A Case Of The Mondays: Vent Your Work Spleen Here

[EtheltoTillie]

@Yeah No your view of HR is correct, and it was already true in the 80s and 90s. 

[Yeah No]

2 hours ago, EtheltoTillie said:

@Yeah No your view of HR is correct, and it was already true in the 80s and 90s. 

Hah, maybe I was lucky enough to work at some of the exceptions. It was still good at all of my companies pretty much until the recession of 2008. It changed at UTC when I was working there. Suddenly after that the atmosphere changed with rumors of a white collar layoff, something unprecedented that they had never done before. People worked their entire work lives at this company and I thought there was no reason why I shouldn't be able to be one of them. But suddenly HR was not your friend anymore and everyone was afraid that heads were going to roll. When I was laid off in 2009 along with over 200 other people the HR woman that gave me the news was so upset she was sobbing. I was in a state of shock and so I was consoling HER, not the other way around! I told her I would be OK and that I hoped she found herself in a better line of work in the future.

Then I was on unemployment for 2 years during the recession when nobody was hiring and got nowhere fast looking for a job. On top of that my 80+ year old father in NY needed triple bypass surgery and my hands were full with that. So I didn't get a job until the Fall of 2011. The HR woman that assisted in my hiring at my new company was well over 50 and had been at the company for quite a while. She was "old school" in just about all the best ways so maybe because of that she saw something in me that others might miss. She and my new boss (who was also old school in the best of ways) had a great working relationship as she helped him with his department hiring so I had a lot to do with her when I worked there. She was one of the people that suddenly disappeared one day with no explanation. It was widely believed that she was let go for her age as the company was systematically getting rid of anyone over the age of 55 and getting away with it. Of course I eventually became one of them. But at least I got even with them with my workers' comp./wrongful termination lawsuit! 

[Cloud9Shopper]

Thanks everyone for your insights. 

I have decided to turn down the offer, and while I’m still disappointed that it wasn’t the right offer for me and will be grieving a little, I know staying put is better than taking the offer and potentially having to keep searching if I get burned out or feel dissatisfied in such a short time.

I also think it may be for the best to start my career exploration from scratch and see if something else that could be a good progression from customer service interests me, and I’ll have to take the job I was laid off from off my resume. It seems to only raise concerns with employers rather them viewing it as out of my control and something I didn’t choose to do. I was only at that job less than six months anyway. 

[Yeah No]

12 minutes ago, Cloud9Shopper said:

Thanks everyone for your insights. 

I have decided to turn down the offer, and while I’m still disappointed that it wasn’t the right offer for me and will be grieving a little, I know staying put is better than taking the offer and potentially having to keep searching if I get burned out or feel dissatisfied in such a short time.

I also think it may be for the best to start my career exploration from scratch and see if something else that could be a good progression from customer service interests me, and I’ll have to take the job I was laid off from off my resume. It seems to only raise concerns with employers rather them viewing it as out of my control and something I didn’t choose to do. I was only at that job less than six months anyway. 

Having been laid off I think what employers worry about is that it was called and might have been handled like a lay off when it was really getting fired. A lot of companies will call your termination a lay off so you can keep certain benefits and get unemployment insurance because they really have no good reason to let you go. But hiring people know that and so they worry you're one of those people, not a truly laid off person. When I went job hunting after my lay off in 2009 I made it clear in interviews that I was let go in a "company-wide workforce reduction of 260 people". It was a big company and that made big news around here when it happened so it was something most of them had heard about. Also this was the recession so being laid off for reasons not your fault was not uncommon back then. I also made sure to tell them that several other people in my department got cut with me and several months later the entire department was cut. 

So anyway my advice is to be up front about the circumstances of your lay off in interviews. Make sure they know it was a genuine lay off and the circumstances surrounding it, such as that there were others laid off with you, the department was shut down, whatever you can throw at them so they know it wasn't because they didn't like YOU in particular but because they were cutting corners or whatever they were doing to trim their budgets.

Anyway I think it's for the best that you turned down that offer. I know it's tough, many hugs!

Edited September 3 by Yeah No

[Yeah No]

Speaking of turning down offers, the last offer I turned down was in early 2022. The position was supposedly as an executive admin. to a few "vice presidents" of a medium sized company at a satellite office in the town next to me. They made this position sound like it was on a very high level and supporting only the highest execs. at that office. It started with phone interviews, then Zoom meetings (this was during the pandemic). They never mentioned salary but I did tell HR what I was making in my former position. They seemed very eager and kept talking about all my great skills and experience like they had never interviewed anyone for that position that was on my level. That was my first clue right there.

