For the past 9 years of my life I have dedicated much of my time to my current employer – foolish yes I know. For the first few years things were fine, then my supervisor left and I took on her position. I’m not sure what possessed me to do so at the time, maybe a desire to prove I could do it, the hope of better pay, promises of advancement and profit sharing. However, from June 2000- February 2003 the situation was a disaster. There were extreme difficulties finding a competent and sane full time assistant and part-time bookkeeper. (Also factoring into this difficulty was the fact that the owners were not offering enough to attract good candidates) During this tumultuous time we hired and lost Red, Rino, CryBaby, Con-artist, Crazy, NoCo, Possessed, NotEnuff, College Girl, Sorority Girl, School Girl, Psycho, Blondie, and the 2 who are here currently (whom I love them both). This was all just in the office. Our faculty went through some changes as well – over 25 instructors have come and gone in these few years.
I have been here through it all. I have been the one picking up the slack – bookkeeping (manually), learning new computer programs, handling the near 1000 cliental, between 6-8 annual performances, hiring and firing, reprimands, covering classes, schedule creation and adjustments, retail manager/salesperson, accounts receivables, delinquent accounts, legal representative, supplies, computer tech, copy machine tech, cleaning, plumber, psychologist, nurse, correspondences, liability control, detective, advertising executive, public relations, personal assistant, security, receptionist, and dear Lord I’m probably forgetting a few things.
I’ve tried to quit twice. The first time I was enticed with, what I consider a bribe. The second time, a family emergency required me to reevaluate my decision. My raises have been generous; however they have not truly compensated me for all my time and effort. And then again, to my knowledge, only ONE person has received any kind of raise in the past three years. We have also lost close to 200 cliental in the one business and over a 50% decline in sales for the other. But ONE person has still received a raise – and other financial compensations.
I tried to quit again a few years ago. Had another job lined up but realized that going to another similar position was not going to be the answer. At this point I made the decision to go back to school to become and educator of the young. I know that it is not an easy job, but there are many more rewards that touch my soul – these rewards are priceless. I was honest with my employer and we worked together to establish a plan that would enable me to keep my current position, attend school, and hire a replacement. All was right with the world – until…….
In February a co-worker (who has since left) was instructed to change the passwords to the financial records and not tell anyone. Odd, as I was the only other person who had those passwords.
A conflict between the boss and the BFB. This went on for several months and the boss was quite annoyed. She asked for my assistance with her written responses to the BFB, and I maintained our confidentiality, however she shared with someone that I was assisting. Then she began to share the correspondences with select cliental. She mentioned the possibility the BFB was not going to be with us much longer or that the capacity of her position was to be altered – we had to wait until the end of the year. Then we had to wait until after this one last public appearance (where more drama occurred and according to some boss let certain people down through her support of BFB). Then we were waiting for the BFB to approach the boss. BFB and family invited boss and family over for dinner one night. When asking the boss the following morning how things went, we were given the response – everything is fine BFB understands – then off to her office she went. Since that day BFB has been given more control and the BFB and boss are the best of friends. I wonder if BFB is aware of how Boss was acting during their conflict?
BFB has shown up in the office saying she was ready to work. BFB has never worked in the office. Her BP was not supposed to have office hours this year, yet she is here more than ever. This I found out when BP continually arrives in the office, sits behind a computer, answers phones, and announces to clients “I’M HERE NOW” (even though I was standing right there). Also BFB has arranged with Boss for certain clients to work in the office, of which again I don’t find out until I have other clients tell me someone new was working and unable to assist them. When I have inquired about this to Boss I receive a matter of fact reply like I should have known this or it wasn’t any of my business anyway.
You know the new hire situation already. We don’t need to revisit that. There are a few amendments – when making suggestions to Boss that new hire should handle something there is a reason from Boss for her not too, and new hire’s name is on Boss’ to-do-list.
Boss has been looking over my shoulder lately. And I mean this literally. Instead of asking me for my rolodex, she is walking behind me and reaching for it. She is looking at paperwork on my desk. She has attempted to look at my computer screen when I am not there to see what I am working on – but I changed my screen saver password – so HAHAHAHAHA.
She has made a comment to me while I was on the phone with a client advising me to make sure I was being nice cuz we won’t want to loss someone cuz I wasn’t nice. I mean is she for real? The client was going off on the phone, she wasn’t even listening, and I was stern but not mean. So I told her that if she thought I wasn’t being nice and not handling the situation properly that she should get on the phone. Boss got on the line –as the client was still carrying on. The client questioned her identity and Boss claimed that she was me! Later in conversation the client questioned her identity again, and Boss (apparently forgetting she lied) claimed she was a co-worker that wasn’t even in the office that day! The client caught her in the lie and Boss talked her way out of it by claiming she misunderstood the client’s first inquiry into her identity. A second occasion arose where a client needed to be called. Again I was warned to be nice for the same reason. I told Boss that if she felt I would not handle the situation professionally after working with her for 9 years that she should make the call herself. Boss called client, and well the situation with said client still exists and remains unresolved – not to mention a potential liability for Boss if anything ever goes wrong.
Boss has been having cryptic conversations with male boss and BFB. This started with BFB in the office one day. Boss had instructed me to sit in the front office, instead of my normal desk, so I did. BFB came in mid-day and expressed that she needed a desk so I advised her to use Boss’s desk. Then BFB asked for the computer password, I have been instructed to not release this information to anyone, so I claimed I did not know the new password. I said if she needed a computer to give me a few minutes to clear off the desk I was at and she could come out there. Given my history with BFB, it would be easier to relinquish the front desk rather than any other situation. No response. I see a phone line light up. After a few minutes I hear “THIS IS RIDICULOUS!” From the front office I ask what the problem is and receive another similar comment. I respond with “the attitude in unappreciated I am attempting to find an alternate solution to your problem. BFB says that that is not the point. I clear off the front desk anyway and move to my desk. I notice that BFB has gained access to the Boss’s computer. One must now assume that BFB was on the phone with Boss who not only gave her the password, but must have sold me out by letting BFB know that I knew the password all along hence the dramatic “THIS IS RIDICULOUS!”. Thanks Boss.
