THE breaking point, or just A breaking point?

[Bella_Vixen]

About the carpets being too clean, I guess that makes sense...

Back when I was in school (can you believe it's been 10 years in June since I graduated??), they FINALLY put new carpeting in the old part of the building, and EVERYONE had headaches for a couple weeks.

Not quite the same thing, I know, but I'm just trying to be helpful.

[Teysa]

Long distance *hugs*. I've had jobs before where just the thought of having to go into work made me sick and I was ready to clock out a second after I clocked in. It sounds like you're well past this point. Your well being is more important than any job. Also, with your health issues, you really don't need to add this kind of stress to your plate. I know you have a lot of loyalty to the hotel, but trust me, they'll have someone in your spot almost before you hand in your notice.

I know you can't just outright quit as little things such as eating on a regular basis, having a roof over your head, and having electricity and running water are kind of nice, but I would be on the lookout for something else. With all of your experience it should not be that hard to land another job.

In any case, take care of yourself and I hope things get better for you soon.

[AFpheonix]

People steal tables and chairs? Im assuming they are small ones, but i have a mental image of someone being a distraction while 4 people carry off a huge dining table.

Not a dining table, and not a hotel, but.....

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/display.v...ub_toilets.php

[Antisocial_Worker]

I know it's been a very long time since this thread saw daylight, but yesterday I put in my application at the bookstore where I had my first job, and where I worked again a few years later. All totalled, I've probably worked there four or five years and as pathetic as it is, retail is a lot less stressful than hospitality. Especially selling a luxury like books. You only see the worst that humanity can throw at you when you sell something essential, such as food, clothing, gas, or lodging. I even put on the application in the part where it asked why I wanted to leave this current job -- "I'm looking for a less stressful work environment."

I'm hoping to God that I didn't blow my chances by pestering the manager. I interrupted her three or four times while she was trying to scan a shelf, but she did seem nice. However, I worry also because I used as a reference a friend of mine who applied also and wasn't hired, possibly because of a felony conviction on her record. I'd already put her down on there before I even thought of that.

Regardless, I didn't realize how much this hotel was gnawing at my soul until I came to work today. My stomach just sank at the very sight of the place. I'd appreciate your prayers or good thoughts that I'll get out of this place. If not into the bookstore then into something even better, although at the moment I'm praying (really -- I'm one of those gay Christians you're always hearing about) that I can jump from this sinking ship and land hip deep in books.

Edit: How long should I wait before I call in to see if they've looked at my application? A couple of days seems to be the norm in that.

[BookstoreEscapee]

I actually miss being in the bookstore some days. My last store, anyway. In my first store several years ago I was in much the same place you are at the hotel. I remember one day I was perfectly fine, even dressed up a bit in a skirt for the heckuvit, went in for closing shift, and the second I walked in the back hallway all of a sudden I just wanted to cry. Sometimes it really depends on the people you work with, and I worked with some really great people (at both stores, actually, but my last store had a better manager and just all around better atmosphere). And when you do have SCs they tend to be short-lived (even if some of them are recurring nightmares). They come in, get their books, or not, yell, rant, rave, and then they're gone. They don't go up to their rooms and call you to complain about something else . They don't steal the fixures, either.

I'd give them maybe up to a week and then check on the application and try to speak to the store manager or an assistant, if you can (I don't know what store it is, but in my BN experience the assistant managers and store managers did most of the interviewing and so may be able to give you a better idea). Do you know if they are actively hiring or are they just accepting applications?

Good luck. Bookstores can be fun, especially if you are a reader like me

[Antisocial_Worker]

Do you know if they are actively hiring or are they just accepting applications?

Good luck. Bookstores can be fun, especially if you are a reader like me

There were signs up saying now hiring, advertising benefits and whatnot, and when I asked the manager, she said they were indeed hiring. Kind of weird because when I called earlier in the week, they said they weren't and were just accepting applications.

And thanks. I'll need that good luck. The first post in this thread says it all about why I have to get out of here.

[DesignFox]

good luck hauntedhead- I had a job that made me feel like that, too. I was fortunate in that I still basically live with my parents, so rent was not an issue and I could leave there real fast...

I hope for you that everything works out at the bookstore and you can leave ASAP. It will certainly make you feel better. Stress does horrible things to your health and general wellbeing. I'll be sending you positive thoughts, too!

