Guitar Center(long post

[glitch]

I know you mentioned it a few posts back, daryll, but don't forget that this is for the next poor guy who takes a job there too. As long as something is on record, HR will take it more seriously when the next poor schmuck starts to go through this "hazing" BS.

Also, if you stay on and see this kind of thing happen to anyone else (I'm assuming that they'll have stopped treating you badly if you stay on), you can tell the other guy how you stopped it. Once a bully knows the whole playground has turned against them, they tend to go away. Also, once HR has corroborating evidence, they tend to start taking serious disciplinary action.

Finally, just keep reminding them that people file full-blown lawsuits for "creating a hostile work environment". ;)

-- glitch.@#$%!

[Suilebhain]

One more thing - it is possible that the manager knows these guys are terrible workers but has no one to replace them. That would explain his offer to move you to another department. Maybe he is hoping that over time he can get rid of the bad element and have a crew with a better work ethic.

[darryl2113]

Well, I went in for the first time since all of this today. Within the first 5 minutes it was clear that I was going to be retaliated against. I was dumped all these tasks (some of which were the whole department's responsibilities) and then left alone, again, with no help. The night ended with one of the other associates in my department telling me now there is a new rule that if you don't finish your tasks you get written up. I told this employee that I had been left alone and when I asked him where he and the others had been, he gave me some bs about helping other departments. I asked him "What department are YOU assigned to?" and he flipped out and told me that we were gonna go into the front office and have a "meeting". I told him that we were not gonna have a meeting without the store manager present and he shouted that we were gonna do it now. I then told him that he was not my supervisor(he is only a sales associate like me). He shouted that he was a "veteran" and went on and on about how he is still the authority. He then flagged an asst mngr to have a "meeting", I did let him speak and most of what he said were lies, he did drop one tid bit about how I had "no problem going after peoples' jobs" and what not. Clearly all of these guys know that I have blown the whistle. He even told me infront of this AM that "he is in charge when the department manager is not there"(completely insane!). The AM told him that he couldn't write me up for not finishing tasks because that was what the time after we lock the doors are for. But for the most part, the AM looked very confused and obviously wanted to avoid any confrontation.

I really think these guys tried to set me up to get written up. My supervisor and this guy both acted hostile towards me all day, when they weren't off doing whatever it is they do. I emailed HR when I got home, but I still have no idea what to do. I just can't see how I can keep going back there and having to "fight the good fight" like this. I really did not want to go in today, and I definitely feel like I faced fears on my part for even having done so. But I think it would almost be masochistic to keep going into this environment. HR can't possibly "babysit" and they are not gonna go firing people anytime in the near future. I am gonna try to make myself go in tomorrow. I will see about goin into a different department, but the only place that I could really go is Drums, and that department is cut off from the rest of the store which makes me worry that they will do some shit to me in there and noone will be around to witness it. I am gonna talk to HR before I go in though, so I am not sure what exactly they will suggest I do..

[darryl2113]

On many levels I agree. Not having any experienced standing up to bullies, I also kind of feel that this was an chance to learn a lesson that I keep missing. Life teaches lessons until we learn them I think this has happened for a reason. Maybe the lesson is learned and its time to move on. Its just hard to be sure. A year ago, you couldn't have paid me a million bucks to go back and face a bunch of bullies that I had just stood up to. I just wonder if there is more for me to learn here before I leave. I really don't want to get taught this lesson again.

[darryl2113]

sorry about all the typos, I am tired and upset still.

[darryl2113]

WEll,I do apppreciate the comments. Coming from you in means alot more than you might ever imagine.
I actually did have some windows open recently to start finishing mixing this record and actually put a live band together. Maybe the moons aligned just in time.

[darryl2113]

I think you are right. The lady with HR is gonna call me tomorrow morning, IK think I am gonna tell her what happened and all. I told her before that I really didn't see a point in me goin back considering that almost the entire store is involved.She assured me that anymore of this nonsense wouldn't be tolerated.Looks like I should have went with my gut.

Looking at the law and the company policies, "retaliation" is definitely grounds for a lawsuit. I think that is all HR is interested in is me not filing one.

I really just don't want to be on my ass again. I've got this trip to Chicago to see MBV already booked, and there really aren't that many places that would be all that great to work for. But at this point anything will be better than this.

[darryl2113]

WEll,I do apppreciate the comments. Coming from you in means alot more than you might ever imagine.
I actually did have some windows open recently to start finishing mixing this record and actually put a live band together. Maybe the moons aligned just in time.

How about this. You stop fucking around with Guitar Center bullshit and get your music project together, and I'll finally start that experimental band I've always wanted get going here in Portland.

What do you say?

well, as long as I don't have to bleed, I got nothing left to loose.

[darryl2113]

But at this point anything will be better than this.

