I gave my notice at work yesterday...a brief rant

[RainDog]

I'd delayed giving my notice because I actually like big parts of my job, even tho the pay is crappy and I have no benefits and my boss has some major problems and...

anyway, my boss is conservative and makes comments which make me cringe and/or want to scream about minorities, Clinton and morals (as opposed to Newt or Hyde, etc. etc. etc, of which she knows nothing.)

anyway, she inherited her biz (a bookstore) and knows little to nothing about current or past lit. or current events and more.

Since I have worked for her, she said, her sales have greatly improved. The other day she said that when I choose books to highlight, customers come into the store, pick them up, go "interesting" and buy them...whether it's lit or current events or science or history or... I have constantly thought up ways to make the biz a bigger presence in the community, get free publicity, do things which would increase sales and make it a more interesting biz...she likes all of these, never implements them, but would be happy if I wanted to do them for no additional money.

so recently this person who used to work for her came back and I was sort of demoted from asst. manager (with no corresponding pay raise) to flunkie. This other person does half the work I do, does not get customers asking for her, like I do, because, I've been told, before I started to work there people did not special order books because the orders weren't attended to,like I do), does not remember what diff customers like and tell them about new books which may be of interest, takes money from petty cash and leaves an IOU without permission (which no one would get) and in fact only sits at a computer in the back, keeping anyone else from access, and when not there, sits and reads...which is supposedly grounds for immediate dismissal.

the boss knows all this. she complains to me about it. as a result of the other person's actions, other people who work there have also taken to reading rather than working...which also annoys me because that's against my work ethic...at least get the work done first, you know?

so yesterday, after my boss again made the passive complaint about this other person, I said, you have to talk to her about this, not me. before when she said these things, I just didn't say anything at all.

the boss was being snarky with me because of things this other person was doing, in fact!

this finally gave me the impetus to turn in my notice, because I need to go back to school because that's the best "job" in my town, at least for me, at this time, even though I love the sort of work that I'm doing.

so, my boss asked me if I could still work a bit, and I said I didn't know because I'll have to take x amount of hours at school to finally have insurance again, plus I have two kids.

so then she asked if I would be willing to work at home (with pay) to do "book reviews." I thought..huh? (She doesn't have an in-house mag...one of my suggestions, btw, which I could implement).

What she meant was, would I be willing to be a buyer, bascially, for her store so that she would have books that customers actually buy. (this is a college town, and Danielle Steele doesn't sell in her store, while short stories by Stuart Dybek, on the other hand, or McSweeney's books do (and I'm the one who pestered her until she became a McSweeney's store, btw) do.

So, maybe I will, although I've also considered my own sort of operation which wouldn't be quite the same thing, but I again have to see what the demands of school and family are first, since I don't have the funds to do all of this myself...although I do have some people who have expressed an interest in a financial stake to get me in biz, and other people who would be a complementary part of my idea, in terms of their expertise and desire to be a part of same..

She did consider that I would be great to buy her out when she wants to retire, but in the meantime has made it impossible for me to stay there, and who knows if she would not sell the bldg for big bucks anyway (it's in a historic bldg at a very strategic location and her dad, the founder, made sure the place was part of the tradition of this town.)

In fact, I am the logical person to do this, but it will not happen, at least at this time, since she has made it impossible for me to continue in the job by the way she handles (or rather doesn't) issues of morale and job performance and utilizing the creative ideas of people to enhance the biz.

so, rant over.

in the meantime, I'll still work on my biz plan for my idea and go back to school to be able to do other things to survive.

at the same time, it makes me sad that I am not in a position to be able to stay at this job because of the dialog with my community that it entails. I literally have had people come in and tell me that people in town know to come to me for information about various things related to book info.

oh well. c'est la vie, say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell.

or whatever.

[Nlighten1]

1. Good luck Raindog

I think you made the right choice.

[NJCher]

2. why not?

