Maynard G. Krebs WORK?!

2004-01-18T12:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks for the Memories...
Uh, sort of...everyone was said to see me go. I was such a great asset to the company. Everyone loves me. But, of course, no one wanted to chip in for a gift. Over the last several years with this company and department there have been countless weddings, babies and departures requiring gifts for which I have dutifully contributed some of my hard-earned dollars. Already married and childless-by-choice, I didn't expect to see a reciprocation in kind. However, upon giving my notice and hearing so many repeated sentiments of mixed feelings--happiness for me and sadness over losing me--I thought that I would at least merit a small token of appreciation. The late afternoon of my final day, I saw just how small...a card. I got a single card with a small cake in a poorly executed "surprise." My boss, being far from the sharpest crayon in the box, had me and our intern in her office for a meeting with a sad excuse for closing the door (so I wouldn't notice people gathering). She then got a call and took it (sadly, not uncommon action during one of our meetings, despite how rude it is). "Uh huh, you need us--okay." "Come on."

What cunning! No explanation or excuse. We then pause at the training room door, which is actually adjacent to her office door and isn't generally closed on non-training/orientation days, while she steps to one side and smiles. Well, surprise. The department is lounging, a small cake and card on one training table. No sign, no balloons (despite the fact that we have company balloons and a helium tank for special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries) or streamers. Not even an impromptu speech. The department hangs out for about 10 or 15 minutes to eat a piece of cake then quickly vanish. They'll miss me, yes. I am an extremely hard worker, smart, always ready to pitch in even outside my own work and duties, I am kind and helpful to all as they have *said*, but apparently I'm just not popular enough for linger conversation or even a small gift--some 25 people in the department and not even a $25 gift certificate to the mall or some local restaurant. Nothing from my immediate boss either--just words.

And, the Director/VP of our deparment couldn't even show up. Someone said that he was in a meeting and no one went and got him, but he had to know it was going on and could've excused himself. At least, he could've found 5 minutes sometime during my last week to share a moment. He was devastated about my leaving when I resigned--he was also charming and gracious about it. He told me how much of a success I would be because of all the things I have to offer--talents and skills, my dedication and insight. He asked if there was anything they could do to keep me, but acknowledged that with my personality and heart, a humanitarian, non-profit was so right for me (a statement echoed almost to the person when I shared the news of my leaving). Yet, my last day and even my last week...much like a few other noteable occasions in my employment there...he virtually ignored me. His saluation in my goodbye card--short and generic: "Best of Luck!"

I am a good person--I actually work hard at being one. Giving makes me feel good inside, and I am always generous whenever possible. At Christmas, I honestly take greater joy in giving versus receiving and seldom ask for anything. In fact, I have trouble even asking for a ride when I have car trouble. (Despite my occasional shyness, this carries over into my professional life.) And, this occasion wasn't about the "getting" of something, but about some small representation that there were real feelings behind the words all these people were saying. I was looking forward to seeing the thought behind a gift for me. Perhaps the words should've been enough. Perhaps I am, on this occasion, being a little selfish. I know that many of those people who said kind words to me meant them, and they meant a lot coming from those people. But, for a last hurray, it seemed empty and shallow--devoid of real thought and caring.

Of course, maybe this anti-climactic, half-hearted goodbye just epitomizes why I am leaving. Afterall, one of the grand "bonding" traditions of this department is to ridicule one another for fun in sad attempts at "one-upping" the sarcasm. Something I never felt good about doing, seldom participated in and felt guilty over when I did it myself.

2004-01-09T08:44:00.000-05:00

An Explanation
So, gosh--no posts in forever. An explanation may be in order. I started this blog because I was desperately unhappy at my job (with my career) and wanted a place to vent and to invite others to join me...such as my partner in piss-poor jobs, "Peter Griffin." Unfortunately, despite my anonymity here, I was still nervous about posting b*tchings about work...hence the lag.

The good news is that I have received and accepted a generous offer from a long established, well-reputed, non-profit organization. I will continue doing media relations, but I will get to do it for a humanitarian organization rather than a for-profit, squeeze-every-dime out of the consumer corporation. Of course, I will miss many of the good people I've met and come to know and love, but not all the b*llshit that goes on here. I may cite examples at a later date, or again, I may chicken out despite a desire to rant...

