A Case Of The Mondays: Vent Your Work Spleen Here

[ParadoxLost]

8 hours ago, theredhead77 said:

Because of turtle porn?

Yes because of turtle porn.

It was really funny.  Enough to reset my mood.  

I was going to try to dig myself out of this hole.  But the more I try to describe why it was funny, the bigger the hole gets.  I just appreciated that the editor of the vid had a  gotcha moment at the end of the vid.  It made me laugh and that is all I needed.

Edited September 11, 2019 by ParadoxLost

[Bastet]

8 hours ago, magicdog said:

Something happened to me at work last night and i'd like your opinions as to whether or not I'm making an emotional mountain out of a molehill

Yes, unless this is a pattern.

He chose a rude way of saying he'd had a long, lousy day at work and did not wish to extend it for another moment; he should not take that out on you, as you not only weren't one of the causes but have no reason to even know he'd had a shitty day. 

But if it was a one-off, it wasn't that big a deal; I suspect if it hadn't happened in front of someone else, you wouldn't have thought much more about it once you got in and started working.  If he doesn't mention on his own during your next interaction that he's sorry for snapping at you, you can bring it up if it's still bothering you, but - again, unless he has a habit of being rude and dismissive - it just reads to me as someone using thoughtless language in a bad moment, rather than any sort of personal attack.

[BookWoman56]

@magicdog, it’s very possible you just caught your colleague at a breaking point and he blurted out what he was thinking without stopping to consider how it would sound. I don’t know his situation but can offer my own as an example. My work life for the past 3 months has consisted primarily of people saying, “I know you’re really busy with project ABC, but I desperately need help on project XYZ, which is seriously behind schedule,” and then proceeding to throw the bulk of their project over the wall at me.  I have worked late nights, weekends, and holidays to the point where I am ready to scream at the next person who brings up some non critical work item. The fact that I haven’t actually yelled at or been short with someone is only because I work remotely and so don’t encounter any colleagues in person. I would like to think I have enough self control to refrain from doing what your colleague did, but anyone can reach a breaking point where they just want to be left the hell alone on work matters, and even the slightest question can be too much to handle. 

[hoosier80]

I've been dealing with an old, ancient pc at work forever.  Boss decided to order a new one, even though everyone on the team has laptops.  New hires - new laptop.  So he said oh you wanted a desktop.  No that was the Dip who pitched a fit about having a laptop (I'll have to carry it home?).  I had one years ago, and I dealt with it, using the heavy assed bags we got, etc.  So anyhow, I couldn't get into our one database, finally got that resolved after 3 days.  Then I couldn't get into the timekeeping database, had to email boss 5 times so he could adjust it.  Then, I couldn't get into the system remotely (using some old assed application).  Our corporate help desk was of no use - can  you share your screen?  If I could share my screen, I'd be in the fucking system you moron.  Good part of the morning spent dealing with it.  Today, I'd had it.  New pc is in a closet (for a month - our desktop support is nonexistent).  I emailed boss saying, the way I have to login remotely is ridiculous.  Why am I getting a desktop when everyone has a laptop?  He said I requested it, and made a stink.  I did NOT request it, the problem is he does not listen.  He should not have a team.  I did as little as possible when I had to go into the office.  Of course, he has yet to adjust my time.  I spent time on my phone looking at job sites.  

Then we have one person who left for a work from home job.  Queen Bee was trained on what she did.  QB is then going to train 2 to 3 other people, and they'll split up stuff.  What I think QB wants to happen is she is truly the Queen and her minions will do the work.  QB takes at least a 20 minute break per 90 minutes, then over an hour lunch.  A smoker, but damn, can one person smoke that much?  Today, I guess she jacked up stuff, and I know Dip definitely did so.  It's bad when people wait for Dip to leave, then ask me to look at shit that she did.  Happened today with the person and I looking at stuff, going ohhhh in unison - realizing what Dip had jacked up this time.  

I keep checking horoscope (next it will be reading tea leaves or whatever) to see if today is the day I should play the lottery.  My perfect dream would be to win (just enough to retire - maybe get a part time "fun" job) and leave these jokers in the lurch - come in, gather my personal stuff, and quit on the spot.  

[magicdog]

8 hours ago, hoosier80 said:

My perfect dream would be to win (just enough to retire - maybe get a part time "fun" job) and leave these jokers in the lurch - come in, gather my personal stuff, and quit on the spot.  

I see we have the same dream!  Although mine also included the ability to pay everyone a year's salary to anyone who will quit and leave Bitcheroo in a lurch and never work at the station until she's gone. 

