July 20, 2006

>> Sick of the "Office Stars"

[ Work ]

I'm not that frickin' dumb writes...

"Why is it that in every workplace there is some yutz who thinks that whenever the supervisor isn't in the room, he/she becomes the supervisor?

I'm a temp. Laura, a co-worker assigned to "train" me at an assignment, was correct to retrieve the memos I'd sent out with handwritten corrections. You don't do that. You re-type the memo with the corrections in it. She left the pulled memos in a stack on my desk with a note saying I should re-type them. That's ALL she had to do. Where it was over the limit was that the page-long handwritten note she left went on and on about how I shouldn't do anything on my own, but always check with her first. (Not show initiative? I thought initiative was a good thing.) The clincher was, "I've already apologized to Grant (the supervisor) for you." This ticked me off because I'm quite capable of apologizing to Grant for myself when I make a mistake, and furthermore, when I later did so, Grant didn't really give a rat's @$$. Laura, and only Laura, was the one who thought it was such a big fat slimy deal. When she went on a European vacation, she was given a send-off party and handed a card saying, "This office is going to fall apart without you." I was there to fill her position while she was on vacation. Thanks for the confidence.

Joyce, another co-worker at a grocery store, was NOT assigned to train me. But boy, did she snoopervise. She's the kind who works about 60 or 70 hours a week and thinks everybody else is lazy because they "only" work 30 or 40. If we worked on the same line, she didn't pause or help if I got bogged down. All she was about was showing what a good, efficient worker SHE was, forget about teamwork. Her instructions were often in direct opposition to what the manager had told me to do, and when I went with the manager's instructions anyway, Joyce would criticize me right there in front of customers. I'd offered a mother with small children help to the car with her groceries, and she declined. A short time later she changed her mind, and Joyce cut me down to two inches high with, "You need to help customers to the car. She's got small children; she needs all the help she can get." I checked out a customer who bought a mylar helium balloon to which she had tied a candy bar. The candy was heavy enough to weigh the balloon down and keep it from floating away. I rang up both the candy and the balloon, she declined a bag, and I set the purchase down on the belt while she paid, whereupon Joyce threw a fit. "You have to watch that balloon! It's going to float away!" Of course Joyce shut her yap when she saw that the balloon was weighted, but how the hell did she think I got to be 30+ years old and not know that helium balloons float?

God, I'm sick of people who make it their mission in life to make other people feel as stupid as possible."

01:00 AM - Posted by Disgruntled

July 11, 2006

>> Where's the busy person?

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Taskman writes...

"Okay, I work at a school. There are seven technical support people who are non-teaching and assist the teachers. For assist read 'do everything for'.

Earlier this year a teacher in my faculty screwed up big time. She was about to go on maternity leave and had been coasting on project work for 5 months. The head of the faculty asked me what state the projects were in so I told him. He panicked. He told the school senior management

So he chews me out because the senior management chewed him out. He gets on my back every day, I am given deadlines to assist and complete work preparation for over 60 pupils in three different year groups who are all taking examinations and submitting coursework.

Coursework which hasn't been started by the teacher who is going on maternity break. She leaves. He continues to chew me out for not clearing deadlines. I am taking work home at night, more at the weekend and then ... The IT guy gets ill with stress and goes on leave so I get all his work as well. He has raised blood pressure...

So now I'm on call for IT related problems. All these teachers took a course four to five years ago on how to utilise (i'm choosing my words carefully) .. that's utilise ... a computer. Four years on they can barely turn one on, their kids illegally download copyrighted music and install all sorts on these laptops that cause the performance to take a nose dive. So I have to get them back to speed again. And the cycle continues. One teacher brings back a portable computer that her son has damaged the USB socket in, three times. (If you meet resistance, stop pushing and re-orientate the plug). There's all sorts wrong and my head of faculty is chewing me out again why his work isn't completed. This is the guy who doesn't work if he has no class to attend to. He sits on his ass and uses the school telephone system to make personal calls, calls to his builders, his painters, his electricians, his wife, his in-laws, his parents. The pupils have noticed the amount of time he spends on the telephone...

