Wanted: Part-time Masochists

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October 18th, 2011 · 65 comments

At least with this job, you know exactly what kind of misery you’re signing up for if you decide to “enquire within.” (If only all bosses let their true characters shine through so obviously at this stage of the game.)

FILED UNDER: Canada · casual sexism · crazy boss · help wanted · now that's management

65 responses so far ↓

#1 BLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAH

Females only need apply?

Oct 18, 2011 at 11:22 pm rating: 90

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#2 bluefish

Well, maybe he/she should have put Princesses needs not apply!

Oct 18, 2011 at 11:40 pm rating: 90

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#3 Emma

“Who can take a joke” = will let me be an ass

Oct 18, 2011 at 11:42 pm rating: 90

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- #3.1 farcical aquatic ceremony
  
  or
  = will let me grab your ass
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 1:55 am rating: 90
- #3.2 The Elf
  
  Possibly both. At the same time.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 6:45 am rating: 90
- #3.3 PANs_Labyrinth
  
  You spelled “probably” wrong.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 6:49 am rating: 90
- #3.4 aliceblue
  
  Which is why the a-hole wants a female employee.
  
  Oct 21, 2011 at 1:32 am rating: 90
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#4 Elizabeth

That doesn’t even sound like they’re looking for a masochist. They’re just looking for somebody who actually needs to work for a living & doesn’t expect their workplace and hours to be arranged based on their desires. The “can take a joke” line sounds skeevy, absolutely, but people who cry more than very rarely at work (unless they work in a cancer ward or something) should just quit or grow up.

Oct 18, 2011 at 11:47 pm rating: 90

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- #4.1 Roto13
  
  I get the impression she cried in reaction to the jokes she couldn’t take.
  
  Oct 18, 2011 at 11:48 pm rating: 90
- #4.2 Elizabeth
  
  I’ve just had to work with several people (coworkers, I don’t supervise anybody), male and female both but mostly quite young and living with parents or else older with a spouse supporting them, who expect to be treated like they’re the Best Thing Ever when they’re new at a job and who quit at the drop of a hat and who cry every time somebody is “meeeen” to them. I have no sympathy for them.
  
  Oct 18, 2011 at 11:54 pm rating: 90
- #4.3 Sean Jungian
  
  I you work in retail, there is a high likelihood of crying on many days.
  
  I once teared up because a customer was NICE to me, I was so used to them being horrible.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 7:20 am rating: 90
- #4.4 Jenn
  
  Judging by this sign I’m gonna go ahead and say the manager was probably very unprofessional and the employee cried because he/ she was treated like crap. Even if she wasn’t a good employee there are proper ways for dealing with that. Good on him/ her for getting the heck out so quickly. These people have to learn that the employees ARE doing them a favor by working there; it’s a mutual benefit situation.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 7:38 am rating: 90
- #4.5 The Elf
  
  Agree, Jenn. It might be how Elizabeth says, that this employer ran afoul of a particularly lazy, entitled, and thin-skinned employee.
  
  But in my experience, it is more likely that the boss likes to treat his employees like crap, especially if this employer just “happens” to hire “lazy, entitled, and thin-skinned” employees with astounding frequency, which is the sort of frustration that would produce a note like this. Very few people, even vindictive bosses, would post a note like this after only one bad employee.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 8:41 am rating: 90
- #4.6 Rattus
  
  Elizabeth, the fact that the manager actually posted this sign in the store window makes me think that management was the bigger issue here, not the employee. Yes, the employee may have been somewhat entitled, but we don’t know for a fact. We do know that this manager is indeed a huge asshole.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 10:05 am rating: 90
- #4.7 Somebody Else
  
  Intimidation even before day 1. Yikes!
  
  Boss 1, TBH 0.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 11:59 am rating: 90
- #4.8 kermit
  
  That should probably read: Boss 0, TBH 1.
  
  Assuming that the boss actually needs someone to work there, they’re losing out more because someone’s working overtime to do that job now.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 12:17 pm rating: 90
- #4.9 kes
  
  It’s sales, so I’m going with “boss is a jerk”.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 12:38 pm rating: 90
- #4.10 The Elf
  
  Overtime? Unlikely!
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 1:11 pm rating: 90
- #4.11 kermit
  
  From the picture, it looks to me like it’s a clothing store. So unless they’re closing the store because they have no staff, I assume someone is doing the work of two people/jobs – in other words, working overtime.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 1:26 pm rating: 90
- #4.12 Somebody Else
  
  ETA: Nevermind.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 3:19 pm rating: 90
- #4.13 tamr
  
  Elizabeth sounds as if she has written an idiotic ‘enquire within’ notice (or two) in her personal life. (‘Her way or the highway). The writer is a loser if they can’t manage people any better than the notice reveals.
  
  Oct 29, 2011 at 4:51 am rating: 90
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#5 Ed.D.

