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Jillcpf

True Grumbler
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May 24, 2000
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Oshkosh, WI
I have just had a manager switch, happen to the store in which I work. I am now facing a real delema: This boss is systematicly trying to make me quit. For example Today he had one of the framers from his old store come down to rearange the frame shop. We now must store unframed art between sheets of card board and on edge.
rather than place orders waiting to be done flat, in numerical order we are to store them on edge by week to be completed. This is to make them easier to find.
I hope someone can tell me how to make him understand that these are not good framing practices. My main problem is I am a real framer in a craft store framing department.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Jill Hennes CPF
probably soon a former
Craft Store Framer
 
I forgot to add that in my last meeting with This boss He asked me 4 times if I was going to do things his way or would we be parting on good terms. My answer was and is I will not be quiting. In this same meeting he told me it was appletons way or the hwy
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you Know they never have any problems and "patty and donna" have everything down. If a cusstomer wants their art trimed just do it. We don't have to do things to conservation standards. "donna never had any problems doing thins her way.
Today I also had "Patty" shaking a extended ruler in my face because cardboard is what they use and I will be doing things her way.
 
Jill,

I'm sorry to hear about all the termoil in the store. Having just gone through a change in manager myself last October, I can feel for what you are going through. One of the biggest mistakes that we make as employees is that we feel, after constant put down, that we have no clout. My situation is a little different. Although, my employer pays all the invoices, I own all the equipment and samples. I am paid an hour wage but I also bill the company a percentage of each job for the use of this equipment and my expertise and this does put me in a little different situation.

The only advise I can offer is that you seem to be a well trained professional framer that cares, deeply about the product that you provide. If your employer, who obviously is uncomfortable with you, or perhaps is more concerned about the "bottom line" (making money) then your days are short lived I'm afraid. When we work in an environment that is confrontational, it effects our whole lives...makes us miserable and going to work becomes drudgery. Personally, on my managers time, I would smile and say "yes" "no problem" and do what's asked. On my own time I would begin to explore my options. Perhaps there are other industries willing to invest in a custom framing program (ie. photo finishing or home decorating). Perhaps it's time to invest in your own shop or perhaps even your "new" attidute will change the perspective of the new manager and a truce can be established. When a new manager comes into a brand new situation, even though they are the boss, there is a certain amount of intimidation from existing employee (especially well trained ones) on their part as well. Perhaps they feel threatened by you. A new attitude may certainly change all of that.

I wish you all the best. You may ceratinly email me privately if you need more specific help.

Ted
 
My first comment deals with the most important workplace rule:

You can NEVER win an agrument with your boss.

That said how do you implement change? You can accept things the way they are for now, go with the flow and become your boss' best friend. Start your sentences with "Gee I was reading..." or "I saw this on the internet and I am concerned about getting sued..." Never criticize your boss or coworkers publically or privately. Respect yourself and be very cooperative. At some point a situation or an opportunity will come up to ask him to consider a change. Remember presentation and timing are everything.

This is a tough one. Hang on to what you know is right but never voice it at work.

Now his point of view. He was given a job as manager on his own. It is a new store, possibly he has had success in the accountants eyes with his current position. Or someone at his other position hated him and they sent him to your store as banishment. Either way he is there and he is full or vim and vigor to do his job at this store. No one is going to get in his way. Now he meets opposition from the rank and file "YOU". You do not want him to look at you and feel a knot in his stomach at every encounter. You need to become his friend and get to a position where you can "suggest" changes. Change is stressful and difficult for all involved. Remember he is the BOSS. He was given that position and the support from above.

If you want to adopt this strategy, the first thing to do is lay low and be overly cooperative and friendly for a month or so. Work hard to gain his trust. Don't fall into the trap of verbally rejecting every change he makes. Tell yourself "I will give this a try". Who knows it may work. After giving the change a month or so. After your relationship has changed go back to him with facts. "Gee we have been using this new way to store artwork and we are having to take more time finding..." or "I know you need for us to use cardboard on our projects to improve margins, but I guess I am worried about acid damage and law suits on some of the projects we are doing, look at this article from a group a belong to on the internet, what do you think should we be worried...".

If this is unacceptable get the resume together and start looking. If his attitude is the bottom line you probably will not be able to have a career there anyway. Your salary effects the bottom line also. This is a choice you have to make. Please try not to get fired. It is not a good idea to burn bridges.
 