So I formulate a plan because I have a stack of work to do to bring a room up to code on H&S. I ask for help, I'm promised it.

Then, in the middle of this I get another 'job' - a special project that 8 teachers have been trained for and one technician has not... So now I have my head of faculty on my back, I have the IT liaison guy on my back (IT guy still off) and I have the guy in charge of this special project on my back.

I work like a crazy person right up to the end of the final term and I'm promised help to print out over 100 reports that are being printed on a new system that only I can grasp the potential of.

End of term, I take the next day off and relax ... for about 5 minutes because I realise I cannot take off two weeks vacation, I'll never get the H&S work finished. Teh help I asked for never came. The other technicians have staggered their vacation time so that the wrong people are in at the wrong time to be of no help to me. I complete the major work first and haven't started the minor work and my head of faculty (after enjoying 9 weeks off) gets on my back again and I've been given a class to teach although I am not qualified and I can do nothing about it except suck it up and suffer in silence because the union I need to join is banned in my workplace and joining unions is actively discouraged except amongst the teachers.

The crunch came two weeks ago when the HdofFac bitched to me about the Head giving me work to do. I eventually called his bluff and forced him to phone her then he lies to her about what I had told him. Just so he could feel big and important.

If I didn't need the money, I'd have left this place a long time ago.

I love the work I do, I just hate most of the people I work with, with a vengeance."

01:00 AM - Posted by Disgruntled

July 01, 2006

>> JLo Wanna Be & Major Slacker

[ Work ]

Jovana writes...

"I work in a small and totally pretentious office in L.A. where everyone is expected (like usual) to work long hours and be totally 100% dedicated to the job when we are here. Unfortunately, the owner is a miser and pays a couple of positions very low, so the type of person that is attracted to this position often times is a little questionable.

I have a female co-worker that has filled one of these low-paying positions and is so totally annoying in a JLo wanna be type of way that I have moved my desk so I don't have to around her any longer.

Thankfully, I was able to hide my reasoning to the boss by saying that I wanted to sit by his office, since we work so closely. Ugh. Lesser of two evils.

This girl is young, and I do keep that in mind, but is so unprofessional it's a glaring red light in her seat where her body should be.

She strolls in late, takes long lunches, plays on the computer all day, IMs, talks on her cell phone, makes personal calls, leaves the office at least 8 times a day to smoke, and has photos of herself on her desk to name a few things.

To sum it up: She is one of those low=class JLo wanna-be's and she even has tape-recorded sessions of herself singing, which she listens to all day long. UGH!!!

To make things worse, she is in client services and our clients are mostly men and when she speaks to them on the phone, she uses a very low, very sexy, very flirty voice LOUDLY that is so irritating, I want to run out of the office!

I finally had to speak up to her immediate supervisor (a friend of mine) about her style of dress one day because her outfit was so ridiculous: boobs hanging out of her top and a skirt that was flimsy and see through (she wasn't wearing any underwear), you could see her butt! That coupled with her personality and work ethic, and I couldn't take it one more second.

You ask, am I a prude or a office nerd. Not at all! I am a very stylish, attractive woman, intelligent, hard working, professional and quite nice to be around."

01:00 AM - Posted by Disgruntled

June 25, 2006

>> The Day After I Came in Late...

[ Work ]

Bac-Ky writes...

"I'm on my fourth month in IT at a large corporation. My manager is a bit older than me and at times I feel that he tries to show me that he's cool with me. One day recently I came in late because (seriously) I got a new alarm clock and I set it incorrectly.

I usually get in around 8. That particular day I got in at 9:30. I had called him at 8:30 and left a message letting him know that I'd be late. So I come in and he's supposedly cool about everything. I even mentioned that I was going to stay until 6 because I came in late. He told me that wasn't necessary and how my one coworker comes in late at times and isn't given a hard time about it. So I figure everything is cool.

Anyway, freakin' the next morning my manager sends out an e-mail to our group reminding us that we need to be in by 8:30. So I'm thinking, WTF? I'm going on 4 months now and not once was there any type of communication from my manager about us having to be in by 8:30. How coincidental that the morning right after I come in late he sends out that e-mail.