Enquire? Maybe they’re from across the pond…http://www.dailywritingtips.com/inquire-vs-enquire/

Oct 18, 2011 at 11:57 pm rating: 90

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- #5.1 galesburgbrat
  
  The spelling of favour suggests just that.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 12:28 am rating: 90
- #5.2 loser_sneeze
  
  Canadian. That’s what it is filed under. They add the ‘u’s as well.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 3:26 pm rating: 90
- #5.3 kermit
  
  The “u” has always been there. The Americans removed it.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 8:34 pm rating: 90
- #5.4 AuntyBron
  
  We like to do that with silent, unnecessary letters, Kermy.
  
  Oct 20, 2011 at 1:26 pm rating: 90
- #5.5 Boad
  
  Ya I c wat u mean, silent xtra leters ar totaly unecesary.
  
  Oct 23, 2011 at 2:20 pm rating: 90
- #5.6 FeRD
  
  How do you pronounce “unnecessary” that it only needs one ‘n’?
  
  Oct 24, 2011 at 7:46 am rating: 90
- #5.7 The Elf
  
  “U necessary”. It should probably be followed by “bro” or something. For example, “Hey Double N! U necessary to the word unnecessary, bro!”
  
  Oct 24, 2011 at 9:17 am rating: 90
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#6 Palomon

Notice the pasted on “Part” in “Part Time.” Makes me think the writer figured, at the last moment, “Y’know, there all pains in the ass, so let’s only keep ‘em around a few hours a day.”

Oct 19, 2011 at 12:04 am rating: 90

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- #6.1 cringeworthy
  
  it made me think that this workplace is so badly managed they have to keep that sign handy to re-use it every other month or so
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 10:42 am rating: 90
- #6.2 emcd
  
  @cringeworthy – they should definitely frame or laminate it for that purpose.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 11:51 am rating: 90
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#7 jadefirefly

My place of employment recently had one of those girls transfer in, who acted like she was doing us a favor by working there.

The reality was that we did her a favor by finding a way for her to keep her job. Elsewise she’d have been canned.

Course, she got canned anyway. That’s what happens when you don’t actually show up for work.

Oct 19, 2011 at 12:29 am rating: 90

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#8 Earl Hamsher

In the old days (that I have read about and seen on tv) companies would entice you to work for them by giving benefits, perks, and a living wage. In modern times most companies experiment to see how badly they can treat you, how little they can get away with paying you, and forget about health insurance. I have no patience for babies either but I also don’t enjoy being treated like a rented mule.

Oct 19, 2011 at 1:36 am rating: 90

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- #8.1 Flight_of_ideas
  
  You are so right!
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 5:32 am rating: 90
- #8.2 Adriana
  
  There was a very brief window in American history where this was true, and you still had to start at the bottom and work like a dog in many cases just to get to the living wage.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 7:19 am rating: 90
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#9 Canthz_B

Sure, he thought he’d save a little money by hiring his wife, but he never dreamed she’d expect more respect in the workplace than she receives at home.

Oct 19, 2011 at 2:34 am rating: 90

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#10 Oh Geeee

Clearly something strange going on… Retail tends to be high turnover anyway so to strike out at someone, potentially a part-timer no less, who was there two months? If they were THAT bad, why the apparent bitterness at their leaving? Either way, the only thing worse than whiney staff is unprofessional supervisors, tone at the top and all. This guy (or girl) sounds like an ass.

Oct 19, 2011 at 5:16 am rating: 90

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#11 Woman

Needed: Young female who won’t quit after two weeks of working for slave wages, with no self esteem and doesn’t mind a sexist a**hole manager.

Oct 19, 2011 at 5:24 am rating: 90

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#12 Flight_of_ideas

The person who wrote this sign seems like a total jerk. Definitely seems like something shady going on. Can’t blame the former employee for not taking his jokes and quitting after 2 months. But the sign is hysterical! (not that it would entice me to apply)

Oct 19, 2011 at 5:31 am rating: 90

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#13 Nunavut Guy

It looks to me like he want’s to hire someone who shoots more than a 72.Maybe his last employee consistently thrashed him on the course.

Oct 19, 2011 at 6:48 am rating: 90

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- #13.1 FeRD
  
  ISWYDT!
  
  Oct 24, 2011 at 7:50 am rating: 90
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#14 Jonah

You mean “every day”.

Oct 19, 2011 at 7:25 am rating: 90

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- #14.1 Canthz_B
  
  He probably is.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 7:38 am rating: 90
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#15 emcd

Newt Gingrich has a campaign headquarters in the UK? Sign me up!!

Oct 19, 2011 at 10:05 am rating: 90

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#16 rainbow brite's boyfriend

The manager could try conducting interviews and checking references before hiring staff that are lazy and unreliable. Alternatively, he (or she) can be a manager who trains employees well and encourages them to work hard. But that would mean an end to passive-aggressive bitterness.

Oct 19, 2011 at 10:19 am rating: 90

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- #16.1 kes
  
  Taking into account the “it’s sales” thing, training employees does end in passive-agressive bitterness. Or, just agressive bitterness, which might explain the crying.
  
  That’s because a lot of employees quit just after their training is done.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 12:43 pm rating: 90
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#17 AB745

You know, I’ve checked all of the windows and for the life of me I can’t figure out where my boss hung that sign.

