Jackass boss.

[Silver Serpentine]

I'm ranting for Cody, sort of.

Before we get to the meat of the problem, I'll give y'all some background info.

Cody works at Pactiv, a company that makes cardboard boxes. Ooh, thrilling.

Cody got in there through Onstaff in September of 2002, working the Hogger (compresses the scrap cardboard into bales). He got hired in Oct `02, as the machine operator for the Hogger. Usually, it takes people 3 months to get hired in.

July `03, he got moved up to Continuos Hobe Snake (CHS) operator. Makes the honeycomb stuff that's between the paper in cardboard. Runs the glueing, packing, roll changes, blah blah blah. He makes between 2-8% scrap, and you're "supposed" to make 3%, but almost no one does. It's happened once since he started working there.

Feb `04, He gets trained in QualPro, which has something to do with making systems more efficient. He's one of, I believe, 3 people in the factory who gets this training. When he broke his foot, he did nothing but this QualPro paperwork stuff for weeks. He's so good at it that Pactiv was planning to send him to North Carolina to make a Pactiv plant down there better.

To sum up, Cody knows his job, and is very good at it.

A few days after Easter, Cody gets the go-ahead to transfer to a plant in Temple, TX. The management down there likes him. They have a job waiting for him as soon as we move, which should be the beginning of June (Well, we plan to arrive May 31st).

Ever since his shift manager, Jerry, found out about his transfering, he's been a complete jackass. Bitching about Cody's work (which is better than the other 2 shifts), walking over and watching Cody for ages (like he's waiting for him to screw up, ignoring the rest of the factory), interrupting almost all of his breaks to complain about his work, just generally making Cody's working life VERY stressful.

Cody's never been written up, suspended, etc. No trouble. Model employee.

Tuesday night, Cody's mania was acting up (he's unmedicated bipolar). He ran his rolls out (out of paper), so he does a roll change. Usually, they have to do roll change as quickly as possible (Cody does changes in about 1/2 the time of the other shifts). He tells Tony, the guy who works on the machine with him, that he was going to take a quick break to calm down, so he goes outside. Tells Tony, "If Jerry says anything about the rolls change, I'm gonna clock out and go home." Around 2 minutes later, Jerry comes out and says, "So, I hear you're gonna go home if I say anything about the roll change." In an asshole way, not an interested type way. So, Cody says Yup, finishes his cig, and clocks out 2 hours early.

Cody goes in to work Wends, only to find out he's been suspended by Jerry. For "walking out." Now, he didn't walk out. Jerry and Tony knew he was going home (and that's how the system works), no verbal or written warning. Just suspended.

He now has to go in on Monday and have a meeting with Jerry, the unit manager (Jerry's boss), and the plant manager. He, obviously, doesn't get paid for Wends-Fri nights. Luckily, he worked 32 hours Sun-Tues night. (Yes, he does work 6 day weeks, often 12 hour shifts because 2nd shift is short-staffed). But this has put a mighty dent in our money for The Move.

What a JACKASS. I could understand if Cody just left without telling anyone, but they BOTH knew he was leaving. Thus, not a walk-out. GAH!

I'm pissed at this man.

As a side-note, do you think this one suspension would out-weigh all his positive qualities, and keep the job transfer from going through?

A weak Pitting, I know.

[Liberal]

Our cat, Jane, loves cardboard boxes. He even likes just tops. He'll sit on a box top and survey his domain confident that nothing can touch him within the confines of his force-field. Of course, Great Whore Jezebel, our other cat, then appears in mid-air out of nowhere and pounces on Jane's back. After several loud hisses and shrieks of "Mrrrrrreooooow!", Jezzie darts away into the oblivion from whence she came. Jane blinks, gathers himself, and lowers his haunches back down onto the cardboard. Nothing can touch him in there.

[county]

It shouldn't affect the transfer. Especially if he is reasonable at the meeting.

[Velma]

I don't understand. Is he allowed to leave a shift early as long as he tells someone he is going, even if he didn't get approval from his boss?

