Coworker Hell: Maggie
I worked at a Starbucks. After 1.5 years of solid barista work, I got promoted to shift supervisor, so I had to move to a different store. I arrived on my first day there (just orientation to introduce me to everyone and take a couple online trainings), I reached out my hand to meet Maggie.
The manager informed me that Maggie was their best barista and "owned the morning rush." Maggie grunted at me and didn't shake my hand. OK, maybe she had a rough day.
A couple days later, she refuses to make eye contact with me. This job requires good and constant communication, but Maggie refused to talk to me, causing several orders to get messed up or unfilled. After her shift was over, I took her aside and apologized. She screamed "AUuUUGHH!" and stormed out the door raging.
I asked a coworker what Maggie's deal was. I learned the back story that the manager thinks of her as a daughter, has strong favoritism towards Maggie, assumes Maggie is the only person who can handle any task, but had refused to promote her to shift supervisor. She had been gunning for the vacant position, then I got it, so she resented me.
I had some empathy for Maggie at this point. A year of working with her, the empathy vanished. Sure, Maggie got a lot thrown at her, but she refused to perform her tasks well. She didn't show up for shifts if the weather was bad. Oh, also this "owning the morning shift" thing - she constantly screamed at customers or was very curt with them, then would insist that they "like being talked to that way. They know I'm kidding." On more than one occasion, a customer would come over to me and say how nice it was when Maggie wasn't there because no one was yelling.
She'd deliberately do things poorly, then turn around and say she was the only person who could do them. It became clear that it was Maggie herself who had demanded all these extra tasks.
This all came to a head one day. As her supervisor, I was explaining that I really value good communication and needed her to vocally confirm drink orders. I have the exact same expectations for all other staff and for myself.
She had about 5 inches and 30 pounds on me. She lunged herself at me, red-faced, screaming that she was going to hurt me if I don't stop "getting in her face."
When I told the boss, she said that Maggie was the best barista in the store, she "owns the morning shift", and I just need to listen to her.
I said, "So I'm her supervisor, but I am supposed to take orders from her?"
Boss says it's just easier that way (side note: worst boss I ever had. A different post altogether, though). I consulted with my old boss back before the promotion who said I should objectively document every incident I have with her, keep emotions out of it, and share the journal with my manager and district manager.
So I did that. I explained to my boss that I have journals explaining everything that happened. She said "Ok, we obviously need to discuss this. Come in tomorrow at X time and we will hear you out."
I show up and Maggie walks out, looking very smug.
I go in and start sharing my part with the store and district managers. They stop me and say that they aren't interested in hearing it. They've heard enough and trust Maggie's side of the story.
I went home and applied to grad school programs. In a terrifying turn of events, Maggie is now a cop.
--RHUer
I wonder how the police will take it when they hear what Maggie's doing on the force?
Posted by: Misty Meanor | Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 10:07 AM
What I want to know is, why they just didn’t make *Maggie* the supervisor?
Posted by: Gothchickfla | Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 12:19 PM
"They've heard enough and trust Maggie's side of the story."
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I think Maggie will be running for office in a few years.
Posted by: janitorgirl | Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 12:19 PM
How about Maggie as President in 2020 or 2021, Janitor Girl?
Posted by: BH | Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 06:09 AM