Own-Name-6239's journey

I recently had a frustrating experience as a bather at Petsmart. I started about three to four months ago, looking for part-time work while searching for a more suitable job. Initially, things went well, but then the atmosphere changed drastically. Suddenly, I felt like I was under constant scrutiny and criticism from the other groomers. I made mistakes, like missing spots when drying dogs or accidentally cutting a dog's quick during nail clippings, but I thought that was part of the learning process. Instead, I was met with harsh criticism. For instance, one day, a groomer yelled at me for an accidental bump while I was checking out a dog at the computer. It felt like I was being blamed for things that were out of my control. There were also confusing policies that were never communicated to me. I was scolded for trimming a dog's paws too neatly, which I thought was part of my job. I often dealt with large, difficult dogs, and one time, a pit bull knocked me over, injuring my head. Instead of helping, the saloon lead just stood there and criticized me. The work environment was toxic, with rampant gossip and a lack of empathy among staff. It seemed like anyone outside the 'clique' faced hostility. I witnessed a talented groomer who was once optimistic get bullied into quitting after management's pressure. On top of that, I was the only one who bothered to keep the workspace clean, while others left it in a disgusting state. I found expired first aid supplies and moldy hair in the kennels. It was frustrating to see such a lack of care for both the animals and the workplace. Overall, the experience has been disheartening, and I'm seriously considering my options moving forward.