PLEEEEEASE Help WORK SITIATION Going CRAZY Need ADVICE, SO NOT GOOD

You have 3 options as I see it:
1. Quit
2. Deal with it as it is
3. Change the situation by taking control exactly the way K.'s Mom described.

Take one of the 3 options & stick with it.

Don't be fooled. They are hiring teenagers, because they ask for less. They typically don't ask for raises, benefits, to be placed with certain people, or anything else. Your text could be perceived as a threat. You gave an ultimatum. Not that I'm saying you were wrong for expressing your frustrations, you have every right to do that. Your boss clearly feels this girl should stay, and you should find a way to work it out. I think the decision, is up to you. You have to weight the pros and cons. How easily can you find another job, would you be able to take your daughter, etc. You are aware these are their hiring practices, you have to decide if it's worth it.

P.S. NONE of you should be texting while watching children!! Even occasionally. I would be LIVID, if I found out someone in a child care facilty, was texting while watching my child...at all. You all should be watching the children, not your phones. It only takes a second, for something to happen. That is unacceptable, I'm sorry.

Z., stressing out over a job you don't really want or need just doesn't make any sense. Give your notice, enjoy your life.

:)

Get certified and start your own daycare.

Blessings..

Have you told the teen to get up off her lazy butt and help pick up toys? Have you walked up to her and said, "put your phone away you are at work"? Have you yelled across the room to her when a child near her needs her help? Why not get in her face and let her know what she should be doing. Its obvious the boss isnt going to and the safety of the kids, and your sanity (and other good employees sanity) is at stake. Maybe this is what the teen needs to get her in gear and make her responsible at work. Someone has to teach her and you are right there, so take up the cause and change the world at work. Take charge and maybe your boss will catch on and make the improvements to better it for everyone. Ive been in a similar situation and really, I had to be the one who stepped up and did something about it. Good luck.

You obviously had a very valid concern here. But it was very unprofessional for you to broach this subject with your manager via text message. I have always heard that you never make an ultimatum unless you are really ready to walk...

tell her the reason she can't keep people is cause she keeps hiring kids that just want the paycheck and leave it at that. And tell her that is the reason your not staying and give your 2 weeks and say bye bye

Of course, you know that calls to child protective services are confidential. I would document, document, document. I say this a lot because it's so important. People need to see an ongoing pattern of behavior to see the potential threat. Document what the teens, and this girl in particular, are doing, and document the manager's response and how she dealt with it.

Then I would take it to your manager's manager. If you aren't worried about losing your job, you have nothing to lose and these kids are at risk. Daycare is outrageous as it is, and this is not what these parents are paying for.

If your manager's boss doesn't do anything about it or it costs you your job, go to the childcare licensing agency in your state, turn in your documentation and report them.

I agree with K's mom. You are in the room with her her whole shift so you really do have a right to give her direction, you are a team so speak up and tell her what you need from her. Tell her when her actions or inaction is affecting the class. Tell her every single time. Like the manager said, give her the benefit that maybe she can be taught. If the manager goes and tells her something, it's too late after the fact anyway and the she will just make sure she hides whatever from the manager. But you are there to correct her behavior on the spot. Now once you have Been doing this for a while and still no improvement or cooperation, then you go back to your manager and see what she says. If you don't think taking that kind authority/responsibility on at work is worth it for you, $8 hr indefinitely would not be worth it for me, then just quit. If I didn't really need to work I would quit.

Updated

I agree with K's mom. You are in the room with her her whole shift so you really do have a right to give her direction, you are a team so speak up and tell her what you need from her. Tell her when her actions or inaction is affecting the class. Tell her every single time. Like the manager said, give her the benefit that maybe she can be taught. If the manager goes and tells her something, it's too late after the fact anyway and the she will just make sure she hides whatever from the manager. But you are there to correct her behavior on the spot. Now once you have Been doing this for a while and still no improvement or cooperation, then you go back to your manager and see what she says. If you don't think taking that kind authority/responsibility on at work is worth it for you, $8 hr indefinitely would not be worth it for me, then just quit. If I didn't really need to work I would quit.