Well, there are 2 sides to this from my view, neither of which is good on my manager's part:

1) My lateness reminded him to notify our group about being in by 8:30. If this is the case, then it was such bad timing on his part to send out the e-mail the morning after I came in late for the first time. Shit, at least freakin' wait a week or two. Talk about feeling like you're being targeted….

2) He's secretly a backstabbing two-faced bitch and didn't have the balls to say anything to me face-to-face. I'd hate to think this is the case though. But I figure he's got 20 some years in, so he's just trying to get his 30 in and retire. And he's going to do what it takes to get there, even if that includes being two-faced to his subordinates.

At this point I'm going to try to lay low and feel out my manager some more. Initially I thought he was cool, but once in a while he does something that makes me lose a bit of respect for him. I just feel that he's not assertive enough at times, probably because he doesn't want to 'rock the boat' now that he's got so many years in.

Anyway, the company is not bad, the job itself has some interesting moments, and the salary is decent. Plus, I plan to leave within 3 years, so I can hang in there."

01:00 AM - Posted by Disgruntled

June 23, 2006

>> Little Ms. Pollyanna

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Miserable in the Midwest writes...

"I hate my job. I work in a small office within the confines of a major univeristy in the Midwest. This is the most high-school office I have ever worked in. One of the maain characters I'll call the head cheerleader because that what she reminds me of is a high school cheerleader that is so nice to everyones face and then totally stabs them in the back. The next central character is my boss who I'll classify as the head cheerleaders best-friend or lackey. Between these two entire hierarchy of this office is run like a high school society. Then you have all the little underlings who came into the company with the head-cheerleader type. These are her girls and they can do no wrong, ever.

All the unprofessional screaming, giggling, yelling across the office and the totally unprofessional mode of dress. The head cheerleader is FAT and she walks around wearing clothes meant for women half her size. Of course the lackey does it too (which it looks better on her but hey we are supposed to be running a professional office here.) Flip flops, tank tops, capri pants that are inappropriately tight, etc.

The two and three hours lunches in the main office area where they distracted the rest of us who only took our hour for lunch with the loud talking, laughing, screaming across the office, flirting with the maintenance guys that are also loafing. At any given time two or three of these girls are conducting personal relationships with the maintenance guys but the rest of us have to live in fall out when the relationships go bad, which they always do.

I just don't understand the whole thing about cliques. Never have. If these two decide you are crap then you are crap and you'll be crap until the day you finally get fed up with all of it and quit. It does no good to go to highers up within the University because they never come around and they believe whatever these two tell them. God forbid the Queen Bee finds out you bitched about her to a higher up. You really are screwed then.

We have people in this office that have been in their position more than a year and still cannot perform their job even at an entry level. But if you kiss the butts of these two you can be stupider than a box of rocks and still collect a paycheck. My position is fairly high stress and the b.s. that goes on just makes it worse. I am currently trying to find another position within the University but I am also looking elsewhere. I just don't understand why cliques exist. It has made a fairly tolerable job extremely miserable. I hate my job."

01:00 AM - Posted by Disgruntled

June 21, 2006

>> Slited a 3rd time!

[ Work ]

Frusterated & Unfair!!!!! writes...

"To try and make a long story short. I have been with a hospital for 7 years and for the last 3 worked at assisted living center which is also managed by the hospital.

I have been trying to get on day to no avail. I give great patient care, have had minor mistakes in two areas in signing of at the end of my shift.(Which they did not bother to tell me until I intervied for the postions to hold over my head)

The girls which was hired reported to one other staff member that there is going to be wome upset staff.(before any of us where interviewd, like she was already promised the job)

I have heard my boss call other staff to come in to pick up the girls hours since her x boyfriend my follow her home. We have had to listen to this girls porblems for over 1 year now, stating that she is a single mom and now has antother child with the boyfriend. How bad she needs day hours ect....

Well I have a family also and have been working to move myself up the ladder..no one can see it seems.

I don't bring my struggles to work, and work is patient focused always. They only had great things to say about that. They only nit picked on the minor issues.

