10 years = tenure?

Last week, I called my boss and told him that I really needed to work in a store closer to home. I explained that I was gone for too many hours a day and that I wanted to be closer so that I had more time to spend with Elijah (and Adam of course, but the baby-baby needs me...). I told him that I had really given this north side drive a try and it was just wearing on me. Plus, there were/are some "in-store issues" that were making work difficult, one of which was that the store manager...Tom M...was scheduling me for an 11am to 9pm shift. C'mon! Even though I got out of work on Sunday by 7pm, by the time I got home shortly after 8, Adam had already had to put a very fussy Elijah to bed. I went to bed Sunday night feeling very defeated...by my job. Tom C (my boss) said to call him Monday...yesterday...and he would see what he could work out for me. So I patiently waited.

Now, yesterday was a particularly tough day at work. It was really busy and it was VERY warm and humid. Working in a hot kitchen on a humid day makes everyone's nerves a little short. I am not proud to say that my nerves were about shot at 10am! To make matters worse, Tom M doesn't have a CLUE how to properly deploy his staff...he had people working positions that they had never worked in the middle of a crazy rush. People who go to fast food restaurants during lunch time USUALLY have a time constraint...they are on lunch break and need to get back to work. It was taking me and my side of the line an average of 5 minutes PER ORDER to get people their food. Standard for the dining room is 1.5 minutes or less. I was embarrassed and irritated. Customers were understanding but obviously a little irritated as well. Long story short, I directed some rather harsh comments at Tom M and ended up just feeling like crap. In walks my boss...Tom C.

Once lunch was over, Tom C and I had a chance to talk about my situation. I again reiterated that this was taking its toll on me...and that I NEEDED to be closer to home. Tom C asked me what I had for suggestions. Know what I said? "How about I work here a couple days a week and the other 2-3 days I can work in a store that isn't an hour away?" I offered to be their slave 2-3 days a week. Here's what I was told:

"Sandy, we need to first put people where we need them. You're needed here...the store's numbers have improved significantly since you've been here. Second, we need to put people in stores where their salary can be supported. Third, there just aren't any openings closer to your home."

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

But then the light...

"What if we let you work a 40 hour week instead of 50? You could either work 5, 8-hour days or 4, 10-hour days? You'd still have the drive but you'd have more time at home?"

I thought a moment. 4, 10-hour days would still suck but it would mean 3 days home with baby-baby! I didn't even get to respond...

"However, you would only get paid for 40 hours."

Here's where the title comes in...QSR became a company in 1997. I worked for Taco Bell Corporate prior to that time. In 1997, I decided to stay at the store I was at and work for QSR. That means I have worked for this company since its beginning. 10 years...I should have TENURE. And they can't even bend a little for me. I've bent over backwards for this company. I moved my entire life to NEVADA IOWA, for crying out loud! I am currently spending 12-13 hours a day away from my infant and my husband. And you're going to tell me that after 10 years of nothing but DEDICATED service, you can't keep me on my normal salary for a few months? If I work 40 hours, I would still spend 8 hours driving for a 4-day work week, or 10 hours driving for a 5-day work week...48 to 50 hours. I would really like to insert an very evil word in here right now but I'm using better judgment. Whatever...I'm hurt and angry. These are not healthy emotions. And on top of all that, I'm a little scared about what I'm going to do for work now. BUT, I'm completely at peace with the fact that I know where I stand with QSR. Tenured? If this is the way QSR treats its tenured employees, I guess I really don't want it.....