How do I deal with my horrible boss?

Question

I work for a family owned bussiness, so alot of the rules dont apply, its not like my boss can get fired for yelling at me everyday cuz he OWNS the store. Me and many other employees get treated like **** and pushed around alot. I recently got a second job to get away from working there more and since I'm begginning university in the fall I handed in my two weeks notice last friday. since then its been really really bad, today the big boss told me not to talk to my coworker even when the shop was empty. it was like " NO TALKING NO LAUGHING NO SMILING" And it he wasnt joking. and kept giving me dirty looks all day. and said things along the lines of " what am I paying you for to talk??" (btw we get paid minimum per hour, I work at a deli, and the owners are greek)

then later he found that two salamis of the same kind had been opened and assumed it was me because I was the only one there, the other worker was downstairs cleaning at the time.

he told me to carry the bucket which was like 40 pounds of deli meats that needed to be vaccum packed downstairs.

his son told me to do it. I said " your dad told me to tell you to do it." and he said "oh do you have a hearing problem are you retarded? I'm telling you to do it now"

then he added "you know your quitting so you can just leave"

but I really wanted the good reference so I decided to stay and do the vacum packing. then his dad the big boss came up to me gave me this dirty look and said "GET OUT GET OUT GO HOME."

and I didnt even do anything.

I'm not going to go back and I dont know what Im going to do about the reference. can they even treat me like this? can I press charges??

I live in canada btw and the store is Kea's meats and deli, if you know about it dont ever go there they treat their employees terribly.

PS: I've been working there for 1/2 a year, everyone whos worked longer has quit.

Answer 1

Honestly, if he's treating you like that, I doubt he'd give a good reference. It seems he doesn't value his employees and wouldn't find the time to evaluate what makes you a good employee. I wouldn't even bother with putting it down on reference sheets and resumes; it'll probably only hurt you.

I really don't know how Canada's rules work, but I know in the US there's really nothing you can do about it. Not unless he's doing something against the law, which it doesn't sound like he is. It just seems like he's one giant a**hole.  The best thing you can do (and have done) is to just outright quit and find yourself a job where the boss isn't as mean.

Unfortunately, even though you've worked there for 1/2 a year, I'd say it wouldn't help you to put it down as a reference.  

Answer 2

okay, first of all, sounds like you have good "personal ethics", which obviously your employers doesn't. Most people in your position would not have given a notice at all, other than say the middle finger.

You seem like a "loyal" person, which in the future, can really pay off IF someone values that. But be loyal to yourself and your values first.

Your employer did violate some work laws, they DO NOT have the right demean you OR evaluate your "supposed" mental condition. And regardless of their judgment, you are protected by laws.

Pursuing any kind of jurisprudence over this situation would be futile , unless your were a, Workers Advocate. And like you said, it is a minimum wage job at a deli.

The fact that you work two part time jobs and going to the University in the fall, shows that you are motivated. In the U.S., by law, an employer is only allowed to verify employment of an employee, which includes dates of time worked. They are not allowed to give a "personal evaluation", if they do, they are in violation of Federal and possibly State laws.

You were smart to find another part-time job for back up. On a lot of applications, it will ask if they (the new employer) can call your old employer. I personally have filled in the blank with, NO, and still got the job.

If you wish you may look thru the info I'm providing in the link, and see what is useful. Good luck on your studies. And when times get hard, remember you are bettering yourself with education, so that you don't have to work for jeks like him. Or, if you start your own business, you'll treat people better, cause you'll think of him.