Anyway to make a long story short, everyone I interviewed with (which included HR and 3 VPs) had a completely different story about who I would be supporting and what the job responsibilities were, etc., even HR. I asked HR to clarify These things for me as well as what the salary would be (no one would tell me that or even give me a ballpark figure). Some of them made it sound like a glorified clerical position supporting many people in lesser ways, while others made it  sound like I was on a much higher level supporting only two or three VPs. By my last Zoom interview, which was back with the HR rep., she told me they were ready to make me an offer. I told her I was never even told what ballpark the salary was in let alone the actual number. She told me she would get with the dept. heads and get back to me. At that point I sort-of knew it was going to be way under what I needed to make and that I was being misled as to how much of an "executive admin." position this really was. I was getting the feeling I was going to be the one and only admin. to the entire department which included both high and low level tasks - which sounded to me like they were trying to get away cheap by making one person do the job of two or even three people and paying them crap to do it. No thanks.

In the end I was offered almost $20,000 less than I was making in my former position 6 years earlier! I told the HR rep. that there was no way I would go that low and that I doubted that they could meet me anywhere near what I might be willing to accept for the position. I already had figured out that it would have been a nightmare of a job just based on all the conflicting information, etc. let alone the lousy salary. So I turned it down. It sucked because in theory it would have been a perfect position to take me the next several years until I decided to retire. But I trusted my gut and knew there was no way I could take that kind of cut for it. I might have considered the job if the salary were higher but even then my gut was telling me this was not a good situation.

[Cloud9Shopper]

Yeah…I think for me I will know the right offer when I see it. I don’t want to accept an offer anywhere if I don’t feel excited about it or have doubts. Last week I was initially thrilled to get the offer only to feel disappointed as I read the fine print and further details.

Anyway, I’ve decided to pull the plug on my search for now. I was getting tired even before the offer came along, and getting no results or mediocre offers has made it easy for me to decide to just take a break. Hopefully when I’m ready to jump back in I have a clearer head and a better strategy for success. I am still open to a promotion at my current company if that opportunity ever comes up too. 

[Cloud9Shopper]

I’m considering quitting my grocery store job for two reasons:

-My boss never seems to listen to my availability. I told her when I was hired I needed to work Sundays after 12. I was getting put on the schedule on Sunday mornings, reminded her and it stopped for a while. Last week she did it again. So now I’ve had to remind her again. She also put me on next Saturday until 2:30 even though I said I could only work until 2 due to an event. 

-I am now apparently a fall person for the lazy teenagers I work with who don’t want to now work ever or maybe once a week now that school is back in. I’ve been closing every Friday night lately. I feel like they should have to share the load a bit or quit the job if it’s not important to them. I know I was a teenager once but it’s not my responsibility to always work so they can go to football games and be out with their friends. I would like a Friday night off too. It’s not my problem they are irresponsible and immature. I deserve a life too. Maybe after working all week I’d like Friday night to relax and go shopping or out to eat for a meal that isn’t fast food on the way home. 

Fortunately I need a weekend off in a couple weeks because my parents will be away and I’m going to house and dog sit for them. I refuse to go in that Friday night and have already asked for it off. Guess one of these kids will have to give up their social life for a night or meet their friends after work. Oops. And if my boss “forgets” I’m not available that Friday I’ll just go to the store that next week with my notice and then these kids will be screwed and I don’t care. 

 

[Wiendish Fitch]

16 hours ago, Cloud9Shopper said:

I’m considering quitting my grocery store job for two reasons:

-My boss never seems to listen to my availability. I told her when I was hired I needed to work Sundays after 12. I was getting put on the schedule on Sunday mornings, reminded her and it stopped for a while. Last week she did it again. So now I’ve had to remind her again. She also put me on next Saturday until 2:30 even though I said I could only work until 2 due to an event. 

-I am now apparently a fall person for the lazy teenagers I work with who don’t want to now work ever or maybe once a week now that school is back in. I’ve been closing every Friday night lately. I feel like they should have to share the load a bit or quit the job if it’s not important to them. I know I was a teenager once but it’s not my responsibility to always work so they can go to football games and be out with their friends. I would like a Friday night off too. It’s not my problem they are irresponsible and immature. I deserve a life too. Maybe after working all week I’d like Friday night to relax and go shopping or out to eat for a meal that isn’t fast food on the way home. 

Fortunately I need a weekend off in a couple weeks because my parents will be away and I’m going to house and dog sit for them. I refuse to go in that Friday night and have already asked for it off. Guess one of these kids will have to give up their social life for a night or meet their friends after work. Oops. And if my boss “forgets” I’m not available that Friday I’ll just go to the store that next week with my notice and then these kids will be screwed and I don’t care. 