[MissGypsy]

I don't get it, either. Every job I've ever had, if I said, in essence, "I'm taking a break right now, and if Boss doesn't like it, I'm going home early," the boss would have had an issue with that. I'm certain some disciplinary action would have followed had I just left two hours early without a supervisor's ok.

However, if this is the only trouble he's even been in at work, I doubt that it will be a huge deal, as the transfer is already in progress.

[Quartz]

Cody needs professional advice here. Get his union involved or an employment lawyer.

[Silver Serpentine]

Oh, I know he shouldn't have left early. I'm kind of not defending that. I kept telling him, "You only have to put up with him for 2 more weeks, and you'll never see him again." But noooooo.

They way Pactiv works (and Cody has done it before), is if you tell the person you're working with (Tony) and the manager (Jerry) that you'll leaving early, there's no problem. He's done it before, but not in these exact circumstances, and not while Jerry's been an ass. It's been, "I'm in a really, really bad mood, and I'm gonna go home early." It's not that you have to get permission, it's that you have to inform folks.

See, they get 8 "points." 1 night not working = 1 point. 4 hours = 1/2 point. You can use these points however you want to, but if you get 8.5, you're fired. He has 5.5 (took half a point Tuesday). So, he told folks he was leaving, and took half a point. Y'see?

[Velma]

I see. Then it does seem extreme that he was suspended over it if he was under his allowed points. I doubt it would affect his transfer unless Jerry has some sort of big influence over the process. To me it seems like if Jerry has a problem with him then he would be glad for him to transfer, unless he wants him fired outright or something.

[kaylasdad99]

Our cat, Jane, loves cardboard boxes. He even likes just tops. He'll sit on a box top and survey his domain confident that nothing can touch him within the confines of his force-field. Of course, Great Whore Jezebel, our other cat, then appears in mid-air out of nowhere and pounces on Jane's back. After several loud hisses and shrieks of "Mrrrrrreooooow!", Jezzie darts away into the oblivion from whence she came. Jane blinks, gathers himself, and lowers his haunches back down onto the cardboard. Nothing can touch him in there.So, how's that Delphic Oracle correspondence course coming along, Lib?

[county]

I see. Then it does seem extreme that he was suspended over it if he was under his allowed points. I doubt it would affect his transfer unless Jerry has some sort of big influence over the process. To me it seems like if Jerry has a problem with him then he would be glad for him to transfer, unless he wants him fired outright or something.

Well, see, the way I see it is that Jerry is an asshole. (Of course I haven't heard Jerry's side of things)

[LavenderBlue]

Tuesday night, Cody's mania was acting up (he's unmedicated bipolar).

I have no comment on the rest of your post but this caught my eye. Is there a reason he has a serious illness and is not taking his medication? :confused:

I once worked with someone who was unmedicated and mentally ill. It was hell. She was fired after a month on the job.

[Silver Serpentine]

He's unmedicated because 1) it's not as bad as it used to be, and 2) he's been on 4 or 5 different meds, all of which had horrible side-effects before they could kick in. He's kind of given up on finding a med that works without making him absolutely miserable. It only flares up on occasion these days, when he's really stressed.

And yes, Jerry is an asshat. Nobody else in the entire factory has a problem with him, and he does great work. We can't figure out why he's been so horrible lately.

[Silver Serpentine]

Let me clarify some pronouns.

"Nobody else in the entire factory has a problem with Cody, and Cody does great work. We can't figure out why Jerry's been so horrible lately."

[Bill H.]

I feel for your situation, and I'm sure Jerry has been unpleasant lately. But I can't see any reason why the current situation is unjustified. Cody really should find some medication that works.

[Bill H.]

Also, if you're in some advice-getting mood, Cody should really find out why Jerry is being such a jerk. The odds are that Jerry is being a jerk towards Cody because he's unhappy with Cody's performance in some way. That's the job of managers, to be jerks towards people that aren't performing up to their expectations. Cody may feel he's an excellent employee, and you may agree, but it sure sounds like Jerry doesn't agree, and unfortunately, as Cody's boss, his opinion holds more weight than yours and Cody's combined.

