Almost exactly the same story here bro haha

Overnight stocker around 2008. Working 3 different jobs. Eventually got myself into tech.

I only lasted two weeks at Target because the shifts started at 3am but the doors were locked.

So everyone had to line up at the door basically and they'd unlock the door for everyone working to come in at 2:58am

But the machine to clock in was on the opposite side of the building and upstairs (two floor location).

So it was 3am-ish to 3:03am-ish by the time you could briskly walk to the clock.

BUT --- they'd write you up for being 1 minute late NO MATTER WHAT even if it was because they didn't unlock the doors in time for you to run upstairs to get to the clock. Even if they saw you there ON TIME AT THE DOOR and SAW you go IMMEDIATELY to the clock.

Sometimes you could make it to the clock on time, but there'd be 5 people in front of you clocking in so you'd still clock in a minute late at 4:01am by the time it was your turn.

Didn't matter. Bosses would literally SEE this happening. KNOWING you got there on time. Admit it was a problem and not your fault -- and then write you up anyway.

Get three of these you're fired. Doesn't matter if you're the best employee there.

Saw it happen to 3 people first week I worked there.

First time it happened to me about a week and half into working there -- I asked the manager writing me up -- "isn't this a little rediculous?

"You KNOW I was here on time you SAW me at the door when you unlocked it, you SAW me go immediately to the timeclock -- unless you're seriously expecting me to SPRINT from the front door to the clock to get FIRST in line -- and the only thing that'll accomplish is making the person behind me "late" even though they were also here on time"

He said something like "when you want to make money you do what you gotta do"

I just said "you're right -- seeing as how you're a fat faggot (guy was like 350lbs) who clearly doesn't care he's firing good workers weekly because he can't fucking use a key -- you're a threat to my income I'm going to take your advice"

And I walked out 💁‍♂️

Got a job working as a tech assistant for a special effects house a month later -- a WAY cooler job that I wouldn't have gotten if I had told that fat faggot to fuck himself.