Q. My parents are hard-working and always taught my sister and me that we must work hard to get what we want. So, when I turned 16 years old this summer, I got my first job as a restaurant team member at a local fast-food restaurant. The work itself is good, and I like many other kids who work there ( I go to school with nearly all of them). The problem is my supervisor. He has favorites, and I am not one of them.
For example, he assigns the duties for cleaning each week. It is supposed to be a rotating schedule where one week my job is to clean all floors and table surfaces before closing, and then next week, I am on bathroom cleaning, and the next week, my cleaning job is the parking lot. Well, I have been on bathroom cleaning duty for three weeks straight now! Also, anytime I have asked for a specific day off, he has always said no, but a few of 'his favorites always get the day off they want. I haven’t said anything to him about this because I am afraid if I do, it will get worse…. And I will forever be on his ‘latrine list.’
A. Dear Hard-Working 16-Year-Old,
First, major kudos to your parents and you for working hard and having a great work ethic.
Next, welcome to the realities of the work world! Supervisors are just like a combo meal- they come in all sizes, and some are better than others. It sounds like your supervisor may be one of those that may need to be ‘taken off the menu,’
Assuming that he genuinely is playing favorites, and there is no other explanation for his choice of behavior and decisions, here is your ‘No BossHoles Allowed’ Play (‘NBA Play’), word-for-word recommendations:
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Option #1: Ask a few polite, well-timed questions.
“Is this a good time? I have a few quick questions.” (If he says, 'No, this is not a good time," say, “Sure. When would be a good time today for a quick 5-minute conversation?)
- When you do have his attention, say, “I’ve noticed that I have been on bathroom cleaning duties for the last three weeks. I thought that our cleaning duties rotated each week? Is that right?” Then stop talking. Let him answer the question.
- If he says, "Yea, so you do such a great job at bathroom duty, and the others hate it. So, I figured I’d just leave it on you.” Say, “I try and do my best, even when it’s a dirty job, but I’d like to move on from bathroom cleaning. How about putting me on inventory next?”
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Option #2: Do great work and moderately self-promote.
You can’t control the behavior of others, but you can control how you respond to others. Continue to have pride in your work and, on occasion, draw some praise and attention to yourself by sharing your positive results with this supervisor. Say, ”I’ve had perfect attendance here since the summer started. I’ve never been late, and I try to do everything well. Hoping it pays off with the opportunity to have either the Tuesday or Wednesday off I requested as you prepare the next schedule.”
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Option #3: Do nothing. You said that the work is fine, and you enjoy working with your friends.
I presume this is a summer job and will end once you return to school. Take with you the valuable lesson and insight into the type of boss you don’t want to work for in the future. Hint: When you interview for your next job, ask around about the boss’s leadership style (and issues) before agreeing to work there.
Let us know how it goes and if this 'NBA Play' was a winner!
Time for a CHANGE?
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