Just another example of what makes her "Psycho" About This Page:

[CinderAbby]

Many of you know about the gripes I have about the kitchen manager at my school. I can't even call her a boss because while I'm grateful on one hand she doesn't assume the responsibility of one, on the other hand, she needs to be more of one instead of having it be a free for all - nobody has set jobs, it's just if you see it needs to be done, somebody do it.

So anyway, today I got to work, Sandy said good morning and as soon as the janitor left, she came over to me and said "I know you like to be organized and stuff, but do me a favor. Leave the ketchup in the back room. You don't need to go and get it early and leave it sitting on the table out here. If the Health department shows up, before we get in, we'll get in trouble." I just said "oh, okay" but here are the problems with what she said. First of all, I didn't get the ketchup or leave it on my table. One of the other two people got it from the back room for yesterday's lunch but never opened it (and obviously didn't put it back either) so I actually have no idea how it got on my table. It wasn't there yesterday when I left. The second thing wrong - the health department will never ever show up when no one's in the kitchen. They're there to make sure cold food stays cold and covered when not being served, hot food stays hot and in the warmer, we're wearing hair nets and gloves, etc. You can't check on something that's not even happening. Which of course brings me to the third thing about what she said - she's worried an unopened can of ketchup sitting on a work table will get us in trouble but yet she thinks nothing at all of not wearing gloves to touch the food, she thinks nothing of not having ice under the cold food we serve, she thinks nothing of putting a hair net only on her bun and not the rest of her head and she thinks nothing of leaving food out in the open and uncovered. Gee, what will get us in more trouble do you think??? And for those thinking I'm making this up, I'm not. She really is . And any time I try to do something different (say cover the food or put out ice), I always get "it may be done your way in other kitchens but this is my kitchen and that's not how I do things."

I can only laugh about it because today at least, it was laughable because it was such stupid stuff. And I know if I tried to correct her on any of it - especially the ketchup - it would have gotten turned around and I wouldn't have been accepting responsibilty for MY actions, blah blah blah, so it was just easier to say okay. A job opening in another school just cannot come soon enough for me .

[GATechGal]

Document, document, document. Cause if the Health department comes around, it may just be HER job that is opening up.

[toddjodybrent]

You were right about not entering into the conversation and just agreeing. Some people bait others. . .

I'm sorry you have to work with these conditions.

Hope another position opens up soon!

[MBryson]

I can totally relate. When I was in high school and college I worked at a hospital kitchen. We had to wear the hairnets and aprons and gloves, ect. Our Head Boss would sometimes come in the kitchen and "try" to make something or "help" if we were short handed. She has a masters degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. You would think she could cook. But she would just come in and throw a bunch of slop together and say, "serve it". She would not clean her table or wash her dishes. She expected us to do it. Nevermind that she doesn't even cook for her own family. They eat out or her husband cooks. She always said that she is around it all day and just couldn't possible do it at home. And she always made the comment you don't eat because you like the food.......you eat because its good for you. Why not both? Anyway, I'm sorry you have a boss like that. I agree about documenting. I had to do that as well and its actually worked on several
occasions. I hope you find something else but as I've learned...you trade one heart ache for a different heart ache. I think unfortunately its just every where. Good luck!!!

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by GATechGal

Document, document, document. Cause if the Health department comes around, it may just be HER job that is opening up.

One can only hope but I don't think I'll ever be so lucky

[jimmymac]

You did the right thing. There's no point in arguing with people like her

[CinderAbby]

I hope you find something else but as I've learned...you trade one heart ache for a different heart ache. I think unfortunately its just every where

Sometimes, but other than two people (both of whom are long past retirement age and move like molasses) I get along really well with all the other people in all the other kitchens so I really can't forsee that happening. But since I think it's going to be a while before anyone leaves anyway, it's not something I have to worry about. I just have to worry about not going crazy myself where I am.

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by toddjodybrent

You were right about not entering into the conversation and just agreeing. Some people bait others. . .

I'm sorry you have to work with these conditions.

Hope another position opens up soon!

Originally Posted by jimmymac

You did the right thing. There's no point in arguing with people like her

Thanks Jodi and Jim. Sometimes I do wonder if she does it to see what I'll say or do but since I've learned she's the type you're never gonna win against, I just smile, bite my tongue and curse her under my breath.

[Tere WDW]

She probably left the ketchup bottle on your table just to see what you would say. You did the right thing by not engaging her in a conversation about the ketchup. I hope another job opens up for you soon!