u/AsSpokenOfInMyth

When I was a teenager, I worked as a district trainer for Blockbuster Video. I trained the new CSRs and often the managers. I was the go-to for any issues with the computers too.

At one point someone was stealing and the ID said it was me. The District Manager at the time laughed, saying if it had been me there would have been no evidence because I knew the security system inside and out. Unfortunately, managers could see their subordinates' passwords and could use them. Of course, the manager who pointed at me turned out to be the thief.

But that isn't the big story. Early on at a new location (I helped set up those too) the District Manager (different one) and the Regional Manager were on site most days. They were a married couple.

BIG problem. The Husband/Regional put hands on all the young, especially teen, workers. He really seemed to enjoy doing so in front of his wife/District Manager. She tried to be fair but would take it out on us some.

One day I was very frustrated; I had quite a temper in those days. The Regional comes up behind me and starts with his hand on my shoulder but soon moves it to my ass. I jerked away and loudly told him to keep his hands off me.

He punched me. Flat out, full fist, punched me. In front of everyone. He said something angry but the blood was rushing in my ears, didn't hear him.

A customer called out to me just then. I helped them then clocked out; It was my shift end.

There was a big bruise. But, here's the thing. I had a hobby as a fighter in the SCA. Essentially, I spent my weekends, and generally an afternoon during the week, wearing armor and getting hit with sticks (rattan swords). So, the bruise was nothing I hadn't had regularly (I would only later find out, most of my coworkers thought my boyfriend hit me. He did not)

The next day I went to work with trepidation. I really enjoyed my job, but this was unacceptable. I planned to speak to management, maybe transfer away from the A-hole. I sure wasn't going to work with him!

Instead, the franchise owner met me in the parking lot. This guy owner dozens of sites and had flown in immediately to discuss. The Regional Manager had already been fired. He'd tried to BS it, but the cameras and witnesses told the tale. The District Manager was on leave while she decided what to do (she left). The owner offered me the RM's info so I could sue him, essentially begging me not to sue Blockbuster.

I didn't sue. I just wanted to do my job without harassment, so I did.

But that was not the craziest event during my time there. Nor was it the only time I was assaulted.

Next time, I'll tell why the police were out three times in one week.

https://www.reddit.com/r/stories/s/MlWjYtop5J

Back when I was 18 and a district trainer for Blockbuster video, there was one really, really bad week.

I worked at different locations as needed but was stationed at a new location for several months. This one was next to a dive bar. Remember, Blockbuster was open until midnight, so we got some drunks but usually nothing we couldn't handle.

We had a regular visitor, a cab driver. He was a youngish guy, very big, about 6'6. He was awkward and liked to talk to the young ladies but seemed harmless.

One night I was trying to fix the display case by the front door when he, let's call him Fred, walks in. I turned my head and said hello, and heard a couple other staff greet him. My back was to him because I was holding up part of the display case.

I just finished setting it down when Fred walks up behind me. I figured he wanted to chat, as per usual. Before I could turn, he picked me up by my shoulders and slammed me onto the counter.

He pinned me there then RUBBED MY SHOULDERS for a moment.

When he released me, he headed for the exit immediately. He looked back just as he reached the door and said 'I'm going to get a date or get arrested".

I was uninjured but thoroughly freaked out!

However, I had to calm some rather neurotic CSR's and downplayed the incident. UNTIL Fred came back a few hours later. He stuck his head in the exit and said:

"I'll be back to finish with you at 9, B1#$%!"

Then he just left. And then we called the police. Funny thing, I didn't get off work at 9, so no idea why he chose that time.

The Police said they'd find him and that they'd have officers waiting at 9, and at 1AM when I actually did end my shift. He didn't show up.

But then there was the next night.....

For the first time I was assaulted at Blockbuster see the original post.https://www.reddit.com/r/stories/s/ssQ9F5ppHq

When I was a teenager, I worked as a district trainer for Blockbuster Video. I trained the new CSRs and often the managers. I was the go-to for any issues with the computers too.

At one point someone was stealing and the ID said it was me. The District Manager at the time laughed, saying if it had been me there would have been no evidence because I knew the security system inside and out. Unfortunately, managers could see their subordinates' passwords and could use them. Of course, the manager who pointed at me turned out to be the thief.

But that isn't the big story. Early on at a new location (I helped set up those too) the District Manager (different one) and the Regional Manager were on site most days. They were a married couple.

BIG problem. The Husband/Regional put hands on all the young, especially teen, workers. He really seemed to enjoy doing so in front of his wife/District Manager. She tried to be fair but would take it out on us some.

One day I was very frustrated; I had quite a temper in those days. The Regional comes up behind me and starts with his hand on my shoulder but soon moves it to my ass. I jerked away and loudly told him to keep his hands off me.

He punched me. Flat out, full fist, punched me. In front of everyone. He said something angry but the blood was rushing in my ears, didn't hear him.

A customer called out to me just then. I helped them then clocked out; It was my shift end.

There was a big bruise. But, here's the thing. I had a hobby as a fighter in the SCA. Essentially, I spent my weekends, and generally an afternoon during the week, wearing armor and getting hit with sticks (rattan swords). So, the bruise was nothing I hadn't had regularly (I would only later find out, most of my coworkers thought my boyfriend hit me. He did not)

The next day I went to work with trepidation. I really enjoyed my job, but this was unacceptable. I planned to speak to management, maybe transfer away from the A-hole. I sure wasn't going to work with him!

Instead, the franchise owner met me in the parking lot. This guy owner dozens of sites and had flown in immediately to discuss. The Regional Manager had already been fired. He'd tried to BS it, but the cameras and witnesses told the tale. The District Manager was on leave while she decided what to do (she left). The owner offered me the RM's info so I could sue him, essentially begging me not to sue Blockbuster.

I didn't sue. I just wanted to do my job without harassment, so I did.

But that was not the craziest event during my time there. Nor was it the only time I was assaulted.

Next time, I'll tell why the police were out three times in one week.

When people are speaking they sound like they slipping in and out of English. I don't mean they are hard to understand, but they literally sound like they are speaking an alien language. I've had trouble understanding speech with a migraine but never like this.