[announcergirl]

On 8/25/2019 at 9:52 PM, BookWoman56 said:

@shanndee, until a couple of years ago, I was occasionally teaching business writing online. The textbooks for the course recommended that job applicants limit their resumes to  only the last 10 years or so of work experience. Their reasoning was anything older than that would likely be irrelevant. I disagree somewhat with that rationale, but encourage you to remove anything from your resume that indicates you are over 50. No dates on college degrees, etc. Nothing can completely stop an interviewer from noticing your age in a F2F or video interview, but don’t make it easy for a hiring manager to discount you immediately based on the assumption that you’re “too old” for the job. 

And be cautious of LinkedIn and Facebook which now allows people to get around laws. 

[announcergirl]

On 8/26/2019 at 1:38 PM, BookWoman56 said:

Not an employment or any kind of lawyer, but could you describe in general what’s going on with your work situation? Maybe some posters here can share similar experiences, point you in the right direction, or at least empathize. 

Sorry I haven’t posted. I’m leery since we don’t know who we are talking to or who reads this stuff. A lot of people read these posts and don’t participate!

My supervisor has a blind spot of some sort for me. Since she’s started supervising me, my last one retired, she’s been trying to “paper” my file. Furthermore, my annual evaluations, two so far, under her are false and inaccurate. She has me doing things that are unreasonable, and that others in the building don’t have to do. I also believe she is gossiping about me with my assistant—who doesn’t assist and was a fake hire by them—who hates answering to women, does not care about his job description because he sees himself as one of them (the clique of supervisors). He admitted this recently, saying they asked him “pointed” questions. He said he just had to answer. Mind you he doesn’t like women, and certainly, hates answering to my black ass. Oh, I’m one of only 4 out of about 50 and I’m a different title, so really the only one of my kind. 

Additionally, she does not know how to talk to people. She’s very condescending and takes on a persona as if you’re a child and she’s your parent.

The worst thing about it all—she’s an employment lawyer. No help for me in this area. I’ve had to go to the doctor because of stress and other things because of all of this. 

[hoosier80]

So Dip f'd up once again on two set ups.  I caught some big mistakes, but alas not all.  So probably going to be in the doghouse big time.  I told my useless boss that I was afraid I'd miss all the shit she jacks up all the time.  Bingo.

I have the email where I questioned a couple of things, so I'll probably send to boss.  The problem is, I cannot (nor can anyone) babysit her.

[theredhead77]

I work for a global, publicly traded company. Bible verses do not belong on "motivational message boards" (every department has one) and "well it is "The South" is bullshit. Take your religious nonsense out of the office. I don't say shit about Christmas trees in the lobby (no representation for Kwanza or Hanukkah) or people who decorate their cubes with crosses and all sorts of Jesus nonsense for Easter but that board is over the line. Local HR agrees. The big HR bosses (in the same office) are the ones pulling out "it's The South" bullshit. I hope someone sues.

[ParadoxLost]

2 hours ago, theredhead77 said:

I work for a global, publicly traded company. Bible verses do not belong on "motivational message boards" (every department has one) and "well it is "The South" is bullshit. Take your religious nonsense out of the office. I don't say shit about Christmas trees in the lobby (no representation for Kwanza or Hanukkah) or people who decorate their cubes with crosses and all sorts of Jesus nonsense for Easter but that board is over the line. Local HR agrees. The big HR bosses (in the same office) are the ones pulling out "it's The South" bullshit. I hope someone sues.

It annoys me that they are using "its the South" as an excuse.  I work for a global, publicly traded company in the South and there is none of that.  The big bosses just have their heads up their asses and are pushing their beliefs on others.

I was actually dumbfounded that people are decorating for Easter. 

[auntlada]

I don't like motivational message boards -- pretty much anywhere.

[theredhead77]

11 hours ago, ParadoxLost said:

It annoys me that they are using "its the South" as an excuse.  I work for a global, publicly traded company in the South and there is none of that.  The big bosses just have their heads up their asses and are pushing their beliefs on others.

Yea, I am super pissed. It's a culture of excuses and letting it slide and I'm the one that needs to conform and accept it. That's not happening. I will keep my mouth shut about politics but I did report another manager for being transphobic behind closed doors when chatting with a subordinate (I swear I posted about that in this thread) That's never OK. I let it slide when a coworker dropped the N word only because we were at a non-company sponsored event at a bar at  1am. He did get lit up by me but I didn't rat him out by name to HR. If I heard that shit during the day or even during a business dinner or cocktail hour (at not 1am) I'd light him up and report his racist ass.

11 hours ago, ParadoxLost said:

I was actually dumbfounded that people are decorating for Easter.

The one person who has the giant cross decorates with these beautiful, handmade decorative wreaths she hangs on the outside of her cube (one per holiday). She does it for every holiday. The Easter one is the only one that bugs me and that's because it's a giant cross.