For the longest time I tried getting "good" jobs... graphic design... head shop managerial position... office work, but I always went back to working at sub shops or fast food joints. Ya know why... low-stress, and they paid well enough to get by.

Give yourself a break man. If you have a car... I can't recommend pizza delivery enough!

Also... I don't know about Tennessee, but over here in Oregon, minimum wage is $7.95... and if you have a job with tips... you still have to get paid minimum (in Texas they could pay less than minimum).

All my love and cosmic support your way my friend.

well, minimum wage is just now 6 something. I guess I could find something off c-list until after MBV. I appreciate all you have said. That "standing up to myself" was exactly what I needed to hear. In a way, this shit at GC was more about that than about standing up to assholes. It was "me" keeping me from standing up to bullies my whole life. I finally got it into my thick ass skull that there was no real reason that I couldn't do it, so all there was left to do was the action itself. After all the horrible, painful things that I have had to endure in my life, it is definitely laughable that I would let something like this bother me like it does.thank you for shedding your wisdom.

[Disco Ditto]

good job darryl.

standing up to bullies can be addicting. especially if u turn the tables around and wallop them instead.

i wasn't a bully, but i was a bully's bully. i used to just stand around watching my friends get beat up by a bear sized fat dood. till one day i cried seeing my friend's face get smashed against a wall, i jumped in rage on the bully's back and gave him a chokehold that left him blue and almost dead. i also pried off 4 of his front teeth in the process cos i was just so damn mad i lost my mind.

beware. it can be addicting and almost sado.

the dark side feels good when u use it for justice.



feel the force.

and welcome to knighthood.

[darryl2113]

I was going to quit today. A friend of mine (probably the closest friend I have ever had) really tried to convince me that it would be a mistake to do that . I kind of disagreed, but he insisted that I see this through. I talked to the HR lady and towards the end of that conversation she strongly advised that I stick out as well. I was lucky today and got put in the Drum department with someone who not only is in my corner, but has no problem standing up to these people by herself. I was able to hide behind her until I felt comfortable enough to start working. They still tried to fuck with me today, only now it was much more subtle. I really feel like I should walk. It seems like I would dissapoint alot of people, but I really don't look at this as a me vs. them/win lose thing. I feel like the only way for me to win is to stop getting in the ring with these people. Something inside tells me that I have already endured enough to file a lawsuit. These assholes just don't get it! They keep trying to retaliate against me, they don't realize that they are basicly firing themselves,, they don't even understand that what they are doing is fucked up. Of course, I can't threaten them in anyway, not even with the HR stuff. I can't say anything. It feels like walking into a lion's den with sirloins strap across my neck and being told that if the lion attacks me it will be punished. I would like very much to not go in tomorrow. So far, I have been shown that I am stronger than I think I am, so maybe I will muster up the courage to go in.

[Suilebhain]

Nah, man, you are walking into the lion's den with a swarm of ninja following you in the shadow. Just let them do their work.

[darryl2113]

well, today went a little smoother. One of the main guys involved who is also the highest up out to all of them was still doing the "everly nice" thing, I want to believe it is sincere so badly, but after last night, I still think it unwise to let my guard down. I talked to HR today and she told me that this Tuesday we are gonna have a meeting with 2 of these guys and try to resolve the "break down in communications". I agreed, as I figured I would look unreasonable if I refused. I have to atleast try this their way before I shoot it down. It still pisses me off when this is referred to as a "communication problem". I feel like I have handled my end the best way anyone could. If it is a "communication problem", it is simply that I have communicated that I expect to be treated with respect and dignity and they haven't heard that or don't know what that looks like. Anyways, I have tomorrow and then Sunday I am off. While things are calming down , I should probably start looking for another job. Atleast now I can stand to be there long enough to get one before I quit. I may be too negative about this, I guess I should atleast try to trust the process before I shut it down. Its just hard to trust a process that I have never experienced. I guess this is what HR is for, I just am afraid that they don't understand the nature of the problem, perhaps they do but don't want me thinking that I have enough to take legal action. ANyways, thanks for everyone's help so far. This has been a life changing event for me, and would never have happened had this forum not existed. I didn't even know what "human resources" was until this/

[Caesar]

So, What's the employee discount like? Seems like the only reason to work there.

[metalmariachi]

So, What's the employee discount like? Seems like the only reason to work there.

That's what I was thinking.

I was actually going to ask for a discount... as in free... if you could manage it.

a bit mercenary.

Edit: I apologize if my previous wording, meant as a joke, offended any one.

Darryl;

'Communication Break Down' is now your official theme song.

I worked for years where we never had a “problem”, we “observed an anomaly”.

Key words in the Army, they never say “we are under attack” say “We are observing small arms, artillery, etc fire”.

Now you have breathing space to find another job, while still drawing a pay check.

Keith