Much of management or organization theory still hearkens back to what Miller writes about in Chapters 1 & 2. The classical and human relations approaches both have merits but have become accepted as fact when as you found out in your readings both approaches lack a truly strong empirical basis.
Let's keep the conversation going that we started with the introductions. I would like each of you to give a description of both good and bad organizational settings you have experienced.
In addition to posting your experiences I would like to make this more of a conversation by having you post a comment about at least one other person's experiences.
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37 comments:
The best example of a good experience with management was when I was working at Chilis. My managers were always letting employees know what they were doing well. We would even play games throughout the shift to try and win prizes by upselling. The worst would have to be the management at the corner pub, where I just quit. The managers there were fully aware of the horrible owner and would agree with how wrong he managed everyone, but they told me to just back down and say yes sir to anything he said, even if it were rude and completely out of line.
I would have to say that the worst experience I've had with management was at a certain bowling alley which I won't name. I worked at the snackbar for a while, and then as a pinchaser/half-ass mechanic. The main manager was new at the time, and I believe it was her first attempt at managing a business. The assistant manager hardly ever spoke and was dating one of two main mechanics (the guy was insane, and formerly part of a skinhead gang), and the chief mechanic was a pervert. God help me if I was ever ther by myself and something bad went wrong. I could never get in touch with either mechanic, and then I'd get the blame from the two managers for not being trained to do things, and then the crazy Nazi guy would yell at me when he'd have to fix things. They'd also work me until 3am and then have me back at 7am sometimes...in the snow...sweeping the lot. Big fun.
The best management I've worked for is probably when I did my internship at NASBA in Nashville. I didn't really do as much communication-related things as I would have liked (I actually worked for the IT dept. more), but everyone was great. Work which I was qualified to do was brought to me when they needed me; when they didn't, I could pretty much do anything without having to "look like I was working". Everyone was friendly, the pay was good, and we all would go out for drinks on Thursdays-even managers sometimes. I even talked to the president of this multi-million dollar company during my short time there, and
he was cool.
Ok, the bad one is way easy. I worked at this daycare (I loves babies and little ones) and it has been in the area for a while. I went there when I was a toddler. Anyway, it's basically a family thing and I'm kind of sort of married into the family somewhere down the line. Either way, I needed a part-time job and they were happy to have me. I was in the 2-yr-old room, (which I loved even though it was a challenge) and I was the assistant and the main teacher was the wicked witch of the west. No joke, this woman would yell at the kids for no reason, pull them by their shirts, tell them they were stupid, the list goes on. NOT TO MENTION if there was a state rule to be broken, she did it. She never washed her hands or the diaper changing area after changes, she had small sometimes sharp objects where the kids could get to them, she would randomly leave the room with no one else in there....that list goes on too. My favorite thing about her was that she would always be sick and not be there. So the part-timer (me) would sometimes have to work 6am-6pm. Some jobs are ok to do for long periods of time, but no matter how much I love kids, I just can't love 15 of them for that long.
So she was in the family for real. Like a granddaughter I think. So management never did anything. She could be sick for 3 days without any kind of proof. This went on for as long as I worked there. When I just couldn't take it anymore, I quit.
The best job I have ever had is probably the job I have now. I've only been with Girl Scouts for a few weeks, but I love it. My boss is very flexible with me on what hours I work, I know exactly what is expected of me, we have our own little office with just the two of us, it's very clear who to go to if I need something, and it's obvious that the Girl Scouts cares about the employees. There are only 100 of us, so I guess that makes it a little easier. Even at part-time, I can get paid time off and bonuses for making my membership goals (Cross your fingers for me and Humphreys County). AND, if I wear my pedometer, I can get decent prizes just for walking. WooHoo.
Wow, Robin I love kids but I dont know how ANYONE could deal with a classroom full of 2 year olds! I can imagine the witch of a teacher you worked with would have definitely sent me over the edge. I think we have all had jobs that were just unbearable miserable!! im glad you found one that is better for you!
I have been fortunate because I have never really had a HORRIBLE job. However, I would have to say that the worst job I've ever had was when I used to work at Ruby Tuesday when it was still in the mall. I took a job as a hostess thinking that it would be easy, and that I wouldn't come home smelling like a french fry every night. And I'm sure this is nothing compared to what many of you have been through. Little did I know, though, that when things get really busy, the hostess is the busboy. I was clearing tables, stocking bathrooms, and doing other chores I never imagined I would be doing as a hostess.
