When I began working for PetSmart I thought it was where I would spend the rest of my working life. I loved the company, the people, and especially the job... At first. I started at a particular store where the energy was great, but the drama was crazy! I befriend a particular groomer who was a lot of fun. Over the first few months I was there we became very very close. After about six months, and my completion of the grooming academy and training she and I decided to get an apartment together and be roommates. Without going into crazy details about the situation, it didn't work out. It's true that you don't really know someone until you live with them.
Anyways, there was quite a bit of tension between her and I after she decided to move out. I became angry when she brought the situation to work. It was a personal matter that I felt should be discussed between her and I outside of the work place so I decided to transfer to another PetSmart. I figured there would be more room for growth and promotion at the Delavan store. Considering I had more experience with petsmart than anyone in that particular salon, including the grooming manager, I thought I would be valued. I didn't expect anyone to be awed by me or anything, because, let's face it, I was still learning. Any groomer will tell you that you are never done learning how to improve your skills.
I'm a hard worker and a tough cookie! You have to be in this field. The salon manager would constantly ask me for help on her dogs - which is fine, I don't mind offering my assistance, but doesn't it strike you as odd that a company would appoint a woman to be a manager when she isn't comfortable with her job?
Well, one day I was scheduled to be in at 7A.M. I live a half hour away from that store. It snowing rather hard and my journey takes me on country roads with open fields and the snow drifts quite a bit. I began driving to work and in my 4 wheel drive jeep I started sliding around on the road and almost went into a ditch in several spots. After 20 minutes (and getting me nowhere near the store) I decided that the trip was too dangerous and I feared for my safety. I turned around and make the drive back to my home.
After returning, I called the manager that was opening and told him the weather was horrible and that I was too nervous to take the risk of coming to work. (Now, this particular manager was not a nice person. He was the opps manager and NO ONE in the store liked him, including the store director).
I also didn't think the trip was worth the risk considering there were no appointments scheduled for that day, and any groomer will tell you, there is no way you'd be getting a walk-in on a day with bad weather. People don't bring their pets in to be groomed when they will just walk outside and be dirty again.
After expressing my concerns and point of view, the manager told me I HAD to come in that day because the other girl scheduled to work had a history of not showing up in bad weather. I again told him I was sorry but I feared for my personal safety. He told me that I did not have his permission not to be there and when I asked what he meant he told me it would be marked as an unexcused absence. Which was ridiculous since I had sick and vacation time.
First off, I cannot be held accountable for the actions of another employee. Why punish a good employee for the incompetents of another? It did not make any sense to me. However, with further consideration about what that may mean, I decided to wait for the snow to clear a bit and then I made my way to work. After sitting, alone, in the salon with nothing to do for two hours, the other employee showed up and the manager made his way back to speak with her. When he walked through the door he saw me and looked surprised. He asked when I got there and I told him at about 9:30. His response and facial expression was filled with hostile sarcasm. He looked at me and said 'Good choice.' The just turned around and walked out the door.
I reported to disrespect to my salon manager and the store manager and nothing was done so I called the care line, but nothing ever came of it. A few months later I came down with strep throat and had to take a few days off work, under the advisement of my doctor. She faxed a note to the store and later that day I called to make sure a manager had seen the note. As luck would have it, the same manager that I despised was there. I asked him if he had received the note and he proceeded to tell me that he hadn't seen such a note and implied that I was faking. I asked him if had checked the fax machine and low and behold, there was the note.
After coming back to work after three days, he was the opening manager and I was the opening groomer. As soon as I got there, he started in on his hostile sarcasm. I tried to ignore him and went back to the salon to do my job and set up for the day. He came into the salon while I was working on a dog and started in yet again. I was so fed up at this point that I called my fiance and told him I couldn't take it anymore, but that I was scare to quit because they might sue me, since they sent to grooming academy and I signed a contract saying I would stay with them for two years and my second year wasn't up yet. My fiance told me there was no way I should be taking that kind of abuse.
I have NEVER left a job on bad terms before. I have always given notice, but this time was different. I have NEVER been treated that bad before. I walked straight up to his office and quit. I walked back to the grooming salon, packed up my equipment and left. I was so mad and emotional that I left in the middle of a dog.
They didn't sue me because I'm pretty sure they knew I could easily turn around and file a harassment suit. My lawyer assured me I would win. PetSmart does not treat their employees well. As far as I have seen, heard, and read mine was not an isolate incident.
I just want people to be careful when working for PetSmart.
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