Box Office Bitch Is Trapped With A Manager From Hell

Hey all, long time reader and first ti-blahblahblah. I work in a movie theater, doing everything except management. You can call me Box Office Bitch, or BOB if you prefer.

I'm going to just put this out there: My manager is a Bitch with a capital B. Well, at least to me and certain other coworkers. She, of course, has her favorites though I don't fault (most of) them for it. She treats someone who has been FIRED from the company (but still comes in to see movies and to generally waste everyone's time) for not only having multiple no-call, no-shows, but also for FIGHTING with a customer better than she treats me. What. The. Everlovin'. Hell.

Let me tell you a story. I'll refer to my manager as B, for obvious reasons.

I had a family thing going on and I needed to keep my cell phone with me for emergency recon. Generally, B is somewhat understanding about this sort of thing (or at least she should be, considering she makes personal calls while at work). Now, what would a compassionate and logical manager do in this situation?

A. Ask if everything is alright.

B. Tell that person that if they need anything, they're there for them.

C. Say, "Of course you can have your phone since it's for an obviously good reason."

D. Possibly all of the above.

Did she do any of these? LOL. You're hilarious. She, of course, precedes to tell me that I should have gotten someone else to cover my shift (not because of my distress, but because I had the gall to come to her and ask if I could keep my phone with me) and that I'm not allowed to have my phone but "I guess it's okay just this one time." What-the-fuck-ever. I told her that both of my parents told me that I should go to work to keep myself busy instead of staying at home worrying about everything, which is what I did. She reiterates that I should have just had someone else work for me. GAAAAAAH.

She continuously treats me like an idiot. Whenever I have a question, she looks at me like I asked her what 2+2 is. Nevermind the fact that this woman can't spell worth shit. B wants us to smile basically 24/7, while she berates customers and talks to them like they're children (granted, some of them deserve it) and never smiles unless it's to kiss ass. See the hypocrisy?

I admit to crying because of this woman. While on my break during that family emergency day, I had a nervous breakdown. I threw my phone across the room because my friend I was looking for consolation from wasn't helping at all (doesn't help that he was one of her favorites), and bent over the table and just CRIED. I've started taking "happy pills" because of her. Not prescribed ones, mind you, but natural "good mood enhancers" nonetheless. Whenever I turn the corner to go into work and see her car in the parking lot, I pray to the Almighty FSM, loudly say "FUCK" and die a little on the inside. Both my best friend and boyfriend want me to quit. Sad thing is, I used to LOVE coming into work. I love the people I work with. I love the perks. Even though we do have our share of crazy custys, they generally aren't so bad.

On one hand, I think she's trying to get me to quit, but I don't mess up badly enough to be written up for anything. I've never had a bad count on my drawer, only had to ask off work twice (once for being sick, and another because I really needed more time to finish a project. Both times I managed to find someone else to cover), and only had one customer complain about me (and it was for something stupid, he was just being entitled and ignoring me on his bluetooth piece-of-shit anyways). No, I'm not the most "smiley", but I get shit done. I'm the one that points out stuff that needs done or that is wrong. I think the fact that I don't kiss ass and am actually pretty intelligent just pisses her off. I've had to explain stuff to her, using that awesome concept known as logic, which just blows management mind sometimes. B constantly looks over my shoulder to try and see me mess up, but then has to grudgingly say, "good job, you did the right thing..." when I do things correctly.

To be honest, I'm not really looking for advice, though I'm sure some of you would tell me to quit. I just needed to vent. And it felt good! Sorry for the length. Next time, I'll regale with crusty stories.

-BOB

Comments

[Kitty foster]

What's more important: a paycheck or your health? I've have jobs where I DREADED to go to work, was on eggs the whole time there, and counted hours before I could leave. It's not worth your mental health. Leave.

[Mollywobbles]

I have a very similar manager. In fact, if you hadn't stated that you worked at a movie theater, I would probably have thought you were talking about the same person. I've been on the verge of quitting several times now because of her.

[Tanz]

I had a bitch of a boss like that once... best thing I ever did was quit that job. I think there was an element of jealousy in it (my job was considered to be 'glamourous', hers wasn't) and she once came out and told me it was her own personal mission to find each employee's breaking point. Yep, she'd push and push and push until you broke. The problem with me was that I refused to break (well, as far as she knew - I put on a good face at work but my health took a nosedive). I worked just long enough there to not be seen as a 'bolter' and left for a better job.

My advice (if you want it, ignore it if you don't!) would be to try to let her and her attitude go. I know it's hard to do but the more attention you pay her and her attitude the worse you'll feel about work. Take care of yourself outside of work (good food, good sleep, some exercise and good friends - plus a good sex life) and if you find it becoming too much maybe you should look into methods of dealing with depression... (legal and illegal) drugs are just one option. There are others.

Good luck!

[PicEdit]

BOB, please read my post. I loved me old job too, but my health is more important to me. Seriously. Run.

[photoslave]

When I got a new manager that was like that, I walked. She was willing to break the law, company policies, and didn't give two shits about my health when it prevented me from working 10 hours without any kind of break. My advice is to run as far as you can and not look back.

[NC Tony]

I also advise getting the fuck outta there, if you can secure another job first, all the better, but like others said, you gotta consider what's more important. Your physical and mental health or a paycheck? I had a manager that pushed me beyond my breaking point to the point where I just stopped showing up (the only time I've ever done that), I looked at it as my final "fuck you" since I never had the balls to say it to his face (and believe me I wanted to more times than I can count). I don't often advocate just walking out on a job, but is this one time I would. Giving her two weeks notice would just give her one last opportunity to be a massive bitch, and frankly, she doesn't fucking deserve it.

[Hiedi]

If needing money is an issue, start a new job hunt now. Really put yourself out there. Newspapers, unemployment office, hit up every store on a certain street each day. Apply at other movie theaters...keep trying.

If you have monetary support from friends/loved ones until you find a new job and have a steady paycheck coming in, quit now.

I'm like NC Tony-I don't normally advocate walking off, but feel free to in this case. Once you are ready to start your new job or you quit to look for a new one, just walk away.

With these kinds of bosses giving her your two weeks notice will cause one of three things to happen (or a combo of): You will have almost no hours/shifts, You will be fired on the spot for some bat shit crazy reason and/or the bitch will set out on a personal mission to make the next two weeks the worst two weeks of your life-it will be worse than it is now.

[Nomnom]

I'm fairly sure that if you come home and cry about work, that's round about the time you should be looking to quit.

[K-dub]

Does B have a boss? If you do decide to quit, they should know why.

[lineasaved]

I have had a succession of crappy bosses, but my already-bad health means no one else would hire me. We had 3 new employees in a row quit in less than 3 days, manager decided she didn't feel like paying out for anymore quitters, so those few, those stressed, those desperate few left ended up working 8-9 days straight for months. We never got so much as a "Fuck you idiots" for doing it without complaining, let alone a thank you. Sometimes it don't pay to wake up in the morning, but the bills still have to be paid...

[Skittles]

@Tanz any boss that flat out told me they considered it their personal mission to find each employees breaking point would wake up in the hospital.

Try making a voodod doll of your boss then filling it full of needles and burning it. If it works yay no more boss, if it doesn't it might help with some stress.