I want to get out of there, but I need the insurance to better my family and it is only 5 min. from my home.

Do you think I should move on? What can I do about my boss from promising and talking about others.

Frusterated and unfair."

01:00 AM - Posted by Disgruntled

June 18, 2006

>> The Workers Guide to Recognizing Malicious Behaviors or What the Fuss?!

[ Work ]

Maighread McFey writes...

"Irritating laughter, smelly foods, farters, flushers, people who hum, break out in song, play the radio, and other generally silly behavior I have no problem with as long as none of this is done maliciously. I can even tolerate the person who refuses to participate in office social functions, because, dag nabbit, it's not really all that important to me if strangers sign my birthday, sympathy, or get well soon card. However, I have had enough of the following and maybe you have too:

1. Gossips: A lot of people don't seem to realize that if you request or are given information about a person, and it is not your business to tell ANYONE... If you tell, you ARE a gossip-- without a doubt. So, now that you know, STOP IT!

2. Inquisitionist: The seemingly harmless curious people in the office who ask lots of questions about your personal life and then tell others. This person is also a gossip who innocently gets offended when you set a firm boundary by telling them from the start that you don't answer personal questions. But take heed, tell them ANYTHING, and they or someone else you've not even told will use the information against you later.

3. Paranoid freaks: Usually a product of gossips, inquisitionists, bullies, slackers, and other malicious co-workers OR people who just forgot to take their psych meds. Some people could be a combination of the two. Really no of way of telling early on, which category your freak falls into, but with time, prove yourself to be a trustworthy co-worker or even a trustworthy friend and you'll be able to tell. If despite a consistent record of trustworthy behavior your freak still acts paranoid, inform your supervisors that the company may benefit from psychiatric coverage in the insurance plan-- that is unless the freak IS your supervisor.

4. Bullies, Loafers (aka Slackers), Micromanagers, and the people who try to gossip about or make fun of you in code while you're present or in your absence: You know them when you see them. They make your life miserable and you want to offer them a warehouse of beat down. However, because you like paying your bills and/or feel that your work options are limited, you tolerate the behavior. It really is best to set the boundaries early. I am a firm believer that we teach others how to treat us and I have been guilty of allowing annoying behaviors to slide in order to appear amiable or just to keep the peace. Yet I guarantee you, once you identify the behavior, tell that person that the behavior is offensive, and that you intend to protest the behavior by keeping any social interaction to a bare minimum, the behavior will stop. Most humans, typically being social creatures, will respond appropriately by discontinuing the behavior-- at least with you. However, if the behavior continues, run don't walk... YOU ARE DEALING WITH A PSYCHO OR SOCIOPATH. If the offensive behavior continues with a smile, visit your local Catholic Church for large quantities of Holy Water and look in the Yellow Pages under "Exorcism".

5. Posers: People who appear to be nice, hard working, and religious/spiritual around co-workers of import, but when you're alone with them, they are mean, vindictive, lazy, and anything but enlightened. Avoid this person too because they can have other people thinking that you are mean, vindictive, lazy, and unenlightened.

6. The bosses and co-workers who act as though you live only to work: These people want you to put in not only overtime, but extra overtime-- without pay. They may possibly take work home, ignore their families and friends, and be cranky (as they've gone a long time without sex in some form, a proper meal, vacation, or even a quality homegrown bowel movement). However, there are those who don't fit this criteria, they're just greedy capitalist taskmasters with unrealistic expectations. I have found these people can exist everywhere, but especially in the medical field and corporate circles. Usually the only way to solve this problem is to go into work for yourself and try hard not to become the greedy capitalist taskmaster with unrealistic expectations. For those of you who feel you may fall into this category of annoying co-workers, realize that a good 8 hours of hard work never hurt anyone, but most people want to see the spouses that they married or the children they intended to rear. Shucks, some people just like to have the other 16 hours for sleeping and enjoying life. Besides, you can only ignore you personal life for the sake of the business or success for so long before you lose EVERYTHING! Have we learned nothing from Dickens' A Christmas Carol?! Realize, that when you're sitting on your deathbed clinging to the feeble dollars you've made over the years and cannot take into the afterlife with you, that your spouse (who has been shtuping your best friend) and children will only shed angry, bitter tears at your memorial, IF they've stuck around that long. If you want to prevent this, go home, make sweet, passionate love to your spouse, followed by a round of something deliciously kinky or freaky, eat a good meal, have a smooth b.m. at home, wash your hands, and then go play with the kids. Oh yeah, resist the temptation to crunch time by making sweet, passionate love to your spouse while eating (or doing any of the other suggestions) and then passing it off as something kinky or freaky. Take your T-I-M-E.