I start my new position on January 20th--the day after my birthday. Hopefully, with my new position and organization, I won't need this security blanket (that goes blank most of the time) as much. Still, I would invite others, who need a place to vent about WORK?! in anonymity to drop me a note and maybe join the blogging, and I may continue to add valuable resources for job and career changes, etc. -- especially if my change can inspire others.

2003-08-20T11:27:00.000-04:00

Monster Poll

Telling, IMHO...

Who do you think is having the most difficult time finding a job?

Mid-career workers = 36% / 9,820 respondents
Entry-level workers = 31% / 8,442 respondents
Managers = 18% / 4,923 respondents
Executives = 12% / 3,444 respondents
TOTAL: 26,629 respondents

What say you?

NOTE: This is a snapshot as of 11:25 AM/Aug 20th; check the link for updates.

2003-08-04T11:38:00.000-04:00

Have we met?

I'd have to agree with this article: "Bad communicator, bad boss (generally)." Sadly, from personal experience with just such a person as a boss.

2003-07-27T22:01:00.000-04:00

Turn a Phrase

Sure, we've all seen them--maybe you've even been a recipient of them. There have even been times when I've used and felt encouraged by Successories. But like changes in management, times also change.

Where do you turn when your current job doesn't make you feel like "soaring like an eagle"? When your main goal is just getting through another miserable day without telling a supervisor off? When you want to wallow in your disappointment in the company/job that promised so much and delivered so little?

Why, Despair, Inc., naturally! These parody products of Demotivators® reach out to the disgruntled among us and says, "Hey, don't bother trying harder--you'll never reach the unattainable goal they've set for you." If you haven't seen them before, check them out now for a giggle and affirmation that others feel as crappy as you do at your job.

2003-07-14T14:18:00.000-04:00

How May I Help You?

Catboy shares the "joys" and humor of being a part of customer support. Give them a read..."Stupid Customer #203" is my favorite.

2003-07-10T13:51:00.000-04:00

Tick-Tock

There's an article on MSN via Monster.com called Knowing When It's Time to Go written by Roberta Chinsky Matuson. Does any of this sound familiar to you?

Change is difficult for many of us, so we often ignore the signs that indicate it is time to move on. Often, it isn't until a work situation becomes unbearable that we finally decide it's time to change jobs. By the time we reach this point, we feel desperate and are willing to take the next thing that comes along, which might not be any better than the situation we left. If you learn how to recognize the signs that indicate it is time to leave a job, you will be able to plan your next step rather than be forced to make a quick move just to get out. So what are some of these signs you should watch for?

Key personnel no longer ask for your opinion.
You have been passed up for a promotion.
You have gone from being a stellar performer to doing nothing right.
The plum assignments keep going to other people.
Your boss tells the staff he is open to suggestions. But is he open to suggestions from you?
A larger company is buying out your company.
Everyone in management seems to be bailing.
Work is not fun anymore.

Visit the story on MSN or Monster.com for the full descriptions of each item.

2003-06-24T13:10:00.000-04:00

Next Study: Does rain make things wet?

Thanks to Anything by Ordinary for tipping us off to this scientific "discovery."

Unfair bosses raise blood pressure BBC News
Bosses that people perceive to be unfair not only make your working life a misery - they can also pose a significant threat to your health.
A study has shown that unfair bosses can drive up their employees' blood pressure, increasing their long-term risk of a heart attack or stroke.

I guess at least it offers something conclusive...

2003-06-10T14:23:00.000-04:00

Times Like These

Every once in a while, you get a truly enjoyable moment at work. This one arose from all the spam we get at work. J is one of our two outside salespeople, and G is our manager; it's funniest when you know that he's a mid-20s young man, and she's a mid-40s woman from the UK.

J: "Dammit!"
G: "What is it?"
J: "I opened one of those penis enlargement e-mails!"
(pause)
Me: "Did it work?"
(laughter)
G: "Better not open one of the breast enlargement ones!"

2003-06-05T12:56:00.000-04:00

"That's Some Catch, That Catch-22"

Fun is: Placing an order for a box of 3,000 Avery mailing labels for $38.91, then being told by the person at HQ who supervises supply orders, "White laser address labels changed to a cheaper brand; cost went down to $13.29 from $38.31. But, since supply orders have to be a minimum of $30, we aren't placing your order." If I have to spend $30+, why not just order the more expensive item? Now I'm going to have to order 3 boxes, giving us 9,000 labels, which we have no use for. Or will they tell me that's too many labels to keep on hand?

