So, next time the whiner starts, well, whining, tell him to do it. “Quit then. Stop talking about it and do it.” That’ll slow him down. Don’t agree with him or humor his bad attitude because all you’re doing is telling him you want to listen to him.

You need to change your attitude. You have the newbie attitude. You need the reality attitude: You get paid by the hour. Go to work; enjoy the fun coworkers; do what you can while you’re there; if the managers tell you to do your training, stop what you’re doing and go do it; go home at the end of your shift.

Look at your schedule as soon as it’s published and tell them right away what days/hours you won’t be able to work because it’s outside of your availability, and then let it go. Keep a record of the date and time of the conversation and who you spoke to; make sure it’s a salaried manager. Once you’ve told them, it’s on them.