Peace77
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Post by Peace77 on Sept 29, 2014 10:00:39 GMT -5
And, please Lock you Car Doors!
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milee
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Post by milee on Sept 29, 2014 10:03:38 GMT -5
The business I work for is trying to convert from check cashing/payday lending, to high interest loans. CA is going to make PD loans illegal, so they are trying to stay ahead of the curve. What they failed to take into account, is that most of my local customers are there to cash payroll checks and do not want our debit cards. And, we cannot legally make WU customers load their funds onto one of our cards. So, corporate's answer is that I go to the bank for all transactions. But, they fail to care that I am not a store with multiple workers, where we can use the "buddy system" for banking. It is just me. And, having the customers have to wait outside puts me at danger because I am then in control of large sums of cash without cameras... What I find is most customers think I am a lying bitch when I tell them I don't have the cash in the store... CA released a ton of prisoners recently due to "over-crowding" and since this is a LCOL area, we seem to be getting a high number of these folks in our area. The town I work in is becoming over-run with heroin and meth. This is causing a TON of theft of cars and other items - even in broad daylight. You are a very good writer; you're able to clearly articulate issues and solutions. Put this gift to use here.
Write a memo to corporate describing these issues, how the store demographics in your area are different so present different challenges and at the end... detail your proposed solutions. Here's what this would do for you:
1) Might get the changes you want, making a better workplace so you can keep this job. 2) Would be a great sample of writing you can submit to future employers interviewing you. Most employers would LOVE to have employees who can clearly describe problems, analyze and offer solutions. Not only that but it shows you're proactive. 3) If worse came to worst and you are killed on the job, this letter shows your employer was aware of the situation and did nothing about it. Your kids will be rich!!!
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Sept 29, 2014 10:03:52 GMT -5
I'd start carrying. You very happily moved to and lived in a high drug/whatever goes area. You use drugs yourself. Now you see all drug users aren't mellow yellow. No one will do that job but you. In my opinion, that gives you power. Stand your ground. When it's time to close, close. If it's when it's dark, you're closing the store while its still light out unless the lot is lit up like a carnival. They don't like it? They can "fire" you. I doubt they'd like the lawsuit.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2014 10:10:41 GMT -5
I'd start carrying. You very happily moved to and lived in a high drug/whatever goes area. You use drugs yourself. Now you see all drug users aren't mellow yellow. No one will do that job but you. In my opinion, that gives you power. Stand your ground. When it's time to close, close. If it's when it's dark, you're closing the store while its still light out unless the lot is lit up like a carnival. They don't like it? They can "fire" you. I doubt they'd like the lawsuit. I don't know if carrying is appropriate. It would take a lot of training to even begin to know how to react appropriately under pressure. Otherwise it's an easy way to make sure you get killed or some innocent person nearby dies. I thought California had strict gun laws anyway.
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milee
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Post by milee on Sept 29, 2014 10:11:10 GMT -5
Another thing to think about.
If you can solve these problems for them by offering good solutions - at the very least, you should be up for a good raise. But if I were you I'd even try to leverage that into some sort of consulting or corporate management type job where you go around to the various locations and make suggestions for improving their security and/or marketing for their specific markets. Seriously, this could end up being a stepping stone for you if you can view it as an opportunity and approach it from a solving standpoint.
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swamp
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THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
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Post by swamp on Sept 29, 2014 10:38:56 GMT -5
I spend my day with felons, tweakers, crackheads, etc.
Shasta isn't really safe.
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whoami
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Post by whoami on Sept 29, 2014 10:39:20 GMT -5
You have just as much chance being robbed at the 7-11...if not more. What kind of check cashing place has no money on the premises? I would think the junkies if they were so inclined, would go where the money is...not to a place where they have to cash a check and then wait for the money to be picked up.
If this area is so ripe with lowlifes, any job that is going to be on the OPs radar is going to be the kind of job where she will have interaction with these people. I was under the impression that these were the kind of people she lived around anyway...not sure what the problem is all of a sudden.
Junkies are just as willing to kill you over $10 as they are to kill you over $4K....and I find it hard to believe someone looking for an immediate fix is going to go through all the trouble of cashing a check at the local loan shark store that everyone knows has no money in it.