 

I hope it all works out for you. I desperately want to quit my grocery store job... trouble is, people aren't exactly pounding down my door to hire me. Work has been pretty stressful. We are so short-staffed it's tragicomic. The grocery crew and I, we don't even take breaks anymore. 8 or 9 hours is pretty goddamned long to go without even a 30 minute meal, considering all the work we have to do (I also work the closing shift, which suuuuuuuuucks). I also cannot trust my schedule, because I either get called in 2 hours earlier than I'm initially scheduled, or they ask me to work on my day off. I usually say no to the latter, but that means someone else has to give up their day off, and then it's on my conscience. I hate that I can't plan my life, or take my schedule as a given. I've just been a ball of anxiety (moreso than usual) these days, and it's made worse knowing that my managers don't give a tinker's fart about us. 

[Cloud9Shopper]

In my store’s employee Facebook group yesterday one of the supervisors was begging for help and for someone to come in because they had three call-outs. No, sorry, I’ve done enough and it’s *my* day off and I’m having a day to myself for a change. A few years earlier I was more passive and would have helped out even if I didn’t fully want to. But now I’m like, nope sorry; make one of these kids come in. I ignored her message and went about my day, going to a hair appointment and catching up on chores. I decided that I really want to try to shed my people pleaser side, which doesn’t mean, of course, never helping out or becoming rude or mean. But I’m no longer always going to be the fall person or the dependable one. 

One of the teenagers called out yesterday because….she had her driving test. I took mine about 10 years ago (I was a late bloomer on the driving front, which is a separate discussion) and there’s no way hers lasted all 13 hours the store is open. Mine was maybe 30 minutes at most even when you factor in check-in, the instructor asking you the basics about how to operate the car and demonstrating and then the quick drive and getting my picture taken. She could have gone to work later and been a bit more of a team player rather than blowing off the whole day. That’s what I did after mine; told my boss I needed a few hours off and then went to work once I had time to get home and get ready (and I went in with my license in hand, which was pretty cool to show off to my coworkers).

Edited September 8 by Cloud9Shopper

[BlueSkies]

It was bittersweet to me to see an old company I used to work for building go up for sale.  It feels like sort of a complete end to that chapter in my life.

 

At the time I was pretty miserable working there and got laid off.  My Dad used to tell me nothing lasts forever when I told him about the place.  It wasn't what I wanted to hear at the time but he turned out to be right.

 

Management there made life for the employees very difficult but I feel being older now I could have handled it better.  Plus I used to talk a little to the other employees there and were around the same age as me and somewhat on the same path in life.  There's some of that I miss a little.

 

But yeah it's bittersweet 

Edited September 22 by BlueSkies

[Bookish Jen]

I'm starting to get a weird vibe at work. I haven't gotten any negative feedback. My output is excellent. But I don't know how much longer I'll be here. I've updated my resume, and I'm putting my feelers out. I hate to be so paranoid but all if my workplace trauma makes that damn near impossible.

[Cloud9Shopper]

I ended up turning down the job offer I got a few weeks ago. The PTO package and the 100% on-site requirement with no increase in pay made it a dealbreaker. Believe me I agonized until the last possible minute, but looking back, I believe that if it were the right offer I’d have had no hesitation or reluctance about taking it. 

But at the same time, staying in my current role much longer isn’t the answer either. I upset a customer yesterday, not by doing anything obviously out of bounds by yelling or name calling, but she was unhappy with the service I gave her and insisted on talking to someone higher than me. Now I know my communication with her will be reviewed (this is not the first time she has pushed back and asked for exceptions on something when I have held my ground) and I may be asked why I did or said certain things, or why I didn’t do XYZ. And I’m tired of the scrutiny for stuff that really at the end of the day is not essential to survival or will determine if someone lives or dies or goes bankrupt or what have you. It does make sense for some professions to face a high level of scrutiny and questioning but this isn’t it for me. I’m tired of customers having tantrums to the point where I have to give in and give them what they want so we can avoid them going even further. I’m really stressed about what will happen to me and whether the supervisors will see that I was in the wrong. 

I had the idea this morning while doing housework that I’m going back to my old field. (I was an editor before going to the law firm that laid me off which subsequently meant I had to return to customer service to pay the bills.) Was editing always glamorous and exciting and like frolicking through a field of flowers? Of course not. But the work suited my personality more. I had no customer contact and could wear headphones to listen to music and podcasts while I worked. I made mistakes but wasn’t put under such a close microscope and nitpicked when I did. I can manage the stress of deadlines way better than I can cope with 35 calls in queue and the push and pressure to get to everyone as quickly as possible while trying to remember a million different policies and procedures, which will come with my supervisor telling me I shouldn’t be asking certain things if I mess up. 

 

[isalicat]

3 hours ago, Cloud9Shopper said:

had the idea this morning while doing housework that I’m going back to my old field. (I was an editor before going to the law firm that laid me off which subsequently meant I had to return to customer service to pay the bills.) Was editing always glamorous and exciting and like frolicking through a field of flowers? Of course not. But the work suited my personality more.