[bilgistic]

I think I mentioned back at my old job that a guy in accounting in another branch had a sign-off on his emails that read (in a cursive, non-company-approved font and color), "Have a blessed day, Jeff". I was annoyed at Jeff every time I saw it.

A current coworker tells every customer to "have a blessed day". It's not OK. Religion doesn't belong in the workplace, and yes, telling someone to be "blessed" is religious.

Also, if I can't tell a customer to go to hell, you can't tell them to be blessed.

[Bastet]

My best friend lived in Florida for a few years (for a convoluted series of reasons) and was the HR director for a small company.  One employee had that "have a blessed day" shit on her company voicemail greeting, and was utterly shocked when my friend told her that was inappropriate and needed to be changed.  I believe the "that's just how we do things here" shrug was trotted out.  Thankfully not by the owner.

[magicdog]

1 hour ago, Bastet said:

One employee had that "have a blessed day" shit on her company voicemail greeting

I don't know why that's such a bad thing.  The "blessing" could be interpreted by any deity you prefer.  Heck, I'd take positive blessings from anyone regardless of religion.

[Bastet]

1 minute ago, magicdog said:

I don't know why that's such a bad thing.  The "blessing" could be interpreted by any deity you prefer.

I prefer none, but it's not about my preference.  A religious sentiment has no place on company voicemail, bulletin boards, email, etc. 

[Nordly Beaumont]

The company I work for has very specific email signature rules. They gave us the font, font size, color, and what information to be given. Name, address, phone number, email address, and preferred pronouns (optional). Nothing else is acceptable. Yet people add "inspirational" quotes, jokes, "have a good/nice/blessed day" - they use weird fonts and colors. It annoys me, really only because we are given clear instructions and these people think they're... what? Too creative to follow the rules? Too punk rock for this? I guess I really don't know why it bugs. It just bugs.

[announcergirl]

20 hours ago, Bastet said:

I prefer none, but it's not about my preference.  A religious sentiment has no place on company voicemail, bulletin boards, email, etc. 

To someone who is not religious person. So, a religious person must give up his/her rights for someone who is not? 

See, it can be seen both ways. 

Have you been inside the workplace? Shoot, I say use whatever helps you get by. My faith is all I have. 

[walnutqueen]

21 minutes ago, announcergirl said:

To someone who is not religious person. So, a religious person must give up his/her rights for someone who is not? 

What rights does a religious person have that a not-religious person doesn't?   Or vice-versa?  It is a WORKPLACE, where "rights" are, of course, somewhat curtailed by common fucking sense.

Pretty sure if my work screensaver spewed Satanist or "there is no God" messages, it would be prohibited, just like my "religious" temp (who wore miniskirts, cowboy boots and tank tops cut down to there, flirted with all the married men, and spent hours of company time saving bible verses to her company computer screensaver) was. She cannot bring her personal religious beliefs into the workplace (a GOVERNMENT workplace, at that), yet I had to voice my objections before something was done about it.

Everyone has the right to their own beliefs.  Pushing them on others by proselytizing (yeah, think bible verse studies in our one communal break room when everyone was subjected to it and urged to join in), is not OK, and never will be.

[theredhead77]

6 hours ago, announcergirl said:

To someone who is not religious person. So, a religious person must give up his/her rights for someone who is not?

Why is your "right"* to say "have a blessed day" more important than someone who doesn't think that is appropriate for the workplace?

Would you be cool with a member of the Church of Satan saying "Hail Satan"? Or someone who practices Islam signing their emails "Salaam aleikem"?

Did you consider you could be saying "have a blessed day" to someone who just lost a loved one? Or is suffering horrific abuse or one of many things that certainly wouldn't be indicative of a "blessed" day?

Also: saying "have a blessed day" at work is not a "right". The freedom of religion portion of the first amendment was intended to prevent the government from establishing a religion and freedom of speech is to protect you from the government.You are at work. Unless you work for a religious organization it has no place.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/first_amendment

Edited September 21, 2019 by theredhead77
Replace erroneous comma with appropriate period

[JTMacc99]

Basic EEOC law:

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. It is also illegal to discriminate against a person because the person complained about discrimination, filed a charge of discrimination, or participated in an employment discrimination investigation or lawsuit.

Most employers with at least 15 employees are covered by EEOC laws (20 employees in age discrimination cases). Most labor unions and employment agencies are also covered.

The laws apply to all types of work situations, including hiring, firing, promotions, harassment, training, wages, and benefits.

And that, in a nutshell, is why hail satan and praise Jebus is gonna be allowed in the private sector workplace. Employers aren’t allowed to treat people differently because of their religious beliefs. 