I think this is a whole lot more about suddenly being beholden to an actual "job" and not having the freedom to do whatever she wants on a day to day basis.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Sept 29, 2014 10:43:42 GMT -5
You have just as much chance being robbed at the 7-11...if not more. What kind of check cashing place has no money on the premises? I would think the junkies if they were so inclined, would go where the money is...not to a place where they have to cash a check and then wait for the money to be picked up. If this area is so ripe with lowlifes, any job that is going to be on the OPs radar is going to be the kind of job where she will have interaction with these people. I was under the impression that these were the kind of people she lived around anyway...not sure what the problem is all of a sudden. Junkies are just as willing to kill you over $10 as they are to kill you over $4K....and I find it hard to believe someone looking for an immediate fix is going to go through all the trouble of cashing a check at the local loan shark store that everyone knows has no money in it. I think this is a whole lot more about suddenly being beholden to an actual "job" and not having the freedom to do whatever she wants on a day to day basis. tweakers generally leave you alone unless you have money or drugs. Good drugs, not some ditch weed that she grows.
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whoami
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Post by whoami on Sept 29, 2014 10:48:16 GMT -5
You have just as much chance being robbed at the 7-11...if not more. What kind of check cashing place has no money on the premises? I would think the junkies if they were so inclined, would go where the money is...not to a place where they have to cash a check and then wait for the money to be picked up. If this area is so ripe with lowlifes, any job that is going to be on the OPs radar is going to be the kind of job where she will have interaction with these people. I was under the impression that these were the kind of people she lived around anyway...not sure what the problem is all of a sudden. Junkies are just as willing to kill you over $10 as they are to kill you over $4K....and I find it hard to believe someone looking for an immediate fix is going to go through all the trouble of cashing a check at the local loan shark store that everyone knows has no money in it. I think this is a whole lot more about suddenly being beholden to an actual "job" and not having the freedom to do whatever she wants on a day to day basis. tweakers generally leave you alone unless you have money or drugs. Good drugs, not some ditch weed that she grows. Well then she should be good to go. She has no money at the store and I assume she isn't selling her weed at the store. What's the problem?
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swamp
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THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
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Post by swamp on Sept 29, 2014 11:27:42 GMT -5
tweakers generally leave you alone unless you have money or drugs. Good drugs, not some ditch weed that she grows. Well then she should be good to go. She has no money at the store and I assume she isn't selling her weed at the store. What's the problem? She is going to the bank to get money.
Someone comes in with a check. She leaves to go get money. She comes back, she has money. It's a pretty easy pattern to figure out.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Sept 29, 2014 11:33:45 GMT -5
Yup. No leaving to get money. That's done.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2014 11:35:10 GMT -5
tweakers generally leave you alone unless you have money or drugs. Good drugs, not some ditch weed that she grows. Well then she should be good to go. She has no money at the store and I assume she isn't selling her weed at the store. What's the problem? The problems as I see them are that most people would expect a payday loan store to have cash on the premises. A potential robber that hasn't cased the place will probably think she's lying to keep them from getting the money..... that's not necessarily good either. You can't just give them what they want and hope they'll leave without hurting you if what they want really isn't there. And she has to leave the store sometimes to get money and come back. Once she withdraws it, she's alone with cash on her and has to get back to the store. ETA: I got distracted and swamp beat me to it
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Sept 29, 2014 11:54:35 GMT -5
You might want to consider getting a concealed carry permit and a gun.
I doubt your employer would want you to carry while in the store, but if you're out getting money, you can carry. While working in the store, just leave the gun in your car.
Also, as another poster said, any type of retail job in Shasta's area will involve dealing with these lowlifes. As Shasta herself said, the area is rife with them. Any type of job working with the public sounds like it will involve dealing with this particular type of clientele.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Sept 29, 2014 11:56:55 GMT -5
You might want to consider getting a concealed carry permit and a gun.
I doubt your employer would want you to carry while in the store, but if you're out getting money, you can carry. While working in the store, just leave the gun in your car. so she's seen getting her gun out of the car when she goes to the bank, and then secure it when she comes back.