[BitterReceptionist]

I worked in a hotel for a few months, probably the worst few months of my employment history. I was stuck with the mid shift (3pm-11pm).. I live in Arizona and worked at the hotel during the summer. Phx is very hot during the summer. Our usual daily temp is around 110 degrees. And nevertheless, the most common complaint I got at the front desk was:

"Why is it so hot? Is there anything you can do about that?"

Hmmm.. perhaps if people quit leaving the lobby doors open when I have the AC on full blast would help. But no. That would make sense.

I totally agree about the long spells when I would wonder if people even existed because there would be no calls, no one in the lobby, nothing for HOURS but the second I put my dinner in the mircowave, EVERYONE was at the front desk and all 3 lines on the phone would ring. Ugh.

[Antisocial_Worker]

I called the bookstore a few hours ago to ask about my application. They told me they'd be going over them tomorrow.

[Spiffy McMoron]

"Why is it so hot? Is there anything you can do about that?"

Yes, ask you to run and get me an ice cream sundae! And God help you if you skimp on the whipped cream!

I called the bookstore a few hours ago to ask about my application. They told me they'd be going over them tomorrow.

Best of luck, hauntedheadnc. I hope to get the job, and I'm rooting for you.

[skeptic53]

CONSTANT stealing -- It's true: People will actually steal anything not nailed down.

Are these folks not required to leave a credit card imprint? Hotels in which I've stayed have notices that missing items such as bathrobes etc will be charged to the room.

Good luck with your job hunt, hope the bookstore works out for you and that they offer insurance! You might look into "major medical" or "catastrophic" insurance, it is usually $25-50 a month. It has a very high deductible, usually $5000, but will cover you for surgery, in-hospital care etc. My brother-in-law contracts with the forest service to fight forest fires in the summer, he doesn't make much, usually less than $12,000 per year. But when his appendix ruptured and he spent 5 days in the hospital the bill was $5000 rather than $250,000. He could work out a long-term payment plan rather than go bankrupt and lose all he had. Just a thought. I understand that even $25 a month can be too much for some folks depending on the ratio of wages to cost of living.

[BookstoreEscapee]

I can tell you this: if it's BN, they have pretty decent insurance, which you are eligible for after 2 months if you are full time (30 hours or more). (I think it's a year if you are part time at 20 hours or more.) Though with your health status, I don't know if that would affect it (pre-existing conditions and all that jazz). You can pretty much see any doctor you want; they cover a certain percentage if they're in the network, and a lower percentage if they're out of network. Plus dental and vision and you don't need referrals to see specialists. One of the primary reasons I stayed in the store so long.

[Antisocial_Worker]

Are these folks not required to leave a credit card imprint? Hotels in which I've stayed have notices that missing items such as bathrobes etc will be charged to the room.

Unfortunately, unless you can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the last guest in the room was responsible, you won't have much luck in getting restitution for whatever they stole. I remember there was one woman who stole a coffee maker. We knew she took it. However, because we hadn't caught her with it red-handed, she just lied and said there had never been a coffee maker in her room. When we pressed the issue, she threatened to sue.

Basically, if someone will steal, they'll lie as well and most of the times it's just not worth the trouble of fighting the lies. Thieves know this and are counting on it.

Thanks for the advice about insurance. I'll see what I can do, but I dunno. One of the reasons I want that job at the bookstore is that if you get fulltime, you get benefits.

And to all, I put in my application on Tuesday, called to check in on Thursday, they told me they'd be looking at applications today, Friday, and so when do I check again? I ordered a book from them that should be coming in this coming Tuesday, and while I don't want to sound desperate, I am. I'd be calling back every hour on the hour if I thought it would do me any good. I've been pacing like a caged animal in the laundry room for the past half hour just praying to get out of here.

[Antisocial_Worker]

I can tell you this: if it's BN, they have pretty decent insurance, which you are eligible for after 2 months if you are full time (30 hours or more). (I think it's a year if you are part time at 20 hours or more.) Though with your health status, I don't know if that would affect it (pre-existing conditions and all that jazz). You can pretty much see any doctor you want; they cover a certain percentage if they're in the network, and a lower percentage if they're out of network. Plus dental and vision and you don't need referrals to see specialists. One of the primary reasons I stayed in the store so long.

Well, it's not Barnes and Noble, but one of the Borders group of stores.

As far as my hiv, I'm hoping that won't be a problem, but even if it is, any insurance is better than none. My basic care is already covered, thanks to more charitable entities and governments than I can name.