Can they tell God-boy and Lucifer-lover to stifle it? Yes. Can those two then blame their lack of promotions or termination on religious discrimination and cite the time they were told to stop saying have a blessed day? Heavens yes, or Hell yes. Can they sue the company because other employees were openly hostile to them because of their religious beliefs? Yep, just like anyone could for race, color, national origin, age or disability. 

It’s a very difficult topic to navigate around as an employer. One of the lawyers at my company recently referred to the EEOC as the “Attorney Full Employment Act.”  He is not wrong. 

[theredhead77]

55 minutes ago, JTMacc99 said:

Can they tell God-boy and Lucifer-lover to stifle it? Yes. Can those two then blame their lack of promotions or termination on religious discrimination and cite the time they were told to stop saying have a blessed day? Heavens yes, or Hell yes. Can they sue the company because other employees were openly hostile to them because of their religious beliefs? Yep, just like anyone could for race, color, national origin, age or disability. 

And in the case of the Bible verses on the departmental billboards I hope someone who isn't Christian decides to sue for discrimination for lack of promotions because they found those quotes offensive.

It's really just best if religion, that is all religion, religious saying and religious paraphernalia is left at the door if you work in a public sector workplace. Because someone is going to be offended or feel uncomfortable or be discriminated against and it will just create a lawyerific mess. 

[Jaded]

I'm in the south too and the city courthouse where I live has had a nativity scene in the lobby area when people walk in for years. Apparently it was purchased by employees were working there at the time a long time ago. There have been attempts to get it removed the latest was a lawsuit from Humanists which led to a sign from them being placed in the lobby too. A city attorney said allowing the sign wasn't done to avoid the lawsuit and that any other religious displays are welcomed as long as they aren't deemed to be disruptive.

I'm not religious so I've never been a fan of that nativity scene and have known the chances of it ever going anywhere besides storage once the holidays end are pretty slim. I'm waiting for the day when a religion that's not widely approved of down here wants to put a display out too which will probably put a stop to any displays at all. 

[KittyMom4]

On 9/21/2019 at 8:22 PM, theredhead77 said:

It's really just best if religion, that is all religion, religious saying and religious paraphernalia is left at the door if you work in a public sector workplace. Because someone is going to be offended or feel uncomfortable or be discriminated against and it will just create a lawyerific mess.

I couldn't agree more, my office has been pretty good about not allowing religious materials of any kind be displayed in the common areas of our building. What you do at your desk is up to you. They also put a ban on allowing employees to place fundraiser items in the common areas because of theft, believe it or not. You have to keep it with your person so the company doesn't have to waste time & manpower watching over your candy bars or trying to find out who took them. 

[BookWoman56]

3 hours ago, BexKeps said:

They also put a ban on allowing employees to place fundraiser items in the common areas because of theft, believe it or not. You have to keep it with your person so the company doesn't have to waste time & manpower watching over your candy bars or trying to find out who took them. 

My company doesn’t allow fundraising activities or products in the office at all, for those reasons and also so employees aren’t pressuring colleagues to buy crap. I’m sure some fundraising stuff still takes place between colleagues who hang out together during lunch breaks and so forth, but nobody has to deal with someone stopping by every cubicle in the same area to give a sales pitch for overpriced candy or whatever. I would be out of the loop on that anyway, because I work from home, but remember how much I disliked having people badgering me to support their kid’s school fundraiser. 

[Browncoat]

The only fundraiser I've seen around my workplace is for Girl Scout cookies.  I haven't heard anyone complain about those.

[theredhead77]

Our office allows people to put up a sign on their cube wall, or leave a note in the break room but no "cube to cube" sales allowed. I only buy Girl Scout cookies and in CA I bought from my coworkers but here I don't know anyone well enough and just buy when I go to the grocery store.

[hoosier80]

I have a sarcastic wooden type sign at my desk saying something to the effect of saying just smile and say oh well bless your heart (meaning don't call them an utter asshole even though they probably are).  It's kind of in back of my phone, so not up front and center. Certainly NOT meant as religious by me.  

One place I worked years ago, one group sent around an email with an attachment.  I didn't get it but a friend did.  It was animated, showing basically the crucifixion of Christ (in black and white shapes), then heavy on bible verses and kind of saying what have you done to be a Christian, etc.  The group (as my friend told they were known around the office as the God Squad), all were told to stop it immediately, as many were offended.  The group was a bunch of backstabbing hypocrites, too.  I was like oh they're all Godly?  Please.

I've had people go desk to desk with the freaking my kid is selling this shit.  Desk to desk.  That doesn't happen any longer.  Every freaking person felt pressured to order something.