A few days later….
I happen to be in the front office again, speaking with a client – we are both standing on either side of the desk. BFB walks all around said desk, opening drawers, placing down a book to my right, reaching over me to grab a pen – not once did she address me, ask me to move, ask for my help. A few moments later BFB is standing in front of new hire’s desk with Boss. The conversation is quiet. Then I can hear Boss say “no one is sitting at that desk you can use it”. BFB: “but she’s been standing there”. Boss: “she won’t be for too long”. A few more whispered words, then I faintly hear – Boss: “well we just have to be patient”. BFB: “you should talk to her”. Boss: “it’s just a matter of time”. I confirmed what I over heard with the new hire. Do they think I’m stupid?
Comments are consistently passed between BFB and her cronies about me. I have heard them, and others have confirmed what I have heard.
Boss is now going through the procedures book asking about its accuracy. I tell her that it is and there are only a few minor adjustments needed. One day one of my co-workers that I love (herein referred to as CWL) attempted to complete a project with the use of the procedures book. CWL is quite frustrated with the company we work for as well. Due to her frustration her desire to work is in the toilet – no that mine is any better. CWL had the procedures book open, but was still referring to me about how to do the project. I was helping her, at one point sitting next to her and doing it with her. After I left CWL continued to experience problems, some were due to the computer, she reached a point where she couldn’t do anymore and left me a message for me explaining the situation. When I arrived the next day I finished the project. 2 days later Boss comes in and in an accusatory tone of voice asks me why CWL had difficulties following the procedures in the book if I claim the book to be accurate. I now grabbed the book and sat down with my boss and made her walk through the project with the procedures book. As we were going through it I asked “Do you think those instructions were confusing?” My boss with LITTLE computer knowledge was able to walk through the project. After 2 hours, Boss said that she needed to be working on something else and we could finish this another day. That day has yet to arrive. But again I had to prove myself to her.
My work hours will be changing in a few months due to my education. Boss and I began to discuss this and she assured me that she would be flexible with it as we had originally agreed. She inquired about how it was going to affect me financially. (Realistically I won’t be working full time therefore I cannot expect to be paid my current salary). I shared with her how someone suggested me attempting to collect unemployment. Boss QUICKLY shot out the question, “How can you collect unemployment if there is work available to you?” I was taken aback by this question, even though a part of me was expecting it. When BP applied for unemployment due to “lack of work”, Boss signed off on it. But I am posed with this question?! After all my service and devotion?! How UnGrateful!!!!!
A faculty member has a daughter that has been ill for the past 2 years. This has been brought on by the trauma of a death. The daughter is an important part of our work family and sees BFB almost on a daily basis. Daughter has been poorly treated by BFB since the trauma began. BFB has inundated her with angry questions about the trauma, consistently brings up reminders, and then haunts her mother (fellow faculty member) with accusations that she is not handling the daughter properly. With this description I am merely touching the tip of the iceberg.
One day the daughter was in the doctor’s office and her illness had taken a serious turn. Faculty Member mom (FMM) left her daughter at the doctor’s office to come to work – out of guilt and fear of what BFB and Boss might think if she didn’t show. FMM attempted to reach out to Boss but could not get her, then she tried BFB (why I don’t know), then she called me. I could hear the panic and grief in her voice. She was hysterical and scared for her daughter. My instinct told her to turn around and go back to her daughter I would find a way to handle her hours. Her fear of Boss and BFB made her continue to drive to work. We got off the phone and I attempted to reach Boss. Unsuccessful in contacting her directly I attempted to contact Boss2. I explained the situation to Boss2 and was told that FMM had a tendency to exaggerate and she should show up to work. I could not believe my ears. I told Boss2 that in the 9 years I worked with FMM I had never heard her this upset and that I needed to speak to Boss immediately. A few moments later Boss called. I explained the situation and she was in agreement that FMM should come to work and explain to the clients that she could only stay for a few minutes due to a family emergency and we were to cancel the next group. While on the phone, BFB came in the office and attempted to reach FMM and Boss. When she discovered I was on the phone with Boss she shouted from the front office that SHE needed to speak with Boss. I picked up the call with FMM and let BFB talk to Boss. I explained to FMM what Boss and I had discussed but then told her to hang on as it was probably about to change as Boss and BFB were talking. However BFB did it, she changed Boss’ mind. BFB spoke to FMM and told her she could not leave early and we were not canceling her second group. BFB was going to go and help FMM with her classes and then BFB attempted to give psychological counseling to FMM. I spoke with Boss and she told me that BFB and FMM had worked everything out and not to worry. How cold. How would Boss feel if her daughter was ill and she was not allowed to be with her? I understand that FMM had the choice to say f- it I’m not going in, but she didn’t. Does my Boss think this is the good Christian way of handling the situation?
FMM’s daughter is still ill. It is going to take a LONG time before she will recover. I hope that in the future FMM will make a better choice about being with her daughter rather than at work.
So here I sit, among hypocrisy, ungrateful and cold beings. If I could only get out of here today. But I am bound by my paycheck and agreement. Bound by a near contract with the Devil.
I pray to maintain my sanity in this insane asylum which has been taken over by the inmates.
I pray for the salvation of my soul.
No comments:
Post a Comment