Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want revenge on this manager

20 replies

TowerRavenSeven · 02/03/2018 19:40

I'm sorry don't want to dripfeed so this will be long. I'm a merchandiser of a particular product, so I have a group of about five stores I service (put out product, etc). One of my stores is going out of business and about a year ago they hired this particular manager to turn things around, which apparently hasn't worked.

I've had an ok relationship with this manager, most of the time she is on an even keel but when she's in a bad mood she has taken it out on her staff and me - not being staff because I'm employed by the company who makes the product I put out in this store. For example once I was working before the store opened and I needed her to let me out as we are locked in as well as being locked out before store opens.
So she makes me wait 15 mins as she shoots the shit with employees, leisurely putting things away, etc before letting me out. I don't say a word but am clearly not happy as I have to get to another store - so that is for context.

So store is closing and I'm told to pit out all merchandise I have, throw away fixtures, etc. I put my fixtures in a bag lined shopping cart because they were so heavy and left them by the garbage area. Then I go back to my area and there is one tiny bag there on the floor. I walk to pick it up and the bag flies in the air, I go to grab it again and it flies again. I'm late at this point and Yes I should have gone back to get it but think I got to get out of here and go to leave. This manager was right behind me (crept up on me) and said 'I'll take your garbage' I said I didn't have any, it was all in the back. She went and picked up the tiny bag. I said, oh sorry, ok and left.

When I get home my boss calls me telling me this manager actually called him telling him I have a bad attitude and it seems like I don't even want to do my job, then complained I made work for her staff because my garbage in back wasn't out in the right place. My boss listened to my side but calls like this are Very damaging to a merchandiser and my boss was unhappy to say the least. I can't say anything to her again because of course she'll call my boss but how on earth can I put her in her place? I've worked there for 5 years and have had nothing but good reviews.

Aibu for wanting to do Something to let her know she could have gotten me into real trouble over something so stupid as this baggie thing?! This happens at others stores too because the managers know they can treat you like shit and then call your boss on you and sibpnce they are the customer it reflects very badly on us the merchandisers. It's like we are at the mercy of the managers - 99% which are just and fair bit that one % that can get you fired at the drop of a hat!

OP posts:
TheSnowFairy · 02/03/2018 20:36

A) find out the closing times of the stores and make sure you are finished by then
B) make sure you pick up every bit of rubbish
C) forget trying to get revenge - it's a waste of time and your head space

Just do the best job you can so no-one can complain, esp as it sounds like your manager wasn't overly supportive.

Enuffsenuffsenuff · 02/03/2018 20:47

How come you can get fired at the drop of a hat? Do you have normal disciplinary procedures etc?

I would let it go with the manager. She sounds like a pain but you'll only risk further retaliation if you try and get revenge. Also if the store is going out of business you won't have to deal with her much longer.

I would just be really rigorous about collecting your rubbish etc from now on so she has no cause for complaint and tell yourself that no one that obnoxious can be happy.

Dipitydoda · 02/03/2018 20:58

Hire a hitman? Or alternatvely write down everything you would like to happen turn it into a novel and make millions

Original poster
TowerRavenSeven · 03/03/2018 03:39

Thanks Diptydoda what an asinine post.

I know the word revenge wasn't the right one. It is more of 'what can I say to this manager that would make her realize that calling my boss for such an insanely small infraction could have a huge impact on my job' but couldn't think of any other word than revenge.

Bad customer feedback is so damaging because my work is solitary and a large contribution to my job performance.

I am going to let it go but it seems like there should be 'something' people in my position can do in order to 'defend' (again not the best word). In jobs that have layers of management if one manager blows a situation out of proportion I could go to another and explain my side of the story. Here my boss hears from the customer ('who is always right') and hears my side but I still have that taint on my character in my bosses eyes. Merchandisers are a dime a dozen, customers not so much. My boss might empathize with me to a degree but frankly bends over backwards to keep a customer happy and if that is assuring them I will be reprimanded so be it.