Maybe it's time for you to take control. Your boss said to deal. If it were me, I'd start getting on this girl. When you see her not paying attention and see something happening tell her! Be like hey that child needs help or help clean up. Give her a chance to work hard but make sure you tell her. Maybe she needs direction on what to do. So if I needed help just tell her here do this or this. Sometimes these kids don't get taught how to work hard and don't know the value of a dollar.

Maybe with your direction she can learn. Try helping her understand before you quit.

Best wishes.

Good morning!

If you don't "need" the job to keep a roof over your head - quit. This is soooo not worth it.

The boss doesn't care obviously and won't until clients complain and someone gets hurt or worse..

You can't change this situation - so find another job that allows you to bring your daughter and quit.

GOOD LUCK!

.

Excuse me--but why should YOU quit your job?
You're not doing anything wrong.

I think if you're going to approach you manager about it, you're going to have to do it in a more professional way than texting her that you "can't work with her anymore and to please not schedule us together again or if that's not possible, I would be giving my two week notice"!

Sit down with her and explain calmly and clearly why the new employees needs to either:
1. Be trained
2. Follow written policy on texting, etc. (If there's not written policy, there should be.)
3. Given an employee handbook--so that the standard for ALL employees are equal and understood. And where's YOUR copy?
Any company large enough to have a health club should certainly be able to produce an employee code of conduct for you all to look at & learn.

If the issue is just a crappy manager (that will be revealed by TRYING to follow the steps above) then I surely would say something to the teenager myself. As often as necessary until she corrects her work ethic.

Now...if you really don't WANT the job and are WANTING to quit, by all means, do so. However I would take the opportunity in my letter of resignation to outline just exactly WHY you are leaving and what changes you feel would be beneficial. Employers need to know why they are losing employees.
Good luck!

I completely understand where you are coming from, believe me.

I worked in daycare for many years and now I teach gymnastics. We have many teenagers working for us as well and SOME of them do the same things you are describing!

For one, your boss is hiring teenagers because they are cheap. Bottom line. Adults are expensive and aren't usually willing to work for minimum wage. Also, in an assistant position, you don't always need an adult.

I read an article on the "Millineals," basically the time-out generation that is just now hitting high schools and colleges. It was an article on why they act the way they do. I don't know if I can find it, but google it and see if you can.

Millineals have had their lives completely planned out for them. Back in our day we called our friends, walked to their houses and played until dusk. Millineals have moms schedule playdates. They are used to very structured activities. They are also very used to disobeying and having the worst consequence be a time-out. oooh, scary! They feel a large sense of entitlement, are quite lazy by our standards but are more C. and bigger dreamers than we were. They have bigger self-esteem. They grew up with computers and TV and lots of instant gratification so they have less patience. Now, this is a generalization of course, but can you see why your teen workers act the way they do?

I work with teens and as the adult, I have no problem telling them what to do. It's annoying to me to have to TELL them what to do EVERY SECOND because I wonder if they can take ANY initiative at all! But you know what--I have to do it. Just today I had to tell them to stand UP and WALK AROUND and HELP the kids. And I had to tell them to stop standing and gabbing.

But one good thing about Millineals, they are good at taking direction.

I get so annoyed like you do when they call in for every little thing. They act like you're the lucky one to have them, not that they are lucky to have a job!

If I were you I'd take more control of the situation. I know it's not totally your job (it's not mine either) but for the good of the kids and for your own sanity you're going to have to teach your teen co-worker. Do it in a way that is kind and shows you're on her side. When she's texting you can say "I know it sucks, but we're not allowed to text right now and I wouldn't want you to get into trouble." If she's going to the bathroom a lot you can say "Is everything okay? I see you go to the bathroom a lot, I wouldn't want you to have any issues that might make you lose your job. I think our boss noticed..."

When she sits down (and the teens I work with do this too!) walk over and give her a job. Say "can you go over there and help so-and-so clean up?" or whatever. If she gives you attitude, you can say "well, we're being videotaped and our boss does watch the tapes and I'd hate for you to get into trouble."

