Not giving me work hours

Who told you that he was happy with your work? Did this come directly
from this manager or through a third party? If it came directly from
this manager then you should meet with him again and inform him that
you cannot understand why, if he is happy with the way you perform
your job he cannot give you more hours.

"He's making my life a living Hell and I just supposed to take it."
You have to take it unless you do something to make it stop. You have
options - go to the district/general manager and see if you can get
some resolution.
Also with the time you have when not working, get more applications
out there to other stores. You have work experince and may get lucky
and find someplace that needs someone for the hours you want.

If you are not getting hours, there is probably a reason. I managed
retail for 5 years, and this is how you weed out the bad apples. Give
them little to no hours and hope they quit. Trust me, if you were a
great employee, you would be making it regularly on the schedule.

I definitely agree with you, you need to bring the district manager in
on this ASAP. I also think you need to bring HR in on this as well.
I know you were skeptical in the post below that HR can do anything
for you. However, I have had the chance to work closely with an HR
department. Their main concern was always to make sure that the
laws/rules were followed to a T. They want to make sure that
everyone's happy, if no other reason than to avoid lawsuits.

You have a right to know why you aren't receiving hours. I really
hope you do receive an answer.

Milton in Office Space.

It seems like the manager is trying to give you a hint that he does
not want you to work there anymore by not scheduling you for any
hours. He may say he thinks you do a good job, but if that was true,
why is he hiring staff while you don't get any hours? I feel he is
being very passive/aggressive, and can't deal with any confrontation
apparently. You deserve an answer either way. Since the store
manager appears to be the problem, find out who the HR rep or the
district manager is for your area and contact them. I'd also start
looking for a new job, even in this economy some places are hiring.

Good Luck!

I do show up when I'm scheduled, I do what I'm asked to the best of my
ability to show him I'm capable and reliable, sure I make my share of
mistakes but we all do. No one is perfect. I make sure he knows about
any mistake I make, and if I needed any assistance, I would contact
him or any available manager on duty.

My availability isn't really an issue, I have an open availability. I
could suggest to him lowering what I earn hourly, I only make 8 an
hour. I can see what happens with that.

"I can't quit because I can't find another job and no one will help me
with that."

Despite the economy, I encourage you not to assume that you can't find
another job. You may be right, but how will you know if you don't
try? And try hard.

I suggest that you not quit, but keep looking for another job. Given
that you're not getting hours at your current job, this at least gives
you time to look for another job.

I notice you say "and no one will help with that." It sounds like
you're expecting that someone else will help you find a job. It is
true that talking to people you know ("do you know if there any
openings where you work?") can be very helpful. And meeting new
people can help, too. But don't assume that you need someone else to
"help" to get a job.

Apply for anything and everything. If your area is retail stock, go
to a big shopping center and walk into each and every store and ask
for a job application. Even if they don't have a current opening,
fill out an application if they will give you one. If the manager is
there, make sure to thank the manager for considering you.

I appreciate that it can be frustrating and tiring to fill out dozens
of applications that don't turn up anything. But your odds of landing
something are going to improve the more applications you submit.

None of this is to say that you should avoid talking to PetSmart HR.
While it's likely true that your manager isn't required to give you
hours, if there is a disparity between what you're receiving and what
others are receiving, they're going to want to know why. At the very
least, this will force your manager to explain.

But, no matter what happens, it's worth your time to look elsewhere.
And, again, while networking with other people is always a great way
to get "in," you don't absolutely need other people to help you get a
job.

Above all, do not get discouraged. You're in a dire situation, but
working to solve the problem (by applying for as many jobs as you
possibly can) is a good way to fight the feeling of helplessness. In
other words, even if no one helps you, at least you are working to
help yourself.

I'm trying to wrap my arms around this. This is one day or a partial
day once every three and a half weeks.

If this is your only job, I have no idea how you are surviving. I
have never heard of a retail part time job where you go in less than
once a week.

What was the most you worked at this job?

It sounds like it is time to look for a new job, as completely hideous
a prospect as that is in this economy.

My local pet store always seems to have tons of employees and few
customers. I was in a Petco twice in the past few months, and it was
even worse. There were no customers except myself in the store. The
lone cashier looked like she was going to die of boredom.

What is your position?
Are the new hires doing the same job as you?

If you work a highly specialized position that is in less demand
because of the economy, then a cut in hours is inevitable. This could
be the other way around too. If you lack the skills necessary to work
these positions, then you obviously aren't going to get hours in that
department. If these people are doing the same work you are, then it
is strange that the manager is hiring more people.

Speak with the manager and express that you are willing to be cross
trained and pick up more hours doing other work around the store.

Ton M.,

You deserve a response whether it is the answer you desire or not so
you can move on.
Does the store, district or region have a Director of Human Resources?

If this letter does not get what you think is a timely response I
suggest that you contact the store manager and ask for a meeting to be
attended by you, him/her and an H/R Rep for the company. At this point
you should be looking for a cut and dry answer as to a future schedule
or not.
Keep in mind the economy is in the tank and what they sell and the
services they offer for some might be a luxury and thus lower business
levels.
Hope this helps.
Stop back and let us know how it pans out.
BillR.