Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: It's OVERRRR!!!!!!!!!!! (My Job That Is!!)

This is topic It's OVERRRR!!!!!!!!!!! (My Job That Is!!) in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Richard Greco (Member # 2032) on 07-10-2004, 11:46 AM:

Finally, the hell that is Carmike Cinemas is behind me!!!! I went to pick up my check today and got fired. True, not the best way to go, but I'm gone nevertheless.

Apparently, it was because I made a joke about rewiring the failsafes with another usher. It was also about me calling the DM when the managers were @ a meeting in Sebring. Whatever. I'm gone and I feel great.

Now the next part of my quest....Job Hunting monday morning. That should be fun!!!

BTW, I'm still not going to stop visiting here. I LOVE this place!!!

Posted by R. Andrew Diercks (Member # 1725) on 07-10-2004, 12:05 PM:

Correct my if I'm wrong, but didn't you post something similar to this several months ago? I am not there, and don't presume to know both sides of your story by reading your posts. Also, I have certainly not been 100% impressed with how the Carmikes around here are operated. That being said, it seems you like to rock the boat or always have problems with your managers. The post about the doorman telling customers about the end credits was silly. It sounds to me like the doorman had more customer service than I have ever seen in a Carmike, this is not a bad thing. I would encourage you to look inward rather than outward as to why these problems arise. I would not take too kindly to an employee constantly challenging my authority or decision making ability. I believe you love the theatre industry and care. If you want to do things better, bide your time, bite your tongue, and work your ass off to gain a management position. Then you can do things your way. (Within the perameters of company policy of course.)

I should also mention that I don't know how other Carmike's are managed, my company has a few half ass managers as well, so please don't take this as my opinion of an entire company.

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 07-10-2004, 12:39 PM:

Based on your previous posts, good for you!

That place sounded like a nightmare. I think it is wierd though that you got fired for going to your DM with some of the problems. Did your DM ever contact you to find more information? Did he disscuss the issue with other employees? Or did he just call your GM to blab about how you went over his/her head. If the later is true, than the theatres problems extend beyond just your location. Leadership by example.

Either way, your better for getting out of there.

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 07-10-2004, 07:28 PM:

Was your "at will" status as an employee modified in any way by an employee handbook or other document? And if so did they follow their own procedures such as giving you written warnings of any unsatisfactory performance? In general they can terminate you at any time for any reason or no reason at all. But if they have a policy that says otherwise then you may have a case of wrongful termination. At the very least you could scare them into coughing up a reasonable severence.

Posted by James B. Openshaw (Member # 1310) on 07-10-2004, 08:12 PM:

That's interesting, Richard. I've said worse when I ran projection at AMC Seven Hills five years ago(over the JOBCOM/walkie most of the time), but the only punishment I received there was that I lost jobcom use for a couple of months, so if I had to call someone, I'd have to run across the theatre (Luckily, it was only 10 screens) to get them. I didn't get fired until the last day of my 'two weeks notice' resignation term. I yelled at a part-time manager because she was yelling at me while I was trying to fix a failsafe. Naturally, she told me to 'GET OUT'. Not only did I leave the booth, I left the building, never to return except to pick up my last paycheck. Ah, those wonderfully hostile teenage years. [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Richard Greco (Member # 2032) on 07-10-2004, 08:56 PM:

I'm so glad that it's over. This is the push I needed to get up off my ass and do something with my life. Wish me luck for Monday!! [Big Grin]

Posted by Adam Wilbert (Member # 1184) on 07-10-2004, 09:12 PM:

Steve,

My understanding of the "at will" laws is that the company can terminate employment at any time without a reason. However, as soon as a reason is given, such as "for calling the DM at 3:00 am" the company has to be able to back that claim up. As a manager, when using the cover of "at will termination," one should always keep their mouth shut as to a reason. If you give one, you had better have a paper trail. Its been told to me that, in essence, you can fire someone for having orange hair, but you can't tell them thats the reason.

-Adam

Posted by Aaron Mehocic (Member # 15) on 07-10-2004, 10:55 PM:

quote: Richard Greco
I'm so glad that it's over. This is the push I needed to get up off my ass and do something with my life.

Easy there Cochise. At your age and experience you'll probably go from one minimum wage position into another. I don't tell you this to poke fun, I say this because I don't want to see you get pissed when the same shit starts all over again.

