[Stuckinda60s]

Forget about going to her manager's manager. That's not the proper way to do it. You don't go into her boss's office and drop something like this in her lap. For one thing, it might be what they want her to do. Even if it isn't, she might have a knee-jerk that'll go against your wife, simply because she's put on the defensive.

The proper thing to do is to go to HR, that's their job. The HR Manager will act as your advocate, knows the laws, knows the Company policies and has access to and knows everyone's work record. HR is also is going to want to solve the problem with as little fuss as possible which doesn't mean that they'll side against your wife.

Going to them will also prevent repercussions after things are settled. She can go to the NLRB, before she complains to HR, and explain the situation to them. They can give her advice and it can be a good weapon in her arsenal if she can say that she's already talked to them. They can also advise her as to whether or not she needs to go to a lawyer before she complains. I, personally, don't feel she needs to go to a lawyer before going to HR, but that's purely my opinion.

I wouldn't give up on the job, yet. She's got a lot of options and much more power than some on here seem to think. The Law's on her side, she just has to do things in the right manner.

Rich

[Stuckinda60s]

Sorry, Hitman, I didn't know you posted since I started to write my posting. I was busy and couldn't finish it until just now.

Rich

[Old Man Taylor]

The HR departments in retail stores are usually pretty bad, i.e., not very effective for personnel issues other than loss prevention. I would start with the people most influential in having your wife transferred to begin with. The discussion with them would be about the situation and about options. The only other thing she can do is go to her boss's boss. My wife was a retail store manager for a long time, and so was my daughter. Sometimes people like your wife's boss are protected for one reason or another - until their organizatoin falls apart.

The best course is to start looking for an equivalent job.

[Kerry H]

I will let my wife read this thread tomorrow. She is actually at work now. Hopefully she will just get a transfer. She called the HR at corporate today and was told nobody was there to take her call. She told them it was urgent and she was told that they would get back to her within 48-72 hours. I guess until something happens it is business as usual. Please keep the advice coming and thanks again. I will keep everyone posted on what is going on.

[68birdragtop]

My wife who worked for a major company went through a similar thing with her boss about four years ago. Just remember the people in HR work for the "company" I do not care what anyone says,the company signs their paychecks at the end of the day. My wife worked 12 years for this company,working her way up the ladder and suddenly one day the boss decided to make my wifes life miserable for months for her to quit so her (the bosses)friend (another employee/newbie) take my wife's position (which she got when my wife left). I spoke with a labour lawyer and they called it "constructive dismisal". We depended on my wife's income.Two toddlers,new home,etc... it was tough but I supported my wife and told her to leave as it was not mentally healthy for her,me or the kids. When she told me she wanted to drive the car off a bridge i believed her. I now drive beat up $500 cars, work a second job to help make ends meet but we actually have a better quality of life. I would personally document everything that is said with times and dates and speak with a lawyer that specializes in labour law. I found that the company will try and cover it's ass internally if you approach them yourself. Not to preach paranoia but in my wife's case i'm sure they would have found a way to legally dismiss her (nitpicking BS blackballing stuff) after we spoke with HR had we not spoken to a lawyer.I wish you the best of luck,I know how tough a time this is for your wife,yourself and your family but you need to be strong and stay focussed.

[Kerry H]

Well, she talked to the HR rep from the corporate office. They told her to talk to the district manager who is buddies with her manager. HR is going to be talking to people as well. I think she may end up being transferred to another store possible. That to me seems to be the easiest way to fix the problem. Plus, they don't lose an employee who has 15 years experience and the invested all the $$$ to move us out here. I suppose we will find out more in the next few days. Until then, I told her no matter how bad her manager gets, just to keep calm, don't say anything wrong and do not confide in others at the company because she can't trust anyone. Especially with Christmas being here, I am sure the company wants this to be as smooth as possible during their busiest time of year.

[Lady Dude]

OK Kerry...here's some advice from someone who is also in retail. Documentation was the best advice up here so far, also taking names of people around but, unfortunately sometimes people that are around will fold out of fear.
The key word here is that she has been with the company for 15 years, to us that means experience to the manager however that translates into a big paycheck........heck your wife might be making more than the manager, so it could be jealousy fueling the remarks. She needs to go coporate with this, someone higher up than her managers buddy. She needs to stay calm and controlled. They will question the manager, they have to. Just remember that sometimes things don't always turn out the way we want them to. If needed she could put in for a transfer over the manger's head and site the reason as the manger she is having trouble with. There is more than one way to skin a cat.
If there are that many people she is causing trouble with you might have a leg to stand on. Just remember, it takes two to tangle. If you refuse to fight with her.....blow her and her comments off.......she just might stop. She just might quit doing it if she doesn't get a rise out of you every time.

[Kerry H]

Thanks L.D. First off, the manager makes more than my wife unfortunatly so I don't think that is a problem. Corporate sets the wage for their managers. My wife says she (the manager) is pretty much a b**ch to everyone except I don't think she gets as personal with the others, I don't know. I don't think my wife can go to anyone else to see what their situation is because I believe they are all afraid of loosing their jobs. My wife says the manager is the type that likes to lead by fear and intimidation. No offence to woman at all, but this lady is on a power trip is all it seems like to me. She also told my wife that she is not to speak to the district manager because she is to far below her to be speaking to her. God, if there is one thing I hate, it is bullies and people who think they are better than others. Some people think because they have a title and a bigger pay check that they are better.