My manager was never satisfied. He always walked around swearing to his employees about how poorly we were doing. There was one night, probably a weekend, where he told me that one of the toilets in the women's bathroom was plugged and that I had to go fix it. At that point I quit right then, because I told him that I was a hostess and that wasn't my job. As I walked out, I told him to hire a plumber.
On the other hand, the best job I've ever had is the one I have now. I mentioned during the class introductions that I work at a scrub shop, where we sell uniforms to nurses. It's a family-owned business, and they've taken me in as one of their own. The job is easy, and the problems with our clients are minimal. But honestly, what makes it so wonderful is the work environment. It's so refreshing to be in a business where they can post the Ten Commandments on their wall if they want to, and have other business practices that might not be as accepted other places.
I would have to say that the worst job I ever had was at a certain vet clinic. I applied for the vet tech job out of the leaf chronicle thinking that it couldn't be that hard since I loved animals and all I would have to do was help them get better...WRONG. The first thing that was wrong with this job was the Vets, and then it just spirled down to the receptionist. I was the "new" girl, so nobody felt like it was there job to tell me what to do. The receptionist did nothing all day but eat and sit down, but felt like it was okay to tell me not to eat, and tell me what to do. This is a family business, so the father, ( who was like 80,and used methods that were outdated) never said or did anything, but the younger son was the one who yelled at everybody. I spent most of my time doing laundry in the basement and getting bit, then anything else, while the other vet techs were in the office eating with the fat receptionist.
A good job that I have had is at Kohls. The managers are friendly, helpful, understanding, flexiale and fun to be around. They also will roll up there sleeves to help if needed, they just won't stnd around and not do anything.
This was the worst experience I had with the management I had in Lithuania. The company at its start was wasting their money, spending it left and right. If a machine would break, instead of fixing it they would buy a new on. They were making as much money as they were wasting on the stuff they didn’t need. After a year the company started having financial problems and started lose money, they decided that they need to switch their main distribution base to a smaller city. This was due to cheaper labor but the city they chose, was farthest point in Lithuania from the Baltic Sea (the Baltic Sea is one of the main distribution points). That made them farther away from all the clients they had by about 150 miles. The company is experiencing a really big financial crises and is about to become bankrupt.
The best experience I had with management I don’t know that’s the hard one. I haven’t had a job that was under management that cared about their workers…..lol
First of all--Robin, the incentive to wear a pedomenter to work is a great way to boost employee morale and fitness. I have to hand it to those Girl Scouts on that one!
I wouldn't classify this as my "worst" organization experience but I right now have a very odd internship in a law firm started by a CrAzY lawyer. A 100% religion fanatic whom I'v heard on several occasions exclaim, "you need to find the Lord" as actual LEGAL ADVISE! No joke, he asks clients to "tell me you love Jesus!" The tricky part here, however, is reconciling his crazy business practices with the fact that he is an amazing attorney. Actually, his firm (and his antics) are very reputable in this town. I guess in sum I would characterize this under the "whodathunkit?" category.
The greatest organizational experience I've had was three years ago in high school. I worked part-time in a recreation center as the gopher, doing whatever needed to be done. The leadership/management was very strict, but allowed for a certain level of creativity. They made it very clear that working with the masses inherently entails the need for employees who are motivates self-starters. The recreation center consistently receives rave reviews from customers, and always closes out quarters fiscally in the black. Truly a great experience.
Here is another great organizational environment:
http://www.greatplacetowork.com/best/100best2007-google.php
It's all about Google and the seemingly insane benefits and perks their employees receive
Wow..you guys have had some pretty bad experiences. I loved Sarah's story about walking out. I've wanted to do that on a job, but just haven't had the guts to quit without giving two weeks notice. The best job I had was this past summer, when I was a youth intern. The interim youth minister was a great guy with a heart for the youth and his family was really sweet. The pay was good and I really enjoyed getting to know the youth. "Getting paid to go to church" was really nice. Even though I only knew them for a short while, I hope I made an impact on some of their lives.
The worst job I had was at a hometown pharmacy and fountain. I worked at the fountain, making sandwiches, milkshakes, smoothies, etc. The pay wasn't too good, and the owner was one of those people who never notice what you do right but are quick to chastise what you do wrong. I was working another job at the time, and it became too exhausting to keep them both. The work was stressful, long hours on your feet, and all of the other people who worked there disliked it.
Wow everyone, some of yall really did have some bad experiences. Note to self NEVER get a job at ANY bowling ally in town. Clint i commend you just for the fact you stayed there longer than 2 days.
And matt, It seems to me the unknown laywer just wants you tofind jesus... jk! I know that must be hard to work for when the US is supposed to have separation of Church and State. Good Luck with that internship!