Incidentally, I've worked at this store for years, like I mentioned. I left the first time on the bad advice of an abusive boyfriend, and worked for a while afterward as a receiver at a ladies clothing store (worst job ever!), at an office supply store, and at the county library. I quit the clothing store, got fired from the library because of office politics, and got fired from the office supply store because I was reading during my downtime. I went back to the bookstore after that, and then quit when I found out my diagnosis, because I was hardly getting any hours there and because I thought I'd try to find a job with benefits. This one doesn't have any at all, but it was enough money that I was able to move out on my own, pay for my car, pay my bills, etc. Now, if I can just get back on there at the store, I'll have a job I like dealing with a product I like, better management -- as sad as it is, corporate management is better than individual management, and that chance for benefits.

Ye gods... I really am desperate. This is pathetic.

Incidentally, BookstoreEscapee, what made you want to escape your bookstore?

[BookstoreEscapee]

Well, it's not Barnes and Noble, but one of the Borders group of stores.
Incidentally, BookstoreEscapee, what made you want to escape your bookstore?

Ah, ok. Rumor has it we're getting a Borders at our mall. It occurred to me I could apply there part time when they open . Since I still work for the company I can't work in the BN store. Though the one that would be convenient for me is not the best place to work anyway. The one I'd would work at is way out of the way and not worth the gas. I think I'm spoiled with books cuz other retail just does not appeal.

Why I left...well, basically I was burnt out on life...here's my story (sorry, it's kinda long; I don't want to threadjack but you asked). I graduated college in 97, spent the summer mostly babysitting on and off, and come October (just after my 22nd birthday) and I hadn't found a "real job" I decided to apply at BN (Store 1). I was part time through Christmas season, then in February 98 I was offered Head Cashier and full time, which meant benefits. I did that for 3 years, went through 3 or 4 store managers, some better than others, and several lower managers, some also better than others. When I was 23, in the summer 99, I had my first panic attack. I had major anxiety, depression, the whole bit. Walking into the store some days made me want to cry, other days, scream. I just wanted to stay home and sleep. That is, when being in my house didn't make me want to cry or scream. So I started looking around.

A friend of mine worked for a publisher in Philly and there was an opening, so I applied and got the job, which meant moving an hour from home by myself where I know no one (my friend lived about a half hour south of the city, I was about the same but north). I did it cuz I wanted out but I was really unhappy (though I did really like the job and now I regret leaving; it was the rest of my life that made me miserable). I stuck it out for a year and then moved back home (October 01). I hadn't really addressed my anxiety or depression, though I learned to cope somewhat on my own (that is, I didn't think I was about to die every other day). I was also coming home every weekend, which in the long run probably didn't help. I needed money so I ended up back at BN, part time, and then eventually went back to full time cuz I couldn't afford to pay for COBRA anymore.

Store 1's manager at the time was not the best. She was very cliquey, and if she didn't like you you knew it. The DM got a lot of complaints about her and the one assistant as well. It was just not a good atmosphere to work in. I was there another 3 years, though, and getting nowhere. I talked to them at one review about getting away from the cashwrap (I had kind of fallen back into "head cashier" even though it wasn't officially my job) and they said they would start getting me out on the floor, but they never did it and I just got more and more angry. (Side note, that manager was recently, uh, "resigned" from the company.)

Several months before I transferred I started dating one of my department managers, which is what spurred my transfer. Store 2 is much better managed and a much better atmosphere to work in (not that it doesn't have it's issues). I was there 2 years. Then there was a department manager position coming open, and the 2 assistant managers started talking and giving me responsibilities and made it seem like I was next in line. Half the staff thought that. But the store manager (who was on maternity leave during this time) and DM apparently had other ideas and weren't telling the AMs that. They ended up giving it to a friend of mine, without even telling me first (and, incidentally, he wasn't pursuing it because even he thought it was mine as well). I figured it out on my own from what someone thought was just idle gossip, when she mentioned the one AM showing him how to the do the afternoon checklist. A few months later the other AM showed me the job posting for the Distribution Center and I jumped at it. I've been there since the beginning of June. Not the most lucrative job but I like it well enough for now.

I'm 31 now and I'm watching all my college friends get married and have kids and buy houses. I am living with my parents still. I feel like I'm so far behind. But that's enough of that or this will turn into a total threadjack and I don't want to do that.