As a boss, how would you have reacted?

Question

(***Keep in mind that I'm a student. It's a prerequisite for us to work the crappiest jobs.***)

I work at a coffee shop where everyone works different areas -- food prep, drive-thru, counter. Most days I prefer working in drive-thru as it makes the day go by quickly. However, I don't barge in and kick someone out. I politely ask for their spot, and if they say no, it doesn't bother me and I find somewhere else to work.

I work with this girl who's got that classic attitude of superiority over everyone because she's been there for long, but she aint my boss. If she's getting paid the same as me, honestly, I don't give a f*ck about her opinion. Anyways, I was working the drive-thru in the morning, and when she started her shift a few hours after me, she told me, "Ashley, you're working counter! Switch with me!" to which my boss had no comment. I turned to my boss and said, "If you think I'm going to listen to her, you're sadly mistaken. Get a grip and control your staff!"

Well?

Answer 1

You don't tell the management how to manage in front of their staff.

If I were your boss I would let you know that you don't run the show here. If you want something then come to me after work and speak to me in private but do not undermine my authority in front of my staff like that.

Answer 2

Good job she need to be dropped down a peg.

Answer 3

you get a star for using the word " prerequisite "

Answer 4

You should have just ignored her and your boss should have just ignored both of you.  You shouldn't really expect much professionalism at a coffee place.

Answer 5

Meow. I can sense a cat fight in the making.

It should be first there gets the spot.

Answer 6

This sounds like a chaotic work environment.  

So, what did you do?

*move to the counter,because you have less seniority?

*stay at the drive thru because the boss didn't control the situation?

Hopefully, you moved to the counter, showing some class and diplomacy.

These characteristics will make YOU a good boss.

Answer 7

Being there longer may give her "superiority" in the work place.  That depends on how your boss runs things.  Since your boss didn't seem to care that may be the way they feel. You shouldn't have said that to the boss though cuz that certainly doesn't help to get him/her on your side.

Answer 8

Love the "If you think I'm going to listen to her you are sadly mistaken."  That was a total trump of the situation.  But adding the Get a grip and control your staff was wrong.  It was wrong in part because your first comment was so great.  You should have ended it there.

Answer 9

I don't think this is a gender issue.  This is the kind of workplace politics that can happen no matter who is male and who is female.

I think you should have said to her: "Thanks, but I'm happy here.  Why don't you work counter?"  And then if she wouldn't listen to you, get your boss involved.

Sorry you're having such a c**p time  Don't put up with any BS.

Answer 10

Is it possible that you overreacted? I feel like there's a detail here that I'm missing (maybe she spoke to your boss and your boss was cool with it, but she was just speaking in a rude tone, for instance) and I'm just not sure I would have gotten as upset about being told to switch.

On the other hand, if she continuously disrespects you (especially in front of the boss) that's when you step in and have a word with both of them.

Now, if I were the boss and I had seen that going on, I would have avoided causing a kerfuffle in front of customers, then I would have pulled her aside later and had a word with her.

Answer 11

There's a little thing called "seniority," which means that the employees who have been there the longest get perks. This would include getting to work the drive-thru if she wants to. Apparently the boss agrees, or s/he would've told her to go work the counter. Your mouthing off to your boss would've got you fired from a real job, so I suggest you grow up and learn workplace politics while you're still at a minimum wage job.

Answer 12

If she doesn't have any work superiority over you then your boss should have told her that she has no right to order you around.