I now have to wonder if reporting the on going harrasment is an option. Along with everything else I have to smile at his sick sexual jokes. and laugh when my fellow emoployees call me a bitch. I am looking into a job change, I don't see any other choice.
The yes anything you want let me work harder attitude is not working.
I try to save money and watch the bottom line, to have "Patty use and entire box of acid free foamcore as dividers. thats $100 dollars down the drain..
As to some of the changes you have to love them "framers don't have time to help on the floor in his store, Framers don't do general customer service in his store." Looks like my work load will be cut in half. The Hard part for me is that I have been told I am not to talk to my fellow employees, even on break. Makes for a long lonely day...
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Do all the other employee have to follow these rules or just you?

I put up with a boss similiar to what you have in a previous job. I kept quiet, supported him and minded my own business as I outlined above. Eventually I gained his respect and his confidence. I became the only one he would confide in. At that time the changes I was interested in seeing were heard and the respect I wanted was given.

It is hard, change is hard and stressful.

If you hang in there you might hang on to the fact that change can happen overnight. This guy may step on his own feet and get fired tomorrow and you could bet a whole new manager. I know that is no solice for you, but you can add all the circumstances you like in this thread you still have two choices: the one I outlined above and the other is to seek employment elsewhere.

You must decide. We can not help you with that. But given that we are all here to listen to GRUMBLES!!!
 
Art Lady It is just me..
I am not even allowed to go to the FULL TIME employee's Meeting this morning...It is only for scheduled employees. And I wasn't scheduled.
Jill Hennes CPF
 
This guy has traveling plans for you...

I'd get my resume together and start looking for another job. If not, it's going to be a rough, confrontational trip with the new boss.

There is NO excuse for having to hear objectionable sexual references, nor are you under any obligation to be called a bitch on the job, nor should you be ostracized by, or from, the other employees.

Wish there was a magic bullet, but it looks like a new job is in order. Wish I could be more positive, but, after your last post, I don't see much for you to work with.
 
Jill,
If what you say is true, you need to speak to an attorney. Harrassment is a crime.
 
You sound like you have only one option at this point. Power up WORD and get those talents listed.

Is there anything that you have said in public that would have excluded you in the scheduling?
Change is hard. When you leave it will be his loss because he will have to train someone new. But use this as a learning experience and on the next job try to hang back and stay out of those situations that get you in such a corner. Remember that any negative comments should never be voiced publically or politically one ends up off the schedule or in a corner with limited choices. It is not fair to do that to yourself.
 
If you are thinking of suing, get a notebook write down as many conversations with dates and times as you can. Tell absolutely no one that you are doing this.
 
Your reason for leaving might be differences in opinion regarding framing quality. I believe that would be perfectly acceptable coming from a CPF!!
 
Art Lady and all
I have been trying to get allong and go allong with every change... When i have had conserns for the art work or our reputation I have tried to voice them constructivly, Even went so far as to let him know what formerly valuable clients had been upset by our previouse manager but were still saveable with a little managerial action.
I offered to do some account hunting on my own time..
I know I am out its just a matter of do I quit or get axed.. the unemployment would come in handy..
 
Art lady

All ready have the note book, But should I report the harrasment to his superiors before leaving or not?
By our handbook I am suppose to report it but will this just hassen the axe?
 
Do you have an attorney? See him before you do anything. He will tell you if you have a case and how to conduct yourself in the short term. There may be some things you need to look out for.

Start looking for a new job you still need to support yourself during the lawsuit. Have you give any thought to who you can use as a referral?

What happened to the previous manager?
 
Not only is harassment (in your case including sexual harassment) in the workplace a crime but it is extremely difficult to prove without a tape recording. The participation of the other employees is known as "workplace mobbing" which is quite prevalent in the USA but so far research has been preponderantly in Europe. You can search the web to find one or two books or articles in English. Suggest you see a lawyer and/or private investigator immediately if you stay. Be prepared for a tough fight including many unpleasant physical and mental symptoms.
 
Art lady and all

Think I'll contact job service here in town and see what constitues a justifieable quit.. then the division of wage and hours.. they handle discrimination suits and harrasment suits here in WI. The hard part for me is I loved my job and my clients, a lot of them have said they will fallow me and have threw my store closing the craft store I worked in at first here in town.
Art lady thank you you are a great sorce of comfort to me this morning.
 
