The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Ok this is a vent about my real job, as a water safety instructor.



Basically I have a boss, that has an attitude problem. She oversee's 4 pools and generally gets alot of the complaints.



Apparently she got a complaint about me, regarding me disciplining a child. Well I spoke to a child 3 times about taking off for the deep end. On the third time, I sat the child out for 2 minutes. Apparently mom complained.



The way Karen approached me was simple. "I got a complaint on you." This was not done in private, it was done in the main office where people come and go. She said it in such a way, that I felt I had to defend myself. I felt that my job was in jeopardy and that I had to explain myself.



Now, you other managers out there....am I right in assuming, that A)this should have done in private and B)it should not have been done with such an accusation tone. Any job is stressful, but feeling as if your boss doesn’t have your back, feeling as if your boss hates you and is looking for problems with you, then why bother. I can say that most of my stress of being a Sentoran was taken away, when Joli was put in charge fo the Sentorans. Know why? Because she has my back. If there is a complaint, she comes to me, asking me about it. So, I will trust her more, for giving me at least the chance to explain things.



I got a call yesterday. From the big boss that runs everything. He was my teacher in the Water Safety Instructor course, so he knew me and understood me. So when he got another 5 complaints sent up to him from Karen…he wondered and he called. He ASKED me about the complaints, wanting to know the whole story and my feelings about it.



I explained away each and every one of the bogus complaints.



-One mother upset because she signed her son up for the next level and I told her I would recommend that he take the current level over again, since the child isn’t comfortable yet.



-Another complaint was that I was angry at the parents of a child. No, I wasn’t angry at the parents and I explained it to them. I was angry on behalf of the child, on behalf of what that child went through. Somewhere, someone failed her. They placed a 5 year old child, in 5 feet of water, with 12 and 13 year olds and expected her to swim a whole lap of the pool. She was put in a Level 3 class, after two days she was bumped down to a level 2, what I was teaching. Her teacher in Level 3 should have caught on that she wasn’t a level 3, it should have been taken care of the first day. The child was handed to me, hysterical because of the water being so deep. I have the scratches and bruises to show, how hysterical this child was. I was simply angry that any teaching, any love of the water was destroyed in this child, simply due to no checks and balances. This child was traumatized needlessly and I was angry. I suggested to the parents, that due to this trauma, she get a private lesson, to re-teach her how to love the water and trust in us again.



-Another complaint was me stating that I was a better teacher than another WSI. I explained. I had subbed for this teacher, who was not certified. She was teaching an Adult stroke improvement class. When I followed her directions and started to take out the instructions she had for the class, it included a section style teaching. As in, they go to this position and do what the paper tells them and then they go to the next. I saw the adults cringing at me and asked them. They asked me not to treat them like a child, as the other instructor did. I explained for them to talk to the instructor, if that didn’t work to bring it to the attention of the staff. They said they would try. At the end of the class, they had all learned how to do the one thing that the other instructor had been trying to teach them for 3 weeks. That is a heady compliment. Anyways, the next time in, I passed on the complaint. Just so someone could help the instructor, give her some pointers. Instead I was bad guy.



By this time, James, my boss realized that the other things were very vague. So, I put my complaint into him, regarding Karen and other safety issues that I saw. There is no checks and balances at this facility. There is nobody checking to see if someone deserves to be in each level. Nobody checks to see if we passed them or not. Parents have to sign up their child for the next class, 3 weeks prior to the end of class. Most don’t know about the different levels. Most just say….I want this time and our secretaries sign them up. Think about it.

A level 6 is someone that can swim 20 laps using backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, sidestroke, freestyle and elementary backstroke. Generally these are 14 to 15 year olds, that have the muscle and endurance to do it. What happens if someone puts a 5 year old into that class. A Major liability, that’s what. A safety issue for the instructor of that class and if the classes are so full that you can’t move the child, due to all the other swim classes being full, then what do you do?



As for Karen, I explained to James that I’m not the only one, worried about why she hates me. I know of up to 6 others that feel the same way. James asked why nobody spoke to him. I said, Karen makes the schedule. If she doesn’t want you to have hours, you won’t. The kids that work under her, need their jobs, I don’t. So I told him so. That if he was calling to fire me, no problem, but its not going to solve the problem.



I gave him some things to think about. He asked that I just keep my head down and he will get back to me. So, why am I in knots, for speaking my mind, to a man I respect, who seems to respect me? *sighs* I honestly don’t need this stress. I don’t need this job. I love teaching, but if everything I say and do, is going to come into question….why bother? I guess I have to decide on something. I can’t live with my stomach in knots like this, causing me stress. For those of you that aren’t aware, my Multiple Sclerosis is triggered mostly by stress. I haven’t had an MS attack in 2 years. I would like to keep it that way.



Any suggestions?

COMMENTS

-

---

lordxofxwar
20:24 Oct 16 2008

I would suggest waiting a bit to see what he does about your main boss that you have to deal with daily.... If he doesn't do anything about it in a week inform him that you can not handle the way she "TRY'S" to manage her work and that if immediate action isn't taken to remedy the situation then you will unfortunately have to resign from your position. If you don't need the job, can't handle the attitude of a supervisor then leave... I have never kept a job that stressed me, and never will because unless it's a six figure income or more it just isn't worth it to me.

---

xxEmaeraldxx
21:40 Oct 16 2008

There are different types of Management styles, but generally speaking those with true leadership skills know that investing in their staff leads to a motivated and dedicated workforce that produce quality in their service. However, if you take away the feeling of being valued from a staff member it produces negativity and an unharmonious working environment.



Sadly, some people should not be a Manager of People as they are unable to control themselves, and if they cannot self-manage how can they manage others? I would think your Manager fits nicely into that category, and that... is too bad for you especially when it sounds like you enjoy doing what you do! :)

---

RedQueen
16:01 Oct 17 2008

You are correct in assuming that she handled it wrong, dear. GOOD bosses take you aside and explain their concerns- BAD bosses just point fingers, and in the wrong context.



I agree with your friend James. Keep your head down, and let this settle. He is most likely going to handle this soon, but he would rather wait untul she isn't likely to trace it back to you and then take it OUT on you. That is what I would do. Now that he knows about the situation he can do something about it.



And I am proud of you for standing up for what you know is right. Pretty soon YOU are going to be running that place!!! LOL



And I miss our chats too, sugar- *hugs*

---

POST COMMENT