So I’ve been having an issue with my General Manager since he’s taken over the store that I’ve been working at since 2020.

So I’ve been having an issue with my General Manager since he’s taken over the store that I’ve been working at since 2020. I’ve been with the company for almost six years and honestly, it’s had a lot of ups and downs, but I’ve made it through a lot of changes including management. He took over the position as general manager in 2022, while I was training for a promotion that I received prior to at another location. After my three weeks of training, I returned to my store and was excited for my new role. However, it’s been nothing but the opposite of excitement. It feels like I’m constantly on a battlefield with him in regards to my availability. I have children and all of them are finally attending school, so now I have to ability to work days, as opposed to always working nights. I closed for entire year with no complaints. During the entire year, I was responsible for nightly, weekly and period end inventory. Not only that I was also responsible for running shift, delegating tasks, setting up interviews and training new people etc.

I’ve accumulated over the past two years almost 200 hours of PTO, sick time and the floating holiday pay. Any time I try to request a day off or call in sick, he basically threatens my job. He turns me into a scapegoat if anything goes wrong while I’m absent. And recently he told me that the company is being held back because of the leadership’s availability.

I’ve spoken to someone that I can trust and I’ve been advised to address the issues with my area supervisor. My past general managers never had an issue with my availability and they were always very accommodating.

He’s solely responsible for making the schedule, but my area supervisor must approve it first. He recently told me that in the future, that I need to be more flexible with my availability. I guess he’s not happy because he’s been stuck closing because I’ve been taking his position working days and it’s been great. I can spend more time with my family. I really love my job and it has great benefits so quitting isn’t even an option. Please help, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Why women love us:

  • Daily articles on career topics
  • Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
  • Advice and support from an authentic community
  • Events that help you level up in your career
  • Free membership, always

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

3 Comments

Join the conversation
  1. Jana Maclellan

    Is there a way to compromise? Maybe share the responsibility of closing? Maybe offer to close 2 or 3 nights a week and keep it consistent so it makes scheduling easier?

  2. Anonymous

    I would definitely have a discussion with the area supervisor. See if there is a problem with your performance with that person and if not do some digging to find out why your boss thinks there is.

  3. misskelleyp

    I'd check your company policy on paying out PTO at termination. Some states require that your accrued, unused PTO be paid, but other states leave it to whatever the company policy says. IF he goes so far as to try to terminate you, you want to ensure that you have either taken your PTO or you will be paid out for it. That's one. Two, unfortunately, you work directly for this person - you need to build a good working relationship with them. Try to find things in common so that you become more human to him/her and build on that. I agree that a quiet conversation with the area supervisor might be in order, but also know that that person could repeat your conversation to the new guy. Good luck, this is a tough spot.

Fairygodboss VIP
Achieve your career goals.
Be part of the largest online career community for women to find jobs, advice, and support — for free.
Fairygodboss members