Sort Of Feeling Badly About This...should I? Long!
Decorating By springlakecake Updated 3 Aug 2007 , 10:43pm by step0nmi
So I think this all stems back to my childhood. I feel like my mother had caused me to feel badly if I dont go out of my way for people, even if it isnt in my best interest...LOL!
Okay, so I posted awhile back about wanting to quit my WMI job. So the synopsis of the story is this: I had only taught two classes, several were cancelled due to low enrollment, I wasnt getting paid to come in for class previews and they wanted me to decorate display items with my own supplies and not pay me for my time. I got tired reserving dates on my schedule for classes that didnt end up going. So when the other girl who started teaching right after I did called and wanted to start making up the schedule for fall, I decided I had had enough and didnt want to commit myself though November.
So I called the store coordinator and was not able to reach her, so I left a message (I know not the BEST thing to do, but I felt I needed to let her know asap since they were trying to make up a schedule) but explained nicely that I decided teaching was not working out for me at this time and that I was willing to keep the classes that I committed to on my schedule if she needed me to. Could she please call me if I needed to keep the classes on my calendar. Did not hear from her. So I decided to call again a couple of weeks later as a few more of the classes I was supposed to teach were approaching and I wanted to be sure I wasnt needed. I said I would assume that I did not need to keep these classes on my schedule unless I heard from her. Again, did not hear anything. So to me that was confirmation that the other lady would be taking them over. This was several weeks ago.
So yesterday I get a message on my answering machine from the other teacher saying she had made a mistake and planned a camping trip next saturday when one of the kids classes was being held (it originally was supposed to be one of the classes I was going to teach). She asked if I could teach it. I hadnt had a chance to call her back when the coordinator called from the store acting like I was supposed to teach it. I explained that I had left 2 messages for her asking her to call me if I needed to keep the classes on my schedule and when I did not hear from her, I assumed I did not need to. And now I have plans for next saturday (which I do) She said she must have "missed that message" Anyway she wasnt rude to me, but basically hung up on me. I feel badly because the other teacher lady is really getting the short end of the stick. I dont think this is her fault. Is this my fault? The coordinator's fault? Or just a misunderstanding?
I always feel guilty!! 
i think its more the coordinators fault...you left her 2 messages asking to hear back from her...now if she really "missed the message" or not is the question...i don't think you are at fault at all. You did you part and she didn't do hers...if you do teach the class, then they might think they can rely on you whenever they need someone to fill in, whether you want that or not is up to you....If you say you can't teach the class then the coordinator will realize that she should have done the right thing and got back to you when you left her the messages...i understand that you feel guilty...but i let it get to ya so much...IMHO its coordinators fault, it was her responsibilty to get back to you.
I agree with USMC_SGTs_Lady. The coordinator is supposed to coordinate and apparently she's not doing her job. It's not your fault, nor is it the other teacher's fault. It's the coordinator's (I use the term loosely) fault. Is there someone you can go to above the coordinator? Maybe the store manager?
It is basically the coordinator's fault, but I think I understand one of the reasons you feel guilty. There was a lack of "closure" regarding the classes, because you hadn't actually had an answer from her as to whether you were "off the hook".
I definitely recommend (whenever possible) avoiding the use of "unless I hear from you..." types of messages.
From my experience, they are just too prone to problems: if the person didn't get the message or if you didn't get their reply, then you are thinking one thing, and they are thinking another.
Thanks everyone. I think I feel badly because of that "if I don't hear back from you" Since I cant in anyway know for SURE if she got the message or understood what I was saying. My gut feeling is that she DID understand though. Otherwise she would have been calling me about the other classes that would have taken place. I know I probably should have tried following up again instead though. I already told them both I was unavailable to teach, but I just feel badly for the other lady, because she seems really nice!! I think the whole situation is over, but I just have leaving things on bad terms. I have rarely if ever quit anything!! My jobs have always ended for some reason or another (end of season, laid off, baby, moving etc) So i have not a lot of "quitting" experience! I don't get paid to stay at home with the kids, I get underpaid for decorating cakes, and I was getting tired of going out of my way for WMI and getting paid very little. i am just tired. I just wanted to put my foot down. I am sort of surprised I didnt crumble to the floor and offer to do it, even though I have plans already.
You dont' indicate if you left a voicemail or left a message with an employee. If it was VM, then it's BS that she didnt' get the message. Let's get real .... we all deal with VM these days. How many messages did we really NOT GET? I've never known VM to fail. Messages do not just mysteriously disappear from the VM system. The closest thing I came to it was for about a week, our cell phone VM was taking 3 days for a message to show up. When we called, they were aware of the issue and were getting it fixed.
If the message was left with an employee, again ... not your problem. THe store has an internal problem they need to deal with.
Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.
If you had a full time job and gave your notice, and the boss didn't get around to hiring your replacement, does that mean you have to stay and work until he does? Heck no!!!!!!!! You'd be outta there so fast, the papers would be flying off of everyone's desk! So why is this different.