Art Lady,
This is a ben Franklin crafts store our owner owns four of them. My former manager was sent to this managers store which is the largest of the four, from what he said to "save" it. While this manager was sent to us to "save us".
It all makes no sense to me, My frame department made very good money last year. I was down only a few thousand from projections with a very low cost of sale.
 
Do you stay in touch with the former manager?

Can you have lunch and ask the advice of the former manager?
 
Former manager is not speaking to me either. I said Hi when he was in the store yesterday and he snubed me.
 
Are you sure it was a snub? Sometimes we are over sensitive in situations such as this. Call him and ask to have lunch, tell you have a problem you would like to discuss.
 
Art Lady
I am Pretty sure it was a snub..he looked at me and went around me to say hi to another employee.
Left very little room for iterpitation. I just relised i didn't give you a very important fact.
My new boss is the owners son. I don't know how this effects things..his father has fired him a few times.
 
With the introduction Walmart and Michaels some retailers have been squeezed you might be looking at survival mode here. It changes people when their livelihood is threatened.
 
This is not a good place for you. You need to find a place where they appreciate your talents and whose marketing is geared to the quality of products you are capable of providing. Good luck.
 
It definitly is Survial mode. But it is hard to find out you are the lowest paid best educated framer in the system...and all the Jill rules are getting to me.
Altough this forum is sure helping my moral this mornig Thanks again.
 
A quick observation, could these managers feel threaten (their jobs) by you, because of your experience.
 
Framer:
I would hope not I have tried to quietly make the simple changes that have increased business, while never taking the credit for them. The same with ideas I tell my manager and have kept quiet while he took the credit for them.
Case on point.. There is one type of thread cutter currently garentied to be allowed on a plane I found it and suggested we carry it as we are 3 blocks form the EAA airshow grounds. We now carry it and He took all the credit for it.
Isn't He smart..
 
Jill,

Having been through something similar in the workplace (not a frameshop, but a corporate office), I have one word of advice YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE IT! You have valuable skills, and they are skills that you can take with you. If you have the following that you say, is it good timing to start your own small shop?? I believe that things work out the way they do for a reason, and they are usually for the best. Since I quit my job (very well paid), I am much happier, and I am in control of my life. Sometimes we think we have to take what people dish out to us for the almighty dollar - check out a temporary employment service and get the H*LL out of there!! Save yourself

My 2 cents!
 
Jill, I feel for you. I know how lousy it is to bust your behind and do the right thing, only to be dumped on for it. A few thoughts:

1. As bad as it is, you need a job. Bills still have to be paid. So keep your nose clean, bow and scrape, grin and bear it. Use your friends, family and us at the Grumble to vent after hours. At the same time, put out all your feelers and get your resume polished.

2. There is no excuse at all for the sexual harassment. Document it. Who said what and when. Keep your notes purely objective. Talk to the people at Hours and Wages. Be sure to get information on the legal definition of harassment as well as what the law says about getting your last paycheck when you leave. Document it.

3. When you give your written two week notice, be prepared to go home that day. They'll probably tell you to just leave then.

4. After you leave, send a letter objectively outlining your reasons for leaving to the manager, his superior and a cc to the corporate office. Things such as "...the framing procedures required of me violated commonly accepted practices.." and "On five ocassions between the dates of X and X I was called a bitch by other workers in the presence of Mr. Manager, who took no action."

In short, don't give them any excuse to fire you, and document everything. This way if they come back to you telling you what a horrible employee you were you can pull out your stack of papers proving what happened.

Good luck. We're all here for you.
 
Jill: I've read all of your posts and can't help but feel a case of deja-vu wash over me. It was the owner of the company that I worked for who started rumours about myself and a fellow co-worker, about what I won't say, and he made life very uncomfortable. It's hard to work in a place where no matter what you do, you are treated like crap. My fellow co-workers actually stood up to him for me. When I quit, I went directly to unemployment, I had documented every rude comment, every put-down and every rumour that he had started about me, and every lude comment and even had witnesses, including customers. The caseworker asked me if I had talked to the manager before leaving, I told him flat out that the manager had quit and it wasn't the manager who was doing it, it was the owner. It took a while but I eventually got unemployment benefits. If you have a well documented case, you have a very good chance of getting unemployment benefits.
Because of this man, I now own my own shop and have a wonderful boyfriend/ fiance in Paul who incidentally was one of the co-workers who took a stand for me.
If you need an ear to rant to, feel free to e-mail me.

