Promotions are good. Leaving friends is hard.

[ragingfish]

The brief introduction:I've been at my current employer, TGI Fridays, for 2 years. I started out as one of the most disastrous train-wrecks of a server the company probably had ever seen. After 6 months, I finally got it. I became one of the better workers. I left TGIF after a string of months where the place seemed to had hit the ground, and went to the Chili's down the street that had just opened. Chili's sucked. Royally. After only 2 weeks I had gone back to my boss, practically begging to come back. He let me. That was in March 04. In September 04, my GM got transferred to another store. He wanted to take his accountant with him. So they approached me for the job. They told me they didn't trust anyone else to do it. That's how I got the job I had (until now). I wasn't the best accountant. Granted, no "real" accounting is involved, but it was pretty tricky. Understanding what charges go to what account, figuring out why our books never matched corporates, etc. It was tough.The new GM who came in was a great guy. But he couldn't run a store to save his life. He was too laid back, and so afraid of being "the bad guy" that he let the hourly employees run the place. The store hit its lowest point ever. Eventually, do to circumstances I can't discuss, he was let go. But this guy was so cheap, he cut my hours to only 12 hours a week, because I was "too expensive." Keep in mind, I was far from the highest paid employee in the store. But I was the most "expendable." I worked more hours unpaid those 5 or 6 months than anyone realizes. Our kitchen also was a mess, and the KM (kitchen manager) was so unhappy in our store, he gave up. He applied for a store transfer.So anyway, the GM was let go, and a new GM and a new KM came in. The old KM got his wish of a new store (and supposedly is very happy there). The new GM promised me he would work with me, not against me. He kept his word. He gave me as many hours a week as I wanted, and if I had nothing to do, he told me his "visions" for the store, I told him how I could help bring them to fruition, and he let me work on it. Our store began a bounceback.The KM and GM dove right into the biggest problems in the store. It has been less than 2 months, our sales have soared, costs are down, and profits are growing. Then, the bombshell hit. I had told my regional manager and director of operations for our company on many of their visits I was eager to move into management. I also figured what I was saying was going in one ear and out the other. They always said "work on this, do this, and then we'll talk." But about a month ago, my GM told me he had "chatted" with the RM and DO, and they decided I would move into management by the end of the summer. I was floored. I always wanted it to happen, but because so many times I'd said things and gotten no results, I figured it was always gonna be the unfulfilled dream. Now it was happening. I did tell him, though, I was a little skeptical, and until I received an offer letter proving it reality, I wouldn't get my hopes up.Then the REAL bombshell dropped. Last week, I got a call. They were pulling me out of my store in one week. I couldn't believe it. I hadn't even found someone to replace me yet. I told my GM this, he called corporate to try and at least get an extension because I needed to train a replacement. Corporate said they needed me...NOW. So he was denied. We found someone to replace me, and I frantically tried to get her trained. For reference purposes, when I got the job, the former accountant (hereafter referred to as RA - restaurant accountant) gave me 2 months of training. I had to trian the new RA in under a week. I spent pretty much 18 hours a day in that store writing up a whole binder on how to do the job. I had about 4 days of one-on-one training with her, and then I was pulled out yesterday. I'll still have a few sporadic days with her to help get her settled, but pretty much, she's on her own. Sadly.Now, the current story (and reason behind the post.)In only 2 years at my company (TGI Friday's) I moved from being a server to the RA, and tomorrow I begin training to become a full-time, salaried manager.I worked my (removed) off to get where I am, and I'm proud and excited that I've been able to get so far, so fast. Granted, I'm not making craploads of money. But I think that what I will be making (don't ask, I'm not gonna say ) is somewhat impressive considering I never managed to finish college (for personal and mental reasons).That being said, I thought this would be the best thing to happen to me in my life, but I realized yesterday, my last day at my current store, that it would be anything but.Day started all normal. People saying "wow, it's your last day." No big deal. But right after the lunch rush, my best friend (who I never would have met if it hadn't been for this place) showed up, and had baked me a cake. Granted, it was a betty crocker out-of-box special, but still, I couldn't believe she had baked me a cake: This girl does not bake. The fact she made me a cake (and she swears she made it herself, and I believe her) made me almost cry. As if that wasn't hard enough, she then gave me a card, signed by all my friends at the store. And the kicker. They'd all secretly chipped in and bought me a gift. I tried to fight so hard not to lose my composure. Then, one of my other managers, who started in my store a week after I did back in 03, gave me a card. He and I were like pals...we vented to each other, and worked shifts together all the time. We always helped each other out, and frankly, he's one of the few guys I can honestly say I'll miss. He gave me a card with a giftcard in it too. I almost lost it again.Then, towards the end of the night, as the servers started going home (and I was frantically trying to finish my training stuff for the new RA), they all came in, hugged me, said goodbye...It started hitting me. This was it. I was done. Gone. Forever. I can never go back to this store as a manager, as the company will not allow you to be a manager in a store you were an hourly in. They just don't do it. It's never been a positive thing, I guess. A store that I always swore I hated. But I realized now, how much I loved it.My GM left for the night, and as a ceremonial kinda touch, took my keys from me...wished me luck, thanked me for my hard work, and went on his way.As I was getting ready to leave for the night...forever, rather...I started saying goodbye to the last few people...ran to the bathroom, and when I opened the door to walk back out, got ambushed, as is TGIF tradition. A server threw a huge bag of flour at me. I was covered. Head to toe. Shirt, pants, hair, everwhere was flour. The bathroom was white. I walked out and everyone, the bar guests, the people dining in the dining room, and the last servers and cooks broke out in a roar laughing. They had naile dme. I swore up and down all day I'd get out without getting nailed. So much for that. LOL!Anyway, as I walked out the door, I realized I'd never see some of these people again...I started wondering if I'd made the right move. Was more money really worth leaving the few people who I can truly call my best friends. People who have stood by me in my most difficult times, people who cared about me enough to bake me a cake, buy me a gift...Was it worth it?I still don't know. My other friend, the RA who I replaced (and ironically, is the sister of the girl replacing me) swears I will love my new job. But leaving these people is not making me optimistic.My two closest friends in my (now) old store have a routine with me -- we do lunch or dinner at least once a week...just to hang out, shoot the sh*t, and just talk. And I love them both to death. They said they're sad to see me go, but they swear I will still see them once a week, just as always.I dunno. I guess I've just never had friends like I did in this sto
re...and certainly, I've had to leave a job where I had friends that were so close to me, it hurt me to leave.Oh well...I guess my whole point was I just needed to vent it out to y'all...and like I said...I'm happy I got promoted, I'm excited I have more money my way, and it gives me the chance to maybe do things like get a Solstice or a G6. But I just hope that leaving these people won't have proven to not been worth it. Because like they say -- no amount of money can bring the happiness a true friend can.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 »Congrats... I am kind of lost.... You will be working for Corp Offices now?No no.I'm still working on the store level, but as a salaried manager (and chances to move up in the future to a general manager at some point (big $$$ and lots of perks).