I agree she sounds dysfunctional and someone to get away from ASAP but why not take her up on the deal you described. At least it keeps you in the game for a time, during which you cultivate some other clients. You work at home and away from her, so what's the downside to that?


Cher

[RainDog]

3. I agree

because I really do like that aspect of it, not to mention others. If she would be willing to let me arrange the meetings with sales reps from pub houses, too.

..and thank you Nlighten1 for the encouragement.

...and I guess "brief" rant was no true... ahem...

oh, and I'm not leaving her stranded at holiday time, btw. I told her she can now start training someone else and I'll be able to slowly decrease my hours, plus fill in when someone doesn't show up or needs time off, or it's especially busy, since school does not start till after the holidays.

[seventhson]

4. I think you should send her this letter (with a few minor changes)

and keep the door open. Take out the extremely critical parts, -- make comments on her GOOD qualities (like her support for you - even though tepid) and what has enhanced her business with your actions.

You could position yourself to take over the business much quicker than you can start your own -- I'd guess -- and you can get a good look at the books in the meantime (a requisite to business endeavors)

Burning the bridge may nor be required and the more experience you get (and you need customer interaction to be a buyer, really) the more value you have and marketibility and potential to get a business loan or grant.


Good luck

[Demobrat]

5. Once again the losers win.

I have seen this over and over in my business (advertising), and even quit my last job because I was tired of carrying my supervisor on my back. Good people leaving because of some manager's inability to deal with the lazy bums. At least in the end management gets what they deserve.

[Bushfire]

6. Will she sell the business now?

She sounds like she really has no idea how to run a bookstore, or willing to implement what needs to be done before the customers go elsewhere. You could easily write a business plan based on what you already said, and with help from SCORE (retired small business execs who give free advice in my area at least) for a small business loan. If she's willing to sell, and you get a loan you'd be able to fire those not working plus save a great business it sounds like. I wish you luck whatever happens. She might be willing to be your landlord by leasing out the space to you as well.

[RainDog]

8. I would love

to get as much info as possible on what's available for small biz, start ups, etc.

That's part of the reason I want to decrease my hours, in order to have time to put into that sort of education, too.

anything you can share would be greatly appreciated. I didn't know about score, for instance.

seventhson, as far as the letter...it wouldn't help, I know from experience with her. She sort of treats this other person like her child, and when she rehired her, she KNEW that this is what this person was like, so she chooses to put this on herself, or is unable to deal with it.

I could, since I used to supervise seven people in the 2nd largest vault in my former city while my (now) ex was in grad school. there my bosses were amazed that I was able to deal with issues of discontent and run the place better than had been done before.

I know this sounds like bragging, but I'm simply stating what I've been told...which is, again, reason for so much frustration on part, because I have no authority to deal with these things and I will not with her there because she wants to own the place for now.

She did talk about retirement in two years, and me buying her out. But I can't wait that long because of financial issues of my own. plus, I basically know how to run her biz and it's frustrating to be undermined, yet I'm not going to step on her toes because that would just exacerbate the probs already in place.

What she wants for rent on the space is about the same as similar space which is almost double the size, btw. She has someone interested in the bldg, so I cannot count on her to not take the other deal...in other words, I could wait it out and then be undercut. This is an entirely reasonable concern based upon her past and present actions.

I have suggested other ways for me to work for her and work for myself, but it's like she doesn't want anyone else to make money off things which she doesn't make money off of....long story, but has to do with my interest in both new and used books, modern first editions, etc .

I have to buy books from her at the same price as a cust, for example, which again makes it better for me to be a very small "store" on my own to collect things for a future space at a reasonable cost to me.

She could sell books to me which she would return to the pubs at a cost to her, too. I offered her a deal in this way. She would still make a profit and would not pay to return them or pay the reduced disc. to the pub and she simply didn't want to do it because I wouldn't be paying full price!

This is, obviously, disfunctional and not conducive for me to want to help her, if such actions cannot also help myself.

I also get pub reps sending me books...not uncorrected proofs, tho those too, but books they have out simply because I've told them that I've featured those books prominently in the store because they're good books.

