Should I talk to my manager?

[nachonaco]

My trainer (I'm still a trainee at McD's) is cheating me out of money!

I have to leave when SHE does, which today was TWO HOURS before I was scheduled to leave! That's 11.25! And yesterday, I was told to leave an hour early, which was 5.75.

16 BUCKS down the drain!

But it doesn't end there!

She told me I shouldn't come in 'til Monday, when I was scheduled to work Saturday and Sunday!

And dad says not to tell the mgmt about her yet because "it hasn't happened when you're not training yet".

[Weatherman]

Damn right you should call the management. They make the hours decisions, not the trainer, correct?

[nachonaco]

Well, my dad says since I'm just a trainee, they're trying to figure out where to place me.

But hey, they need to get their schedule straight.

I mean, my mom runs a business by appointment only, and she can't cancel on her clients because I need a ride to work, and then it turns out I'm rescheduled....

It's a pain.

(I live 1 mile away from the store, so I can't take a cab/bus/etc)

[The Falcon]

no offense, but you could walk if it's just a mile

and i'll be happy to answer this question for you. as i mentioned in your other thread, i am a management level employee at a hardee's restaurant

as a trainee, the person who is training you in has the right to send you home early or request you not to come in at all. if you came in when the store didn't need you, the store would be losing money by paying you for your shift. in the end of things, the company cares more about profit

don't quit because you think that's horrible, because, quite frankly, it's like that at any place you'd work

the person training you in doesn't have a personal vendetta against you. they're just doing their job. i can guarantee they were just acting on orders given to them by the higher management anyway, so complaining to upper management would effectively do nothing

[Retro Gigi]

(I live 1 mile away from the store, so I can't take a cab/bus/etc)
Do you have a bicycle? Good exercise and good for the environment...
I'd take the advice of your dad over some people on an internet web board. :)

[nachonaco]

I can't walk, it's on a highway. Plus, my parents don't let me walk ANYWHERE.

And also, I THINK (but am not totally sure) that she's racist.

Example 1: Some kid yakked all over the floor. I was asked to clean it up. I replied "I-I don't think I can." because throw up makes me want to puke. THINKING about it right now makes me want to yakk everywhere. She replied, "Well honey, then you need to go home." What the heck? I'm a TRAINEE, I need to be trained in other things besides wiping and re-wiping and re-re-wiping restaurant tables over and over again. I need to learn how to use the grill too, girl.

Example 2: Me and one of the few other white employees, out of something like four on my shift, have been stuck on cleaning duty the past two days. I have yet to see an African-American clean there. AT LEAST three times today, my trainer (who is African-American) walked over to me and told me I was HOLDING THE RAG WRONG. Jeez! (Note: I am not trying to say that it should be all African-Americans that are cleaning the lobby during that shift, it would just be nice if we weren't the only ones doing it). I should also add that (at last count) there are less white workers at that McD's than African-Americans during my shift.

[One Radical Dude]

If you're not comfortable there, then go somewhere else. However, you're gonna more than likely do things that you hate to do -- pretty much everywhere. Example 1: If part of your job is to clean, then she has the right to tell you to go home, if you refuse. You're basically telling her that you really don't want to work here. Example 2: The wash cloth example is stupid -- I've never heard of anyone saying that "you're doing it wrong". As for the trainer being 'racist', maybe -- maybe not.

Anyway, you need to start somewhere and arrive with a good attitude.

[nachonaco]

Actually, when I was hired, the owner of the restaurant signed the following duties to me: Cooking/cashier. I should be doing those, not in the lobby.

I love my job, but she bugs me to no end.

About the puke thing, I cannot stand being around, smelling, or seeing it. I honestly started heaving when this one guy came up and said "some kid puked". The trainer acts like cleaning is all I'm responsible for.

The 'asking me to do something while I was clocking out' was another thing that got under my skin. She should've either done the stupid lid refilling herself, or let me clock out completely first.

[One Radical Dude]

Just because you're a Cook/Cashier doesn't mean that you won't ever have to perform any cleaning or any duties outside of doing the cooking or cashier work.

[nachonaco]

True, but for the past two days I've worked, they won't let me do either of those duties.

[The Falcon]

in my opinion, since you are new, you should be training on the register and the grill with somebody to start. that way you get used to it and can function effeciently on the job. in no way do i think your trainer is expressing reverse racism. if you have a problem, then talk to your manager. DO NOT bring up the racism issue though. that'll be bad news for everyone. tell your manager you feel you're not getting accurate training by merely cleaning all the time and you'd like to be given time on the register and grill

[Retro Gigi]

expressing reverse racism.
I'm sorry, but I don't believe there is such a thing.

[Kagetsu]

Blue Falcon has very good advice. Trust me, "fair" treatment is whatever they want as long as they don't violate labor laws. Refusal to do an assigned task is grounds for firing. You're not cheated if they send you home, only if you work off the clock. I don't doubt you'll get the short end of the stick. It does happen everywhere. But sometimes you will like being at one place better than another. I was so stressed on my first job I couldn't eat and hated going to bed knowing it would be another day. Don't play the racism angle, it will never work. If anyone threatens you you could claim a hostile work environment. I did that once and they just laughed at me because they didn't care. But no one wants to clean vomit. They also most likely won't adapt your schedule, they usually aren't that flexible.