The good news is sometimes it sticks. There are several teens that I couldn't stand because they were so lazy and didn't do anything. But I did the above suggestions and now they are wonderful coaches. They look up to me, and I'm glad that we did give them a chance.

Good luck!

If I didn't need the work and didn't like the situation and wasn't listened to when I took my concerns / dissatisfaction to the boss, I would next request a raise and a new job title: trainer. You could ask her if she'll give you the authority to teach this young woman what's expected of her, and at least a couple of bucks an hour to reflect your increased responsibilities. You sound like someone who is qualified to do that work.

It would also be of real value to the young woman who obviously needs to learn what an employer reasonably expects.

If Boss Lady won't consider that, I'd give notice. Your complaints are valid, and your boss may need to experience some consequences for her inflexibility. Her "don't threaten me" comment is really strange, and suggests that she's got more at stake here than she's telling you. If she begs, tell her you've already made your needs clear and she's ignoring them. You could always reconsider if she promises you things will change.

I have to wonder if she's somehow related to the 17yo girl to want to keep her in spite of such lackluster performance.

You can't fix what's wrong here.
The boss is not backing you up and I suspect the teen will respond with 'you're not my boss' if you try to tell her what to do.
You tried talking with the boss.
I suspect she knows she has a problem but is in denial (and or does not have a back bone to confront/fire people).
You gave an ultimatum - now you can solve the situation as far as you are concerned and give your 2 weeks notice.
Let her give you the same old sob story - but DO NOT FALL FOR IT.
Explain to her this has been a long standing problem, she refuses to address it therefore it's self inflicted and you will not bend over backwards when she will not deal with a situation that she continues to create.
I suspect her business is going to fail.
Some train wrecks you can see coming way in advance but there is no stopping them.
In your last 2 weeks. if the teen ever leaves her phone unattended, bury it in the sandbox.

Z., stop stressing out, and don't lose your cool. How is it that your boss, doesn't have someone to help manage the daycare center? With your experience she should make you, or someone else in there an assistant manager. If she's not doing a very good job at delegating than you need to leave, or you really ought to tell her that yourself. Make her give you 10 dollars an hour so you could take matters into your own hands. Everyone in there should be responsible to keep the place tidy and orderly. It can be a drag, but lay out a routine for all the people working there. Cell phones should be left at the desk and not be carried around while on the job. Only during emergency cases should they be answered via text. Just as if one were to go to a symphony, or opera, cell phones have to be on silent mode. Encourage the rest of the employees to tell family members and friends not to be disturbed while at work unless it's urgent.
The young adult that is working with you is unfortunately very imature. Personally I wouldn't leave my children at the day care if I saw what was going on. The girl needs guidance and to learn discipline. My first job in the corporate world was at 18 yrs. I was pretty imature, but I had a damn good manager whom I'm very thankful to, for 1. not firing me (because I should have got my butt fired a few times for not taking anything seriously) 2. For literally explaining to me several times that she liked or didn't like my performance, and that I could be better at my job. Why didn't I leave? I don't know. I wanted to desperately have my independence, and to make money. I think you ought to ask her, how important this job is to her, with your boss beside her. Explain that these are other peoples children, and need to have the best possible care from you gals. If she's not cut out for the job, your boss should seriously consider replacing her, or getting herself replaced. Since there are many ladies who are looking for a job, and your boss doesn't want to hire them, because she doesn't want to seem desperate is a lame excuse. Be firm and tell her that you'll help her find a responisible individual to replace the teenager.
I hope something good comes out of this. Let us know...

She's clueless, of course. She's a child herself. She doesn't know what to do or how to do it.
I think it's up to you to give her clear instructions. Treat her like the other children until she starts to mature into her role. If she is texting, redirect her attention. Keep her so busy she won't have time to text. You can also require her to turn her phone in at the beginning of her shift. Put a basket in the office, "as of today, all cell phones go in the basket. You can have a 10 minute break half way though your shift to check your phone."
Don't let her sit while you clean up. Assign her a task - You pick up toys, while I wipe down the kitchen. Assign her a certain group of kids or activity to supervise. GIve her responsibilities and hold her accountable.
Don't foget to use positive reinforcement with her. Praise her for the behaviors you want to see.

