Had a little talk with the Boss Lady recently. She informs me that, while using the store's computer, she found my "little bloggy loggy thing". Not sure which one, probably not this one. I'm thinking it was my profile at MyBlogLog.com. She said from the timestamps (none of which are accurate, different time zone) she knew I had done a lot of that at work and considering all the graphics and text, there was no way I could have done all that in just a few minutes. I'm under the impression she thinks I put all that together, spending hours playing when I should have been working. I don't think she realizes that profiles are pretty much done automatically.
On the other hand, I have used the work computer to send a quick email or message to someone. I've also used it to create a post here. The post only took about 5 - 10 minutes, since it was a copy & paste deal, but still.
I understand that she objects to playing on her time. I even admit that I was wrong to use her computer to play while I was supposed to be working. No problem. Believe me when I say it won't happen again.
The only thing that bothered me: I told her that usually when I used the store's computer for something personal I did it when I was taking a break to eat lunch. I am the only employee, so if she isn't there, I don't get to take an actual lunch break. I sit behind the counter and eat in between customers and phone calls. She told me that if I was taking a break I needed to deduct that time from my hours. My question is, how am I supposed to calculate that as a break when it is constantly interrupted by work? Honestly, some days it takes me 45 minutes to eat a sandwich because I stop so often to help someone. Other days, I end up throwing my lunch away because it sat so long uneaten that I no longer want it.
My solution at this point is that I won't use her computer for anything not work related and when I'm there by myself I'll continue working while eating. Or skip sitting down to eat anything. I guess I'll bring more snacks and just nibble through out the day.
At least she wasn't a raging asshole about the whole thing, like some people's bosses are. She's actually a pretty cool boss so it all evens out. I'll just have to squeeze my play-time here in between work and spending time with T.
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Oh, I so know what you mean about no break. When I'm in the office, I'm in charge and on call the whole eight hours. I can count on one hand the number of times I have been able to take a 1/2 hour lunch break uninterrupted, without getting up to answer the phone or see to a guest. Luckily for me, the boss relies upon me to tell her who's been messing around on the computer too much. Needless to say, I haven't busted the night clerk for his porn-site surfing! Hang in there, dear.
ReplyDeletei'm trying, i guess it just bothered me that she thought that was all i did sometimes
ReplyDeleteplus, now i can't bounce in tmhq and get a hug or find something to smile about anymore. :(
I'm still lurking about, M-A. Just changed my avatar.
ReplyDeleteOne of the bookstores I worked for had the coolest boss in the world, the other was this kind of nightmare. It was busy, so there were usually 2 of us working, but same, our lunch break meant being constantly on call to help out at the busy counter.
Work only got worse when she showed up to tell us what to do. I locked her keys in her car once. It was an accident, but my subconscious is telling me it was revenge and karma. She threw her sanwich across the counter when I told her - evil bitch that she was! Though yours sounds maybe a bit better than this. Good luck with it all. Rose.
I have a BRILLIANT idea!
ReplyDeleteKeep a little log of what happens during your break, all under the guise of deducting the correct amount of time. EX:
1:20 - start lunch break
1:21 - assist customer
1:27 - resume lunch break
1:30 - answer phone call
1:32 - assist customers #1 / #2
1:50 - resume lunch break
1:56 - end lunch break
Total lunch break deducted:
10 minutes
Since you like your boss, you could apologize ahead of time and tell her it's not to prove a point or anything - you really have no idea how long your breaks end up being, and you just want to be fair to both of you.
That's human relations gold!
FWIW, I had a job like that at a jewelry store. You could potentially start your lunch, then go help a customer two minutes later which leads to another and another customer, until you get to 10PM and you haven't eaten more than a few bites all day. Take out the customers and add toddlers, and that's where I'm at today.
Is this the longest comment you've ever had? Do I get a prize?
loren - yes i believe that is the longest comment i've ever had - as for what prize you win, give me a little time to think up something appropriate ;)
ReplyDelete