I just have to tell everyone, especially since so many of you have been so supportive through all the crap we've been through waiting, that Ian finally got promoted! He works at a Jo-Anns, and ever since before they opened this store, he had basically laid claim to the fabric department. He loves it there and his heart is really into making the place look good and helping his customers be creative. Well, we just got word last night that there's to be a major "shift" in all the management at the store, and all of the fabric/sewing section (this is one of the new, big Jo-Ann's) is officially his to supervise! This means we won't need to worry about whether he'll get enough hours to pay the bills, he should be eligible for medical, and perhaps most importantly, the higher-ups he works with have actually noticed and appreciated all the hard work he does! He's happier than I've seen him in I don't now how long, and I'm so damn proud I can't even put words to it. Hooray! I guess it's just proof that sometimes everything will work out if you do what you love and you give it your all!
Thanks, everyone! He's been at it a few days now... I'm slightly annoyed for him at the stupid way they have his "trial period" set up... Basically, he got a good hourly raise, which they can't take away from him no matter WHAT happens, and filled out the paperwork for him to be a "part time supervisor" for 30 days. He's getting full time hours, though, and doing the whole job. I guess this is their way of holding back his benefits until they're sure the whole arrangement will work. The person who had been doing the job (in title, at least, while Ian did 90% of the actual WORK) is a 19 y/o kid who doesn't let a day go by without mentioning to customers, in front of coworkers, that as soon as he finishes the school program he's in he can't wait to get out of the store. This kid has been moved, (he thinks temporarily) to another position while Ian has his trial. So basically, it's all still slightly unsure for the moment, but now that he's proven himself as being so good for the job it will be his. Even in the worst case scenario (either the kid comes back and Ian has to work "under" him again, or the two of them get switched around instead) Nobody seems to envision such a situation lasting very long - especially after they know he can run the operation smoothly. And no matter what, he still gets to keep the hourly raise!
^ I doubt that'll happen. Honestly, I think the kid will probably end up leaving the job all together before too long. It seems the management is fed up with him... In a way this is kinda tough, because he and Ian have gotten to be friends over the last year. But part of what's nice about the whole situation is that Ian has been nothing but 100% supportive of him, working hard and (as far as he knew) making someone else look good. He's never undermined the kid's authority, even when he knew a better way to do something. So now that it's clear the higher-ups recognize the work he HAS put in, they're even more impressed with how he's handling things now. Yesterday his store manager told him "I'm just tickled pink with the way you've stepped up". And Ian's really happy with it because he finally has the authority to get things done the way they should be, without going through hoops and getting approval. Plus, the other employees seem really happy with the situation because he talks to them like human beings, says "please" and "thank you", and leads by example big time. I know from years of experience that it's hard not to work your butt off when working next to him, because he works like some sort of caffeine maniac! Anyway, I'm sure it'll all work out for the best soon. Everyone seems a lot happier with the whole arrangement the way it is.
