I currently work at a small deli thats owned by a guy along with two other delis/bagel shops. Since there isn't any sort of employee hand book or even any employee guidelines or rules for that matter i never thought to ask about paid vacations. I assumed it was something you only received at big business or chains. So i recently found out we get paid vacations. The bagel makers in the back of the store receive greater pay and four weeks paid vacation a year. (I was quite shocked considering how difficult it is to just get a 25 cent raise there.) I then find out that some of the front counter help (what i do) have also received paid vacation time. (Only one week.)
Now i'm certain it's not due to hours worked, for six years i worked 35+ hours a week. And it's not based on duration of employment as i've been working there just as long as one of the gentlemen in the back of the store. I recently quite and was hired back (been back 6 months now) but it can't be because of that as one of the females was fired and rehired and was receiving vacation pay (without my knowing back when i was doing the 35+ hours a week.) Then i come to find out the guys in the back get paid if they don't use their "vacationtime." (Which was the one thing that pushed me over the edge.) I'm just curious as to what others think of this. My sister's boyfriend said i need to "make waves" over this and bitch to my boss. The hard part is my 'boss' is so far from an actual boss. I know things about his store that he doesn't. He doesn't look me in the eye when we speak, and i think he's intimidated by me. My sister says i'm going to get myself fired over this as i tend to go from calm rational conversation to shouting match within seconds.
The other problem with this is i spoke to two of my front counter help coworkers and they didn't seem to be at all upset over this, or at least no where near as upset as myself. I think i'm more upset over feeling used, taken advantage of and deceived by my boss. I feel like a fool not only for that but for returning to work there after quitting. I'm fairly calm and rational but when it comes to confrontation i, like i said, go from 0 to 60 in a few seconds. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I think i should sit on this for a day before i talk to my boss, maybe some outside viewpoints might help me out.