That does not happen to anyone else, even the owner, in that store.

It's compound frustration for creative and hard-working people to constantly be thwarted at every turn when they want to make something a better part of the biz community, too.

but again, that's free enterprise, right? you want to improve something and if no one else wants to do that, you do it yourself.

as usual, the big problem is having or not the funds to put those things into practice. bookstores cannot expect to have a huge escalation in profits, like some other bizzes. 20% is very good.

again, of course, what I have in mind is not just about books, and a larger space would be useful for that anyway.

you have to have time to put these things into motion, of course, and working for someone else and then doing kid stuff (I took genetics in college, yet my kids' middle school and high school sciences still can be killa...bio chem for tenth graders!) ...

I'm not burning bridges, as I think is clear by the way I've tried to make a transition easy for her and by her offer, which I have not rejected.

in fact, I am going to write out what I would like to do in the situation and if she wants to do that, or offers a reasonable alternative, we can both benefit, I hope.

[thom1102]

13. Could you...

Work out a deal with her where you would assume more control over the day to day operations of the store over the next two years in anticipation of her retirement? The deal would have to be a legal one with lawyers involved, that way she couldn't weasel out of it at the end. On your end, there would have to be some sort of guarantee that at the end of the two year period, you would be able to financially take over the business. (that would give you the time to look into financing options either through sweat equity, SBA grants, SBA loans, conventional loans, or investor financing, or some combination)

Here is the website for the SBA:

http://www.sba.gov/

[RainDog]

16. She needs to have her biz

for her own mental well being, basically. someplace to go, things to do.

We've sort of broached the subject, but, bascially, I think she doesn't want to give up the idea that it's hers, and her family's..which I understand totally. but she can't expect people to work for her without respecting them.

however, I also realized after working there for a while that the store is a reflection of who works for her, except for some things like children's books..which is easy, frankly, because of the Caldecotts and Newberrys and all that.

The "respect" extends to basic rights for workers. She used to argue that she didn't have to pay MINIMUM wage because of the size of her biz. Since then she only insists that she doesn't need to pay anyone for a break...not even lunch.

This is, of course, illegal. I put up with it while I did because I wanted to learn how to run such a biz, and because I wanted a job in my town. Because it's a small biz, I could learn all the aspects, unlike working at a corp. bookstore, which can offer better benefits but less control of inventory and more bureaucracy.

so, no, I don't think such an agreement would work because also at issue is the fact that I need to have health insurance, and I want to have autonomy and time to do my thing.

I already have many, many books I have accumulated as used inventory, and I have some ideas which I want to implement for my own profit, not hers. I don't have to even have a large space to do those things.

online bookselling isn't enough to survive if you can only offer what everyone else can offer. but if you have some rare and/or out of print items, you can find buyers for those.

I've also had inquiries about evaluating/and or purchasing books from people (old books from their family, that sort of thing, and done some of that for people for insurance purposes, not to buy.

anyway, it's time for me to go.

I've had too many experiences now with what I consider poor people management (this person who has returned is just the latest sitch...I won't go into the others) to want to stay when I can make my life better by going my own way.

plus, I would love to travel to some other cities to check out used bookstores and library sales and all that. I can make much more money by my own wits.

I do have one other offer I want to make to her, but I don't expect her to take it. She has older books which are in total chaos and in a place where some have already been destroyed by water damage.

I want to buy those remaining undamaged from her as at a lot, with a lot price, but again, I don't think she'll do that because she knows they could sell for more money, even though she's not going to do what it takes to do that selling.

That's another thing she wanted me to do for her. I even offered to come in after hours to inventory the whole bit, but she didn't want to pay me for my time.

oh, and I had made that offer to another person who sells used books, and made the mistake of mentioning this to her.

when that person came by later, she said "we'll inventory your stock and put you online" -- in other words, with me doing it for her, for less than a living wage, when she doesn't even know how to do it nor want to!!!!!!