Our email signatures are all to follow a specific format, yet people decide to use their own.  We're also told, from time to time, to include a best of this inclusion (a pre-done logo) which touts something the corporation has been awarded (actually some impressive awards).  Very interesting to see who pays attention and who is just out to lunch.  There are some who have the logos from like 4 years ago, missing several in between.  Some feel compelled to put their name in a cursive font, which no, we are given a freaking template.  Just do it.  It's easier than trying to figure out what or what not should be included.   I'm amazed that managers don't remind people or say hey you've got the logo from 4 years ago, but mine clearly has boarded the SS Idontgiveashit.

[ParadoxLost]

I had a bad day..

Its mostly that I'm irritated by certain people.  I'm irritated that despite these people being the common denominator in most conflicts nothing ever happens to change it.  I'm irritated at the number of times I've had to escalate shit to their managers and my manager and HR over years and no one they report to ever handles it even though I know for a fact I'm not even close to being the only person doing this.  I'm irritated how miserable they make everyone else. I'm especially pissed off at how miserable they are making the people around me.

I'm irritated that venting isn't making me feel less irritated so I deleted the rest of it.  I'm going to watch the turtles again.  Then I'm going to read a book.

[hoosier80]

Working from home today - cold and bad back do not mix well.  It's slow anyhow.

So the desktop guy I guess stopped by and wanted to replace the ancient artifact that I'm using for my pc.  I said no, working from home.  I then get some email from boss (who is remote all the time!) saying I had to be in office remainder of the week (ok, was planning to do so) so desktop guy can install the correct program (which we should have had months ago!).

Beyond irritated.  The wrong program was installed/ordered and boss approved it.  He knew what program we needed.  And the person who will be doing 99.999999% of the testing/work will be yours truly.  He said everyone on the team had to be there.  BS.  The other two who should cannot run the existing programs.  So BS.

[theredhead77]

On 9/19/2019 at 6:25 PM, theredhead77 said:

I work for a global, publicly traded company. Bible verses do not belong on "motivational message boards" (every department has one) and "well it is "The South" is bullshit. Take your religious nonsense out of the office. I don't say shit about Christmas trees in the lobby (no representation for Kwanza or Hanukkah) or people who decorate their cubes with crosses and all sorts of Jesus nonsense for Easter but that board is over the line. Local HR agrees. The big HR bosses (in the same office) are the ones pulling out "it's The South" bullshit. I hope someone sues.

For those following along at home, the offensive, inappropriate message has been replaced with something generic and a wee bit passive aggressive

[JTMacc99]

Actual footage of me working on the 2020 budgets this week in my office:

[MargeGunderson]

I am on vacation this week. I logged into my laptop this morning to send a couple of emails and set my out of office. Someone noticed I was online and IM’ed me during a meeting to ask if I could join - AFTER I said I was on vacation. WTF?! That was a big no from me. 
 

Edited October 7, 2019 by MargeGunderson

[GHScorpiosRule]

3 hours ago, MargeGunderson said:

I am on vacation this week. I logged into my laptop this morning to send a couple of emails and set my out of office. Someone noticed I was online and IM’ed me during a meeting to ask if I could join - AFTER I said I was on vacation. WTF?! That was a big no from me. 
 

Not exactly the same thing, but I sent out an email to everyone in my group, and those outside my group who I've been helping, that I'd be in late today, because I had a doctor's appointment. I sent this a little before COB Friday.

This morning at 8:40, I get an email from a new associate (one who I included in my email of last Friday), asking me if I could do a, b, and c. and also x, y, and z. Now due to the stupid upgrade of 13.2, where everything looks all BETA on my emails and the icons for this site, Amazon, etc, it took me a minute to reply and let him now that I wasn't in the office.

Me? If I got an email like that, well, I'd remember. But that's because I have a very good memory. But even so, I'd make a note of it. At least everyone else who needed something done prefaced their requests with "when you get in the office..."

And since this is National Paralegal Week, I will admit, I was all D'OH! that I missed out on breakfast this morning. Hey! We have GREAT caterers who make really good and delicious food! But my appointment was more important as I've all of a sudden out of the blue for the past month, got stupidpainfulasFUCK Sciatica in my lower right piriformis area. But, that's a rant for another thread.

But we have a great lunch/presentation tomorrow, and a happy hour with snacks and champagnee on Thursday.

I admit to being ashamed, because I was whining bitching about how it didn't seem anything was being done this year, since we had other stuff, what with this being the firm's 40th. But I learned National Paralegal Week is this week, but my paralegal association celebrated it LAST Week.

One of our vendors delivered goodies. Truth to tell, I would have preferred a Starbucks Card as opposed to the bag of CANDY they sent. Because I'm not ALLOWED to have Candy, what with the whole Diabetes.

