Time for another workplace rant this one centered on both my assistant manager and the service manager (#3 manager). This blog has been the host of many rants about my store manager Mr Slash and Burn but Mr Slash and Burn was transferred to another store location in the same district and his replacement who I used to work for at that same store is actually pretty cool. The assistant manager who I got along great with also changed as he was also transferred out but not to the same store. This assistant I also once worked with at that same old store and though I didn't like him at first eventually grew to earn his respect and he mellowed out a bit after his daughter died (I don't know how she did).

When my new assistant manager started things picked up as they were when I last worked with him, I built up a reputation as one of the best workers in the store and he knew I tended to get things done. Of course I still do the best I can but though I had knee problems back then they have gotten significantly worse to where I don't have the speed or endurance that I did back then. I got my 6th knee injury back in October, one that thankfully only lasted for a few weeks but during the injury he treated me like crap. He knew about my first 3 injuries but during the whole thing he acted like he didn't believe a word I said, his body language and tone of voice said it all and his smart ass remarks about this being a "waste of time" didn't help matters. And to make matters worse my doctor was just as bad as him but that bitch might get another blogpost to herself.

Granted getting injured from standing for 30-45 minutes (backup checker) is an unusual way to get hurt but it is well known that because of my years of injuries that standing in place for prolonged periods is the one thing that aggravates my knee more than anything. A fact that my new manager thankfully understands as he himself recently came back from double knee surgery and is doing the best he can prevent me from getting another injury. But my assistant manager has unrealistic expectations of me, he expects me to perform physically at the level I used to which is something that just can't be done.

When I fail to live up to these expectations I get yelled at and in one case even written up. The write up was "not personal" according to him but I know that is bullshit. He keeps telling me that I shouldn't take on big projects (build up displays) when there are a ton of holes on the shelf. And normally he would be right but because of all the thanksgiving add items I barely had room for anything and had no other choice but to build up ends in order to make room to accomplish anything whatsoever. I work dairy mostly and the cooler I work with is at least half the size it should be for how much product gets shipped in even in regular loads much less holiday stuff. But that stubborn jackass won't listen to a word I say and could care less, he knows what is going on back there and I would think he of all people would know better as he is not one of those managers who sticks around in the office all day but he is one of those "my way or the highway" managers who thinks he knows everything.

And the service manager who I mentioned while he isn't as bad is a classic brown noser and was emboldened by my write up and just can't resist rubbing it in every chance he gets. And he is a know it all who got to where he is in large part due to his brother who was a key carrier (low-mid ranked manager) at the same store I used to work at. He got promoted way too quickly and the power got to his head and gets worse as he continues to rise up the ranks. I remember the few times he worked the dairy section back when he was a Clerk and he got eaten alive yet he keeps talking like he can run the section better than I can when I have had 6 years of experience back there.