...now do you see why I'm ready to do my own thing, and not trust that she would be fair in any sort of turn over?

[prolesunited]

14. It sounds like you have carefully considered

all of your options and are moving in a direction that is best for you. I think it's good that you haven't burned any bridges. Perhaps your decision will be enough to help here see the light.

It will be interesting to see her reaction when you reduce your hours and people come in asking for you.

If you ever want to chat, drop me a note and I'll call you. :hug:

[thom1102]

7. Personally, I think that you should march right down to

the local Small Business Administration office, and see what assistance they can provide you. You are smart, ambitious and you know the business you are planning to get into. You have a following in the community which can translate into a clientele, potential investor interest, and the SBA has a lot of programs specially tailored to help women get into business for themselves.

You should at least check into it. They may a have a program that would be exactly what you need to get started.

Good luck!

[NashVegas]

15. My Thoughts, Exactly

RainDogs, congratulations for having the 'nads to get out of a crummy situation.

Don't screw it up by caving in to her now, not unless you can get the guarantees you want in writing. You're the one who walked; when she tried to get you to come back, you were the one in a position of power. Now you're almost back to square one where she'll feel free to take a walk on you.

Thom is right, instead of applying Charmin tissue to her incompetent behind, you should go head-to-head with her.

[Blue-Jay]

9. Good luck, RainDoggie

Quitting a job (regardless of your pay) that you're comfortable in is one of the hardest decisions anyone can make. Nobody can ever accuse you of lacking guts and convictions. You did the right thing, bebe. Let me know what happens.

[cliss]

10. Good for you, Raindog.

I'm with ya 100%. I'm in a crappy work situation myself. I'm a senior accountant, and my lazy boss has been giving me more and more work. He makes 2 1/2 times as much in salary as I do, and now he sits on the phone and chats with his feet up on the desk. Wait till I give MY notice. That'll put HIM on notice!

You have to be happy with your work. Because work takes up such a huge part of our day & our lives that we owe it to ourselves to get out there and make a change if we are unhappy.

Best of luck to you!!

[RainDog]

11. thanks for the kind words and encouragement

I sympathize with the other stories of frustration here, because I know they are all too true way too often.

Some of us, too, and I would include myself in this category, are not made to work for others.

Before I was divorced, I was doing freelance. I enjoyed the work, but I hated the part about promoting myself...I know no one who's met me here would believe it, but that's the ONE situation in which I'm very shy.

so selling something other than myself appeals to me as well, even though a small biz owner also sells her or himself as an biz entity...what a small biz is, is what the owner makes it.

as I said, the present owner's father made the store, and it still runs off of his reputation.

she's a very good bookkeeper, and in fact that's the part of the biz she likes to do most of all.

but you can't compete with Borders and Barnes and Nobles by being a good bookkeeper alone.

at the same time, I'm grateful to her for the job, because, as I've said on here probably too many times before, I could not even get interviews for jobs which I was very qualified to do, and I agreed to live here so my kids could have continuous access to both parents, even though it has been financially terrible for me to do so.

well see what happens, and if I pull the other idea off, I'll have to have a DU weekend celebration to say thank you for the support and good wishes!!

:)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

12. I have not only good wishes for you but a sense that you will

create something worthwhile. You are a DETIL person. That much is obvious to one that even gives your posts a cursory read. I have no advice to offer...I do support you in what you are looking to create though.

:thumbsup:

[Ilsa]

17. Put her back into Danielle Steele,

then you go get the SBA loan and be her competition and shut her down. Buy her at rock bottom price.

You sound like you're ready for your own biz, and you know your business.

[RobinA]

18. Personally,

I'd keep one foot in her door until you are really ready set out on your own. The situation there doesn't sound all that bad, as rotten work situations go - she takes your suggestions, recognizes that they ARE your suggestions, lets you run with your ideas - all things a lot of people would kill for at their jobs. Ya never know what opportunities may arise through your association with her, so you might as well take advantage while you're in school, etc.