There’s a bully on the loose at Baker’s Beach
Not only is Baker’s Beach full of zebra mussels, it is short
staffed, the workers are underpaid, and there’s a bully on the loose! A
lifeguard was forced to quit because of this bully.
Upon hiring, it was agreed this lifeguard would work on set days.
The lifeguard, on his/her own will, offered to come in on unscheduled
days if needed, and if he/she was available.
The lifeguard received a call to see if he/she could come in July
17. It happened to be that this lifeguard had a prior commitment for
the day in question that had been set for a month. This date the
lifeguard had stated in front of the whole staff, and had repeated the
unavailability for this date at a July 5 meeting. The bully became
confrontational, insisting that the lifeguard come to the beach, and
denied ever hearing about this commitment.
After explaining a number of times that he/she was not free, this
bully wanted to know where this event was, and the times it was to take
place. The times had been stated from 8 a.m. till 8 p.m. This he found
hard to believe and wanted to come and check whether this was true.
This was not a work day and the bully had no right to ask for such
information. The questioning continued in sarcastic tones and the bully
threatened to fire the lifeguard just because he/she was unavailable on
his/her nonworking day. This was so upsetting the lifeguard felt there
was nothing that one could do but quit. This was so upsetting to the
lifeguard that he/she became hysterical.
Now this lifeguard is without the benefit of receiving six weeks of
summer pay. What is more upsetting is the lack of support the beach
provided, and that this bully is not even employed by the town!
This lifeguard’s father puts a lot of volunteer time to the youth of this town, and yet, not one person stood up for this youth.
Oh, by the way Mr. Baker’s Beach Bully, this lifeguard was
volunteering to help at a 4-H youth qualifying horse show for the New
York State Fair, not doing something for him/herself. This show was
very important to the 4-H youth. Many 4-H events can not take place due
to the lack of volunteers and this person stepped up to the plate,
devoting a whole day.
The lifeguard was at Winding River Quarter Horses Stable working as
a ring steward. The lifeguard left home at 7:45 a.m., arriving at the
stable at 8 a.m., standing all day, had a 20 minute lunch, left the
barn at 8:15 p.m., and arrived at home at 8:30 p.m. The show would not
have run as smoothly without him/her and everyone was grateful for
his/her help.
Are you satisfied now? It is not this lifeguard’s fault that the
beach is short staffed and lacked proper planning (the request came a
day before they needed staff). They had known about this problem at the
July 5 meeting. Why did they wait until the day before to ask?
I believe that when you look down from your high pedestal, you might
want to know there are honest people in this world, and when they tell
you the facts, don’t assume it is a lie. Not that it was any of your
business to begin with!
Jean Kosina
Richfield Springs
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