So here's the thing: if Jerry really wanted to, he could likely make problems for your transfer. So you're wise to have Cody figure out what's wrong here and make it right. As you wisely say, it's only for a few weeks.

[Atticus Finch]

Silver, that boss sounds like an asshole.

However, I don't think you can say your friend's statement ("If Jerry says anything about the rolls change, I'm gonna clock out and go home") was a reasonable notification that he intended to go home early. It sounds more to me like "If that asshole comes and bitches about what I'm doing, I'm just gonna leave", which would be unacceptable to the company and therefore deserving of punishment.

[TVeblen]

They way Pactiv works (and Cody has done it before), is if you tell the person you're working with (Tony) and the manager (Jerry) that you'll leaving early, there's no problem. He's done it before, but not in these exact circumstances, and not while Jerry's been an ass. It's been, "I'm in a really, really bad mood, and I'm gonna go home early." It's not that you have to get permission, it's that you have to inform folks.


If it's been past practice there really shouldn't be a problem. (Like you didn't know that, right?) Formal permissions would have been ideal but since informal notifications have been fine in the past, that's switching the rules. The question is how far--and how--Cody wants to push it in relation to what he'd gain.
To re-state the glaringly obvious, Jerry has some kind of problem. I very much doubt this one incident would outweigh Cody's stellar track record and there's only two weeks to go. That said, somebody riding ass can make two weeks seem endless.
Just an idea...could Jerry be trying to sabotage losing Cody because he's such a good worker? Cody must be making the whole bunch look good, not to mention their work lives easier. He's moving up and moving on, so maybe that in itself could have sparked a little resentment, conscious or not.
Just to make the few remaining weeks easier on himself, maybe Cody could try just asking Jerry if there's a problem. Of course there is, but a civil, perplexed question would put the ball squarely in Jerry's court. Betcha whatever his motivations, he hasn't planned on actually having to look Cody in the eye and explain it rationally and directly.
There's more than one way to skin a cat. If Cody can muster up some frank, bewildered "what changed?" moxie to Jerry--preferably with a friendly onlooker--the harrassment may just fizzle out.

Good luck to you both.

Veb

[duffer]

Didn't see this asked, so maybe I missed it.

Would Cody telling a Coworker, then the coworker telling Jerry what was going to happen constitute Cody telling Jerry? I thought it your OP said he had to tell the supervisor.

And yeah, Jerry sounds like an ass.

[peacenik tasmanian devil]

Also, if you're in some advice-getting mood, Cody should really find out why Jerry is being such a jerk. The odds are that Jerry is being a jerk towards Cody because he's unhappy with Cody's performance in some way. That's the job of managers, to be jerks towards people that aren't performing up to their expectations. Cody may feel he's an excellent employee, and you may agree, but it sure sounds like Jerry doesn't agree, and unfortunately, as Cody's boss, his opinion holds more weight than yours and Cody's combined.

So here's the thing: if Jerry really wanted to, he could likely make problems for your transfer. So you're wise to have Cody figure out what's wrong here and make it right. As you wisely say, it's only for a few weeks.


It could'nt possibly be the all knowing infinitly good boss, the lowley employee should just suck up the rampent abuse kiss the boss's ass, and be happy he has a job. Is that what your saying? If so assholes like you are what inspire communism.


Unless I have secretly been living with space aliens my whole life. People use what ever power they have to fucther their own agenda.

[harmless]

He's unmedicated because 1) it's not as bad as it used to be, and 2) he's been on 4 or 5 different meds, all of which had horrible side-effects before they could kick in. He's kind of given up on finding a med that works without making him absolutely miserable. It only flares up on occasion these days, when he's really stressed.

:eek:
(Bolding mine)

Forgive me if I'm overstepping and you already know this, but bipolar doesn't go away!
If he's bipolar (even if not severe), he has to have his meds.
I'm speaking as a wife of a bipolar. My husband's bp usually isn't so bad either, but if he doesn't stay medicated he'll eventually swing one way (manic) or the other (depressed) and then all heck breaks loose. He's the sweetest, most caring many in the world, otherwise.

