'I told my manager, "You need me, I don't need you"': Cashier refuses to sign papers during meeting with bosses

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Jun 1, 2023 3:00 PM EDT

One cashier is living every working person's dream: telling their boss exactly what they think about them. 

If you've been paying attention at all for the past few years, I don't have to tell you that stores everywhere are very short staffed. Even at the grocery store, where the OP of this story works, you often see long lines at the checkout, and sometimes shelves with minimal products. Although it seems like everywhere is hiring, some places will just always have a high turnover rate. 

u/TAbademployee asked r/AmItheA**hole if she was wrong after this incredible confrontation with her boss. The OP explained that she began a job at a grocery store, and after taking on a full time role, her boss sat her down for a "documented discussion." Management was ready to berate the OP about her behavior, which was apparently bad enough to warrant such a serious discussion. But this woman is a smart cookie, and she flat out told her boss exactly what she felt was the real situation. 

Next up, check out these unfortunately designed shirts that no one would want to wear. 

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    Cheezburger Image 9769637376
    via Dennis Siqueira on Unsplash
  • 02
    Font - . Posted by r/AmItheA u/TAbademployee = ^ 23 23 18 AITAH for being REALLY honest with my manager in front of her boss? Not the A-hole So, I have been a SAHM for several years. I worked very hard on our budget, shopping, meal prep ext and we were ok.
    via u/TAbademployee
  • 03
    Human body - We recently became empty nesters. The last one moved out, pays her own bills, got a scholarship ext.
    via u/TAbademployee
  • 04
    Font - I was bored so I decided to take one of the many grocery store jobs available at the store across the street.
    via u/TAbademployee
  • 05
    Font - My intent was part time but they quickly moved me to a different, full time position, which I do like and am good at and it pays quote a bit more.
    via u/TAbademployee
  • 06
    Font - The store is short staffed and I have been doing my best to help but recently my manager sat me down with her boss(witness) to have a "documented discussion" about how I am not a team player, because I won't help other departments even though I am struggling to get my own stuff done because my position should have 3 people but it's just me.
    via u/TAbademployee
  • 07
    Human body - They wanted me to sign a paper acknowledging that my behavior unacceptable. was
    via u/TAbademployee
  • 08
    Font - I told my manager "you need me, I don't need you. In my previous position in management I learned it will cost your store an average of 10k to hire and train a replacement. I also know you have a 'walk in interviews welcome' sign outside every day and you all are stressing about how short staffed you are and have limited applications. So no, I won't sign this, feel free to fire me. There are 10 stores within a mile that are also offering walk in interviews. So, no, I won't sign this. You
    via u/TAbademployee
  • 09
    Font - Still have a job 3 days later and everyone is acting like nothing happened, but some people are saying I am being the AH because the management is also struggling because they are short staffed.
    via u/TAbademployee
  • 10
    Font - amelia_airhart 6 6 3 3 Parta pant [1] NTA, you called their bluff and they folded. You're right, they need you a lot more than you need them, and they should treat you way better for doing the work of three people by yourself! Edit: First award ever, thank you so much!
    via u/amelia_airhart
  • 11
    Font - caw81 Certified Proctologist [21] but some people are saying I am being the AH because the management is also struggling because they are short staffed. I don't get this argument so how will you signing the paper help? How is not pointing out they have a hard time finding people help? Edit - after reading answers; NTA - you said what you thought and did not do what you did not feel comfortable in doing (not signing). Its hard to find fault in that.
    via u/caw81
  • 12
    Font - TAbademployee OP. I think she wanted to scape goat me and "bad emplyees" to her boss
    via u/TAbademployee
  • 13
    Font - nothin_incriminating Parta ipant [1] Not a labor lawyer, but I'm pretty sure the point of browbeating you into signing that was so that you've technically admitted to some professional wrongdoing and they can dispute your unemployment claim, should you ever file one.
    via u/nothin_incriminating
  • 14
    Font - Everyone: A company that's gotten to this point of dysfunction is not long for this world, so do not sign a letter like this. (And don't tattle on yourself when a cop asks, "Do you know why I pulled you over," either!)
    via u/nothin_incriminating
  • 15
    Font - Dos_Manos NTA - they think they can treat you like st, and you called their bluff. What was their reaction when you said all that to them? That's the best part!
    via u/Dos_Manos
  • 16
    Font - TAbademployee OP. They said they needed to speak with HR and decide how they would handle this. The district manager went on his way and the manager who called me has been super nice for the last 3 days but I never got an update on what HR said.
    via u/TAbademployee
  • 17
    Font - Nina_Innsted Parta ipant [4] NTA good for you that you stood up for yourself.
    via u/Nina_Innsted
  • 18
    Font - Compensate1995 Certified Proctologist [... NTA, you did the right thing. Their attitude towards you was invidious and contemptuous. You answered the perfect comeback and put them in place. Signing a document like this is humiliating and can also damage your reputation and job. This is exactly what I would do. You had the courage and ability to stand up for yourself in confidence. You should be proud of yourself. I'm glad that they realized their initial mistake.
    via u/Compensate1995
  • 19
    Font - MissAnth Professor Emerita [72] Management is struggling. And that's their problem. Their struggles with doing their job are not your problems to solve. Your problem is to do what you were hired to do, and collect your paycheck. Do you think management would care if you were struggling? What would they do if you were? I can tell you. They would fire you. NTA.
    via u/MissAnth
  • 20
    Font - -DementedAvenger- . ΝΤΑ LOL, you do you. That was a badas moment and you should feel proud.
    via u/-DementedAvenger-
  • 21
    Font - ggfangirl85 Parta pant [1] NTA - I'm very proud of you for standing up for yourself!! Good managers don't use overworked employees as meat shields from higher ups who expect too much from too few workers. 67 Share TAbademployee OP. Wow, honestly, if this goes any further I am using that quote
    via u/ggfangirl85
  • 22
    Font - syogod NTA, but i really hope you addressed their concerns and explained why you didn't deserve the write up. Otherwise, they won't learn anything. 19↓ Share TAbademployee OP. Oh, I did, and I have, many times, as have my direct supervisor. We actually don't even fall under store employees, we are corporate. So the store manager and district manager aren't who I roll up to. They aren't my actual bosses
    via u/syogod
  • 23
    Font - TherapistOfPentacles Enthusiast [5] INFO: what behaviors exactly were they saying were unacceptable? A:
    via u/TherapistOfPentacles
  • 24
    Font - TAbademployee OP. Deparment heads are asking me to do things that are specifically listed as their responsibilities, while I still have my own responsibilities to finish, and I tell them no. And when I say they are there responsibilities, I mean I can pull out the corporate training guide that says ot is, but... I'm knew.
    via u/TAbademployee
  • 25
    Font - I was actually warned by my direct boss to not start helping them because they like to start piling more and more on our plate and if you start doing it it gets worse and worse.
    via u/TAbademployee

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boss sign manager cashier hiring Horrible Bosses grocery store
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