Sounds like a plan, but I'm curious - are there many jobs available in editing these days? I really don't know and am wondering how much AI or other software tools has replaced humans in this regard. Let us know how it goes!

(Once upon a time I had a side gig for a couple of years proofreading technical publications, which I really enjoyed...I read faster than any other person I know and have almost too much attention to detail - I constantly catch spelling errors and stuff in actual published books, which I find incredible. But I assumed this kind of job had been replaced by bots...)

[StatisticalOutlier]

5 hours ago, isalicat said:

I constantly catch spelling errors and stuff in actual published books, which I find incredible.

You're not alone.  As it happens, last night I read an article in The New Yorker that might be of interest. 

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/05/20/tabula-rasa-volume-four

The second section is called "Proofreading."  It has an example of how "the Gulf of New Mexico" made it past "a literary agent, an acquisitions editor, an editorial assistant, a copy editor, a professional proofreader, at least one publicity editor--and not one of these people had noticed the goddam Gulf of New Mexico."

As for people doing the job, there's an anecdote about a proofreader who was hired to do one of the author's books, and was furious at the fact that she was required to meet with him to go through her finished read.  "She said she did not miss typos and did not make mistakes."  Turns out, not so much.

When I worked for a court of appeals, we'd proofread the final version of every decision by using two law clerks:  both had a copy of the decision and one read it out loud as the other followed along.   If any errors were found, they would be fixed and the law clerks would read and follow-along the entire decision again.  I adored that level of care.

And maybe it was just legend, but in law school I heard that Westlaw, which compiles and publishes court decisions, used typists in some far east country like Indonesia or something, who didn't speak English, and typed the court decisions character-by-character.  What I do know is I don't remember ever seeing a typo in a decision published by Westlaw.

Also, later in the New Yorker article, there's a section called "Final Exam."  The author taught in the Journalism and Creative Writing programs at Princeton, and he'd have his students spell a list of 20 words.  I didn't know it was coming up so I read it, and therefore ruined the test for me.  So I'd advise anyone to have someone else get the words and say them aloud and have you spell them and see how you do. 

[Yeah No]

11 hours ago, Cloud9Shopper said:

I had the idea this morning while doing housework that I’m going back to my old field. (I was an editor before going to the law firm that laid me off which subsequently meant I had to return to customer service to pay the bills.) Was editing always glamorous and exciting and like frolicking through a field of flowers? Of course not. But the work suited my personality more. I had no customer contact and could wear headphones to listen to music and podcasts while I worked. I made mistakes but wasn’t put under such a close microscope and nitpicked when I did. I can manage the stress of deadlines way better than I can cope with 35 calls in queue and the push and pressure to get to everyone as quickly as possible while trying to remember a million different policies and procedures, which will come with my supervisor telling me I shouldn’t be asking certain things if I mess up. 

I worked with the public for a while. It was incredibly difficult. I was good at it but it took a toll on me because first of all, I'm not an extravert, and second of all I'm a feeling type and like to help people and it's not always possible to give them what they want or need. This was when I worked at my university, which helped finance my graduate degree thanks to tuition remission. This also was back in the day when there was one person answering the lines of 15 people (no one had their own direct line back then) and transferring calls to them, plus the general information line for the entire university, which was no small job all by itself. That phone rang off the hook all day long! I also scheduled all the recruiting visits for 5 admissions counselors plus handled the student tour guide schedule and booked all the tours. If that sounds like the job of 2 or 3 people, you're right, but I was young and wanted to make a good impression, which of course went nowhere because no one got any recognition from our boss, who was a class A narcissist that everyone HATED. I burned out in that position and managed to move up to a better one in the same department thanks to having the qualifications and belonging to a union. It was more of an admin. position but it also involved helping students. The narcissist boss didn't want me to move out of my former position because I did it too well and he never promoted anyone anyway. But thanks to my union he couldn't stop me from taking that better position. P.S. that boss ended up splitting my old job up between two people after I left it, LOL.

Well, the new position was only a little bit better. At least I wasn't answering a phone that rang off the hook all day long. I stayed there for the free tuition but looking back on it, it was not a positive experience for me and it probably did more damage to my confidence than it was worth. 

And then there was my mother with the Master's in Creative Writing. She kept telling me I could write and that I should go into proofreading and/or editing. I really liked that idea but finding a job in NYC was kind of tough in those days. People were hard around the edges, always in a rush and like "OK kid, show me whatcha got", like I was supposed to break out in a tap routine or something. Talk about interview anxiety! I wasn't quite confident enough for that atmosphere. I don't know what they wanted me to say but whatever it was I wasn't saying it.

