Unappreciated and Unwelcome - This isn't a rant, I've been here for a while. People should know what goes on... - Eagle Jimmy John's Employee Review

Appreciation: When I mentioned above about getting the promotions, I once again believe it was also a con because once you got that $0.25 raise bumping you from the least they can legally pay you, you are expected to do everything. But once everyone decides they don't wanna work, it all falls on the last person that didn't give up before everyone else. And that was me every time. So yes, I did get promotions but even with my last promotion (and honestly in the demotion as well), I ended up doing things the general manager should be taking care of and never really got so much as a thank you. I was taken advantage of in hopes that someone would show some sort of appreciation. While working at the bar rush store (the store open until 3am), I was the assistant manager and I have never felt more set up to fail in any other situation. I was given one employee past 9 o'clock and it was always a delivery driver which means that while he/ she was gone, I was alone in the store left to do the slicing, cleaning of the lobby, ringing up the customers, working the drive thru, making the sandwiches and answering phones all at once. The only thing on the employee's mind, considering they weren't as invested as the manager, was just getting out of the store so their work quality was never up to par but by they time the "finished" the tasks, I couldn't afford to keep them any longer with our borderline unachievable labor goals considering the business flow at those times, so I did most everything besides the dishes and dock my hours to make sure it was up to their standards. Did they ask me to do everything, I admit that no, not in those words but they did tell me to deliver quality and I did. But if I didn't go above and beyond then we would honestly just be some mediocre fast food chain like a slightly more expensive McDonald's. At one point the drive thru was broken so it wouldn't tell you when people would pull up, so you had to constantly be looking at the window, but when you are the only person there and left to do so many tasks, it's quite unrealistic and extremely stressful. There were days I would stay there hours past the time I clocked out because things weren't right. It may be illegal but if it wasn't right, I would get in trouble and get shat on. But on those days when I made it perfect, I hardly got a praise, yet in my experience working with those employees, positive reinforcement was the most efficient way to get through. Money and Disrespect: At one point, we started having a lot of money problems and we couldn't seem to find the root of the problem. Then we started a more intensive counting procedure counting in between our open shift, our midshift and our closing shifts. Once we utilized this, we never had another money problem. But of course, I gave myself that demotion (after finally standing up for myself after being mistreated, more so than mentioned above), I moved stores which was about 2-3 weeks after the new counting process. Then rumors started to spread about me being the culprit and instead of management shooting down these rumors and coming to me about the issue, they fed the fire. Not to mention that when we started the new counting process, one of our PICs moved to a new location in another city, wouldn't that make him a suspect. Apparently not as fingers pointed at me. And now, after 2 weeks after quitting the job, about 2 months after moving stores, my old boss is now asking me about the money. Now I know the evidence suggests it was me, but if you looked at my loyalty to Jimmy John's (all three locations in the city) you'd think I was the area manager or something. I cared so much about each and every aspect of the stores. If they needed an emergency shift covered, whether it was inshop, driving (when I had my car), a PIC shift or an assistant manager shift, even GM shifts, I was there. I put my heart and soul into those stores and it broke my heart when I heard the accusations. I was so invested in the stores that if I stole from them, I would be taking that money right out of my own pocket in the end. And anyone with a brain would tell you that it would be stupid to be cheating yourself that way. And honestly, I could go on just how disrespectful they are for hours but I think you can pick up what I am putting down, if you're willing to give this job your all, they'll take it and demand more and still consider you unworthy. This also happened with another GM at one point and after leaving, was also accused of stealing from the safe. It seems like if the management can't find the actual culprit, they like to blame whoever isn't there to defend themselves and kick them while they're down. That's not a way to treat someone who gave you years of their life to contribute to your success. Managers: As I said above, I was a manager so I've seen management from the inside and out. Arrogance; If a manager thinks they are better than you, they will do everything in their power to make you feel insignificant and will go out of their way to belittle you. I have never felt more disrespected in a workplace in all of my career. Instead of lifting their employees up to improve, they constantly bash them and once again, kick them while they're down. That is so inhuman and honestly disgusting. Anyway, I've got a lot to say so I'm going to get started on employee/ manager relationships. There are very fine lines between the way employees act and the managers behave. All of them are immature for the most part. Constantly cracking inappropriate (racist/ sexual/ etc.) jokes, starting rumors, and talking blatantly about the employees to other employees. That last one was about the managers. In most companies, it's the little people spreading rumors, but here at Jimmy John's rumors spread "freaky fast" and it's because the hierarchy is the delivery system. And at a moments notice, you could be written up and threatened to be fired without any warnings. For example, one day an inshopper was about 12-14 minutes late and the PIC said that if he had been any later, he would have been fired. I agree he should've been punished but for the Shift Manager to be walking around the kitchen, cursing, not to mention out of dresscode, complaining about an employee being late then threatening his job in front of the other inshoppers is not acceptable Person In Charge (Shift Leader) behavior. The managers with the exception of two currently working there are so unprofessional on many different levels. I was actually personally attacked by my superior as she spread rumors about me to my peers, even in the kitchen. When my name was mentioned, she would make disgusting faces, once again in the kitchen to my peers, yet be completely nice and, all in all, fake towards me. And again, unprofessional. Continuing on with the relationships, but a different kind of relationship. Let's just say, I wouldn't eat off the desk in the back if you're an employee. Who knows what kind of bodily fluids are on there. Heads up, they aren't just rumors, I was informed of it directly by one of the parties involved and then by the other only a few minutes later. Needless to say, I was appalled and disgusted by the act then the boasting that followed. Inappropriate behavior, unfortunately, wasn't always confined to behind office walls, that's all I am saying. I must say though, that I started dating someone at JJ's and they were promoted and I was moved stores, then I was promoted. I earned my spot by being the best of the best at work, not in bed, while another one of the managers promoted went from being 'one of the worst employees we have' (said by the GM) to the new PIC in the course of a week. Safety: My arms are covered in burns, and not just because I'm "clumsy" or something along those lines. The majority of employees that have worked there have burns from the 400+ degree ovens. Many employees have even lost parts of fingers with the bread knives we use and the dinosaur of a slicer. Safety regulations really need to be put in place and if they are in place, they should be enforced. This company is also very sexist, or at least my section of our franchise was. I worked in a kitchen with all males (with the exception of an 11-1 day driver) so all of the sexual frustration these hormonal little boys had, went onto me. I felt very uncomfortable and at one point brought it to the attention of my GM and he started to insinuate that I was asking for it. Meanwhile, here I am wearing a baggy tshirt and boring mom jeans with my hair in a bun with no make up on literally only caring about sandwiches and quality work throughout the day, not impressing some lame guys when I'm doing my job in the workplace. Even then, regardless, the GM of a store should do what he can to improve any work environment and remove all hostility or at least try, not blame the victim. Overall, I can honestly say I loved the store, the job itself was nice and as I said before, I put my heart and soul into my work (working 60+ hrs at one point). I would've loved to continue working there (I actually wanted to be a Business Coach/ Auditor for JJ's because I had an eye for quality and hunger for success). But once you get to the employees and management, it isn't an environment that anyone who wants to contribute to the success of a company would want to be in. Work there if you can handle being personally attacked, both directly and indirectly. It might be a good temporary job but don't let it consume you. If you take the job, welcome to one of the most hostile work environments you've probably been in. Have fun!