They also told me they wouldn't order a desk organizer for my boss. If she wants one, she has to buy it herself.

2003-05-28T11:24:00.000-04:00

I Do Not Think Those Words Mean What You Think They Mean

Yesterday, we were promised, by our Chief Operating Officer (who basically runs the company now), several pieces of "good news." Since we've been under a salary freeze for a year, our expectations were pretty high. Here's the "good news" so far:

A senior vice-president was named to the board of directors
A vice-president was promoted to senior vice-president
The salary freeze might be over this year, but it might not. In either case, other companies are laying people off, so be grateful for what you have.

So, let's see . . . a couple of highly-paid executives are getting bigger titles and even higher salaries to come, while the rest of us probably won't get raises again this year, and even though our cost of living isn't exactly getting cheaper, we're supposed to be glad? Wow. I remember when "good news" meant something besides, "Some other person got a major promotion, and by the way, we're not going to kick you in the groin as hard as we did last year."

2003-05-27T11:15:00.000-04:00

The Answer I wanted to Give

Today I was asked, "Do you save those pricing estimates for [product X] that you work up for prospects?" The answer I gave was, "Yes, yes I do." The answer I wanted to give was, "No, I destroy them immediately after providing them to you, erasing the file, reformatting my hard drive and burning any extand hard copies, so that I have to re-invent the wheel every time."

I was asked this exact same question, by the same person, less than two weeks ago, by the way.

2003-05-23T21:58:00.000-04:00

Setting the Mood

"I don't have anything against work. I just figure, why deprive somebody who really loves it."
~ Dobie Gillis

"When a man tells you that he got rich through hard work, ask him: 'Whose?'"
~ Don Marquis

"Nothing is work unless you'd rather be doing something else."
~ George Halas

"I find it rather easy to portray a businessman. Being bland, rather cruel and incompetent comes naturally to me."
~ John Cleese

"If work were nice, the rich would not have left it to the poor."
~ Haitian proverb

"The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat."
~ Lily Tomlin

2003-05-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

Leave a Brother's Desk Alone

If there's one thing that's supposed to be sacrosanct in the workplace, it's "Don't fuck with another guy's desk." That dictum seems to be well-adhered-to at my workplace . . . for everyone's desk but mine. Examples:

At the far edge of my desk, I have two black stacked trays. The bottom one is for material I need to file; the top one is clearly and neatly labeled "[MY] INBOX." I find everything but incoming material in that box. Stacks of new sales collaterals from our corporate offices? In my inbox. Something someone found sitting, sent, on the fax machine? In my inbox. Outgoing mail? (Which we'll get to another time, believe me.) My inbox.

Where do I find actual stuff that should be in my inbox? Why, in the tray under my monitor, of course! Where else?
People -- and by "people" I mean "our manager" -- stop by my desk all the time after printing out material on the color printer (which is a few feet from my desk), and grab my stapler in order to staple the printouts together. Not that I'm pulling a Milton here, but a) there is a stapler sitting in between the printer and the fax machine, b) there are two extra staplers in the closet next to the printer, and c) after she takes it, she leaves it on the large table where our server sits, instead of putting it back on my desk.

Yesterday, I went and got one of the extra staplers, and put it on that table. The next time my manager came by and asked, "Can I just grab your stapler?" I replied, "There's one sitting on that table now." So she picked it up, then managed to put that one back on my desk and said, "I'll leave it here, then, so I can just grab it next time!"
On my desk is a little ceramic figurine of Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet, given to me by my wife. Several months ago, it fell of my desk, and both figures broke off of the base; also, one of Pooh's ears and one of Piglet's legs broke. I've left it on my desk, broken, in anticipation of repairing it. Yesterday, my manager sees it and starts messing with it, "Oh, how sad, it's broken, blah blah blah." Then, she props the figures up on the base, and says, "Oh, see, it will stay!" Which of course it won't, not to mention that I don't want it sitting in the middle of my desk where it can be knocked around and possibly damaged further.

Just . . . leave a brother's desk alone, you know?