Well, today began waking up at 4:15 AM to make that ridicolous 4:30 AM call to my boss he demanded i make or im fired. It was only to see if i had to come in early at 5:30, but the whole time I'm thinking hell, i might as well just go in at 5:30 anyway if i'm up and calling you at 4:30...

Regardless, i called, and he tells me... He doesnt need me today. I said HELL NO. YOU MAKE ME CALL YOU AT 4:30 AM, AND YOUR GOING TO TELL ME YOU DONT NEED ME. DO YOU THINK I'M JUST GOING TO GO BACK TO SLEEP OR SOMETHING??! He goes, "is that a problem" I was like, wow, "yes its a problem, you tell me to call you at 4:30, and you are expecting me in, then you tell me not to come in?? I need to come in today now..."

He relunctly agreed, and i got to work at 7AM. (he told me not to get there earlier... ) Upon getting there, he really had no work to do for anyone, but yet he was ranting how two guys havent called him this morning... (apparently they will be getting the warning i was given as well) I worked till 12, basically doing busy work, when at noon I told him I want to go home, and i was really tired. He gave me a snide comment, which got us into a big discussion which only confirms my thoughts about him and the job. I will get into more detail on this later.

So what is good and bad news? The good news is I still have a job, and most importantly, the weather is drastically warming up to the 50s this week, so I may just get my warm weather/no snow wish. At least a little longer. This means we should be able to work normal hours, and will go back to raking/cleanup, which i can handle. Really its not work that bothers me, but work in the cold and wet, which makes me miserable and kicks us into crazy hours. Regardless, as long as it stays warm, i have no problems sticking it out despite my boss getting increasingly asshole-ish.

The bad news is a bit more detailed...

Basically today i have reconfirmed my boss sees me as totally disposable, and simply views me as a tool, a pair of hands and legs, a number, whatever. He has absolutely no respect for me, nor my requests, and has basically told me once again if i don't like his conditions, then don't bother coming in.

We ended up having a lengthy talk at 12:00 today, as when i told him i was tired (i was only doing pointless busy work anyway) he made a very snide remark. He goes "oh, your really funny frank" and he starts laughing. "Please, IM TIREDDDD. *laughs BOO-HOO grow the up"

His snide comments have filled this week. He has made comments to me about being a bullshitter, having issues, and saying my opinion is worthless and im not part of the main crew....

I told him again in qoute

me: Listen Bill, I don't know why you don't see my situation as being problematic. You want me to work overtime I don't get paid for. You want me to work crazy hours and be on call 24/7, yet i get paid less then everyone else for doing the same, or even more work then others (since others usuallt plow snow when i need to shovel) Not only that, but since coming back, and Joe Sando (my other boss in summer, the good one) left, you made it clear to me that i am simply a tool to you, a pair of arms and legs. You have made it clear to me I'm completely disposable, and i don't know why you treat me like I'm not part of the team, and I haven't pulled my weight around here. I will be completely honest with you Bill, I more then doubly pulled my weight here. I work harder then anyone here, I never missed a day in 5 months, when the other guys are always calling off days(last friday was first missed day), and I think I have more then proved myself. (I couldnt even add the stuff how all the grounds guys smoke weed everyday - I dont) I'm sick of acting like I don't matter in the lieu of things. I will even become a little arrogant here, and say that losing me would sorely hurt you. You will be hard pressed to find another guy that works as hard as me for less pay and no benefits. You won't find another guy willing to fill in all your odd hours, and do every weekend. I did so much stuff this year for you guys, that was never in the job description, and above and beyond it. I did it for you, not because i liked it. Saying all that, i think you should better value your employees, instead of treating them like tools.

He responds to me...

Boss: Of course i appreciate your work. You wouldnt be here yet otherwise, but you should be happy I'm providing you a job! I don't need you here, so you need me, and you know it. And don't act like your superman or something. You had a bunch of issues all summer. I was only tolerant of it because you filled all those odd shifts and weekends against your will.

Me: WHAT ISSUES??!!

Boss: Unhhh........... well............. you have trouble following directions

Me: you got to be kidding me....

Boss: no, everytime you do something, your always doing it YOUR WAY. Not only that, but you influence my crew, and tell THEM HOW TO DO STUFF. Your not the BOSS here, I AM. You need to learn how to follow directions or else you wont get far in this world.

Me: Bill, give me a frigging break. Do the jobs get done or not???

Bill: That doesnt matter, you need to follo.....

Me: NO. DO THE JOBS GET DONE? OR NOT?!

Bill: They get done.

Me: Then why does it matter if I'm thinking outside of the box, using my head to formulate new solutions to the problems at hand. No one way is ever the best. I'm only trying to work more effieciently by coming up with my solutions, and taking charge of the team to encourage teamwork, and keep work effort up. Happy workers make Hard workers.

Bill: Listen, the point here is that I told you what you need to do. Now, we should be on normal hours for awhile yet, but next snow, this is all going to happen again, and if you let me down, between you and me, your gone. Thats all, go home now, i thought you were tired...

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So i left. Basically it confirmed I am worthless to my boss, despite my efforts. I also cant believe he said my issue is that i try to do things me own way. The work ALWAYS got done. Does the means to the end really matter if the end if the same? I also view my taking charge of the team, despite me being the newest guy there, as a strength, not character flaw like he thinks. I think i have excellent leadership skills, as i know how to join together a team to collaborate and work happily, while being compassionate, yet knowing where the line has to be drawed and to not let myself get ran over. Yet, he sees my leadership skills as a fault? AN ISSUE???

Regardless, I plan to stay for at least a while longer. Weather looks fine this week, but anything could happen. At this point, Im going to go ahead and put my money on Mother Nature being kind and keeping the snow at least a couple more paychecks. By that time, I can quit and not feel its too soon.

Either way, thanks for reading. All comments are appreciated.

and i still cant believe he sees my taking charge and thinking outside the box for new, better ways to do things as a fault.... my god...