I guess I never fit the mold they wanted in that field. I really think I would have liked it, though. I still do but I never learned the secret of getting a job in it. Back then there was no internet, no computer on every desk, no working from home. The only way to find out about a job was by reading the newspaper or going to an agency, which was another tremendous bustling room filled with tough women all looking at me and saying, "OK I have 5 minutes, whatcha got, kid?" And that was 5 "New York minutes", LOL. Yeah, it was a little too intimidating for me at that age. I could handle it now, but let's just say I was a late bloomer with certain things. A savant in other things, though. And keep in mind that I was in my early 20s when this was happening.

Anyway, if there are points to be made here I think they would be "follow your heart", "believe in yourself", and "be realistic but don't give up on your goals".

Edited September 28 by Yeah No

[Cloud9Shopper]

I honestly have thought at times I wouldn’t mind trying customer service on a higher level. Like instead of dealing with the public and fielding questions about their bank accounts, for example (I don’t actually work in banking), I would want to try supporting people who use a software as a service (SaaS) product at their business. Or a “client relations” or “client services” type role, or training customers how to use a software. I saw a job opening yesterday for a “member services representative” at a professional association,  so the customers would be the association’s members who are established in their careers or wanting to take an advanced graduate program. There would be virtually no need for the general public to be calling a place like that. I was browsing a subreddit for call center employees, and there are some people there who felt less stressed out once they switched from public support line type of work to doing IT support for employees of a company or working in SaaS.  Not saying I would be happier in that type of role but it’s something I’d like to try if I could get hired for it. 

Edited September 28 by Cloud9Shopper

[BlueSkies]

Piggy backing on some conversation here.  This movie scene with Rodney will always crack me up.....  it's his delivery and how stressed he looks.  LOL

 

 

[Bookish Jen]

I've been asked to do a self-audit. I haven't been told I've been fucking up, it's just that upper management is being a bit persnickety. And I've been told other associates may have to do this task, too, but they're not sure. But I can't help but be paranoid and worried. I'm glad my resume is updated.

Edited October 2 by Bookish Jen

[StatisticalOutlier]

What's a self-audit? 

[Bookish Jen]

42 minutes ago, StatisticalOutlier said:

What's a self-audit? 

I have to go over my past work to see if I've done it correctly.

[StatisticalOutlier]

Don't they have people who do that, and do it kind of currently?  They let you put any old work out there, and then make you go back and check it at a later date?

Or, maybe never mind. I don't think I'll ever understand how jobs work these days.  I'm still trying to remember that "talent acquisition" doesn't mean they're looking for magicians or tap dancers.

[Bookish Jen]

6 hours ago, StatisticalOutlier said:

Don't they have people who do that, and do it kind of currently?  They let you put any old work out there, and then make you go back and check it at a later date?

Or, maybe never mind. I don't think I'll ever understand how jobs work these days.  I'm still trying to remember that "talent acquisition" doesn't mean they're looking for magicians or tap dancers.

Apparently other people are too overwhelmed, so I have to take it on myself.

[StatisticalOutlier]

53 minutes ago, Bookish Jen said:

Apparently other people are too overwhelmed, so I have to take it on myself.

Well, if I were tasked with doing a self audit because everybody else is too busy to evaluate my work, I have a feeling I know how it would come out.  Like when Dick Cheney was tasked with finding a vice-president to run with George Bush. 

[Bookish Jen]

Well, I'm working on the self-audit, and I'm coming across some mistakes. They're nothing truly awful. They're just sloppiness and misunderstanding on my part. I now know how to proceed. But I'm still afraid it will be held against me.

[supposebly]

8 minutes ago, Bookish Jen said:

I now know how to proceed.

I think this is crucial. Emphasize what/how you learned from those mistakes.

[StatisticalOutlier]

4 hours ago, Bookish Jen said:

Well, I'm working on the self-audit, and I'm coming across some mistakes.

I just can't get over how cruel this self-audit system is.  It's like if someone breaks up with you and won't tell you why, leaving you to examine all your own behavior and character flaws to see what might have been objectionable.

[Cloud9Shopper]

My target role opened up at work due to a retirement, and I already put my resume in. It’s an internal-only opening, so at least I only have to compete against anyone else in my department or elsewhere in the company who wants the job. I’m excited because I have been working really hard and trying to get good reviews (my performance review earlier this year went almost perfectly) and show that I’m a valuable team member, plus I’ve already been working on some projects with the team I want to move to. But I’m also nervous because obviously I don’t know who else is applying and they could be a better candidate than me.

Also, if I don’t get this role, I will continue planning to leave and keep job searching. (This new role is more off the phones and project based.) Internal opportunities don’t come along often, and I’ve already been here almost two years so it’s more acceptable for me to keep looking and leave. And this time, if I don’t get promoted and do get a good outside offer, there will be no negotiating and what can we do to keep me games. I will just go. I really can’t do generic call center work anymore and am starting to burn out. 

