Mark's Cleaning Service to Kevin: YOU'RE FIRED

The first job I ever had was at St. Luke's Nursing Home. It was also the worst. In a small, crowded kitchen, I was yelled out for not knowing what I was doing; insulted for not wanting to touch half-eatten food; and generally in misery. So I quit after two days.

The second job I had was Acme, where I spent almost nine soul-crushing years working for the Man. Public Storage came after that, my favorite of all and currently the one I plan to stick with for at least a little while.

I have never been fired . . . until today.


Here's how the saga went:

I picked up Mark's Cleaning Service because I desperately needed the in-come. Tricia on bed rest, baby on her way, pressure to pay off some bills, more bills added . . . I needed the money.

I went to the interview and was told the place I would be cleaning was just over on Home Ave. Great, three minutes away. Went back to the office the next week and found out that I'm in fact not working there, but instead out in Wadsworth, where I would be working Saturday and Sunday's, 7-9:00 PM. Cleaning parks.

Driving 20-30 minutes out to Wadsworth, I found out that I was in fact really working 8:30-11:00 PM. I had one day of training, as my trainer crapped out the second and no one else could be bothered to come out to help me. I had to throw in the towel after 90 minutes of driving through Wadsworth not knowing where I was going.

Parks wasn't too bad once I got into the swing of things. But this was when things were getting scary with Tricia's pregnancy. I wasn't comfortable being so far away in case there was an emergency. So I asked for something closer to Akron. They found me something in Fairlawn. You can read about those adventures in my previous note.

I need to point out a few things at this point:
1) No one showed me how to clock in or out
2) I never recieved my ID badge
3) My vacation/time off request (which I ended up not even taking, but that's besides the point) was never even looked at
4) The woman who trained me at the doctor's office and medical building didn't say squat about the job I was doing; she actually more rude than educational

So anyways, I was just starting to kinda figure out what I was doing at the offices when my boss called me today. He said that the doctor's office wasn't pleased with the job I was doing. He listed off some stuff like not changing the lining in the garbage cans (something I was told not to do during training); not sweeping thoroughly (I can agree with this -- I sucked [no pun intended]); and some other stuff I missed. Apparently.

He wasn't a dick about it, which I appreciated. He was honest and the doctors office did threaten to cancel their contract with Marks. I really wish he had given me a second chance, but I guess I understand. The boss seemed pretty fair and worked well with me (he had previously apologized for the parks training fiasco and approved my request to transfer over to Akron from Wadsworth). He said over and over again that it wasn't personal and that he had to do what he felt was best. "Cleaning just isn't your thing" was the dominant part of the conversation. I told him I understood and that while I was disappointed, I agreed with his decision and would arrange to get the keys back.

I'm not the kinda guy that likes to blame other people, but the sheer lack communication seems to be an issue here. Clearly, the company lacks that. I wasn't trained properly at either location, I don't care what anyone says.

Ultimately, though, I did suck. I mean, even as I was working I couldn't help but think I was cut out for cleaning. I got no beef with the company itself and I guess this could be used as a testimoney to their dedication to a good days work --- they'll fire anyone who slacks off.

My personal belief is that you're never going to work a job that won't teach you something. That's why whenever someone I know bitches about not having a job, but refuses to take anything that's beneath them, I scuff. Customer service builds people skills and improves communication. Any office experience is good experience, skill-wise. What did I learn from this job?

I'm not a janitor.