My worst experience was probly about a year ago... i worked for a certain brand new appartment complex that was still being built. It was owned by a HUGE corporation out of North Carolina. This definately was not thier first set of apts. they have erected. Well the manager of the apts. was never there. She claimed she was "working from home". She was an interesting person... when she was in the office she was NEVER working. However she seemed to always have time for making comments that you would never expect in the workplace. Such as telling her subordinates that she just bought a new bikini waxing kit so that she can make shapes for the fun of her husband. The Assistant Manager was an interesting one as well, she was a bubbly little 35 year old with a little daughter. She was a war vet. She didn't really do anything except clean the building all the time... i remind you that at this time we were working on a CONSTRUCTION site. We had no running water, electricity, not really even an office. Not to mention the construction was about 6 months behind, all while we were trying to rent apts. Needless to say I just did what i was told to the best of my ability. However i learned later that the manager was not working from home, blamed all the late work on the assistant manager and then told the corporate office that the students she hired was not doing thier jobs (to this day i dont know what my job was). So corporate fired the manager for steeling money and eventually the assistant manager quit and we got a whole new team of managers from North Carolina. These guys were crazy too. They tried to turn around the business and train us better. However when move in days two weeks after school started and the apts were still not finished and really not close to being finished they would assume we knew what we were doing. I, only working two or three days a week tops because of school, got lost in the hustle of the move ins and got my hours taken away. But not before they ridicule me for not knowing my job and making me move people in until 3am.
The best management experience is where i am currently working at remax colonial realty. The management is also about to change however the current management is flexible, understanding that i am a student, and actually trained me in my job.
I have to say that the best and worst experiences of management occured at the same place. I used to work at E.W. James & Sons Supermarket back home. When I first began working there the management was great. Employees had fun and didn't mind working. Customers were satisified and loved coming into the store. After a year and a half of working there, corporate decided to make a change in management. The manager was more focues on the fiscal side of things and less concerned with employee and customer satisfaction. Employees began to hate coming into work and had their hours cut. Business drastically declined due to the lack of available inventory in the store and decrease in employee availability to help them. It really interesting how one decision by a corporation can change so many things about a business.
Very interresting experiences you guys have shared. I will have to say that i do not think mine are that bad.
My best example of good management would be at Ruby Tuesdays. We have many guest come in and every one knows that "the guest is always right".... so they think. I had a table that thought everything was wrong even though they ordered their fod that way. Therefore they were very rude and had said some hateful things. My manager overheard what they were saying and stuck up for me and told them to pay and leave. The reason why some this is one of the best manager experiences I have encountered is because managers normally give in to guests and in this case this manager did not and his actions represented what a manager should do, which is take care of their staff.
The worst experience I have had with managment would have to be when I worked at Kroger. They were just so unorganized and never knew the answers to questions. It was also pretty bad when I knew more about customer service then my managers did. Needless to say I do not work there anymore.
Kristin...It always sucks to have a job that ends up disappointing you. Especially when they don't treat you equally or lend a helping hand.
I enjoyed Sarah's post about quitting Ruby Tuesday. I worked at an Outback as a host and then later as back-line prep. I would have to do some of those chores you were talking about when I was hosting, but I actually knew up-front what I was getting into. Plus the managers were nice. However, I did quit when I started back-line prep because that kitchen was WAY messed up.
I also liked Brian's post about the corporate decision completely changing the way that supermarket worked. Kinda sad, I guess, if you have good times and memories at a job, and then they are ruined because more money is needed (or just wanted).
Wow! I thought that I had seen it all in some of my old jobs, but I can't compete with some of these stories.
The best experience I ever had was while I was working at a local Sears retail store. These types of stores were primarily used for the sell of electronics, tools, appliances, and some lawn and garden items. It was my first full time/40 hours a week job. There was a total of 5 people working at this store. The atmosphere was great, everyone got along, and the manager was extremely laid back. I was able to get off when I needed, no questions asked. I was never asked to do anything that I was not capable of doing. I still keep in touch with my manager from that job to this day.
One of my not so pleasant memories with my manager/crew chief was while I was working for the Parks and Recreation Department for my hometown. The job was not bad, I made some good money. There were 12 employees and 2 crew chiefs. One of the crew chiefs was just like everyone else there, easy going, laid-back, just get your stuff done mentality. The other was a brown noser like no other. He would go out of his way to make sure that we looked busy when the head man from City Hall came by to check on the place. We spent countless hours just doing useless, busy work. Not that I mind having to actually do work on the job, but there is a difference in doing your job and then pushing yourself to death in 100 degree heat so one person looks a little better. I don't keep in contact with him, like I did with my other manager.
