I left a major corporate job and accepted a position with RFGI, looking for a fresh start. After submitting my resume, I was interviewed and hired the same day.
Even though the pay was significantly lower, less than half of what I was making before, I took the job, hoping the environment would make up for it. I'll be honest--it's low pay at $16.50 per hour. I was previously making $29.70, but I figured I'd give it a try because my mental well-being meant more... until I saw my first insubstantial paycheck. Who can live on that?
From the start, things were not as promised. During my interview, the owner, Jason, told me he was bringing employees back into the office due to declining production. However, once I started, I realized this was not true. The only people required to be in the office were the four new hires, while the rest of the company remained remote. If production was truly the issue, why weren't all employees required to return? It was clear that we were misled. And for your information, every new hire has an issue with it.
Then came the leadership issues. I take pride in my attendance, but when I needed a simple one-mile ride to work because my car was in the shop, the owner told me he was "uncomfortable" with it.
Meanwhile, two out of the three other new hires barely showed up to work or were late daily; that didn't seem to be a problem.
If an employer is more "uncomfortable" helping a reliable employee get to work than he is with others skipping work entirely or being on time, something isn't right.
To make matters worse, when I raised concerns about my pay being unsustainable, I was suddenly labeled as "disruptive" by his wife, who's the "collections supervisor." Disruptive? Me?
A word that has never been used toward me before--not by anyone!! Just days earlier, I was the top collector in the company. Her reason was that I said, "I can't take this anymore," and it was overheard on a call being monitored--where there was no customer on the but the person listening heard it. So apparently, I was talking to myself, & it was overheard. And "I can't take this anymore" is apparently disruptive.
So of course, I then asked her, "So when were you going to tell me?"
She replied, "Today."
Oh yeah? When? After I sat here all day collecting money for your company?
Meanwhile, another employee spoke horribly to customers in ways I've never heard in a professional setting & still had a job. To the point where I would hear it, & my jaw would drop. But somehow, I was the disruptive problem? Interesting.
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room--why was the owner so uncomfortable giving me a ride? That reaction made me feel like I wasn't trusted, which raises the question: why? Was it because his wife, Michelle, who ultimately fired me, didn't trust him? I don't know, but the whole situation felt off.
If an employer can't even help a loyal employee get to work, yet enables others who repeatedly miss work, that's a huge red flag.
At the end of the day, this company lacks leadership, transparency, and fairness.
If you're looking for an employer who values hard work and treats employees with respect, this is not the place.
Best to you all still there! read more