[PonchoV8]

Kerry, it sounds like you've got a good handle on understanding the situation your wife is in. Management will not side with her unless there is overwhelming opposition to the boss or unless sales and performance is way down--in a way that can be pinned on the boss. The boss is responsible ultimately, so it will play out. I've experience this stuff myself. I was top salesman at an auto store, and never was late. I took a stand when my boss stole from my pocket and lost--he lost later when he was fired for stealing from the company. I got a job doing the same thing within the same company and led sales every month without fail--except when I went on vacations and even then it was close. It was all caused because we had a district head that is a pnick. funny, his name is Rich Kyer, but EVERYBODY in the company called him Bitch Crier. the guy was the cause of distress in his district--nobody liked him (except the region manager). He would've been the guy that his troops would've shot him before the enemy could. I still don't like the manager for stealing, but it goes downhill.

Sometimes this stuff happens with a new manager that feels she can't instill that BS retail attitude of whoring your complete self out for the store cause. Sometimes it's a matter of feeling threatened by either longevity of your wife or devotion from some of the lower level employees. There are bad managers everywhere. My wife went thru at least 15 of them during her retail days. They'd come and go. One came back after stealing. She even admitted that she was allowed to come back because she gave the married district manager a BJ. Of course she didn't last long again and nobody took her seriously in her job anyway. That's how badly companies are in need of quality people though.

[amcmike]

She's loyal, she needs to make that clear. She's done well for the company, have her bring in past records to show that. She's being treated unfairly, and she needs to have a copy of all the documentation with her so she can read it directly to HR (this will get their attention). And if there are others having problems she needs to mention this as well. If the manager has filed any complaints, she should mention these are the first ones (or x out of y) in 15 years of loyal service.

[Kerry H]

Well everyone, it all worked out. My wife is being transferred to a new store after the holidays. She will be over a new department, she has worked with the manager (a man this time) and likes him. So she is kind of excited and relieved. It was a pretty tough stretch for her these past few weeks. Now she just has to make it through the holidays without going insane. Thanks for everyones input and advice.

[sdbob]

Keep reassuring your wife do not let her become like the boss.As others ahve said document.I've been told to do that because some of the crap here gets to me also.I've been called a 'trouble maker' and usually get the **** work.Because I do not conform at times.maybe the co. is paying your wife to much so they want her to quite and thats what this new boss is all about.Or basically she is jealous.Proceeding with the legal side maybe bad not sure. Good luck. Bob

[salem1912]

Try this site it help me with my job.www.LaborLawCenter.com, Good Luck

[Kerry H]

Check this out........My wifes manager was escorted out of the building the other night. FIRED !!!! Looks to me like karma played its hand in this situation. Un-real.

[b-man]

Originally Posted by Kerry H

Check this out........My wifes manager was escorted out of the building the other night. FIRED !!!! Looks to me like karma played its hand in this situation. Un-real.

Merry Christmas!

[Stuckinda60s]

Hey Kerry!

Just saw your posting, glad everything worked out! This should be an example, the proper way to do it is to go to HR. No matter what happens with them, you've done it the right way. Afterward, if that doesn't give you any justice, you can always say that you tried. If you go outside the Co. with complaints, the first thing they'll ask you is whether or not you've talked to HR.

I'm sure your wife's relieved and euphoric. Is she still being transferred? Or, is there a possibility that she'll get the managership (That's now vacant)?

Rich

[ChupaCabras]

Originally Posted by YVEYANT

If she does go the route of leaving she should be upfront with her upcoming interviewers in regards to what has happened at the previous job as they are not likely to give her a positive recommendation. Suprisingly, many companies take a positive view towards this as they will appreciate her honesty and judge her based soley on her interview, job related knowledge & how she presents herself before them.

rethink this... as this may be construed as a problematic/malcontent associate blaming management for their poor performance/inabilities to be a team member; hence the hunt for a new job.

other hints:

most companies are authorized to release hire date/release date and type of job performed when called for job verification, as they may be sued for slander, find out your companies specific policy.

keep a well kept log of events as they transpire, use experience to keep all "t's" crossed and "I's" dotted..your wife needs to be exceptional for a while until they move to a new target or the boss gets fired/transferred. utilize any resources to create a positive "buzz" around performance.

if she gets a "improvement plan/write up " make sure expectations are clearly spelled out along with measurable metrics that are realistic within a reasonable time, meet often to discuss performance and log it...in this case silence is not golden as they may be allowing "enough rope to hang oneself"

since she already met one on one, when doing a follow ups.. ask to for a neutral third party in there (Human Resources at least). Do
not get confrontational/angry or negative; use email as a follow up to recap discussion, specifically; perceived deficiencies discussed and how it was 'suggested' how to correct them. include any resources that you'll need to achieve this. 'cc' all parties involved. 'force' e-mail confirmation of this. prevent a "moving" target. know where you rank in regards to individual unit/district/nation performance.

toot horn whenever performance exceeds goals by emailing a copy to the boss and her boss.


good luck!!

[salem1912]

Should have a party (blanket) for him outside the door.