[ragingfish]

Just one store. I'll be the lowest-level manager there is...but it's a stepping stone towards greater things.

[Kari]

I know it's hard to leave behind friends, but I really think you're doing the right thing, and that the new RA is right -- you'll love your new job. (And the increase in funds! ) Just because you don't work in that store anymore doesn't mean you can't still be friends or come visit! *hugs* Congratulations...you deserve it!

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 »And this way, since you are working at a different store, you do not have to be hardcore on any of your friends.... A good point...but coincidental or not, the people I'm friends with are the ones at the store who always do things right...

[m4VibeGT]

Where you at 130? I saw your car there once last summer with the Canadian flag sticker.Good luck in your move to management$$

[ragingfish]

Haha!Yup, that was me!Sadly, I won't be there anymore, but I am pushing them to maybe place me in the Freehold store on 9.

[joatmon]

just because you can never work at that particular restaurant doesn't mean that you can't eat there.If they really are good friends, the friendship will survive the end of being coworkers.congrats on the uppage, where are the pics of the breaded fish?

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »just because you can never work at that particular restaurant doesn't mean that you can't eat there.Excellent point!Quote »If they really are good friends, the friendship will survive the end of being coworkers.Also true...it's just gonna be tough not seeing them every day like I'm used to...Quote »congrats on the uppage, where are the pics of the breaded fish? Per your request:

Attached files

[millster]

Congrats Raging, dispite having to leave your friends behind, it's good news.I know what you mean though, it's tough sometimes to think about how good a promotion will be for your future when you give up something like that.I recently took a promotion with the school district I work for and left behind a group that I have worked with for quite some time (this is my second term with the school district here). I'm still working for the same basic place, but I'm in an office now and don't really ever see the techs I formerly worked with. However, I still know they're there and I have made new friends in my new location. It may take you a while, but once you get into your new job you'll enjoy it.

[scherry2]

congrats! remember absence makes the heart grow fonder. I have a best friend and he lives in a different state. when we get to see each other its just great, cause you have that much more to talk about.again congrats.

[Sputnik]

Congrats to you Mike!

[ragingfish]

Thank you all, I do appreciate it...I look forward to the larger salary...more money means more trips to Vibe meets...

[NSimkins]

Congrats, Mike!! I'm glad to see things pan out for you with the company. I know the feeling about leaving friends behind, but I think everyone has already stated it, nothing is stopping you from visiting, etc. Good luck!

[ArcsVibe]

Way to go Mike congrats on the promotion. I can see that you are a "people person" and that my friend will take you places.Bonne chance mon ami!