My best and worst experiences were both at Rafferty's since it's the only job I've ever had. My general manager is typically very easy to get along with. He isn't very hard to please just as long as we take care of the guest. He lets us do our own thing as long as the job gets done. On the other hand, when our regional manager decides to pop in we know the shift is going to turn out horrible. There is absolutely no pleasing him. He seriously just starts screaming about things just to hear himself complain. The shift can be going great, but he will find something that we're "doing wrong". The man is really impossible to please!
Molly, I know exactly how it is to just have to suck it up and just be like "yes sir". They think they know the perfect solution to any problem and no one else's opinion counts.
Stephanie,
I totally understand that situation. When I lived in Clarksville, I worked for Hobby Lobby and all of our managers were pretty nice and laid back. If they thought for a second that someone "important" was coming, it was a totally different ballgame. I hated those days.
Also, I thought I'd add one just for fun. My Markie's regional boss is a "yes" man of sorts. And it's terrible. He will say yes to anything from raises to time off, then will act all dumbfounded when you bring it up again.
And, to Clint, isn't it great when people fall in love on the job? I remember the drama involved with working part-time jobs in high school. If the bag boy and the cashier could stop flirting (or doing whatever the kids do these days) for half a second, the lines at Kroger wouldn't be so bad.
Also, to Sarah Hartley: If you want to join a student group, IABC would love to have you! See me at class tomorrow and we can talk about it.
BHuff_32, I know exactly what you mean with the whole idea of corporate coming in and making changes. The same thing happen to me with the best job I ever had. We were making decent money, not great money. The corporation came in, brought in new management, and let me go. That did not put a great taste in my mouth of the corporate world.
First off, after reading everyone elses, maybe my bad experiences were not that bad! Clint, Sarah, and others who have had the same experience, I respect the fact that you bothered to even stay at the job when they would not even tell you your exact job description, and then train you to do it. Sarah, I don't think I would have lasted as long as you did at that job, I know hostess have to do a lot, but I'm even more glad I've never been one if it is half as bad as your experience was.
One of my best experiences was at a Fudruckers actually, in Springfield, MO. The managers were awesome, and really wanted us to enjoy our jobs. If there was a different position we wanted to try, we were encouraged to go for it. If we had a problem with our job we were encouraged to express it, most of the time they would notice if we were angry about something and pull us aside to find out what it was, then try to do something about it. They never tried to work us to death, and if we were busy but really needed a break for some reason, they would jump in and do our job until we got back and not complain about it. When the place closed we all went out and partied together!!
My worst experience was with Nashville Wire in White Bluff. Not only do the corporate office people have nothing better to do then come up with stupid rules that make the employees think they might as well set a bed up in the place and forget that they ever had a life, or a family, but the managers of the White Bluff division could care less about the employees. It's no wonder that rumors about them closing down are so often heard, they only care about the bottom line, and work hard to get rid of their best employees so that they can hire temps who work for a lot less money, and they don't have to offer benefits too. If you're not at work there, you better be on your deathbed, and able to prove it. If you have an alcohol or drug problem and get fired, you can plan on being back at work in a week. If you have a family and get fired, forget it, they've already forgotten your name. I worked my butt off there, and was darn good at every job they put me on, yet it was never good enough, because I did not kiss the butts of any of the managers.
Molly, I can totally relate to your bad experience. I just quit a place that I worked for almost 5 years. The Human Resource manager would treat people different. We were not equal in her eyes. It was a family owned business, so the family had special treatment. If anyone else did the same thing, they woulg get in trouble. I had to go along, also like you, to everything they said, even if they were wrong. Being a H.R. manager, that is not ethically or morally right. But it's business. right?:(
The Best example of a great experience with the Management is when I first started working at the Clarksville Area YMCA. I thought that as a Welcome Desk employee it would be one of my sole responsibilities and the responsibilities of my co-worker to scan people in, do paper, and market for membership. Amazingly enough our Managers step in and help us out when times get busy. That spoke volumes about the character of the management support team!
The Worst expierence I had is what I'm currently going through. I am a Peer Mentor, and personally I don't like how our Peer Mentor teacher manages his class. He is by the book, uninspiring and if I ever want to personally talk to the students myself it has to go through him (which is quite ridiculous). We live and learn and this is a learning expierence!
I think its really interesting that Ruby Tuesday's has been brought up twice, both as a good and bad example. Kacie your experience was crazy! I understand not feeling like you know what you're doing during the first part of a job, but later on, let me just say you lasted quite a while.