I had an interview for an external role yesterday as well. It is still customer facing but it’s more customer success/advising based and working with a group of customers rather than dealing with everyone and anyone in the public. I would be willing to try that type of role, and the salary is better too, so it sounds like a good fallback if I don’t get my desired internal role. 

Edited October 5 by Cloud9Shopper

[supposebly]

Crossing my fingers for you!🤞 

[Yeah No]

15 hours ago, Cloud9Shopper said:

My target role opened up at work due to a retirement, and I already put my resume in. 

Crossing everything I have two of for you! 🤞

[Cloud9Shopper]

I could use some advice on how to handle what could be a sticky conversation at work: 

I am part of a small project team that has monthly tasks in addition to our regular job duties. I have been a part of this team for the last year or so and last year was used consistently and got enough work to do and was happy to have the growth opportunity, especially because it is offline work and I got a break from customer contact but also because it was a line I could add to my resume to show I can do more than take calls and emails and was chosen for this team. 

However, over the last couple of months, I have been left off this project when the work is distributed and am told “do your other tasks and take calls/emails in queue; we will let you know if we need you.” It bothered me last month but I figured it was because of the lower volume of work. Now they still will not give me the work even though the volumes are higher this month, and I’m starting to feel hurt and upset. My yearly performance review was strong. I have not received any negative feedback about my work on this team. And my other tasks aren’t being taken away so I don’t think this is a “quiet firing” or anything nefarious. But I feel left out that all of a sudden, they seem to never need me but always want the other two team members to do the work, and I have no idea why I’m being excluded. I wish they would just say “hey we don’t need you on the XYZ project anymore” because at least I would know! 

I’ve thought about talking to my boss about this but don’t want to sound whiny. Am I being reasonable to say “hey I haven’t gotten any work on the XYZ project recently; do you know what’s going on or if there have been any problems with my work?” I recently applied for a position in the department that is my target role so I also don’t want to shoot myself in the foot by blowing this conversation. Or do I just say nothing and figure their needs changed and act as if everything is fine when talking to my boss? 

Additionally, I am still going to job search externally in case this promotion doesn’t pan out or something even better presents itself. 

ETA for additional context:

-The other two team members on the project have been in the department/the company longer than me and were on the project team before I was.

-I thought about asking the person who distributes the project work why I’m not needed anymore but she’s not a supervisor (mine or otherwise) so not sure what she can really say or do in this case. 

Edited October 7 by Cloud9Shopper

[Yeah No]

@Cloud9Shopper, I wouldn't say anything to anyone about this until you find out whether or not you're getting the new position. I wouldn't chance that it might affect that outcome. If you find out you're not in consideration for the position maybe then take a positive/constructive approach and say that you're looking for new challenges in your work and would like to be considered for a place on the team when one opens up. It's always better to leave out anything negative even if you're feeling slighted. Make it look like you're just looking for new ways to grow in your position/with the company and feel that you could contribute something to the team should they need someone in the future. They'll get the message and you won't look like a whiner or like you're asking them to defend why you're not on it already.

[Cloud9Shopper]

I don’t really think that would work, though. I’m already a part of the project; I’m just not being asked to do the work all of a sudden. I think that advice would be better if it were something I wanted to do but there wasn’t an opening. 

My concern is that I’ve been part of the project team for a year and have been left out the last two months while the other two team members have been given the work, even though I have always gotten good feedback on the work I did. Not that I want to be there when there’s not an opening and am trying to push my way in. Sorry if that wasn’t clear. 

Edited October 8 by Cloud9Shopper

[Yeah No]

1 hour ago, Cloud9Shopper said:

I don’t really think that would work, though. I’m already a part of the project; I’m just not being asked to do the work all of a sudden. I think that advice would be better if it were something I wanted to do but there wasn’t an opening. 

My concern is that I’ve been part of the project team for a year and have been left out the last two months while the other two team members have been given the work, even though I have always gotten good feedback on the work I did. Not that I want to be there when there’s not an opening and am trying to push my way in. Sorry if that wasn’t clear. 

Yes, I think I got it right the first time, but my point was that I don't think it's a good idea to open up a can of worms about your inclusion (or lack thereof) in a project in your current position while you're applying for another position at the same company. And even if I did address not being included now (or even later) I wouldn't act slighted about it or it won't look good. I'd spin my interest in it in a positive way or whoever's in charge of who works on what might not like in effect having their choice questioned or challenged and having to justify it to you, and that may hurt your cause on both fronts. Just my opinion.

Edited October 8 by Yeah No

[EtheltoTillie]

Agree with @Yeah No here. Don't make waves. 

Edited October 8 by EtheltoTillie

[Cloud9Shopper]

I understand what people are saying now; thank you, everyone.