Sounds like you have a horrible hands off boss. I know its not fair to want to feel dedicated to your job but your co-workers could care less about theirs.

You are dealing with children. This is a matter of safety. As long as you are in the same room as them, you are responsible for their safety within the realms of what you've been given, n matter if you have a poor manager and apathetic co-workers. If the room is under surveillance, then if anything happens to a child, it should show you are taking care of the kids and doing the work, and that your co-workers aren't. The surveillance should also reflect how little your manager is around.

I would also document EVERYTHING to protect yourself. If you see any issues - co-workers, broken playsets, safety concerns - report them to your manager, and then document what you did, why and her response. make sure to write down dates too.

If you stay at this job then you need to protect yourself and keep a good eye on those kids b/c obviously noone else will.

gl

Sorry, but that's just bad hiring. My 17 yr old teen works at a church daycare and is very attentive to the kids from putting out snack to taking them to the potty; as well as does babysitting jobs. Not all teens are bad; seriously that's bad hiring on your manager's part and if she thinks you are there to babysit the children and the teen that is NOT right. In my opinion it doesn't matter how old the person is, a job is a job and should be handled responsibly. If the people she hires aren't cutting the job, well its on her. You have a child of your own and the responsibility to watch others, not to watch employees. You have to ask yourself this...do you need the money? If you have a significant other than discuss it with them too? If quitting this job won't hurt you financially; I say go for it. Its no reason for you to be stressed out. In the end you have to do what is best for you. I'm sorry you are going through this situation.

I understand that you feel "stuck" cos you are a caring mother who is worried about the care (or lack thereof) that the other daycare children would receive if you left. Unfortunately the manager is abusing your caring nature. Please stand up for yourself! Remember that your daughter is learning from you about how to behave in the work environment. If you don't want HER to feel "stuck" in an unhappy work environment, hand in your notice! Do not feel sorry for the manager - she's the one who has caused this unhappy situation. However, IF she is willing to fire the lazy teenager and get you a COMPETENT assistant, you can always reconsider your decision. Don't back off for anything less than that! Good luck!

Can you sit down with your manager and come up with baseline "rules" for the daycare workers to follow. Then your manager can sit down with this girl (and any new employee that comes along in the future) and read her the rules and have her sign off on them. The rules could be stuff like 1. no texting or calling friends except when on break, 2. safety of the children we watch is the most important goal 3. pick up toys on a regular basis or at the end of your shift. 4. don't let the children climb up on the x where they can fall off, etc. This would be frustrating and it is not fair. It sounds like a person of authority needs to teach this girl how to be a daycare provider. It also sounds like your manager is not doing a very good job of training employees.

You need to follow thru with your text. Put in your 2 weeks notice and tell her on your exit that your senior employees concerns should be handled better, be taken seriously and offered a jointly beneficial resolution. Since the owner offered none of those, this is no longer an establishment you felt appreciated at and no longer wish to work there.

You can look for another daycare to work at which will also allow you to bring your child or start looking into being a Nanny or such if you still really need a little bit of extra income.

I would ask [in person] the manager what she thinks would happen if a child is severely injured while this girl is supposed to be watching them as a professional!

If this manager is so worried about losing her "good" staff... Then you should be able to do or say what you need to this 17yr old girl.

I figured out that no one where I work wants my job... So, I don't hold back. When I have something to say... I say it.

When I was 17, I was working full time and going to school full time, paying rent, and certainly didn't have much of a social life because I was working to get where I am today!!! Hell, I had started saving for furniture, had dishes, towels, etc. Ready for when I could move out of my parents home!!! I don't know, but it sounds to me like this girl was probably forced by her parents to step up and get a job that she doesn't really want.