This is just basically going to be a way for me to put down everything that I am considering in regards to a possible promotion (the good, bad and ugly...and I think there's a lot of ugly unfortunately) at work. My bosses have been trying to get me to consider moving up to be a department head for awhile now, and I am supposed to be having a meeting with my store manager soon for a 'talk'-- I'm pretty sure this is going to be a topic of discussion.
I have been very frustrated with what I am doing now. I have worked in my office for about 2 years (have been with the company for over 3 now), and I tend to have to deal with very shitty customer situations, such as special order product coming in damaged, being late, shitty install issues, ect. This was a job that used to be done by 3 people (myself and 2 others) until both of those people quit and they decided to only replace one position. So in order to make that work, I was put in charge of all the special orders that come in and go out of our store, and the other person was put in charge of all of the installs (installs and special order products used to be designated by department and then certain departments were assigned to each of us). The other person came into that position with no real training, he came out of a non-specialty department and so his knowledge is still not where it should be considering he has been in position for a year. So I usually end up having to help out with that as well. Given the circumstances, we haven't had a back up person to relieve us during any time off-- for example, I took some time off for my grandfather's passing in the summer, and then took a week's vacation at the end of August. Both times, there was no one trained or ready to take over my workload, and so it sat around and I fell incredibly behind in my work. Part of the reason I couldn't catch back up was because even though I have a terribly heavy workload, it is also expected that since we have no staff available on the floor that I will go out and cover off the service desk, cashiers and floor staff whenever necessary (which is usually all the time). I haven't enjoyed my actual position for a long time now, since before my other coworkers quit-- we definitely don't get enough credit for what we do!
Depending on the situation, I don't mind dealing with people. I'm actually fairly good at dealing with angry people, and, having been employed there for a few years now, I'm pretty confident in my decision-making skills and what I can get away with if the situation requires me going above what I am techically 'allowed'. Customers tend to like me, and I get along with my management team very well, as well as the majority of the other employees, save for a few.
If I was to take on the suggested Department Head position, I am not sure what area I would have to supervise. The thought of the store manager is that I would take over as the supervisor for my office, and my supervisor would be given a floor department instead. The reason for this is because it is well known that I know more about the logistics of my department than my supervisor does, so I could provide better training to the staff in that department, help them out when needed (because my supervisor currently does not know how to do our jobs and therefore can't help when we go on vacations or are not there), and possibly help the department run a bit better. I really don't think that I would want to take over that area of the store at all. I have seen what my supervisor has to put up with and it is usually all bad. It may not sound like it, but I really do like my supervisor and think that for the most part, he does a good job where he is. The benefit to this area is that there are only 2 people to supervise (although we have a third part-timer starting now)-- therefore, less time spent on monthly and annual reviews.
My issue with taking a floor position is that I have never worked in a 'department', so to say. I have remained entirely on the front end in every position I've had at the store. So my product knowledge is not very strong. They repeatedly tell me that managing is more about managing your people as opposed to knowing about all of your products, but at our store, because there are so few actual associates on the floor at any given time, the likelihood that you as a supervisor will end up by yourself in a department as coverage is good. I don't know if I could be successful in that position.
The other position that I think I could actually be fairly successful with would be the Pro/Tool Rental areas. Again, I don't know much about either area, but because of my knowledge of our computer system, I could be a huge benefit to that area. The guys there have been allowed to slack on certain things and I know I would crack down on them and probably make some changes to help things run a little smoother for everyone. I just know that guys would end up strongly disliking me because they've been allowed to get away with coasting by for quite a while now!
The whole issue with supervising at my store is that there is limited job security. In the past 3 years that I've worked there, over 10 full time managers have been fired or quit. We have most recently lost 4 supervisors in the matter of a few months which is unheard of. Obviously, they aren't quitting for no good reason. And yes, most of them had found other jobs which is why they left....but why were they looking in the first place? Something is not right in that store right now. I know for a fact that in their weekly meetings, the current supervisors have been getting yelled at for the entirety of their meetings, and many things are out of their control. The manager tends to flip flop on a lot of things; tells you one thing and then does another. He really likes me (it's well known by myself and most other people that we work with), but there is something that I can't quite put my finger on that makes me uneasy about him. Add to that our HR manager who is a giant bitch and who will probably never earn my trust because of how much she lies and how she has screwed some of the best people I've worked with (and have become friends with) over.
The hours are a huge factor as well...currently because of the position I'm in, I usually work 9-6 or 8-5 for all of my shifts. The latest I ever work is 8pm. I am on a rotation where I get every second weekend off. The shifts would undoubtably change if I was to move up. It would be expected that I would be opening some shifts (at 6 or 6:30am) and closing (10:30 or 11pm). These would be rotated and my schedule would likely not be set in the way that it is now. I would still likely get every second weekend off though, and I would be very specific that they could not change what rotation I am on for that because I have made plans based on that rotation. As well, I work with my friends on that rotation and so our plans often revolve around that schedule. Overtime is inevitable, but as it turns out I often end up with overtime as it is. Although they say that you are supposed to burn it, I don't because I believe in getting paid for what I do, and they have never questioned me about it.
In terms of money-- I need the raise. Financially, I am in no way set or even in all that great a position. I can pay my bills, but not much else. A raise of approximately $3 is likely if I was to take that position over, which would help. This is still extremely low pay for the amount of work that we are talking about, as well as the bullshit from upper management and customers alike.
I may add to this later as I think of more pros/cons...but it's a good start for now.
