Advice #2

Advice #2: Ask, do not tell.

     There is an old proverb that says "you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar." Unfortunately, that is a lie. But the principle is true. Asking someone if they can do something, and telling them to do something is two different things. I have the unfortunate experience to deal with that exact scenario this evening. I was working in my area and a Team Lead from another department asked me if I could help him in his department. I told him I would if I wasn't busy but won't know immediately. About 15 minutes later another supervisor comes by and TELLS me that since I'm not busy I NEED to work that department. Bear in mind I'm the only one working my department and the only one who works nights that is trained in my department. No managers, no supervisors are trained. JUST ME. Five other people in the whole store are trained, but they are either day shift or weekend shift. I'm the only night crew person. And they TELL me I HAVE to leave my area to work theirs. I was the last one out of the store and almost an hour late getting out. Managers and supervisors expect call us team members and team leads but only when it affects them. No one offered to help me when I got back to my area and found the system locked up and had to reboot. But heaven forbid I don't clean up their mess. Screw it! Tomorrow, I'm going to the General Manager and telling him that if any of the supers or managers want me to help in their areas than they can cover my area while I do that. And if they can't, well then their on their own.

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