I first started my job as a casheir at a local high school 6 years ago. My co-workers often complained about our boss; however, I thought they were just being unfair to her and I often dissmissed their comments. Three years later I became a full time cook at the school and a year after I became head of the kitchen with #1 seniority. At this point I had come a long way. Starting with numerous hours of substituting for sick cooks (approx for 3 years). I also had picked up the slack for a lazy and verbally and intimidating cook, who also, by the way, verbally abused and intimidated our boss. When I complained to our boss about this cook she commented "she shouts at me as well". The abusive cook left. When I moved into #1 seniority as a cook, I had to train the prep cook to now cook the main meal. This took time away from my regular work and added more responsibilities to my job; also, another woman started working as a prep cook and she had to be trained as well. Meanwhile, I was only recieving 30 cents an hour more than the main cook (who had only been working at the school for 5 months).
I loved my job, the hours were perfect(not the pay) but the work kept getting harder and harder with more responsibilitys added. I kept showing up for work with a positive attitude but slowly I started unraveling. First, my boss came in the kitchen to talk to the hot lunch cook (who I had been training) and the two of them would discuss menu's and goverment food we would be recieving. I thought my boss should have included this with me seeing as I was the one who had been planning the menu's for the last year and a half; however, I let it go. I let many things go over the years, I let many things go that first couple of weeks I became head of the kitchen; but, when my boss came in the kitchen and started discussing drink orders( which I took care of) with the hot lunch cook I noticed this was becoming a regular thing. The cook informed the boss that I took care of all the orders and she ignored her comment, I went up to the boss and told her I had been taking care of all the orders and she just looked at me and said "hmm" then told the hot lunch cook to go with her in the back room to discuss orders. I was VERY UPSET but decided to calm down and sleep on it. I never said a word, but, the next morning I was still so upset, I felt humiliated the day before and I was not putting up with this treatment anymore. I confronted my boss and she apologized saying she would talk to me if it was anything to do with my job. I also confronted the bossy hot lunch cook and told her I was in charge of the kitchen not her and that she should run things by me first seeing as I was training her (she improved after this). Nevertheless; after my confrontation with the boss, although she did talk with me about my responsibilities, she often would ignore me and sometimes talk condesending to me in front of the other cooks. This led to me snapping back at her. Sometimes I would let a comment or her snubbing go. Later, out of the blue, I would take a pot shot. I guess I was hurting more than I realized. The final insult was when the hot lunch cook broke her foot and had been off for six weeks. I had been showing a substitute how to do the cooking and picking up the slack for her. One day a substitute was supposed to come in to help serve, etc. No-one showed up and our boss was off sick so I decided we would work short handed and not bother the boss as she might be ill. Next day, I had forgot all about the dilema; however, the boss knew what had happened and apologized to everyone but me. I waited the rest of the week, nothing. That's when I decided to quit.
It is now summer break. I gave six weeks notice before school starts. I believe my boss though she had it covered when I resigned by giving my job to a substitute with little experience in the kitchen. She expected the cook with the broken foot to return for the new school year; however, the cook broke her other foot and she resigned 3 days after me and the prep cook resigned as well, stating she could not work without me in the kitchen as I took care of everything. The boss will have to do what I did for the last 2 years. Train 2 new cooks, menu's, orders, cook meat etc. It will be over 100 degrees in the kitchen, she will get grease stains on her clothes and smell of food. I hope the new people quit. They will work for minimum wage, with a woman who does not know how to do 50% of the jobs and who never gives credit.
How do I explain myself when I apply for a new job? This is the only thing I worry about. I know I am not supposed to snap at the boss or be difficult and I did both.
just me (08/09/2006)
Don't worry. There are lots of legitimate reasons to quit. You can easily sugar coat it or focus on a smal truth. Like you can say that you chose to leave in order to get ready to go back to school. Just tell them that it was a summer job and it wouldn't work with your fall schedule. Something like that. Lots of people understand those reasons. But never ever dish (no pun intended ;-) on the old job. Don't say a bad word about it. Even if they ask you how you felt about your old boss. Be nice. Be respectful (you sound very of both) and you'll be just fine. BTW - ever see the episode of Seinfeld where George Costanza thought of things to say to the jerk in the meetings a day or two after the fact? Hilarious. He never had a good comeback and then he thought to say "The jerk store called." and it flopped because it was too prepared. That's the story of my life! Good luck to you! There wil be better days ahead!
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