I have decided to just put my concerns to the side for the time being and focus on preparing for the interview for the other position this week. I also have an interview at another company next week so my energies need to be elsewhere. 

[Cloud9Shopper]

Well, I had my interview for the internal opening. I think I flopped the first question but got back on track after that, and I also had to do a writing exercise. I should know something either way by the end of the month.

Honestly, it is “up or out.” If I get the position, I’ll be happy and will stay another 2-3 years and continue to learn and grow. If I don’t…well back to the job search. I would still keep an eye out for other openings in the company since it’s a good place to work but I have been in customer service for a year and a half now, and I’m getting tired. I really can’t stay in the role close to another two years and cross my fingers. 

I am still interviewing for an external role next week so that’s a possibility as well.

[Mrsmaul2021]

@Cloud9Shopper  I've been reading about your frustrations with your current employer and speaking as somebody who has worked my share of customer service jobs for many years, I feel your pain.  I am really rooting for you to get this  current job. It's always cool to move up within a company too 

[Cloud9Shopper]

Still no news on whether I got the promotion, which is why I haven’t been here in several days. Beats coming here and saying “hey everyone, still waiting!” 🤣 But yes, that’s what I’m doing. Today was the last day the job would be up, but if no one else applied, the hiring team will make a decision hopefully by the end of the month. (Less than five of us applied for the position; it was only for internal applicants so at least I don’t have the worry that I might lose to an external candidate.) 

Anyway I got a pleasant surprise today. My boss at the job I got laid off from reached out to me. She started her own firm last year and is looking to hire an independent contractor to help with some administrative work. Just about 20 hours a week. I’m not as upset anymore about being laid off, so I decided to see about setting up some time to talk to her and see what she needs help with. It won’t help me leave my full time job but it will be a good line for my resume.

I am, however, considering quitting my grocery store job. I mean, I don’t expect teenagers to be the best coworkers but they call out every Friday night when they’re scheduled and I’ve frequently been the only cashier for 45 minutes or an hour, when the second to last cashier is supposed to leave half an hour before closing. Quite honestly it’s not fair to me to have to constantly work alone and have to take more orders while they’re off having fun or claiming they’re sick. And I work all week; sorry. Some of the teenagers are good but the bad ones are outweighing the good ones at this point. I hate and resent going into work knowing I can’t rely on them to show up and it will be on me to take on big orders all night, not to mention when those orders come with demanding customers. 

I’m going to see if any of these opportunities pan out but until then, I am doing the minimum at the store. I’ll show up for my shifts yes. But I won’t cover for these kids. If they ask me to do a shift for them the answer will be no. I’ll help bag for the people I can rely on and leave the kids who screw me over to handle their own bagging. I’m not feeling generous right now. Until they step up and show up for work they won’t get help or pity from me. I’m just over it. 

Edited October 19 by Cloud9Shopper

[Cloud9Shopper]

I got the job! My new title and pay (20% increase) will take effect next month. So finally my search is over and I can plan to stay with my company for another 1-3 years at least (one year in case the new job goes really badly but at least I know these people and already have my vacation time and benefits intact so I didn’t have to choose a job based on that). It’ll be a relief to be I would say 90-95% off the phones (there may still be occasional calls to make or a need to jump in during very high volumes, but those times are rare and I can deal with occasional phone time instead of it being a large part of my day) and spend most of my time on emails and projects. That will hopefully help me have more energy for professional development a few evenings a week, whereas a lot of times lately I’m too tired to learn new skills after work.

I’m looking forward to spending the next few weeks hibernating my LinkedIn to take a break from all the cringe of my feed and deciding what to do about my grocery store job. I probably won’t decide until I see what my new paychecks are since I’ll be salaried in the new role rather than hourly and some deductions will increase. But as of right now, I’m planning to either go down to two days a week (telling my boss I’ll do one of either Saturday or Sunday and one Tuesday through Thursday; I’m going to refuse to do Friday night closing anymore since I’ve been schedule it for every week for almost two months…let these kids do that shift) or quit altogether. I’ll make my final choice after the first paycheck.

The opportunity with my old boss will be more freelance/casual where I can set my own schedule and decide what I do week to week. So I’m waiting to see how that pans out.

 

[Mrsmaul2021]

 

Congrats @Cloud9Shopper

[supposebly]

2 hours ago, Cloud9Shopper said:

I got the job! My new title and pay (20% increase) will take effect next month. So finally my search is over and I can plan to stay with my company for another 1-3 years at least (one year in case the new job goes really badly but at least I know these people and already have my vacation time and benefits intact so I didn’t have to choose a job based on that). It’ll be a relief to be I would say 90-95% off the phones (there may still be occasional calls to make or a need to jump in during very high volumes, but those times are rare and I can deal with occasional phone time instead of it being a large part of my day) and spend most of my time on emails and projects.

