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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to fucking hate big business capitalism

6 replies

CyanSnake · 22/02/2020 13:52

Last year I got a job in a small cafe. The owner was in everyday and there were three other staff. I really enjoyed it - the boss was flexible about childcare; understanding of my mental health issues, listened to us when we had suggestions and just made me feel like a valued member of staff.

Just before Xmas the owner moved to be with family; and the cafe was taken over by the company that operates the venue it’s based in. In January, suddenly we had all sorts of policies we had to sign, We have “absence triggers” and timed breaks - the new manager deducts smoking breaks from our lunch break. If I need to come in late because of child care; this now leaves a black mark against my name.

Yesterday, we all got given a letter telling us they were restructuring and we all had to re-apply for our own jobs - overhearing the management it seems this is all to increase profit margins on the business. I’m paid minimum wage and just feel so miserable - I feel like if they didn’t have the good relationship we have with our regulars they wouldn’t even have a cafe!

Aibu to think it’s a bit shit that these people have come in - and they seem to do nothing all day but swan about the building and sit in the office drinking tea - and they just try to squeeze as much money out of us as possible.

OP posts:
CyanSnake · 22/02/2020 13:55

And I forgot — before they told us we had to reapply, they made use sign new zero hours contracts (we were on fixed hours) and they had a clause in about deducting the cost of wasted stock from our pay!

OP posts:
Bezalelle · 22/02/2020 14:00

YANBU. Capitalism is shit and will be the end of us as a species.

Commiserations and solidarity!

Jason118 · 22/02/2020 14:08

Yes, it's fucking deplorable behaviour

Ellisandra · 22/02/2020 14:19

I work for a massive company. We have all sorts of policies and procedure, yes. I can flex my hours around childcare easily, and the last 1/2 holiday I requested my boss rang me and asked me to cancel the request and just take it - “I know the extra hours you put in last month”. I have seen several people have a very well supported phased return to work after mental health issues. It’s a large company, and that’s across different roles and levels - so I don’t think it was the work environment that was at fault. All 3 that I can think of are now, years on, still working with us, one has since been promoted quite significantly.

Your experience is shit. Mine isn’t. The most exploited I have ever been, was working in a small café! We were teenagers, back in the 70s, and the owner would say “I’ll pay you half for that last hour” (we were paid cash after every shift) “as we weren’t very busy so you didn’t do much”.

mrsbyers · 22/02/2020 14:34

The breaks thing is perfectly reasonable as is the smoking break , you’ve been spoilt previously and now being managed to your conditions

melodypondisasuperhero · 22/02/2020 14:40

If you’re on minimum wage and they deduct the cost of “wasted” stock this will bring you below minimum wage which is illegal.

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