There are a many different forms of bipolar and many different medications to try. A few months ago my husband was going through the same side-effect situation, but he's settled in with Deproco (sp?) It used to make him nauseous, but now that it's steady in his blood stream he doesn't have any problems with it.
Here's my favorite forum for people like us: Bipolar Family Support, Living With Fire (http://forums.delphiforums.com/livingwithfire/start) (the link will take you to a page to sign in, but it's free and (I feel) really worth it even if you just read what's on there without posting). It's for friends and family of bp's. Some great info and people on that site. I just found this one today: Bipolar Disorder (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm).
It looks like it has good info on it too. :)

[related story]
Before my husband got on steady medication, he had a nice cozy job being on call to fix computer related stuff. He was just getting over being sick and I had just fallen really ill with it myself when his boss called and told him to meet a truck in half an hour at the store for loading. My husband and his boss had previous conversations about giving my husband ample time for such chores as hubby didn't have transportation at the time. Well, hubby thought it too short notice, told the boss "Yeah, whatever. You didn't give me enough notice to get there in time" and didn't go. That was the end of that job. He says now, if he had been on meds, he would've kept his temper and called a cab. An asshat of a boss is still Da' Boss. :rolleyes: [/rs]


Besides that 2 cent and change, Jerry does sound like he's pissy to be losing his best employee. I had a few managers at different places treat me badly after learning I was leaving them. Maybe it's the knowledge that the employee is going on to better things while they are stuck in the same position or they resent having to train someone they know isn't going to be half as good.

Sorry for this being so long and I really hope I'm being overly paranoid about the bp!
Well wishes to you and Cody. :)

[Lynn Bodoni]

Makes the honeycomb stuff that's between the paper in cardboard. My father used to work for a company that makes boxes, and I had it drilled into my head that the "cardboard" that you're talking about is actually corrugated fiberboard. The stuff that cereal boxes are made of is actually cardboard. This is sort of like chefs talking about sauces and gravies, I know, but if I had to listen to it growing up, I'm gonna repeat it.

I lived with my grandparents for a couple of years when I was a teenager. Grandpa was depressed, Grandma was bipolar. Even when they weren't having bad days, being around them was hell, not just for me, but for everyone they came across. Love can truly make us blind to our loved one's faults.

Back on topic...I sure hope that Cody has told someone at work about the way Jerry is riding him. Ideally, he's gone to HR and let them know about it and they have a record of it. Otherwise, it could go either way for him.

[adhemar]

Cody was insubordinate, the fact that other people like him doesn't change that fact nor that his boss is having a problem with him. You are only getting one side of the story it sounds like to me. You don't know what problems the supervisor is perceiving, espcially if he is unmedicated bipolar. My company had the same type of point system... 5 1/2 to 6 points means he is having attendance issues he is a car breakdown and a bout of food poisoning away from being fired for attendance. So yeah this could affect his transfer but since it is only two weeks away probably not. Unles he screws up really badly (or if the supervisor is buddies with someone down in TX) he should be ok. He really needs to get the bipolar thing under control, it clearly isn't since he had to take an unscheduled break to calm his nerves.

[Bill H.]

peacenik tasmanian devil wrote
It could'nt possibly be the all knowing infinitly good boss, the lowley employee should just suck up the rampent abuse kiss the boss's ass, and be happy he has a job. Is that what your saying? If so assholes like you are what inspire communism.


Unless I have secretly been living with space aliens my whole life. People use what ever power they have to fucther their own agenda.
So here's the thing: between the two of us, I have far more concern for Silver Serpentine and Cody (as evidenced through my advice) than you do. your advice is either to join the communists or damage the boss or fly away in a space ship or something, I couldn't quite understand. But no matter, because it's just stupid advice, and a stupid observation anyway.

