I will never be able to understand why some people think it’s ok to just not show up at work. Do they think the rest of us like to take up the slack and fill the void they’ve left in the crew when they don’t come in?

Today was one of those days when not one, but two, people decided they had better things to do than work. I suppose they already have too much money in the bank or something. Anyway, when the scheduled number of crew, including myself, is only five people, and two aren’t there, it causes some serious problems for the rest of us.

I wound up staying an extra two and a half hours at work today, waiting until the evening crew came in, even though I opened this morning. I’m telling you, working on your feet from 6 AM to 4:30 in the afternoon is a pretty effective weight loss regimen! It’s also a good way to develop tough callouses on your feet!

Ah, well. I’m sure tomorrow night, closing, will be better. I just keep telling myself that, you know?

Technorati Tags: work, crew

Posted: June 29th, 2008 under Work.
Comments: none

Today seemed like it was three days long. I got up really early to get ready for work. I had to be there by 6 AM, and actually arrived at 5:45, so I was in good shape there. I started right in, doing opening procedures when I discovered the cash registers weren’t on.

I went to each one and hit the on switch. One of them tried to load the touch screen but it wound up looking like a film from an old science class of an artist’s rendition of the Big Bang theory. That was the register where the opening register tape is supposed to be produced, and nothing came out of its printer.

Two crew members arrived and started turning on the grill and fryers. One grill wouldn’t heat up and two fryers refused to get hot. Great. We thought we’d have to work all day on half the equipment we normally use. Still, we did all we could to get the restaurant open by 7, and we were able to take orders and make food, although it was pretty tight going for awhile.

I learned later that the power had gone off in the building, although only briefly, and that was what reset the registers and caused the cooking equipment to fail. Another manager came in and flipped the main breakers off, then on, and all the equipment started then. Phew!

Technorati Tags: work, cash registers, touch screen

Posted: June 29th, 2008 under Work.
Comments: none

I’m going to be trying to develop an incentives program for the store I work at. I’ll include things like Employee of the Month and other awards to help incent the crew to do a better job, follow correct procedures, show up to work on time and every time, and always follow our policies regarding their uniforms and other things.

I probably can’t give away Akoya pearls to those whose job performance warrants an award, but I can give out Arch Cards in varying amounts, lapel pins, and free meals. People thrive on recognition. When the higher-ups recognize someone for their achievements, it helps spur the person on to continue in the good job they began. Those who put out the effort really do deserve some kind of award, anyway, since there are others who won’t display any kind of progress or ambition no matter what you do to encourage them. There are always some who take up the slack for the others, and they deserve to be rewarded for it.

Technorati Tags: incentives program, Employee of the Month, awards

Posted: June 20th, 2008 under Work, Business and finance.
Comments: none

Today was payday, so I headed to my workplace to pick up my check. As you know already, I work at McDonald’s, where I’m an assistant manager now. I am hoping that will change soon. I’ve requested to be considered for general manager of the store where I’m working. I haven’t heard yet but I do know the fellow who is currently the GM there will be moving on to other things soon.

Becoming a GM will mean a nice increase in pay, which I can really use. I have a lot to learn about certain aspects of managing a store, but my supervisor is great and is eager to begin the teaching process. She feels that I won’t have any problems with the things I’ll be learning.

Eventually, I’d like to become a salaried manager. It does mean more hours required on the job, but it also means a huge jump in pay plus some great benefits. There is also a longer vacation package when you’re a salaried manager. Right now, I’ve got a one week paid vacation. I took only a couple of days of it so far so I really need to have the other days added to the schedule. I need them!

Technorati Tags: payday, McDonald’s, assistant manager, general manager

Posted: June 20th, 2008 under Work.
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I don’t get sick very often, but I’ve caught something that has really knocked the wind right out of me. All over body aches, stuffy head, coughing, runny nose, terrible headache…I’m sick for sure. This is something that’s going around locally and I sure was hoping it would miss me.

I can’t take off work. I can’t afford to. Besides, the way the schedule is, there isn’t another manager that can cover my shifts. We could use one more manager, even a part-time one, to help fill in the gaps when things like this happen. I think I’m going to suggest that to my supervisor and see what she thinks. In the meantime, when any of us gets sick, we just have to tough it out at work.

Well, I suppose all I can do until it’s time to head to work is just rest and try to get over this as much as possible. Maybe I’ll feel better this afternoon.

Technorati Tags: sick, work, manager

Posted: May 13th, 2008 under