(I’ve worked at a large-scale pet store chain for several years. It’s before opening and we’re having a meeting in the back.)
Manager: “I have a big surprise! I’ve been given permission to give out a special raise to whoever proves themselves most worthy. I’m not going to say how much it is, but trust me, it’s worth it. You’ll get a set amount of money each week.”
(She goes on for several minutes about all the things we could buy with this raise, painting the picture like it’s life-changing. Everyone seems quite excited, and I, a poor college student, am desperate to get this raise. For the next several weeks, I volunteer to do the least favorable jobs, like cleaning the cages and accidents made by dogs brought to the store. I put in for hours that no one wants, like the closing shift where we have to clean at the end of the night. All seems well, and I believe I’m going to get the raise. I’m called into the manager’s office about a month after the announcement.)
Manager: “So, [My Name]. I’ve noticed you’ve been working really hard the last month or so.”
Me: “Yes, ma’am. I’ve been trying my hardest.”
Manager: “Uh-huh. I don’t like suck-ups, [My Name].”
Me: “Excuse me?”
Manager: “I know you’re only working hard for the raise, and I know that you’re just a lazy piece of s*** who wants to get your grubby little hands on the extra cash.”
Me: *stunned silence*
Manager: “But not everyone saw through your plan, so the raise is yours via my boss. Here’s the money for this week. Enjoy it, pig.”
(She slides a check over on the table and gives me a death glare. I grab the check and quickly walk out of the room, making a beeline for the bathroom. I sit in the bathroom for about five minutes, crying, as I’m sleep deprived and emotional from not only balancing work and college, but working the extra hours and later shifts the last month. I power through the rest of my shift, which is only about thirty minutes, and am just leaving when I happen to run into my manager’s boss, which isn’t unusual, as he often hangs around our store. I know him somewhat personally, as he’s friends with my father.)
Manager’s Boss: “Are you okay, [My Name]? Your eyes are red.”
Me: “Yeah, I’m fine. Thank you for the raise. I really needed it.”
Manager’s Boss: “You sure you’re okay?”
Me: *on the verge of tears again* “It’s just that [Manager] called me a lazy piece of s*** and a pig because I got the raise.”
Manager’s Boss: “SHE DID WHAT? Go home, [My Name]. I’m taking care of this.”
(Worried, I go home. I haven’t had time, so I look at the check. It’s only for two cents a week. I call my manager, as with the way she described it, it must have been more.)
Manager: “WHAT?”
Me: “Uh… I’m sorry to bother you… It’s just that the check that you gave me… is, um… just for two cents. I think it was a typo.”
Manager: *smug* “Oh, so you were just doing it for the money, huh?”
Me: *fed up* “All right, you want to know the truth? I’m a poor college student barely making minimum wage. I have to skip meals because I can’t afford to eat. So, yeah, I’m mostly in it for the money. Happy, b****?”
Manager: *click*
(I come in the next day and am not surprised to be called into my manager’s office. I expect to be fired, and I really regret what I said. I’m surprised to find my manager and her boss in the office as I take a seat.)
Manager’s Boss: “So, ladies. What’s the issue?”
Manager: “She called me a b****.”
(Her boss doesn’t even flinch.)
Me: “I was trying to call because the check she gave me was for two cents. She called me a pig. I’m sorry for losing my temper, ma’am.”
Manager’s Boss: “Don’t apologise, [My Name]. That check was for $30. What the h***, [Manager]?”
(My manager turned bright red and began to stutter. Apparently, the manager had been taking cuts from bonus checks. We had to call the police to escort her from the property. We got a new, much better manager, and I got my bonus. I quit the next year when I was offered a better job.)