[kostby]

Congrats!The only true constant in the universe is change.Your phone still works, right? I know it's REALLY old school, but you can call or write your old friends to stay in touch!I'm sure you'll do well in your new position. Knowing the 'inside' by having done several different jobs will make you a great manager!

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by kostby »Congrats!The only true constant in the universe is change.Not true!Death and taxes too!

[ColonelPanic]

Congratulations, Mike... It is always difficult to leave a job and move on. At my previous place of employment, I only worked there for about 1.5 years back in 1999/2000 but I made a lot of friends during my stay. It wasn't the best company to work for, and myself along with the co-workers would often sit around and ***** about the place and say how great it would be to find something else...I did. When I accepted a job at another company, it hit me that things would change forever. The last day there was quite sad - there were so many folks that I realized I wouldn't get to talk to again... A lot of great people to work with, and I knew I probably wouldn't be seeing them around again. Which for the most part was true, except for the select few that I met there and still keep in touch with today.To go on with your life is tough! We spend so much time together with those at work and know each other quite well, so in some cases they're almost like family... Being close to your co-workers makes it that much harder to move on. It's a hell of a lot easier to stay where you're at, where you're comfortable, and where people know you, than it is to move on. But being comfortable rarely benefits your career. It's scary to venture into something new -- but we all have to do it at some point, so you can make a better life for yourself. Don't worry, before you know it, I'm sure you will be doing just fine - learning the new job, making new friends, and making better money.

[cohocarl]

Congrats!!! I know what you mean by moving to a different job or whatever and leaving your friends. That's the worst part of changing jobs.Good Luck.

[MonotoneSatellite]

That's awesome! Good luck at your new position! I know that everyone's situation is different, but my best friends from college I met in food service. In fact there are only a couple of people I met while going to school that I am still in touch with that didn't work with me. Just make sure to keep up your weekly lunch/dinner at all costs. It will keep you close and give you people to vent to if you have things on your mind.

[Toasted7]

I think everything has been said already... all I can say is CONGRATS and GOOD LUCK! (You will make new friends... it's all part of the change).

[Pablo1669]

congrats on the promotion... but sorry about having to leave your store.Hey, one bright side is that with this promotion, saving up for that Solstice might be a little bit easier now right?

[JustinVGT]

Congrats Mike! Glad to hear you got a good promotion. Just try to keep in touch with your friends from your last position and hopefully you'll meet some more close friends through the new job. I've had several jobs and met some good friends and we keep in touch. I know how it feels to move up and say good bye. My managers at my previous place of employment (Costco) were envious that I was entering the corporate world. Good luck with everything!

[VibeChick]

Congrats Mike! That's an awesome promotion. It's nice when your hard work is rewarded and recognized. Good luck with your new job

[Psychobroker]

Congrats Mike! Man, your post brought back memories of my ~4-year tenure at Koo Koo Roo before jumping head-first into insurance. I, too, started at the lowest level (cashier), and after two years, had worked my way from cashier to shift manager, to salaried assistant store manager. While I love what I do now, I'll always miss those days, the friends I made, and the customers I grew to know. Quote »Gone. Forever. I can never go back to this store as a manager, as the company will not allow you to be a manager in a store you were an hourly in. They just don't do it. It's never been a positive thing, I guess.Nope. That never works because employees who once viewed you as an equal are now required to respect you as their boss. That is a tough thing to swallow, and ends up hurting both sides unless done right i.e. if there was an interim HOURLY management position, such as a "shift manager" that could prep you/them before going salaried/full time manager.Anyway, good luck and keep us posted on your development!

[zionzr2]

CONGRATSS!!!!Heres to Old Friends....Heres to New Friends....Good Luck in your new postion....

[BlueCrush]

Congrats! You get a new job.Better Money.Make new friends.And keep the old ones.What could be better!

[ToolGuy]

Way to go! Yes it is hard to leave but it is a chance for new beginnings. It can be a small world so who knows who you will run into. Take what you have learned and run, the sky's the limit! Just remember those friends, you may need them one day or they may need or call on you! I always believe this saying, something like this "you will never 'work' a day in your life again if you find a job you love". Again, something like that.

[AKLGT]

well that explains why i haven't seen you around much lately my friend! congrats! that's an awesome promotion that i know you've been wanting for some time now. it's always great to have someone recognize your hardwork and ambition, to realize that you REALLY don't have to get that piece of paper to become successful ( i think you know what i mean), and that there are great leaders out there that recognize other potential great leaders and give them the chance they deserve! so, perhaps once you get up and running, become a store GM, you can see about that transfer to our Anchorage store up here.... tough to leave friends, but hey, you will still see them around i'm sure and now have an opportunity to make more friends! congrats and good luck, mike!