So then they steal her gun.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Sept 29, 2014 12:00:26 GMT -5
Nuts, I'd keep it on me. You can bet other store managers do. But one of the first things we were taught was not to go into an area where you might need to use it. If she feels she needs it for personal safety because of her job, she needs to leave. Or change what she does there.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Sept 29, 2014 12:01:37 GMT -5
No one should ever know she's carrying. That's the point of carrying concealed.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Sept 29, 2014 12:02:56 GMT -5
That's not to say I think Shasta should not have a serious discussion with her management about these concerns. She absolutely should. As Milee said, write it down, and have solutions available.
Her situation is unique in that she's alone, and I'm sure it won't take a lot of smooth talking to convince management that there are serious safety concerns here.
Has she even TRIED to talk to her bosses yet about this? I'd withhold throwing up your hands and saying "I quit" before having that discussion.
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Sept 29, 2014 12:09:02 GMT -5
I think it's easy to sit in our safe and secure homes and offices and tell shasta to suck it up and deal with it. Have any of you ever been around a crackhead that's fiending? Or somebody hopped up on drugs? Have you ever been face to face with someone who's empty or desperate and wants some money and knows it's right there for the taking? Would you want to? I wouldn't. I worked door to door sales in NYC to get by... it sucked more than I care to remember in detail but I never felt my physical safety was in jeopardy (although it probably was more than I realized). I can't imagine working such a "bottom feeder" job as this. If she's not planning to list it on her resume and is actively looking for better jobs more suited to her abilities, I don't see the problem. This doesn't sound like a good situation for anyone other than maybe a hulking 6'6" dude who DOES carry a weapon.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Sept 29, 2014 12:13:03 GMT -5
DH used to work retail pharmacy. He would often have to refuse scripts on controlled substances because it was too early. He would get threatened on a regular basis.
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Sept 29, 2014 12:13:13 GMT -5
I really love milee's suggestions around writing a really good letter and analyzing potential solutions. swamp, what sort of steps do you have to take to keep yourself and your staff safe? I know you're in a totally different field, I'm just idly curious.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Sept 29, 2014 12:14:27 GMT -5
I really love milee's suggestions around writing a really good letter and analyzing potential solutions. swamp, what sort of steps do you have to take to keep yourself and your staff safe? I know you're in a totally different field, I'm just idly curious. Nothing. I hope for the best.
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whoami
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Post by whoami on Sept 29, 2014 12:18:54 GMT -5
So what's the solution? Don't work at all? Live off the taxpayers because its safer?
I guess you just gave everyone in the inner cities, ghettos and public housing an excuse to continue living on the taxpayers dime.
Sorry, but it sounds like a big ole copout to say its just too dangerous to work in this area, but is apparently safe enough to live for many years and grow illegal drugs which seems to me, would invite the assorted riff-raff onto the property seeking whatever high they can get.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Sept 29, 2014 12:20:29 GMT -5
So what's the solution? Don't work at all? Live off the taxpayers because its safer? I guess you just gave everyone in the inner cities, ghettos and public housing an excuse to continue living on the taxpayers dime. Sorry, but it sounds like a big ole copout to say its just too dangerous to work in this area, but is apparently safe enough to live for many years and grow illegal drugs which seems to me, would invite the assorted riff-raff onto the property seeking whatever high they can get. I'm pretty sure the solution is that she is looking for another job..............
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Green Eyed Lady
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Post by Green Eyed Lady on Sept 29, 2014 12:26:44 GMT -5
I think it's easy to sit in our safe and secure homes and offices and tell shasta to suck it up and deal with it. Have any of you ever been around a crackhead that's fiending? Or somebody hopped up on drugs? Have you ever been face to face with someone who's empty or desperate and wants some money and knows it's right there for the taking? Would you want to? I wouldn't. Firebird....I know you just quoted someone but I wasn't going back far enough to find it so... Yes. Every....single....day of my working life. It's a job. I get paid for it. I pay my bills with the check I get. Do I love it? Nope. But I love being broke and not being able to pay my bills less. So yes. I suck it up. Not all occupations that work with the less desireable people of society are "bottom feeder" jobs. It's not so much a question of "wanting to" or "not wanting to". I don't have to do what others consider humilating, but it's not the mostfuneveramusementpark job either. I'd be way more "humilated" if I couldn't pay my bills because I quit a job with no plan in place. If anyone - not just Shasta - is in a job they find unacceptable for whatever reason, they should start looking. To me, just bailing isn't an option unless you have some other means of supporting yourself in the meantime.
