Job Title: Usher
Location: Santa Maria, CA
Submitted on: 22-Oct-04
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Workplace
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| Usher |
On the surface, working for this employer seemed like a decent job if
you're willing to accept $7/hr and free movies. Before starting work
there, I witnessed the head manager talk down to his employees in such a
manner as was humiliating or demoralizing. In one instance, an employee
was chastized for something was was clearly not his mistake, and the
manager wasn't aware of who was culpable, but just took out his anger on
one particular employee.
Later, I was told by two employees that this same manager
had cussed at and directly insulted one of these employees.
At my interview, I was informed of the dress code, and told by that manager that
I couldn't wear baggy or unprofessional looking pants. Because the
dress code requires black dress pants, and I saw a few of the current employees
wearing Dickies brand pants, I asked "Are Dickies okay?" He said, "No." In
spite of the fact that there was no mandate aside from "black pants" in the
dress
code, I decided to inquire a little
more. I asked, "Are Dockers okay?" knowing full well that Dockers is a
dressier brand. He said no before I even finished my question.
Then I asked, "WHAT BRAND IS OKAY?" He said, "Haggar," as if I were
supposed to go out and blow $40 on a new pair of pants for a $7/hr job.
Then I was instructed to view the training videos. The training videos
encouraged us to sell candy to the customers at the theatre by calling out to
them as they passed through the hall, in order to "reel them
in". Then upsize their selections to sell more, and suggest a combo of candy,
drink, and popcorn. After watching the video, I called out to some kids at the
theatre to offer them free coupons on candy--which the manager told us we were
supposed to give out, AND which the training video led me to believe was the
appropriate thing to do--but he told me not to do so in such a manner that it
appeared my actions were completely out of line. I had just watched an
instructional video
telling me to perform in this sort of manner.
The video also informed us not to count cash in front of customers, but
this is an hourly occurance at Edwards Cinemas, a division of Regal
Entertainment.
There is no auto-lock function on the box-office registers, either, and
for that matter, managers are constantly dipping their fingers into the
registers--even while transactions are being processed--to make "drops"
for the large amounts of cash that come in during rushes.
This facility was also grossly overstaffed while I worked for them.
Oftentimes, and I mean very very often, a group of employees will be
idly chatting in plain view of anyone who might be in the theatre. It's
no wonder they only pay $7 per hour!
Many of the employees and managers also allow clientele to come in
without purchasing a ticket, and some also allow underage children to
view R rated films without adult supervision, as apparantly the law
states.
During my first few days on the job, I was not well trained, except by
two employees, who both trained me well. One of the
employees did not treat me well, and refused to serve me popcorn and softdrinks
when I came in as a customer.
I strongly urge others not to apply at this joke of a theatre until it's under
new management, and possibly new ownership.
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