Edited October 8, 2019 by GHScorpiosRule

[magicdog]

Here's the latest insult:

I was asked to work the next weekend;  not a big deal and I don't mind getting overtime.  I even offered to work both days.  I figure, I could get a bit of change putting in 14 hours worth of OT.  Then, I get the news:  They're cutting back on OT since they want to save it for days when there are. "big news days" (like One October or 9/11 level news).  So, I'll still work those days, but I'll be given an hour shorter during the week and it will even out to 40 hours.

So, I'll work 7 hours, no lunch break, leave an hour early, come in to work two days I normally wouldn't  and NOT get paid extra for it as long as it works out to 40 hours???

WTF??

Years ago, there was an Assistant News Director who pulled that stunt - except people worked OT without getting paid.  Someone made a phone call (not me I assure you!) to the Labor Relations Board and she lost her job and that crap stopped.  Now they're doing it again - only legally since it's not technically OT! 

[auntlada]

Are they not required to give you a lunch break if you work seven hours?

[magicdog]

7 hours ago, auntlada said:

Are they not required to give you a lunch break if you work seven hours?

If I work more than 7 hours, yes.  But they will have me leaving an hour earlier than usual.  If I had known they were going to pull this, I wouldn't have volunteered.  

[funky-rat]

I've been applying - without luck so far - with the state where I live for various jobs.  One is county specific.  You're able to apply out of that county, but likely won't get picked.  I apply anyway, as the ads say they may pull from other areas if they're not happy with the applicant pool from that county.  A position opened up in my county and I applied, and got notice today that they were overwhelmed with qualified applicants and can't interview them all, and I wasn't selected.  Which to me says that they had a lot of internal applicants, and the job went to one of them.  Frustrating, considering I had a super high test score, but it is what it is.

I have a job that I've been at long-term, but just am no longer happy for many reasons that I outlined a few months ago.  The issue is that I've been there for so long that nothing will pay anywhere near as well (even though I should be getting more for the level of work I do) and I can't afford to take a huge paycut.  I have some other organizations I'm going to inquire with to see what might be available (the college I went to offers career services - I graduated over 20 years ago, but it's worth a talk), a local hospital that employs a ton of people, etc.  Might get lucky.

Most of the other jobs available with the state in my area pay incredibly bad - like an almost $10 an hour paycut bad.  Like Wal-Mart pays more for starting wage.  A few popped up that paid decent, but were all temporary with no benefits.  Pass. 

I did see one that paid decent enough, but here is my dilemma.  It's with an agency that oversees a specific industry and regulation within that industry.  Part of the description mentioned knowledge of permits for that specific industry, but when you looked at the requirements and core duties, they're all things I can do, having had over 20 years experience, but not in that oddly specific industry.  I can't fathom that there are a ton of people out there that would have this knowledge first hand.  I read the description to my husband, and he said that to him it sounded like it would be something you would learn on the job, but he wasn't 100% sure.  There is an e-mail and mention of asking questions.  Would it be out of line to ask if prior knowledge of these permits in this industry is needed, or is it something learned?  I could learn the heck out of it, and probably pretty quickly, but I can't imagine there are many out there that would have this knowledge.

[BookWoman56]

@funky-rat, it’s possible that the text about having to be familiar with that specific type of permit and so forth is there because the agency already has an internal candidate in mind but is required to post the job anyway. But if it’s not, my advice would be to google as much information you can find about the permits and field. In your cover letter and resume, highlight your work experience that parallels the function you would do in the new job. I wouldn’t email to ask them about learning these things on the job. If you get an interview, leverage your previous similar experience and convey absolute confidence that you can quickly learn the details of this new responsibility. 

Even though there may be very few people who would already have this specific knowledge, the hiring manager may be hellbent on hiring someone who does versus hiring someone able to learn and adapt to new roles. No way to know that ahead of time. You could email to ask, but that raises the possibility of an immediate rejection rather than presenting your overall skill set via a resume and cover letter, with which you can create a positive impression. 

[funky-rat]

I wasn't sure.  The rest of the ad makes it sound like it's an entry level position, but this is what's throwing me:

Demonstrate basic knowledge of (industry here) program information including permitting requirements, regulations, and processes including deadlines, fees, forms, and publications, and online information.

The rest of the things are all things I can easily do.  The industry is oddly specific, and I can't fathom there being people who would know it coming in, unless I'm reading it incorrectly.  And this position is the lowest one on the chain, so I couldn't imagine there would be someone lower on the chain that would move up.  The mechanics of working with this paperwork is essentially what I do now - just a different industry.  I received an e-mail inviting me to apply because I took the testing for that job title, but again, like you said, it might be something they have to put out there.