Now, I end with the following: Most times amiable conversation and social gestures make for a pleasant environment. All that most co-workers ask is that communication and gestures be done for the purposes of making the workplace enjoyable. So, before you ask a question, make a statement, or engage in social activities, question your motivation. Are you doing it because you like to see others have a good time, including yourself or are you doing it to annoy, to get ahead, or to APPEAR to be nice? If so, save yourself the trouble, chill out, and follow at least one of the suggestions given under #6. You'll find that you'll enjoy life more if you do. Also know that the person with the irritating laugh or smelly foods, farters, flushers, hummers and singers who break out in song, radio players, and engagers of other generally silly behavior may not be trying to ruin your day, but may be bringing their own slice of heaven to the workplace (though hell for you). They are not necessarily doing these things out of malice. Remember, it's all just a matter or tolerance-- but malice need never be tolerated."

01:00 AM - Posted by Disgruntled

June 07, 2006

>> Insurance woes

[ Work ]

22andlost writes...

"I'm 22 years old and recently got a job with an insurance company. It's the kind of company that likes to hire recent college grads or students that are at least 3 months away from graduation. I went to college for Information Technology but applied for this job anyway because I needed the money. I got the job and they offered my $38,000/year. This is more money than I have ever made. Although I would have to drive 50 miles to work one way, I took the job.

My first day there, I could tell that perhaps I hadn't made the right decision. I was told by a few people that our office had a high turnover rate and that 12 people had left since April and that 2 more people were on their way out. I was told it was because management didn't know how to talk to people decently and were at times, very rude.

Also, my supervisor needs me to go on travel for training but hasn't even given me a date yet. She just tells me that it will be next week somtime. This travel will consist of 2 days in another state and I don't even know when I'm going.

I also work in an office full of people that complaing about their jobs all the time! I'm pretty sure at least 2 of the ladies don't like me because I am one of the few people who get flex hours. I've only been there for a week and they don't want to help me when I have questions since my supervisor is never available to assist me.

I'll be graduating in about 2 months and am very unhappy there. My unhappiness is really affecting my life and I miss working with computers. I'm thinking about quitting and taking a part-time job so that I'll have more time to study for my certification exams for IT. Any advice?"

01:00 AM - Posted by Disgruntled

May 25, 2006

>> Lost In Translation

[ Work ]

Ex-Subtitler writes...

"Okay, I hope this post clears out a lot of things to a lot of people in a lot places.

I used to work in the media (yeah, that's right, movies, television, music videos, the stuff.) I am in India, and I used to sub-title these things into English, every damn dialogue ever said. (Those itsy bitsy dialogue rips you see in foreign movies, at the bottom of the screen?)

Well, I started out in what is called as a 'Fresher Job', had to travel in trains, buses and what nots for the princey sum of INR 3,500, that's right. Indian National Rupees 3,500. (One USD = 45 INR). I grew gradually in the small establishment and within two months I got a Work-At-Home Package from the same company. I took up the offer thinking that I'd progress.

I Was Wrong.

The Work-At-Home job caged me in my house. The boss quickly put up into fake deadlines, which had me wake up and work at the pc from seven in the morn to three in the night sometimes. What really made me homicidal was that the job I did was stuck somewhere because the other person who was to do it couldn't, because it was his weekly holiday.

The pay was pathethic, and by the fag end, I was paid for TWO MONTHS together and not one month. The gripe was for the boss to KEEP our money so as that we didnt leave the job, (thinking about the one month salary he kept).

Well, the job is behind me now, and I am in the creative media now."

01:00 AM - Posted by Disgruntled