I already know the answer, but...
I work at a boutique that is owned by a husband and wife. I have worked for them on and off in some capacity, either full-time or part-time for over four years. I have to admit, they are a little peculiar and paranoid. They have cameras and microphones all over the store. The ceiling is black and I'm not even aware of where all of the surveillance is located. I know it is there because they will sometimes comment on a private conversation that I've had with a customer. I'm also presently the only employee. They will watch and listen when I am working alone or working with one of them.
I know they are looking for seasonal employees because we discuss the need and I'm also on Indeed. Recently I saw a blind posting on Indeed that had our address. I mentioned it to them and they denied that they had posted it. They also have an ad with the store name. I looked a little closer, and the two ads on Indeed read exactly the same! Verbatum! The anonymous one is for a full-time position, which is my role. The store business does not warrant two full-time employees.
In the last two weeks, I have gone from being the perfect employee to one who seems to do everything wrong. And I mean EVERYTHING! The other day at closing, I "Swiffered" the floor. After I finished and was heading to the backroom, the wife grabbed the handle and said, "Let me do that"! And off she went to re-do the floor! Seriously! She didn't get much, because I had already done an excellent job. I should also add that I am 60, and have a solid history of cleaning my own home and many retail stores.
I am constantly criticized for everything, I'm told not to engage with customers I have known for years, even when there are no other customers in the store. I once heard the husband tell another merchant that he only hires mature women and he pays me to talk! Not anymore. There are so many other things going on, but I'm sure that they're just trying to make my life miserable so I will quit. I just feel that I am being beaten down mentally. My self-esteem is in the toilet. I am sending resumes out.
My retail friends agree with what's happening. I'm just having a difficult time facing each day.
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Anonymous
UPDATE:
I found another job, with a small company. They actually have an employee handbook! I gave the toxic bosses my two-week notice, and even gave them an additional 6 days.
I still had 8 days to go when the husband became irate and started to scream at me at the top of his lungs. I had been on the phone with my pharmacy, they had called about an important prescription. I was steaming some dresses and never stopped for a second while on my brief call. He kept yelling at the top of his lungs, telling me to get off the phone NOW! I said I couldn't hang up that second and he went crazy! I hung up in less than 30 seconds, never skipping a beat on the steaming. He said if I didn't want to work there, I could just go home then. We were in the back room and I asked him if he wanted me to leave, he continued yelling, that he did not care. I kept steaming the dresses I was working on and he just continued his rant. His wife was on the sales floor and I don't know if any customers walked in or not. It was almost like he snapped. He was insane. I had never abused using my phone and they never had a problem with me receiving any calls on my cell. So, after he stopped yelling, he stuck pretty close to me. I continued to steam, but when I needed more water, I took all of my water bottles out of the refrigerator and put them in my tote bag. And later, when I used the restroom, I took my toothbrush/toothpaste and put them in my bag. I was still steaming, and a bit later, I went to my work area on the sales floor and grabbed my asthma inhaler. When I finished everything I had to do, I went to the sales floor and did some small tasks until the customers left. I went up to the husband in the doorway and told him that I was leaving and I was never coming back. I clocked out and said goodbye to the wife. She wanted to know if I had cashed out my drawer. I told her, no I had not had any transactions, and that I wasn't on the clock anymore and I walked out. My call from the pharmacy came in at 12:05 and I called my best friend from my car at 1:51. A couple of my friends wondered if I walked out during his rant or if I broke down and cried. Nope. I stayed, finished my work, collected my belongings, and let him squirm. I don't think he knew what I was going to do. All it did was confirm how crazy and toxic they are.
April Line
Sounds toxic and like getting out is the right choice.