Oct 19, 2011 at 10:47 am rating: 90

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#18 Katie

My take is that the boss is a douche for actually putting that in a window, but I’m coming off a job where the management actually treated most of the hourly employees WELL (better than their managers, to be honest) and I still would have loved to put this sign up most days.

Of course it’s hard in food service, because based on the fact that it’s (mostly) unskilled labor most of the applicants suck, but it’s still unprofessional when adult women whine at you every 2 days about changing their schedules.

Oct 19, 2011 at 12:28 pm rating: 90

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- #18.1 Hmm
  
  Maybe try not changing their schedules every 2 days.
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 1:13 pm rating: 90
- #18.2 emcd
  
  Those unprofessional adult women should be at home barefoot and attending to the needs of children and spouse instead of impeding food service scheduling. The nerve -
  
  Oct 19, 2011 at 2:57 pm rating: 90
- #18.3 redheadwglasses
  
  “whine at you every 2 days about changing their schedules”
  
  I took this to mean they were whining *because* they want their schedules changed.
  
  Oct 20, 2011 at 9:45 pm rating: 90
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#19 ansco

About time a job that is just right for me. NOT. Sounds like several bosses or managers I’ve worked for in the past. I used to have this one that would grab my ass every time she got the chance. Mind you she was a amazon and a half so I just put up with it for fear that she would or could really put a hurting on me. I eventually was transferred and she gave the best recommendation which got me a much better position. She said I could handle anything, go figure.

Oct 19, 2011 at 1:17 pm rating: 90

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- #19.1 speedwell
  
  Sounds like she gave you a great recommendation out of fear you would say what she was doing to you.
  
  Oct 20, 2011 at 7:22 am rating: 90
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#20 Wilma Jo

I work with the public on a daily basis and I too have teared up because someone was nice to me. It’s sad how many people are assholes now. I’ve been working in public service for 25 years and things have sure changed since I started. People have no respect for one another anymore. I am especially nice to people who serve me in any capacity because of how I have been disrespected myself.

Oct 20, 2011 at 5:55 am rating: 90

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#21 bookworm

And this new part-time person HAS to be female? This boss is setting the stage for someone to receive a nice payday off of him. Oh wait, this isn’t the U.S.

Oct 20, 2011 at 8:35 am rating: 90

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#22 Chesire Cat

I have a feeling I know this guy. There was a guy in our city who owned a shaved ice place. He got in trouble for spanking his young female employees when they made mistakes in the workplace. Yeah he got sued and the business got shut down. Who saw that coming?! The funny part is the girls let him spank them at first just because they knew as soon as it was over with they were going to sue the hell out of him.

Oct 22, 2011 at 8:29 am rating: 90

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- #22.1 Lysana
  
  I flashed back on the guy who ran the pizza place up the street from my house. Always hired teenage girls to work the counter. They always quit within two months or so. A friend of mine was one of those he hired. She told me he tried to make a pass at her and when she rebuffed him, he tried to lock her into the freezer. You’d best believe the day he suggested I work for him, I couldn’t dodge the question fast enough.
  
  Oct 22, 2011 at 3:43 pm rating: 90
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#23 Brian H

Are there some bad bosses, of course there are. As a business owner what I take away from this is a manager exhausted from dealing with drama queens. You just want someone who comes in on time does their job well=ish and goes home.

I had a guy recently that I hired who was a good guy it seemed but didn’t like the first place I had him working, so I got him a more fitting assignment. Then one week I needed him to cover another location for two days that would have reduced his hours but I told him I’d cover that. He agreed and then the day before he was going to work the other location he quit on me with no notice. It really put me in a bind. Four weeks later he emailed me asking for his job back, he didn’t realize how bad the job market was and in retrospect realized I had bent over backward to work with him. Needless to say he wasn’t rehired.

Oct 23, 2011 at 8:54 pm rating: 90

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- #23.1 Emma
  
  I don’t deny that there are some bad employees and what happened to you is very frustrating, but as the manager, owner, whatever it is this person’s job to set the tone of the workplace and right now (s)he is epically failing. No decent employee is going to apply after seeing a sign like this.
  
  Oct 24, 2011 at 8:57 am rating: 90
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#24 FeRD

The misogyny is one thing, but I’m far more offended by the signposter’s use of awful Avant Garde for the font!

Oct 24, 2011 at 9:19 am rating: 90

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#25 JS

It’s great when potential employers broadcast they’re crazy so you don’t have to bother dealing with them.

Oct 24, 2011 at 5:15 pm rating: 90

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- #25.1 JS
  
  Oops, “THEIR” crazy. Although they’re works, too.
  
  Oct 24, 2011 at 5:16 pm rating: 90
- #25.2 R
  
  THEY’RE crazy. It is the same as saying “They are crazy.”
  
  THEIR crazy would only work if you meant something like “Hey, some of their crazy is rubbing off on me.”
  
  Oct 25, 2011 at 1:22 pm rating: 90
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#26 Tours in Venice

Don’t know if this says more about the employer or the previous employ.

Nov 11, 2011 at 2:32 pm rating: 90

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