Here are the facts:
* Friend Silver Serpentine is moving to a new town
* In said town, a job offer exists from Cody's current company, but really only exists by the thinest definition of the word (no offer on paper, no position defined, no wage agreed upon)
* In said town, an apartment is reserved for Silver Serpentine, but it is also hanging by a thin thread, requiring an employment letter for Cody.
* Cody has not been well-liked by his boss lately. Who's fault this is, I have no idea. Silver Serpentine swears that Cody is the best worker at his job, but she does mention his medical mental condition that he refuses to take medication for. And...
* Cody very recently did a not-very-wise thing, telling a co-worker that if the boss decided to inspect his work, he'd walk off the job, then when the boss did, he did.
* Others in management at the job also feel this was a dumb thing to do and penalized Cody in the matter.

So, as should be clear to most, Silver Serpentine is in serious danger of moving far away, and when she gets there, have no income and no place to stay. Perhaps these facts are irrelevant to you in your silly little space-alien world. But for Silver Serpentine, who strikes me as pretty rational, these facts should be paramount in her strategizing process. And I hope they lead her to take my advice seriously: straighten things out with Jerry. Even if he's wrong.

[Silver Serpentine]

Okay, I would understand Jerry being an asshole if any of the managers had a problem with Cody. See, he's often worked both first and second shifts. In fact, for the past two months, he's been working the second half of 2nd shift because that shift is incredibly short-staffed. This factory can typically only hold on to people for about 3 months before they quit, mostly because they don't like to hire a full staff, so people who work there are over worked. Cody's also worked into 1st shift to cover for people on vacations and such. So, he knows the entire management system. Jerry is the only boss he's ever, EVER had a problem with. We know about half a dozen people who work/ed for this same factory, all of whom say, "Yeah, Jerry is a world-class ass."

But, at this point, it's all moot, because Jerry decided to fire him.

I fully realize that Cody did a very, very stupid thing. And now, so does he. I wish he would've listened to me beforehand. But no. Sigh.

I probably won't be posting again for a while. We moved the moving date up to this weekend - we're picking up the truck tomorrow, packing with speed, sleeping, and leaving. No reason to stay in this horrid little town any longer. I'm not gonna wait for him to get another job and another transfer. Fuck that.

Happily, my best friend in TX is letting us stay with her.

Cody's been doing the online job hunt thing, and already has two interviews lined up for in Austin, so that's good. He does very well in interviews.

What really pisses me off about this whole thing is that he personally knows 2 guys who've done far worse than he has - walking off without telling ANYONE. Who've kept their jobs. He knows another guy who's racked up about 20 points, for no good reason, who still works there.

Wish us luck.

[harmless]

Lots of luck! :)

[Sauron]

Hang on a sec.

The company that has trained Cody on multiple jobs, has consistently told him what a great worker he is, has planned on moving him to at least two different locations to make their process better ... that company has now fired him? Less than two weeks before he was scheduled to transfer?

Something stinks. Either Jerry has a hell of a lot more power than a run-of-the-mill shift manager, or Cody isn't quite the model employee we've been led to believe, or the company doesn't really understand what happened (in which case, Jerry is gonna have to answer some hard questions once the higher-ups figure it out).

Regardless, I hope this proves to you what earlier posters said. Cody needs medication. Period. This incident likely would not have happened if his mania wasn't "acting up." And there's no guarantee something similar won't happen in the future, unless he gets help.

[harmless]

Lots of luck! :)
Ok, that didn't quite come out that great after re-reading and catching that he got fired! (sorry, I skimmed! Won't happen again!)
Damn. I know that sucks. :(
I really do wish you lots of luck with it and, as someone who's been there, if you want to email me it's in my profile.
You know that you are going to have to be the strong one. You haven't mentioned yet if he's going to get meds. If he's like my husband, you had better set your watch 2 times a day and make sure he keeps with it. Even when he's feeling better and feels that he doesn't need them anymore, he does.
I'm not trying to scare you, I'm just speaking from experience.
I'm sending you all the good luck vibes I have right now for you two to deal with this.
I do mean lots of luck!