with the younger nurses.  They generally are more about ego centered personal needs and expected entitlements.  They leave on time and often are using their phone instead of working as a team.  It's not all negative though and there can be a lot of laughter and support from your "other family".

I have found that the nicer and more caring you are, the more you get stomped on and complained about to management.  So I survive by being alpha dog when I have to, hopefully without being rude or threatening and call out my supervisor when she is being an unreasonable jerk.  I also have to remember that there is a manager higher up than her that is putting on the pressure.  My saving grace is that I have been a nurse for a long time and have a lot of seniority.  Still there is a not so hidden agenda to get rid of the higher salaried older nurses by micro-monitoring and complaining about union approved sick days taken.  The outright physical aggression is just not acceptable and if you have a union, make a grievance.  And since you are involved in court cases try to get as much money as you can since they have taken it away from you.  There is very little holistic and healthy about the healthcare fields these days ($$$).  Lots of passive-aggressive and placating activity.

Have you considered getting an electrician or a trades certification since you seem to have a natural flair and knowledge base for this.  You could be your own boss as there are loads of people wanting work done by a private handy-man craftsman.  People and especially seniors generally who would be appreciative of your skills and service and be prepared to give you monetary compensation.  Would be less stressful.  Also how about a paid service that offers accompanying seniors to doctor's appointments, shopping, etc.  Hope the children situation resolves soon in your favor.  Take care and big hug your way.

[JEStucker]

Sorry to hear about all this Blue, believe me, it does get better.

I've been down that road, and am still walking it trying to find my way back to a path I'm more comfortable with.  The last six years of my life have seen me lose a $35 per hour job (with excellent benefits,) file for bankruptcy,  take a $13 per hour job to keep the bills paid, get lied to (and about) and fired, to end up turning 40 and working at an $8.50 per hour retail job that I will now be losing in mid-November.  The only saving grace I have right now is I'm less than a year from finishing my degree (granted then I'll have my loans to pay back...)

The applications and resumes are going out, but no calls are coming back in.

If you need to talk or just vent, shoot me a PM and I can send you my contact information.  I'll be checking the boards on my lunch break, and I usually lurk about while I'm at school working on drafting projects.

[Vixus PriX]

Wow, I saw this thread activate, and thought "wow, how great would venting be right now." but after reading your vent... my life is not that bad. but the truth is... (wait, let me give this a special place to make it easier to see)

Life really likes to kill those of us who try. Because those who don't are envious of us because we are more successful. Blue, you are an amazing man. The fact that you are crushed by the onslaught of other peoples insults- shows that you have standards, and that you keep yourself to them. Keep trying, piss off the little guys who step on you. Really if you think about it, the reason they step on you is because you are the one who will get them the highest, because the person on the shoulders of the strong is on top.

A couple

Sorry to hear about all this Blue, believe me, it does get better.

I've been down that road, and am still walking it trying to find my way back to a path I'm more comfortable with.  The last six years of my life have seen me lose a $35 per hour job (with excellent benefits,) file for bankruptcy,  take a $13 per hour job to keep the bills paid, get lied to (and about) and fired, to end up turning 40 and working at an $8.50 per hour retail job that I will now be losing in mid-November.  The only saving grace I have right now is I'm less than a year from finishing my degree (granted then I'll have my loans to pay back...)
The applications and resumes are going out, but no calls are coming back in.
If you need to talk or just vent, shoot me a PM and I can send you my contact information.  I'll be checking the boards on my lunch break, and I usually lurk about while I'm at school working on drafting projects.

and yes, it does get better. I don't think you were on the page when I vented over at the Red Jedi HQ, but my life was in the gutter, and I was crushed. Since then, I have come back on top. It will. those words are powerful.

I don't agree with Dauntless' comment entirely.
If you enjoy nursing- do it! It is a generous profession, and many thanks will come from the person that you save from cancer, or save from bleeding out.  I personally will thank you for that in advance.
If you don't enjoy nursing- dump it! if nursing will drag you down, and your life will suck because of it, it's not worth it. But if YOU enjoy it, it is worth it.

------
What I was planing on venting, probably acts as a bit of solace here:
Life sucks being part of the chain of command. Weather it's part of the military, or some other job.  In any job or part of life, there will be hierarchies, and there will be assholes on top and on the bottom. Abuse of power is just a sad part of life. My education is being trampled by a slacker with more stripes than me- all because of those extra stripes.

Hang in there Blue.