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Sept 29, 2014 12:31:27 GMT -5
If anyone - not just Shasta - is in a job they find unacceptable for whatever reason, they should start looking. To me, just bailing isn't an option unless you have some other means of supporting yourself in the meantime.
She hasn't talked about doing that. Seems the plan is to get another job better suited to her and/or start working harder from home.
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Sept 29, 2014 12:37:00 GMT -5
Honestly, yesterday I was working alone again and was about ready to tell the "new" boss where he can put his store. I was hired to work 9-5:30 M-F with weekends off. In reality, most of the time I work 10-6:30, or like tomorrow 9:00-6:30 all day alone. I am working 6 days a week for the foreseeable future. This week is Social Security and Welfare payday, so I will be logging over 50 hours on my feet this week. Something to look forward to.... not. They are in the process of moving away from payday loans in CA and are moving towards a new loan that has an interest rate between - wait for it - 125% and 600%! We have to push this loan on every customer and I will now be "written up" each day I do not convert a customer to this loan product. I work in a town of 7000 people, and I am not really interested in selling them into massive debt... My store mostly does payday lending, check cashing, and Western Union. This week they made a brilliant decision to limit our cash to $300 in the store. So, I ask the obvious question - how do I cash checks or payout Western Union payments? I am now to email corporate, get their approval, print a check and tell my customer to wait outside, away from the cameras, while I go to the bank. I think the above is asking to be robbed by the customer's friend who now knows I am walking around town with thousands of dollars in cash... The person who hired me told me that every day I am to send my CSR out "marketing." We have to put 250 flyers on people's cars every day. We also have to stand on the street corner and wave a giant sign for an hour. Now that I have been trained, they are telling me that I have to do the above. I am NOT standing on the street corner in my small town waving a sign. I just am not. My current plan is to "deal with it" until they make me stand on the corner, at which time they are getting a "no" from me and can fire me if they choose... And, keep looking very actively for a job that is a better fit for me and what I believe. I will go back to freelancing before I will stand on a corner and waive a sign... I think you should document all your weird stories and write a book!
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Green Eyed Lady
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Post by Green Eyed Lady on Sept 29, 2014 12:39:39 GMT -5
If anyone - not just Shasta - is in a job they find unacceptable for whatever reason, they should start looking. To me, just bailing isn't an option unless you have some other means of supporting yourself in the meantime.She hasn't talked about doing that. Seems the plan is to get another job better suited to her and/or start working harder from home. I don't think I said that she has talked about doing that. I was referring to all the people who are advising her to just up and quit.
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whoami
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Post by whoami on Sept 29, 2014 12:42:54 GMT -5
DH used to work retail pharmacy. He would often have to refuse scripts on controlled substances because it was too early. He would get threatened on a regular basis.
I guess we can cross pharmacist off the OPs potential job possibilities then.
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milee
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Post by milee on Sept 29, 2014 12:51:10 GMT -5
I think it's easy to sit in our safe and secure homes and offices and tell shasta to suck it up and deal with it. Have any of you ever been around a crackhead that's fiending? Or somebody hopped up on drugs? Have you ever been face to face with someone who's empty or desperate and wants some money and knows it's right there for the taking? Would you want to? I wouldn't. It's definitely not fun. I used to have to deal with that when I was a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster children. Not surprisingly, many of them had bio parents that were meth addicts and criminals. Some of the parents were pretty awful to deal with and I sometimes had to deal with them in their own home. It was one of the worst parts of the job. But I did it because that was the only way to help some of the kids and it came with the territory.
Just like with Shasta. She lives in a very tiny community. Places like that have very few jobs and people tend to stay in the few jobs forever, meaning few job openings at any given time. She's been out of the workforce for a while, which makes it tougher to get an interview as well. So it very well may be worth it to her to stick it out and deal with for a while until she has another job already lined up. Because sometimes you have to deal with some pretty awful crap to accomplish your bigger picture goals.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Sept 29, 2014 12:59:34 GMT -5
Maybe you could transfer to a decent area?
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