I would probaly ask the manager about the cashier/cook training to be sure you're getting the training he expects. I would wait till after training before thinking of quitting.

I'm sorry, but I don't believe there is such a thing. trust me, there is. it's just nearly impossible to prove.

[The Falcon]

I'm sorry, but I don't believe there is such a thing.sorry. meant reverse discrimination

also, concerning the hours, trainees are at the bottom of the ladder as far as labor hour division goes. upper management (managers, assistant managers) get the hours they want first, then middle management (supervisors), then lower management (crew leaders or trainers), then regular crew, and of the regular crew, it depends on who's been there longer

sorry, but thems the breaks

[Master Moron]

My trainer (I'm still a trainee at McD's) is cheating me out of money!

I have to leave when SHE does, which today was TWO HOURS before I was scheduled to leave! That's 11.25! And yesterday, I was told to leave an hour early, which was 5.75.

16 BUCKS down the drain!

But it doesn't end there!

She told me I shouldn't come in 'til Monday, when I was scheduled to work Saturday and Sunday!

And dad says not to tell the mgmt about her yet because "it hasn't happened when you're not training yet".

Okay, I've actually worked my way through the ranks at Mcdonald's before, and the way the hierarchy usually works is:

Store Manager
Assistant Store Manager
Swing Manager
Crew Trainer
Crew Person

Now, a crew trainer would normally only have authority to send someone home if there was no higher ranking employee currently in the restaurant. Unless they changed their policies of course.

I actually find it unusual that you have a designated trainer. The restaurant I worked at seemed to use crew trainers more as a rank rather than someone actually designated to train crew members. I mean, pretty much anyone was authorized to train crew members.

I can't walk, it's on a highway. Plus, my parents don't let me walk ANYWHERE.

And also, I THINK (but am not totally sure) that she's racist.

Example 1: Some kid yakked all over the floor. I was asked to clean it up. I replied "I-I don't think I can." because throw up makes me want to puke. THINKING about it right now makes me want to yakk everywhere. She replied, "Well honey, then you need to go home." What the heck? I'm a TRAINEE, I need to be trained in other things besides wiping and re-wiping and re-re-wiping restaurant tables over and over again. I need to learn how to use the grill too, girl.

Example 2: Me and one of the few other white employees, out of something like four on my shift, have been stuck on cleaning duty the past two days. I have yet to see an African-American clean there. AT LEAST three times today, my trainer (who is African-American) walked over to me and told me I was HOLDING THE RAG WRONG. Jeez! (Note: I am not trying to say that it should be all African-Americans that are cleaning the lobby during that shift, it would just be nice if we weren't the only ones doing it). I should also add that (at last count) there are less white workers at that McD's than African-Americans during my shift.

As everyone else already said, you pretty much have to do what you're told. Just kiss everyone's ass and maybe you can get a good reference for your next job. The hardest part of getting a job is getting good references. Don't blow it by pissing off your managers. If you're unhappy with your job, look for a different job, but don't start blowing off your current job.

Actually, when I was hired, the owner of the restaurant signed the following duties to me: Cooking/cashier. I should be doing those, not in the lobby.

I love my job, but she bugs me to no end.

About the puke thing, I cannot stand being around, smelling, or seeing it. I honestly started heaving when this one guy came up and said "some kid puked". The trainer acts like cleaning is all I'm responsible for.

The 'asking me to do something while I was clocking out' was another thing that got under my skin. She should've either done the stupid lid refilling herself, or let me clock out completely first.

Wait, you'd prefer she let you clock out before you refill the lids? What? So, you'd rather refill the lids and not get paid as opposed to refilling the lids and getting paid for it? Refilling the lids really shouldn't take that long anyway. Unless of course, you're having trouble finding the lids, which might be a possibility as you're a new employee. In which case you should ask someone where they are located.

[The Guitar Slayer]

Guess what. You're 17. No high school diploma. You're new. Welcome to the lowest rung of the ladder. Welcome to the grunt work. Welcome to your career choices.

As for trying to play the race card here, you're not there all the time. In fact, you're there much less than you'd like! You're the lowest trainee on the totem pole with perhaps the fewest hours. This is bootcamp. Maybe they've cleaned up vomit or a massive spillage when you weren't about. Either way, you do it. This is the food industry, and this happens.

Cook/cashier is a broad term for everyone you see working in fast food that's not part of the hierarchy. Janitors come in periodically and in the afterhours. Otherwise, it's all those teenagers who clear the tables, take orders, run the drive through, and cook those fries.

In short, do the job and stop complaining. If you don't like it, go find yourself another one. It's going to be the same wherever you go in the fast food industry.

[Daredevil_2003]

Guess what. You're 17. No high school diploma. You're new. Welcome to the lowest rung of the ladder. Welcome to the grunt work. Welcome to your career choices.

