To be so embarrassed about going back to work / thinking of resigning?

[KateSpade]

So, I posted a thread last week about me being spoken to like shit because I'm a woman in a primarily facing role,

Well Friday I was in on my own, and after not being able to get in the building because someone else had taken my keys home - a customer couldn't get in for 1hr - between 8-9am. So I totally understand how unacceptable that was,

a few hours later he 'gave me a shouting at' in his own words.

Later another customer was using a piece of equipment he wanted and threw his arms up & down & again - shouted at me.

So, I burst into tears, I was shaking, it was awful. He rang another store, spoke to our area manager, who I have a meeting with on Monday to 'investigate' the issue.

So, I spent Friday in tears, my dad phoned & caught me upset - so came down & shouted at the man. very embarrassed about that,
But it was awful - I'm so embarrassed about the whole thing, I know I'll see the man on Monday, along with my meeting!

Now, this is a very regular occurrence - many but not all as abusive as he was, I'm debating going to the meeting and resigning?
My contract ends on September anyway - maternity contract.

I'm mortified - scared about getting a telling off (I understand my dad shouldn't have come down - i didn't ask him, it was a kind of phone down - no telling him) and bothered that the company will bend over backwards to apologise when quite frankly apart from the delay in opening, he doesn't deserve an apology!

So, I know you MN'ers always have wise words of wisdom -

"You have every right to take them to a tribunal!!!"

Unfortunately she doesn't. You need to have been working for a company for 2 years before you can go to tribunal and since the OP is covering maternity leave, I doubt that's the case.

I'm not sure they have a HR department, gabilan all things like that are delt with by our area manager.

Plus, I've been told not to contact anyone from 'company name', or this will be seen as 'misconduct'

I'm thinking they'll just say if I don't accept the disciplinary, then get lost, so to speak.

I need to plan exactly what I'm going to say - in regards to the last disciplinary.

"I've been told not to contact anyone from 'company name', or this will be seen as 'misconduct' "

That wouldn't include HR though. I used to work for a company who similarly tried to shut me up. They are on very dubious ground if they do this. Contact the area manager and ask who deals with HR matters.

have pm'ed you

So, I've had a think over the weekend, and I'm going to appeal the final disciplinary - the one in relation to the customer.

One thing I've only just thought about - is that the note taker who is the manager of another store, is a real gossip, i don't trust him and he's a bit of wanker. Theirs been no bad blood between us at all, however i know that after the meeting he'll be chewing the managers ear off and trying to influence his decision.

Also he is the Manager of the staff member who wrote the whiteness statement (the one from the other employee) - which doesn't sit well with me either, do i have a right to request a different note taker?

I've had a think about things and so far I've got:

First Disciplinary: Sign in wrong

'this was not done intentionally or maliciously, in order for me to take more tine back than i was owed, this was a genuine mistake.' I had hoped in the situation, being that i was more bothered about writing down the time the store opened, i had hoped that this particular issue wouldnt have gone this far.

Second Disciplinary: Fork Lift Truck

just accept this and move on - i shouldn't have done it i realise - (the customer was very adamant about the delivery and the truck driver wouldnt wait) but having no other Fork Lift Driver in, left me at a disadvantage. I am going to raise that issue though

Third Disciplinary: Customer

I am going to appeal the disciplinary, and raise a grievance and also dispute the whiteness statement from the other member of staff. I had been told about three weeks ago that that particular member of staff was being fired. This was told to me by his manager - the note taker and my assistant manager.

Any other suggestions would be greatly accepted

re 2nd disciplinary point - you were only put in this situation because you were working alone and not trained to do the job. Your manager had timetabled your shift pattern this way so he knew there was a possibility the fork lift would need to be used. Ask what they would have expected you to do - with an irate customer, an impatient truck driver, a manager who doesn't answer his phone on his days off, an assistant manager who doesn't answer his phone on his days off, with the only person present , ie you, who isn't trained to use the fork lift ? Seriously - you need to ask this question of them as I strongly believe the only reason you are in the position is because you were working alone.
As for the note taker - sorry don't think you've got much sway here.
have you decided who will ask to be your 'companion' ? Maybe your Dad wouldn't be such a bad idea ?

Po -DO NOT accept responsibility for the fork lift truck thing.You were put in a position where there was no realistic alternative.

Op does this company begin with a W

No, it doesn't begin with a W, May

I understand your point Potter and I am going to ask the question, along with my list of others!

Your both right, I had no other option and plan on asking him how he is going to move forward with the Fork Lift Issue, I.e regarding having a driver in.

Got to go out for couple of hours - but will be back later.

Best of luck for tomorrow !!!

How are you Kate?

Thanks for asking potter I'm okay, the meeting was exactly the same as the previous one, but summarised.

Upon asking my views of each one I went through my notes and pointed out all the things said in this thread,

He was after a yes or no answer to each disciplinary point, so I made my answers as politician like as possible, because they went straight yes or no points.

He will notify me in writing the disciplinaries he's chosen to go through with and when this meeting will go ahead.

I'll update you all when I've received the letter!

Kate, you did nothing wrong that any pragmatic peson would not have done.Whatever happens at this disciplinary please do not let it get you down.It is all about appeasing the arsehole customer.

I've just received a letter through the post which has informed me my employment has been terminated one of the reasons for this is that I'm
a short term member of staff.

They've said they'll pay me any monies owed and a weeks leui of notice,

So, let's start the job hunt!

I think you're better off out of that toxic environment. I hope you find a much better company to work for soon.

I'm sorry to hear that Kate, I really hope you can find a better job soon.

I agree with the others that it really doesn't sound like you did anything wrong and were placed in an extremely difficult situation.

When I was trying to 'defend myself' I said I was out in an impossible situation and it bloody annoys me they don't give a shit at how hard I worked to get things sorted!

At least I'll get nearly a full months wages, I suppose!

Good luck. That's why we need stronger unions. I hope you find s better environment.

Kate - you did defend yourself and don't forget that ! You were placed in an impossible situation.

I love your positive outlook - hope you get a better job soon !

And I agree with Margo about unions!

It sounds like they have totally screwed themselves over the summer though. They will have to cover your shifts themselves. I have a sneaking suspicion things will be quite chaotic there.

Thank you everyone for all your support & positive words!

Truth be told, I'm more bothered about the money & surviving without draining my savings.