My worst example used to be my best. When I first started in 2003 I was very happy to just have a job. I started going to a community college and they were willing to work around my school schedule. I was working for little pay and I did any job that was asked by me. They told me how much a hard worker I was and they were glad they had me there. As the time and years went by the less and less they rewarded me and did not tell me how great I was doing, even though I was the same hard worker. This is when it turned into the worst experience. They started to take advantage of my work ethic and I would be doing someone elses jobs and when I would say something they basically said I should be glad they work around my schedule and be glad to work there. I asked for a raise as my duties became too much and they said no and I ended up working more hours for asking for a raise. I quit that job last week and when I gave my notice about an internship I was accepted for they told me that I would not be able to come back to work there because of my leaving.
--To Stephanie...
I totally feel you on that. It's amazing how the Management at a place and the employee's can have such a great working relationship but a higher level management comes in an it's total chaos. It's because they aren't involved in that day to day relationship.
My best and worst experience have all occurred at the same retail store but under two different sets of management(I'd rather not say the store's name, since I'm still working there and we all know how things we publish on the internet aren't private anymore).
When I first starting working there my store manager was a perfectionist. She had high expectations, and she was very well respected. The associates wanted to do all we could do to make her proud. And we knew we couldn't slack off around her. However, she did recognize our achievements and tried not to play favorites. I believe it is because of her management style that our store excelled in sales for that time period.
However our management team now is quite different. I love all of the managers, but they aren't as demanding as the first was. I can get away with a lot - asking for time off, coming in late, etc. While I try not to take advantage of it, it does affect my work ethic. They also play favorites, which is great if you’re in the group, but horrible if you’re not. I’ve learned from this management style that trying to be your associates’ friend isn’t always the most productive method.
Sarah -
This statement that you made has been all too true in many of my jobs:
"The pay wasn't too good, and the owner was one of those people who never notice what you do right but are quick to chastise what you do wrong."
So many times, managers & owners are focused on trying to make improvements that they fail to recognize the good. I'm all for setting higher goals and pushing forward, but it really helps morale to hear, "You did a good job."
The best experience I have had in an organization and with a "manager" is with the non-profit organization that I am a part of. All responsibilities are clearly stated before a position is taken. Weekly meetings keep the flow of communication open and ideas are shared among the council members. The worst situation would have to be at the resort I worked at this summer. The manager wanted as little to do with the employees as possible. When he did talk to employees, he was generally talking bad about other employees. He had a bad of habit of telling you one thing, and doing something opposite. I learned from both of these situations that communication between the employees and the manager is essential.
Martha, I agree with what you said, trying to form a friendship between the manager and the employee is often a bad idea.
Wow, Matt.
I was reading some of the stories everybody was talking about and mine seems like nothing in comparison. But really. I can imagine that working with a lawyer whose best tactic for helping people is to tell them to "go to church" or "go find Jesus." Not everyone is comfortable around people who are that religious, even if we are in the Bible Belt. It's been my experience that if someone wants me to seriously consider their religious beliefs, they should approach it in a way where you don't just feel like they're just jumping down your throat. That's more of a turn-off than anything.
Most of the jobs I've had have been pretty good. Or maybe I'm just an optimist, so I always see the better side of things.
I currently work at a small bar in Dickson, TN. The best thing about working there is the freedom and power I have. When I work, which is Sat. nights and Tues. nights, I'm the only employee there. My owner gives me authority over everything. If someone gets out of hand, I can kick them out and prevent them from returning for however long (a month, year, etc.). There's a sign on the wall that says rule #1 "Bartender is always right", rule # 2 "If bartender is wrong refer to rule #1". Everyone has the utmost respect for the bartender. You control the beer! My boss has always backed me on any decision I've had to make. I believe that when you get treated with that kind of respect from your boss, the job at hand will ultimately get done. I've never had that kind of respect from a boss before. I see this as a human relations experience. When you treat others with respect, it really makes a difference in a person's performance.
I used to work at the Sonic Drive-In in McEwen, TN. In my two years there, we went through three general managers. The first one didn't have a clue about business. The second one had a business degree from MTSU. He knew how to make money and maximze employee peformance. The third one was the best and the worst. He was about 21 years old at the time. Granted, it's a fast food restaurant, but professionalism was not his thing. He would go to parties with all the underage high school kids and flirt with all the high school girls. I didn't have much respect for him as far as Sonic goes. I still talk to him...he is currently in a band called the Trailer Choir, and they're on tour with Toby Keith!!! I guess Sonic wasn't really his style anyway.
Samantha, I know exactly what you mean. They really appreciate you for a little while, and then they take you for granted. Who cares if you can't work there again, I'm sure you're better off. Good luck with your internship!
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