As for trying to play the race card here, you're not there all the time. In fact, you're there much less than you'd like! You're the lowest trainee on the totem pole with perhaps the fewest hours. This is bootcamp. Maybe they've cleaned up vomit or a massive spillage when you weren't about. Either way, you do it. This is the food industry, and this happens.

Cook/cashier is a broad term for everyone you see working in fast food that's not part of the hierarchy. Janitors come in periodically and in the afterhours. Otherwise, it's all those teenagers who clear the tables, take orders, run the drive through, and cook those fries.

In short, do the job and stop complaining. If you don't like it, go find yourself another one. It's going to be the same wherever you go in the fast food industry.Food service sucks ass, period. And, for me, it seems like I can't get out of it! For last 2 months I've been looking for a job, the reason it took so long was that I was trying to get out of working in a restaurant but low and behold, after countless applications and interviews what are the only places that have actually offered me employ? The god damned restaurants! Grr! I hate this line of work! And I've done front of the house and back of the house, in everything from a sandwich shop to a 4-star restaurant, in almost every position from busboy, server, to cook, prep guy, and even dishwasher and I hate every last thing about it!

*sigh* Well, at least I get free food. :lol:

[Master Moron]

Guess what. You're 17. No high school diploma. You're new. Welcome to the lowest rung of the ladder. Welcome to the grunt work. Welcome to your career choices.


Ummm...how do you know she's 17? It doesn't say her age on her profile. Nor her education status. You make her sound like a high school drop out, which she hasn't seemed to indicate from this thread.

Food service sucks ass, period. And, for me, it seems like I can't get out of it! For last 2 months I've been looking for a job, the reason it took so long was that I was trying to get out of working in a restaurant but low and behold, after countless applications and interviews what are the only places that have actually offered me employ? The god damned restaurants! Grr! I hate this line of work! And I've done front of the house and back of the house, in everything from a sandwich shop to a 4-star restaurant, in almost every position from busboy, server, to cook, prep guy, and even dishwasher and I hate every last thing about it!

*sigh* Well, at least I get free food. :lol:

Well, the best thing you can do at a food service position is kiss ass so you can work your way up the corporate ladder. I eventually became a swing manager, now I can put this on my resume:

McDonalds 1997-2002
Swing Manager
Responsible for customer service
Assigned daily duties for employees
Tracked status of production waste into company database
Answered phone calls
Resolved customer complaints
Trained new employees
Determined food temperature in accordance with federal standards

Damn, five years at Mcdonald's. That's a long time.

You know what the difference is between a prostitute and a Mcdonald's employee? Prostitutes get paid more.

[nachonaco]

Close, I'll be 17 in August.

[Chris Wood]

I can't help you with your problem other than to suggest never working in fast food, but here's some helpful tips for when they let you cook:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOhJPj4uRLM

[Delia]

I don't really think you can do much. If you're done work--- in your case, done training at that point of the day, then you may be sent home early.

I regularly get sent home early because business cannot provide us the payroll to support a larger number of staff. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad.

[Master Moron]

I can't help you with your problem other than to suggest never working in fast food, but here's some helpful tips for when they let you cook:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOhJPj4uRLM

McDonald's has clamshell grills. They automatically cook the meat on both sides. There's no need to flip.

[Chris Wood]

McDonald's has clamshell grills. They automatically cook the meat on both sides. There's no need to flip.

But you can still rap! "Now beef's got grains just like wood, you've got to follow the arrows to lay it down like you should..."


If your job's still getting you down, here's some advice from McDonalds on how to turn that frown upside down:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnLTWKA9RyQ

"Make it happy and gay!"

[The Guitar Slayer]

Ummm...how do you know she's 17? It doesn't say her age on her profile. Nor her education status. You make her sound like a high school drop out, which she hasn't seemed to indicate from this thread.
I based this out of the previous thread "If I bring in my birth certificate..." He/She said that he/she was 17 and that they could not get a work permit out of school because they no longer attended school. Being 16, as clarifed above, that would make her able to drop out. Considering many high schools and grade schools are not out yet, it was a logical next step.

[Master Moron]

I based this out of the previous thread "If I bring in my birth certificate..." He/She said that he/she was 17 and that they could not get a work permit out of school because they no longer attended school. Being 16, as clarifed above, that would make her able to drop out. Considering many high schools and grade schools are not out yet, it was a logical next step.

Oh, if that's the case I would give nachonaco the advice of going back to school. It's still early enough in your life that you can go back to high school without it being awkward. If you don't go back to school now you might regret it for the rest of your life. If you don't want to be stuck working at a fast food restaurant the rest of your life then you should definitely go back to school.

[nachonaco]

I'm still in school, but out for the summer.

[The Guitar Slayer]

I'm still in school, but out for the summer.

The school office is open all summer; they don't have that three month break luxury you have! So you could have easily gotten your permit, if you required one (since you are 16, you usually don't in most states).

[nachonaco]

I ended up getting my permit, but I had to go downtown.

Only one lady at my school is allowed to dish out the permits, and she was off for the summer.