Nikki
 
Jill,
From what I see the owner does not wish to have you in employ.

Why, I do not know. It may very well be that there is some sort of character, work style or other problem. It could be a pay issue. As I said, only the owner knows.

The real problem comes from the short sighted owner who feel it is better to have you quit than be fired.

He does not the risk of an un-employment claim on his account.

My advice as an owner. Do not quit. Contact a lawyer. Do not speak of this to other employees.
Do not make a resume in any way shape or form. Do not make inquiries about other employ. Unless your lawyer tells you to. (this can be used for or aginst you later).

Even if you are the worst employee, this is intolerable behaviour.

As for management: What framer said may be dead on.

When you contact the lawyer. And after one takes the case (possibly at no cust up-front, but rather a cut of the back-end), show them a printout of this thread, and ask if they want framer to delete this thread from The Grumble.
 
Originally posted by Jillcpf:
Along with verything else I have to smile at his sick sexual jokes. and laugh when my fellow emoployees call me a bitch.
Click to expand...
No, you don't!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm a little leary of the efficacy of the justice system, so I don't know if I advocate a lawsuit but I sincerely hope that what Nikki said applies to your case as well. Perhaps if you can provide enough documentation of harrassment you will still be entitled to unemployment benefits.

I wish you the best of luck, however this turns out.
 
Originally posted by Jillcpf:
I just relised i didn't give you a very important fact.
My new boss is the owners son. I don't know how this effects things..his father has fired him a few times.
Click to expand...
This puts everything in a different light. If the new manager is the owner's son then it will be difficult for you to go to the owner to complain about the charges. He probably will not listen to or believe them. Although I would love to know why the owner has fired his son several times. This may mean you have even more of a case if the son was fired for similar behavior in the past.
 
Interesting, I am in the position where I am "the owners son". Fortunatly around here that means very little, I have in fact removed other family members from our staff due to their inability to adapt to the surounding work environment, if I were to breach conduct rules or my contract I too would be out the door, I am a staff member at work and a family member at home (sometimes during breaks). It is very difficult to gain credibility with business partners when you're in this position as they do have fixed ideas about why you're working for a family business, it is possible that the power trip that Jill's manager is on is a result of this attitude from all the persons that he works with.

With regard to the changes that the guy has made, he is the manager and theoretically has the knowledge to "manage" the in store operating system and marketing, that is his job, as a staff member you toe the line, full stop. Unfortunatly you have little option and by the sound of it you will not be given the opportunity by your employer to voice your opinion (shame).

Regarding the harrassment issue, if there is a "higher power" in the company (ie the owner) you should inform him of the problem. Do take notes, ask him to stop. In short, if there is no resolve, find a lawyer.
 
As far as the changes this man is making in Jill's store, the last store he was at (the Appleton branch of this small chain) is the reason these store's have a bad reputation among consumers and framers in this area. It practices "slash and burn" framing; if it doesn't fit in a readymade, cut it so it does, and the cheapest mats full of acid are good enough for everything. I know, I have taken their work apart and seen the damage. If this is what they are trying to turn Jill's place into she has to ask herself if she can live with working there knowing she is doing wrong.

Jill, this is probably why you get the reaction you do when you met other framers in the area and tell them where you work. This chain is not well respected even though you may do good work and have made the effort to get your cpf. It is nothing personal, it is them.
 
To all
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I have been officially "Let Go". When I went in to talk to the manager about the ruller in the face issue, I was told that could not have happened, that I don't fint in the "family" and was not fired but "let go" unemployment didn't even know what that was.
so what now, I will wait for unemployment to come through, though i will bet they are going to fight it.
then decide, the division of wage and hours says I have time to act.
 
Jill, as usual, Marc has given you good advice. I would, on second thought, and, after reading posts after my own, get an attorney.
You might contact an attorney of your own choice, or, being now jobless, see the Ohio form of Legal Aid.