Not having a good morning.  Every office has someone they can't stand.  Here, it's a loud obnoxious person who does the bare minimum, and I think drinks on the job at times, and does stuff that any of us would get in real trouble for, but manages to come out smelling like a rose.  I've lost count of the times I have walked in to her area and caught her badmouthing me (and a few other co-workers she doesn't like), and how many times she tries to make me look bad.  I had a co-worker at my prior job just like her.  Turns out they're friends in real life - have been since school, so that tells me all I need to know.

At any rate, she decides to suck up, and suggest that we throw some party for our boss next week.  And chip in to buy him a gift.  If I don't, it will make me look bad.  I didn't want to spend next week buying and making a large quantity of food that likely won't get eaten anyway.  And money is tight this time of month.  Just so frustrated....this used to be a good place to work, but it's rapidly going downhil.  Especially since she came on.

[BookWoman56]

Hell, I would interpret “demonstrate basic knowledge of XYZ” as just being able to explain in a few sentences what this process is, at a high level, and the major components such as having to obtain permits. Definitely doesn’t sound like they are looking for someone who already knows how to do everything in detail. 

ETA:  Having that sentence in there may just be their way of weeding out applicants too lazy to look up even basic information about this role/function. 

Edited October 11, 2019 by BookWoman56

[funky-rat]

31 minutes ago, BookWoman56 said:

Hell, I would interpret “demonstrate basic knowledge of XYZ” as just being able to explain in a few sentences what this process is, at a high level, and the major components such as having to obtain permits. Definitely doesn’t sound like they are looking for someone who already knows how to do everything in detail. 

ETA:  Having that sentence in there may just be their way of weeding out applicants too lazy to look up even basic information about this role/function. 

True that.  I'll see if I can find some info on the whole thing this weekend, and do some reading up on it.  I figured I was reading too much in to it. 

Thankfully, my mom stopped by and asked if I wanted to go to lunch.  Gave me a nice break to get out of here.

I responded to the e-mail that was going around with what food I will bring (it's something I brought in once before that the boss fussed over and raved about, and I like it so if I have leftovers, it's OK), but I stated that on short notice, I really don't have the extra money to donate toward a gift card (our boss has everything he could ever want and is financially well off) since we are still recovering from a financial crisis (truth - and my co-workers know this) and thanked them for their understanding.  So if she wants to complain about me now, she's back to looking like an ass.

[Bastet]

56 minutes ago, BookWoman56 said:

Hell, I would interpret “demonstrate basic knowledge of XYZ” as just being able to explain in a few sentences what this process is, at a high level, and the major components such as having to obtain permits. Definitely doesn’t sound like they are looking for someone who already knows how to do everything in detail. 

ETA:  Having that sentence in there may just be their way of weeding out applicants too lazy to look up even basic information about this role/function. 

Bingo.  That's certainly what it sounds like to me.

[BookWoman56]

17 minutes ago, Bastet said:

Bingo.  That's certainly what it sounds like to me.

For example, when I hired someone a few months ago, the job description mentioned working on a couple of specific stress testing components required by federal regulators for the banking industry. The candidate I hired had looked up information about those stress tests, and while she had never worked on them, was able to compare documentation she had worked on to what she envisioned would be required for stress testing. The candidate that the entire interview panel rejected was the one who essentially asked, during the interview, “So, what is this [name of specific stress test from the job description]? I’ve never heard of stress testing.”  It became obvious that he hadn’t bothered to spend even 5 minutes finding out anything about the topic, which had been described in the job description as the major project for the role. 

[funky-rat]

16 hours ago, BookWoman56 said:

For example, when I hired someone a few months ago, the job description mentioned working on a couple of specific stress testing components required by federal regulators for the banking industry. The candidate I hired had looked up information about those stress tests, and while she had never worked on them, was able to compare documentation she had worked on to what she envisioned would be required for stress testing. The candidate that the entire interview panel rejected was the one who essentially asked, during the interview, “So, what is this [name of specific stress test from the job description]? I’ve never heard of stress testing.”  It became obvious that he hadn’t bothered to spend even 5 minutes finding out anything about the topic, which had been described in the job description as the major project for the role. 

Thanks much.  I will be looking up info this weekend to see what I can find.  The list of core job duties is very much what I do now (and have been doing for the past almost 25 years), so if I get lucky and get called, I'll be sure to higlight that I essentially do this now, just in a different industry, and try to gather info on what they deal with there.  I wish my husband still sold tires - he had some customers who were in this industry, and they could have been helpful, but it is what it is.

[bilgistic]

Today's work buffoonery: apparently my manager/the CSM has hired another cashier, who is a regular customer, and an annoying and entitled one at that. She came in today to see about being put on the schedule this week. She brought her dog in the store with her. (It's a grocery store.) Like, not a service dog--a "purse dog" that she held against her like a baby the whole time. It was wearing a sweater.

