I don't care where you work, we all have managers to answer to. Managers have managers to answer to too; never get caught up in thinking about how your boss is out to get you. Truth is, you're just another series of blips on a pay roll sheet. Like the rest of us, they'd just as soon you stay that way. And if there is a mark on your head, don't give them the ammunition.
Most people say 'well, I won't kiss ass.' TO SAVE YOUR JOB you won't?
This can be a double edged sword. And coming from management, I can still say that. I would say be friendly to your managers, rather than being friends. In 99% of cases, I wouldn't dream of hanging out with an employee off the clock. It's just not wise. OTOH, I like to joke around with my employees, have a good time while I'm at work. I don't want to work in a place where people are always feeling like they have to walk on egg shells, and I don't like that kind of tension. However, it's a two way street and both sides have to deserve that respect. If you are a good employee, show up on time, do your work to the best of your ability and don't call in constantly, then we're going to be cool. But if you are a slacker and so on, then I might be an ass to you because you deserve it.
tl;dr - OP is pretty much spot on. Be nice to your managers, do your job, earn the respect.
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My views don't reflect those of anyone, not even me. I may not have even made this statement. It's all lies, all of it!
It's never a good idea to make friends with any of the managers or even your supervisor. You can be friendly and cordial. You should always be respectful. But you should never try to be pals with anyone who has authority over you and vice versa. Sooner or later it'll get ugly.
i think you should actually "make friends" with your managers. look - we all gotta earn a paycheck and right now kroger is it. no one is implying that we're gonna hang out with each other after work. when the whisle blows we all head home to our families and personal lives. act like you care and are their best buds then when they walk away you can talk about what big A$$holes they are with the rest of the commoners. SO yea "make friends"
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I am no longer part of the oppressed, evil workforce of Kroger! Can you say "Hallelujah"
i am polite and respectful, show up on time, do what's expected and try to always stay off their radar...why give them a target to aim for? whenever company comes to pay us a visit, i make it a point to try to have everything out they want to see as difficult as it might be to make them look good. that's the stuff that counts when it comes to keeping the job
I thank you all for the interesting responses. Mostly I wanted to see what would happen if I swapped 'be friends with' for 'be friendly with'......Amazing what that small but important distinction makes!
Interesting, too, how the real point of being smart and staying politically correct was almost completely missed~~~~
"Job" and "jobless" are two different things too. I hate authority by nature, but I embrace what ever I have to do to maintain the good life style I have worked so very hard for.
So yes, I have done a good job. And I still recommend my advice for those wishing the same for themselves.
Being friendly is easy. I'm friendly to everyone all goddamn day. Anything more requrires reciprocation. It doesn't matter how friendly I am if a manager is a hateful hellbeast, and it might even be better to fly under the radar. Sometimes, your boss actually is out to get you.
Interesting, too, how the real point of being smart and staying politically correct was almost completely missed~~~~
This is a Kroger employee forum. If you were smart, you'd be able to get a better job and go bitch on their forum instead. Without mod presence, I don't have to be politically correct. **** you.
Not too long ago we had a very young management trainee in our dept. You know how they spend time in various depts to get experience...well, he asked me some very pointed questions about my job (cake decorator)...I was very honest with him and told him that at this point, we had some decent managers and while there's no human way possible for me to have everything done in every given day that they want to see I'm able to give them a consistent 90% and as long as they can be ok with that I can perform at that level on a regular basis. More than that, I can't promise. Anything above that will bring on burnout at the job I do and there are very few people out there who can perform the job at that level consistently.
Being friendly is easy. I'm friendly to everyone all goddamn day. Anything more requrires reciprocation. It doesn't matter how friendly I am if a manager is a hateful hellbeast, and it might even be better to fly under the radar. Sometimes, your boss actually is out to get you.
Interesting, too, how the real point of being smart and staying politically correct was almost completely missed~~~~
This is a Kroger employee forum. If you were smart, you'd be able to get a better job and go bitch on their forum instead. Without mod presence, I don't have to be politically correct. **** you.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!.......Written by one of the super testosterone laden, ultra macho/don't take sht from NO one ANONYMOUS posters.
Oh, and ....**** you most sincerely right back, Ma'am~~
Not too long ago we had a very young management trainee in our dept. You know how they spend time in various depts to get experience...well, he asked me some very pointed questions about my job (cake decorator)...I was very honest with him and told him that at this point, we had some decent managers and while there's no human way possible for me to have everything done in every given day that they want to see I'm able to give them a consistent 90% and as long as they can be ok with that I can perform at that level on a regular basis. More than that, I can't promise. Anything above that will bring on burnout at the job I do and there are very few people out there who can perform the job at that level consistently.
Kudos to you. Tactful honesty combined with your obvious attentions at a strong work ehic will always be a good chemistry....I wish the best for you, where ever you work.