You gave your notice. You quit. It's her job to hire a replacement.
See ya 'round like a doughnut, babe!
Umm... regarding voice mail?
All 4 of our telephones (they are different services) will say that you have reached the voice mail of the number, but none of the voice mails are activated (it costs extra) and the announcement cannot be turned off... You will be leaving the message in cyberspace...
We have friends with the same problem.
Umm... regarding voice mail?
All 4 of our telephones (they are different services) will say that you have reached the voice mail of the number, but none of the voice mails are activated (it costs extra) and the announcement cannot be turned off... You will be leaving the message in cyberspace...
We have friends with the same problem.
OMG, and it lets them leave a message? Geesh, what genius thought THAT was a good idea? 
I believe it is the other instructor's fault. It sounds like she committed to teaching, then later scheduled something causing her to cancel her prior commitment. She rightly thought that you would cover the class (if you were available) because you were leaving due to the lack of classes. She just didn't count on the fact that you could have plans that day.
I have had wilton classes scheduled that the instructor postponed. What is the reason they can't reschedule the class? Is is something that was advertised in an ad, or a Birthday Party with invitations already mailed?
What are they doing with 2 instructors when 1 instructor isn't even getting enough full classes to make it worth her while? Sounds like it's creating more problems than it's solving.
I have that guilt thing too. It probably would have been better to clearly state what you wanted in person or on the phone. Clear communication with no assumptions will probably decrease the guilt. And of course, I bet you would help out in a pinch if you could. You just can't this time. The coordinator can deal with it. It's her job.
I'm with Indydebi on this one! If you left a VM then it's up to the coordinator...if you left it with an employee then their might be a slight problem.
Don't feel bad though! It does sound like the other instructor planned two things at once and ASSUMED you would just cover her, not speaking to anyone else about it of course! And the EC hung up cause she KNEW you wouldn't do it and was frustrated with herself!
Obviously they didn't have any problems with cancelling all of your classes, if this is such a problem, why don't they just cancel the class!!
Why didn't they pay you for class preview and allowed supplies for demos? Aren't you supposed to get paid for these always!?
It's not at all your fault. If the coordinator did her job properly than your class would've been covered. After you leave a position it is NOT your responsibility to make sure they have someone to cover your shifts.
Try not to feel bad but I do understand that you do. I feel guilty over the smallest things.
Thanks for the support guys! Well I think this is partially my fault...for assuming that I had confirmation that I was done teaching. I think she did recieve my messages, and chose not to return my calls. Did she misunderstand? I don't think so, I thought I was pretty clear (especially since I left 2 messages, and yes, voice mail directly to her). But I can't say for sure. Anyway I am pretty sure she told the other instructor that I did not want to teach anymore and the classes were hers to teach. I think the other instructor accidentally made plans for camping on a day a class was scheduled (I was originally supposed to teach this) and she was just hoping for a favor. Then the coordinator calls and just acts like it is my class, hoping I will just do it. My gut feeling is that there was no misunderstanding, she just wanted the class to be taught. But again, I should have kept calling until I got ahold of her personally or until she called back. So maybe we all have partial responsibility in this.
but yeah, someone asked about me not getting paid for preview and for displays. That is just the way they do it. That is why i wanted to quit. I just felt like I wasnt teaching any classes or getting paid, why would i want to spend my own time and money? I know WMI's at other stores get paid for such things and that really bothered me. Plus I didnt like having to keep my schedule open for classes and then they just cancel it. I just felt I was getting too frustrated. And here I quit and I am still thinking about it!! 
Don't want to put down WMI because I think the set up is a lot better at other stores, but not mine!
Merissa- have you told her or the managers that you know for a FACT that other stores get paid for their time for demos and such??? At MY store they got paid to come to demonstrations and they got paid a certain amount for each sample they made after they got done! This is WILTON's Policy for the sample. There is paperwork on it!
I am just appalled that this store conducts their planning like this! I would love to call someone and set it straight cause that is just plain ridiculous!
Well I guess I was under the impression that each chain does it differently. Since I didnt work for the store or wilton, I was concidered contract. I was at Joann's, so if anyone else was at Joann and got paid for those things then I would be really miffed. When I told the wilton supervisor that it wasnt working out for me, she tried to get me to stay, but I told her that was one of the reasons I was unhappy with the job. Volunteering your time is one thing but working for free is quite another!
Yeah well I guess it is over now LOL! Oh well, I don't like to leave on bad or uncertain terms, and I feel badly about that. But gosh, I can't believe people would want to stay long when there is so much outside unpaid work involved.
I totally agree! At my store everything was paid! NO one should NOT be paid for any type of work!
The thing about that corporation is they have the classroom but, it's not valued like sales are. It's really kind of sad because it's everything they are about! Learning CRAFTS! Hello!!! They don't get it though...it's all about money!
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