How Can I Help The Boss?

[NoirthernWolf]

Last July I was hired by a lady who runs her own restaurant/bakery. As with everything I do, I dove in and helped as best as I could. I worked a 10 hour shift one day to get ready for the health inspector. I instilled a few "new" ideas to the other staff... common sense things like: put it away when you're finished with it!

When I was hired, she complained endlessly that the girls doing the close were not doing everything necessary for the next person, opening, to just be able to go in and get going. So I volunteered to do the closes, to make sure that when the morning person arrives, there is nothing to be done but get the coffee brewing and start baking muffins!

Now the place is cleaner and more organized than it's ever been. :) However, now she's complaining that she doesn't have enough help with the baking. We *DO* bake, we make pastry, we man the counter, we take orders, cook food, keep the counters clean and appealing, clear tables, wash dishes, prep for the next day... we do everything but roll out the pastry. That's her specialty, that's why her butter tarts are the best around.

But, since I started in July, I have never heard "thank you." I have never heard, "Good job." All I hear is negativity about whatever her particular beef is that day.

How do I help her turn from a Negative Nelly to a Positive Polly?? She adores Dr. Phil and Oprah, so I told her she should keep a Gratitude Diary, like Oprah does, and write down each day what she's grateful for. She sniffed and laughed at the idea.

There are some people who just live in misery. If nothing's wrong, they'll invent, create and borrow it. The question of the day is, how can a person work along side such a person without going bonkers? :eek:

Anyone got any suggestions?

THANKS!

Wolfie

[blondgrl]

Wow, that's a difficult situation you are in......I'd say that by keeping yourself positive, it would be helping her in the long run. Sometimes, you can't change others until they themselves see a reason to change. I think that it makes the workplace more of a stressor when you have to deal with unhappiness from a supervisor or from another worker on a daily basis.....I am sure your supervisor knows what kind of work you are doing and how much more smooth things are going b/c of your input. Try to stay positive, like you have been doing, maybe some of your attitude will rub off! Hang in there!!!!!!

[shannanigans]

Some people will never change. You should assess the situation and decide if you're willing to stay there in the event that she doesn't change.

[shannanigans]

I hate it when people only focus on the negative and don't appreciate those who help them out.

I'd have to agree with shannanigans, you have to evaluate your options and whether you want to stay in that environment. With all of the experience you have in turning her buisness around you might be very coveted at another bakery or restaurant environment!

[shannanigans]

I hate it when people only focus on the negative and don't appreciate those who help them out.

I'd have to agree with shannanigans, you have to evaluate your options and whether you want to stay in that environment. With all of the experience you have in turning her buisness around you might be very coveted at another bakery or restaurant environment!


I agree, and parents have to remember that it's not just a 1 time kind of talk. It's something they need to touch upon from time to time, to make sure their kids stay safe.

[shannanigans]

I would tell her that work ethic and pace will grow if she makes some positive comments towards her customers. When the staff is happy the business usually does better. I'd also explain that without positive reinforcement people are going to hate their job and feel miserable whenever they work. It's better for everyone to have positive remarks.