As R. Andrew said, bide your time. Moreover, don't take the first job you find. You'll be flipping burgers just so you can say ' I have a job'. No thanks! Before going out to look, first get online and research some possible venues and companies you might be interested in. By now even the smallest mom-and-pap place has a website. USE IT. It looks real good if you can talk about something in the interview that might only be mentioned on the site. Also, while waiting for an interview check the place out in terms of how the staff looks, interacts, and goes about their daily tasks. This is for any business; entertainment related or not.

Good luck on Monday, but don't feel bad if nothing goes right this week. Looking for a job sucks. I know. Its been five years since I graduated college and have only found part-time work in my field.

Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 07-11-2004, 11:09 AM:

Good for you Richard, Carmike were always bastards to their employees around here. I remember one summer where the GM suspended everyone's passes for not rampantly upselling. They wanted to turn an enjoyable movie experience into one that is frustrating for patrons and employees alike. They always paralleled the Best Buy corporation in my mind [Roll Eyes]

but perhaps that's because I had my own experience with BBY. Nevertheless, persist and you'll find a good theater job soon. If you lived in MN I'd get you hired in my booth

Posted by Richard Greco (Member # 2032) on 07-11-2004, 11:16 AM:

I think that I was about to leave myself because as of Friday, No more employees were allowed to sit in theatres when they are on a break. Not just opening weekend movies, but the ones that had been there for months. Also, our passes were restricted to once a week and we couldn't use them on opening weekend for a movie.

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 07-11-2004, 01:51 PM:

Adam, I'm not aware of that but who knows; you might be right, perhaps not so much as regards any law but just what has transpired over time with wrongful termination case law. It certainly seems like it would be easier for companies not to have a policy except maybe to remind everyone that they can be let go at any time the company decides their services are no longer desired and as long as it's not for a reason that is protected from discrimination they can do as they please.

Posted by Adam Wilbert (Member # 1184) on 07-11-2004, 03:48 PM:

Richard,
Those restrictions don't sound too out of line. Anyone going in and out of auditoriums is disruptive to the paying customers, so keeping that to a minimum sounds reasonable. Many new movies are also booked as a 'no-pass' engagement for opening weekend, so it only makes sense that that restriction applies to everyone. While I agree that having perks that get cut isn't very popular, would you really have quit over that?

Anyway, its almost the end of monday, how did it go?

-Adam

Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 07-11-2004, 04:02 PM:

quote: Adam Wilbert
its almost the end of monday, how did it go?

Wait, isnt it Sunday? [Confused]

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 07-11-2004, 04:56 PM:

Yes it is Jeremy to most of us. But, those in WA are soooo very ahead of all of us in their thinking and ways, they are ALWAYS a day ahead of the rest of us. [Wink]

>>> Phil

Posted by Adam Wilbert (Member # 1184) on 07-12-2004, 12:15 AM:

wait a tic. I start my work week on Sunday now, and it's got me all screwy. Monday, Sunday. They sound nearly identical. My bad.

-adam

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 07-12-2004, 01:54 AM:

quote: Richard Greco
Now the next part of my quest....Job Hunting monday morning.

quote: Aaron Mehocic
At your age and experience you'll probably go from one minimum wage position into another.

There are still plenty of other entry-level jobs in show business!

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 07-12-2004, 02:12 AM:

Hahhaha that's hilarious William!

But, I'm not sure Richard is of the right caliber for such a position!

>>> Phil

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 07-12-2004, 06:02 AM:

It's one job where you actually want workers who "go ballistic"! [Big Grin]

Posted by Andrew Shingleton (Member # 2257) on 07-12-2004, 09:43 AM:

I can sense a new custom title under Richard's name...

Richard Greco
L'Homme Projectil

Posts: 387
From: Plant City, FL
Registered: Nov 2003

[Wink]

Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 07-12-2004, 09:46 AM:

Is Richard of "legal" age for this type of job?

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 07-13-2004, 11:00 AM:

Richard should really keep his "L'Homme Projectil" in his pants, if you ask me. Don't want him getting "fired" from another job! [Razz]

Too many puns in that one.

=TMP=

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 07-13-2004, 11:27 AM:

As Mae West would say " Is that your L'Homme Projecti or are you happy to see me" [Big Grin]

There is always strawberry picking in Plant City when they are in season....