[Dauntless Seven]

Hi Vixus and all.  You brought up some good points about the nursing profession and life situations.  For me and most persons involved in healthcare there is a strong personal desire to be of service and to give the best aid to others that will help them to save themselves.  This to me is a given.  No matter how lousy any job is, there is some positive payback that compels a person to stay.  It might be as basic as a need to provide safety and security through money for shelter, food and ability to pay bills.  Once that is done, love and belonging with a sense of a caring community is equally important as this will effect how we make judgements and act within our particular situation.  And once our fears of loss and the unknown are overcome or controllable, then we can enjoy as much freedom and fun that our particular circumstances will provide.     
 
I would not presume to know what is in anyone's best interests.  But like you and all the other venters and encouragers, we have the opportunity to grow from each other's experiences, knowledge and wisdom.   Helps one to remember that one is not an island or uniquely challenged as a fellow human being.  Please don't take this as a lecture or criticism as that is not my intention and we are posting because we care and want only the best for each other.   

[BenPass]

Long story short, I hurt my knee badly at work back in September. I tore ligaments (nearly all of them, all the way through), damaged what little cartilage I have left from my old injury, pulled other muscles, and damaged the joint itself. I'm having trouble even getting around without a cane, and the pain is enough that I'm going to bed at 6:30 every night just to escape the pain.

So, I go through Worker's Comp like I'm supposed to do, and hear back the end of September that I've missed no work. So I call them and discover that my employer hadn't filled out there portion of the claim form. So I call them and fight with them right until my birthday (Oct. 17) when they say that they've sent the stuff through. So, this past Wednesday, I call Worker's Comp again and am told that they still haven't received anything; not even the doctor's note which I had to give to work.

Then yesterday, I get a call from work. They laid me off while on sick leave. Note here that they (work) told me not to return until my doctor released me for work. So now I called Worker's Comp again and they've moved me to a lost time claim. Problem is, I can't get ahold of the person in charge of the claim.

So now, I can't work, even if I could I'm laid off, I can't get in contact with the person in charge of my claim, I haven't worked in more than a month, and I'm going into the weekend when all government offices are closed. As you may imagine, I'm stressed to the eyeballs, running low on money, in a lot of pain, and may well need a knee replacement sooner rather than later (assuming they have something to attach a new knee to and don't have to just amputate).

[B1ondeange1]

Argh, sorry to hear Ben you know where I am if you ever need to talk or just vent *hug* I hope things get better soon, sending you some Force heals

[Vixus PriX]

Ouch! who's in charge of this government-grade faux-pas?

[BenPass]

Thanks guys, it's been rough

[Genkaku Sho`shyk]

Benn, i would look up a lawyer, one that can see your claim, before making you pay, and then, will fight for your injustices.... as you have been severely wronged by your company, and the "so-called' government.....

 i move for a vote of no confidence in the current congress ""gavel slam**

[B1ondeange1]

The company might still be in the right, as unfair as that may be. A friend of my hubby, her husband was laid off after not working for ages, coz he had a terrible life threatening illness and couldnt work- guy had to be brought back to life twice on the operating table and had multiple operations etc. His work were obviously kept up to date the entire time and seemed to have a similar sentiment of 'come back when you are better', but then just fired him. They fought it tooth and nail saying it was unfair dismissal, in the end they lost and had to pay an awful lot in lawyers fees, on top of enormous medical bills.  course different country, different laws. It would probably be worth looking into.

[JEStucker]

*sigh*

The other day (Monday) when I was at work, they had me rearranging all the furniture we had left in the store (some of those stupid desks are 300lbs+) I felt something not right in my left shoulder, but never thought to say anything.  There was some mild discomfort, but I just went on with my day.  I was off work yesterday and had trouble lifting a gallon of milk out of the fridge with my left arm.  Last night discomfort was keeping me awake most of the night, and this morning there is a very deep throbbing ache in my shoulder joint, not in the muscle, but like deeeeeep in the joint and I'm having difficulty holding a coffee cup up.

Should I get this reported to work comp or what, it's been more than 24 hours, but then again, part of that 24 hours was a time while I wasn't scheduled at work.  As it stands right now I'm losing my job in 10 days anyways (transfers were a lie, they're going to severance us all) so should I make them deal with the issue and send me to a doctor?  I had surgery on this shoulder 5-6 years ago already, and this feels highly similar to what led up to that...

I'm just getting really frustrated with my lot in life lately...

[SILVERBACK]

File a claim no matter what. If it happened on work  time that's why they pay into worker's comp for. If you don't file a claim and things get a lot worse in your shoulder, you're going to have to front all the cash for doctors bills.