I don't particularly 'need' this job but for the person that really does, the situation just sucks.

OP posts:
Pretenditsaplan · 03/03/2018 04:11

Could you document these things? Pictures and a times diary as to when you did things. So put out rubbish in assigned area and then take a date and time stamped photo. Have meticulous records and then you can prove you had already done it.

Greenster · 03/03/2018 04:22

I agree with documenting everything you do, including taking photos. Have you got any managers you particularly get on with that might give you a good review if you requested it?

In same ways I blame your boss too. Unfortunately many bosses are unwilling to support their employees and blame them every time there is any adverse criticism because they don’t want to take any heat themselves. Retail seems pretty bad for this as it is such a competitive market.

Iwasjustabouttosaythat · 03/03/2018 04:24

Ok so basically you didn’t clean up your garbage because it was flying around in the air (?) and she saw you wandering off and leaving it for her and you’re annoyed she said something?

And prior to that you were quietly standing around waiting for her to open the door but you didn’t say anything so she didn’t realise you were in a huge rush but that’s her fault?

Ok then.

ChalkItDown · 03/03/2018 04:27

I would apologise profusely to the manager and ask if they had any other issues they would like to raise with you that might be bothering them.
Getting on the front foot with an issue like this is critical.
You are the one who needs to manage this relationship.

Mummyoflittledragon · 03/03/2018 05:30

Do what ChalkItDown has said. And absolutely do NOT speak to her to make her realise that calling my boss for such and insanely small infraction could have a huge impacts on my job. She’s a bitch. You may as well go in with a target on your back or quit your job now. She’s been brought in to turn the place around and has failed. She’s not getting a promotion any time soon. Smile and wave, smile and wave. Q

RainyApril · 03/03/2018 06:06

I was once in trouble at work for a similarly trivial thing. I always wonder how miserable someone's life must be to take pleasure in causing unnecessary problems for other people, and feel sorry for them. You can't say anything to her without lowering her opinion of you and making the situation worse. Just be breezy and professional, and she will wonder whether anyone even did anything with her complaint. Any other response just confirms that you were reprimanded.

RoryAndLogan · 03/03/2018 06:28

Send her one of those packages for people you dislike that is full of glitter and covers her and her office in it.

LavenderDoll · 03/03/2018 07:59

I would just apologise and move on.

IWantMyHatBack · 03/03/2018 08:47

I really don't understand about the bags flying in the air Confused

LadySainsburySeal · 03/03/2018 08:54

Think garbage is the right word. For the thread.

AJPTaylor · 03/03/2018 09:02

actually i wouldnt.
at the next meeting you have with your manager i would point out that whilst not wishing to argue with the store manager that you have had 5 years without complaint and its noticable that the only complaint coincides with the store closing.

BeyondThePage · 03/03/2018 09:24

the best revenge is a life well lived.

forget about it, don't give her any headspace, get on with the job, with life. Be happy.

Stmoritz · 03/03/2018 09:30

Weird thread. So you’re annoyed because this manager called your boss and essentially said you were being unprofessional. But you do come across as being quite immature, both in how you behaved and how you’ve related what’s happened on here and your reaction to everything

Stmoritz · 03/03/2018 09:32

A more mature and productive approach would be to communicate if you’re in a hurry, and make sure you don’t do anything that could cause a complaint ie pick up all rubbish even small amounts. You’re always going to come across people you don’t like in life, just make sure you behave professionally around them, that’s all you can do

insancerre · 03/03/2018 09:39

Sounds like you do have an attitude, so she's right isn't she?
Revenge is petty and says an awful lot about your personality
Just let it go

Original poster
TowerRavenSeven · 03/03/2018 21:28

Thank you for the constructive replies. As for the garbage thread comment, I have seen far more trivial posts on aibu, feel free to scroll on by.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page