Who does this??

Who hires a person who does this???

[ParadoxLost]

My company used to develop its leaders.  They would move people around to different functions and regions so they could gain experience they needed to make decisions and lead.  They stopped doing that years ago.  We've now morphed into a manufacturing company led by sales and finance people.  Which is just a hellscape I can't adequately describe. Lets just say I spend a lot of time cleaning up after the consequences of decisions that are made in an overly simplified way by people who are convinced of their ability to make them but a bit beyond the breadth of their experience.

Every time they miss a target they hire consultants to tell them what they need to do. Of course, the problem is always the workers. Consultants aren't going to tell the people that write the checks that they are a huge part of the problem. So they reorganize our reporting lines, like that does something beside make us educate a new set of leaders on how to micromanage us properly.  

I think it may be much worse than that, this time around.  They might close or consolidate sites or outsource.

I'm looking at the lay of the land and kind of hoping for being laid off with a severance package.  I think there is an extremely low chance (close to nil) of that because of my particular work history at my company. 

I think that there is a high probability I'll and end up with a new boss.  The only candidates I can think of would be people that I'm flat out unwilling to work for and me.  I really don't want to move any higher up in the company.  I'm tired and I'm worried that the next level up might be some kind of moron event horizon you can't come back from. 

I already had to make myself the promise that if any of a list of people ended up my boss that I would immediately try to negotiate my way to a new position that leverages that work history I have that is not easily replaceable or quit.

I had to make myself that promise because I'm worried that if i stay working for someone I can't respect or trust or tolerate, then I'll end up like the frog that doesn't realize its boiling alive and never jumps out of the pot to avoid death.

I probably should start a job search now.  But I'm tired.  I need a break.  I'm trying to decide how hard it would be to voluntarily leave a position, take a break, and then look for a new job vs having to go right from one to another.  I need more than a vacation.  So I'm going to think it over while I wait to see how stuff shakes out over the next couple months.  Then I'm going to have to decide if things go bad and I get a terrible boss, do I give an ultimatum and take a break if they call it or risk boiling frog while I look for another position.

Edited October 15, 2019 by ParadoxLost

[NutMeg]

@ParadoxLost, you have all my sympathy. If at all possible, I'd say try to take a week off, and after three days of rest see what approach feels right for you. It's never easy nor optimal to make decisions while you're bang in the middle of things.

I trust you'll find out what's best for you, my best wishes to you for getting some rest, finding peace of mind and keeping or getting the job you really want.

[ParadoxLost]

Thanks @NutMeg

The sad thing is that I really liked my job.  The culture has just deteriorated to making dumb decisions because leadership is really focused on what Wallstreet thinks of them.  I still like all my immediate coworkers and employees and bosses.  I even like the work.  Just not the constant nearly being able to make progress and then having Lucy snatch the football away from Charlie Brown feeling.

I've been taking the approach of the grass isn't likely greener anywhere else in a corporate setting and why give up coworkers I like and respect for an unknown.  Especially since I have enough of a rep to be able to deal with the corporate crap a bit better than if I was some brand new person. 

But if they take away the people I respect and like working with, then what is the point of staying versus taking a chance elsewhere?

I've got a lot of this decision made already and have been thinking about it for awhile.  Basically there are conditions where I'll happily stay and conditions where I'm gone.  There are a couple months before we'll know how things shake out and I think how things shake out will put me squarely in one category or the other.  I'll take vacation before then, but I don't think it will help much.  I've taken several vacations since I started thinking about this.

I'm basically struggling with the notion that its better to find a job while you have a job in the scenario where I end up not wanting to stay at my current job.  

I'm in that mid part of my career where I've worked longer than I went to school but I'm not close enough to retirement.  I think it should be acceptable to take a year off half way through a 40 year or more career.  I'm just not sure how understanding employers are of taking a year off voluntarily.  If my company had a sabbatical program, I would have signed up for it already.

Its also possible I'm having some version of a midlife crisis here.

I haven't bought a fun, frivolous car yet.  But mostly because I don't know enough about cars to know what a fun, frivolous one would be.  And fun cars probably need mechanics more than responsible cars and I hate taking the car to the mechanic.  

[Moose135]

On 10/9/2019 at 3:18 PM, magicdog said:

So, I'll work 7 hours, no lunch break, leave an hour early, come in to work two days I normally wouldn't  and NOT get paid extra for it as long as it works out to 40 hours???

Check your state labor laws. I know for employees here on the 2020 Census (Federal government workers) we are required to have a 30 minute unpaid meal period after 5 hours of work. I've rejected time sheets when people failed to show that in their work schedule.