Congratulations!!!!!! That is awesome news! I'm not sure why I'm so invested in a stranger's job search journey but I've been there and I know how it can get to you when it takes really long. And your debt is reducing too!

I'm very happy for you!

 

Edited October 24 by supposebly

[Yeah No]

2 hours ago, Cloud9Shopper said:

I got the job! My new title and pay (20% increase) will take effect next month. So finally my search is over and I can plan to stay with my company for another 1-3 years at least (one year in case the new job goes really badly but at least I know these people and already have my vacation time and benefits intact so I didn’t have to choose a job based on that). It’ll be a relief to be I would say 90-95% off the phones (there may still be occasional calls to make or a need to jump in during very high volumes, but those times are rare and I can deal with occasional phone time instead of it being a large part of my day) and spend most of my time on emails and projects. That will hopefully help me have more energy for professional development a few evenings a week, whereas a lot of times lately I’m too tired to learn new skills after work.

I’m looking forward to spending the next few weeks hibernating my LinkedIn to take a break from all the cringe of my feed and deciding what to do about my grocery store job. I probably won’t decide until I see what my new paychecks are since I’ll be salaried in the new role rather than hourly and some deductions will increase. But as of right now, I’m planning to either go down to two days a week (telling my boss I’ll do one of either Saturday or Sunday and one Tuesday through Thursday; I’m going to refuse to do Friday night closing anymore since I’ve been schedule it for every week for almost two months…let these kids do that shift) or quit altogether. I’ll make my final choice after the first paycheck.

The opportunity with my old boss will be more freelance/casual where I can set my own schedule and decide what I do week to week. So I’m waiting to see how that pans out.

Totally awesome news, Cloud9! I was crossing everything I could cross and saying every prayer for you! I wouldn't blame you for quitting the grocery store job. I now feel obligated to post an animated GIF but it is intended most sincerely!

 

[EtheltoTillie]

This is such great news, @Cloud9Shopper.  Yay! 

[PRgal]

Congratulations, @Cloud9Shopper!!!

[Calvada]

I didn't know how much I needed to hear good news until I read this!  Way to go @Cloud9Shopper!

[Cloud9Shopper]

Thank you everyone!

I was talking to my mom tonight and told her how resentful I was feeling about how long it’s been since I had a Friday night off from the grocery store and was complaining the kids should really be closing on Fridays; not me. She asked if I was falling out of love with it LOL, so she suggested I cut down to two nights a week now that I’ve secured the promotion. I was already thinking of doing that anyway but hadn’t made up my mind yet, so I decided after we talked that I’m going to do exactly that. I’m going to tell my boss there that I can now only work one weekday between Tuesday-Thursday and one weekend day. I can’t work a couple Fridays in November anyway so I’m going to transition away from them.

I’m sure my boss there won’t be happy but I can’t really say I care at this point. I could always pick up a third shift if they need help and I had a light week at work. But it’s time for me to reclaim my Fridays and have a career and take my turn. I’ve worked hard enough so I am scaling back for a change and enjoying myself again. 

Edited October 25 by Cloud9Shopper

[Gramto6]

Congratulations @Cloud9Shopper!! 

 

[roseha]

Congratulations @Cloud9Shopper! 

I used to work the front desk/answer the phone at a performing arts non-profit with a lot of public interaction so I know how stressful that kind of job can be.  Great that you are moving on to something better and with less of that kind of stress.

Edited October 29 by roseha

[Bookish Jen]

First, Cloud9Shopper congratulations. I'm very happy for you. I wish you the best.

I wish I could say things are going swimmingly at my job, but I just got reprimanded for some expletives I said at work. I didn't say them loudly, but two of my co-workers heard me. I was told that I need to be careful from now on. I usually don't cuss. I think this happened while I was listening to a post-election podcast. I'm just glad my resume is updated. I haven't been threatened with being let go, but you can never be too careful.

[Wiendish Fitch]

 A few weeks ago I had an interview for a receptionist position at an insurance company. It was a video interview, it went well, and the interviewer sent me the link to an online course to get my insurance license (yes, even receptionists need one). Not only that, he even gave me access to the employee discount (I was able to get it for 50% off). I got to studying, and then I got invited for an in-person follow-up interview! Awesome, right?? They saw something in me, I'm a diamond in the rough, or else they wouldn't have hooked me up with a discounted online course to get an insurance license! 

So I went in, did the best I could (certainly couldn't have been as awful as my last interview), and... I didn't get the job. It could have been for any number of reasons, and they don't owe me a job, but I can't help but be a little pissed that I was stupid enough to get my hopes up and that my time was wasted. I am still studying, I will try to get my license; not because I want to, but only because I'm hoping it will make me a more attractive hire.