Whatever you do, best of luck, and I admire you for refusing to compromise your standards.
 
AnnL
as to the slash and burn framing, you don't know the half of it. I have been "repairing" appletons peices since I started in that store in 1998, They cut the bottom off of a Charles peterson print with a remarque on it.
One of the issues we disagreed on was "triming prints" My stand was I will not do it. his was whatever makes it work. I know of two peices whre the piece was "trimed" without the customers knowledge or athourization.
I am glad to begone but now I need a job.
Maybe it is time to open my own store.
 
Jill as unhappy as you might have been in the job, being "Let Go" can't be fun. Just remember that, ultimately, being fired (or "let go") for having professional integrity has to turn into a blessing.

Don't overlook working for a distrubitor or vendor until a frame shop job comes along, or you can open your own shop. I did that for a while. They were glad to have my expertise and I was happy to have their health insurance. I also was able to pick up occasional "fill-in" work in frame shops.

I don't know what's near you or if you'd be interested in that kind of work, but I just wanted to say something other than "Keep your chin up. You're better off." even though that's true.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Keep us posted.
 
Thanks Meghan

Keep your chin up would have been fine, I was just going through back issues of decor, There are some jobs listed there. Might even try the picture framing mag, as an instructor.

the vendor idea is what made me look thanks.
 
Jill,
As the owner of a company and a bosses son, I have some good advice for you. Find a lawyer and file suit. Being forced to listen to sexually explicit jokes and having your coworkers calling you a bitch aparently with managment sanction is all you need to sue. If you do not, then the behaviour you report will continue.
I really feel for you. Last week at United I was forced to let go (terminate any way you look at it) an employee who was here for 15 years. He stepped over the line with one of our girls and that was that. In todays world business must take this kind of thing very seriously. I really believe you should follow through and teach the neanderthal at your prvious job a lesson.
Peter Ackerman
President
United Mfrs. Supplies, Inc.
 
Hi Jill:

I have always believed that good or bad, everything happens for a reason, and when bad things happen, something good will eventually come out of it. I was a manager at a high end residential furniture company for 20 years, and relatively happy for about 15 of those years, until ownership and top management changed. I could not adjust to the new philosophy, and was miserable (keeping it to myself) for the last 5 or so years. Long story short, my misery was the catalyst to finally find that career change I had wanted for awhile, I discovered custom framing, eventually opened my own business, and have never been happier. I know the same will happen for you. It's always darkest before the dawn, hang in there.

-Mike.
 
Jill,
I would have the same titles as Lance and Peter.

As "the owners son" myself, I still say contact a lawyer and expore options.

I understand you do not want to be there (as they have now fired you, that problem is resolved). But behavior like that is not acceptable in todays world.

Yes it is for the best, and you can now move on with new job prospects. But you do need to take care of how you were treated in your past.
 
Ann
It didn't leave a mark. Didn't quit make contact just really startled me. I'm 39 years old I just don't expect this type of behavoir out of people.
It is beyond my scope of undrstanding.
 
Jill, I feel for you. A lot of our fellow grumblers can tell you that I went though similar harrasment and had to put up with gross incompetence from a "superior".
Marc's advice (as usual) is right on the mark...follow it.
Despite being "let go", you should breathe a sigh of relief that you didn't have to put up with it as long as I did. The constant stress of having to work in the enviornment that I did led to serious medical problems that I am still dealing with today.
My problem was solved by talking with all my reps and asking them to put out feelers for a new job. I landed one that I am happy at, and more importantly, my expertise is appreciated and my opinions respected.
My advice: polish up your resume, call those reps, and dig out the yellow pages and line up interviews. Also look into that harrasment suit.
Good luck to you, and if you need a sympathetic ear, feel free to e-mail me too. You have friends here in this community, I found out when I was in my last horrible job!
 
Jill:

I agree with the others who advised you to seek legal counsel. You may have a very good case. This is no time to get shy -- if you let them off the hook, that kind of treatment will continue with others.

Many attorneys allow a free consultation, and would agree to taking a percentage of the settlement as their payment, and only if you win. In other words, taking action may cost you nothing, but could result in fair compensation for you, and proper punishment for them.

To find an attorney, ask your friends, neighbors, and family. Or, failing that, call your local Bar Association, legal aid organization, or other lawyer referral service.
 
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