Work Update

This is the only update I will ever post about my current job, not only because I don't like being Debbie Downer, but because this blog is about my life away from work.  However in this instance my job is going to directly impact everything else in my life so here goes.

I was hired nearly three years ago and promoted to a supervisory position within two weeks.  I did an excellent job, though my boss didn't seem to be aware of it.  In my annual evaluation that year she wrote that I spent too much time researching and solving problems and not enough time babysitting my people.  I trained my people to be self-sufficient adults 90% of the time which minimized the needed babysitting and I find it ironic that the researching and problem solving that I was doing is now something she requires all supervisors to do, but I digress.

Then in April of last year she "promoted" (I use that term loosely since there was no pay raise and my bonus structure actually decreased) me to another position and I took on our 2nd largest client.  Within by September 2010 I had that problem solved and handed over to her so she could use her title to force the issue (her choice, not mine).  I went on to assist with (and in December 100% took over) our largest client.  At this point I'm in charge of 15 million dollars (conservatively).

Fast forward to September 2011.  The problem I solved and handed over a year ago is finally resolved, through no work on my boss's part, thanks to me getting involved again and someone on the sales team helping to push the issue.  We received a 3 million dollar check on Friday and I prepared the files to show our units how to apply the cash and what needed to be adjusted off while my boss was having a heart attack about how she was going to have to send out 40 (form letter written my our corporate controller + my spreadsheet) emails.

My boss's boss was in town this week.  In addition to the usual shmoozing/blowing-hot-air-up-my-skirt bullshit, she took management and me to dinner last night at which point she thanked them all for their work on my clients' accounts.  She thanked them for their professionalism and dedication.  Thanked them for their hard work.  Thanked them for their ability to communicate with the units and their attention to collecting cash while also protecting our future advertising revenue.  Not only did management have nothing to do with the situation, but never once did she thank me.  Never once did she even look at me.  Never once did my boss step in and correct her.  Never once did my boss thank me in front of her.  I left dinner so incredibly mad.  And I was steamed all throughout the night and today, especially when my boss kept showing up at my desk asking me to answer questions and keep track of things she was "in charge" of.

You ask why I took this position on with no pay raise, a reduced bonus structure, and such ridiculous working conditions?  When I took it I asked my boss if this was going to be a position that would grow and offer opportunities for advancement and I was told yes.  Well the work is growing, but the respect and benefits aren't growing with it.

Today I found out that this afternoon my boss's boss basically told my co-worker (technically my immediate supervisor, but I don't really report to her) that there was no room for her to advance within this division and that if she didn't like it she'd just have to get over it, and that the reason there's "100% confidence" in my boss is that she's managed to keep people around for so long (apparently it doesn't matter that the people she's keeping around are incompetent buffoons).  My co-worker has 20+ years of experience in this type of work and if her word and track record not only don't matter but don't offer her opportunities for advancement then what kind of opportunities are there for me?  I smell something fishy.

If ever I needed a red flag or a sign to get out while the getting's good I certainly got it today.  I'm soooooo over this whole situation.

So, I'm taking a line from Eleanor Roosevelt, "In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves.  The process never ends until we die.  And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility." I'm done being mad and I'm taking a step because, at the end of the day, I will only have myself to blame if I don't. 

Actually I'm taking steps:
1.) Updating my resume.  (I've already started initial job searching.)
2.) Registering for a "Discover Your Calling" seminar in STL in November through the UMC.  This scares me to death so please pray for me.
3.) No more overtime. No more taking on additional tasks/duties.  No more bleeding for a company that doesn't appreciate it.  They got their freebie.  Anything additional is going to cost them.
4.) Start having more fun.  Get involved in something away from work that meets more than once a month.

Step 5 is going to be have another drink, get in the bathtub, and have a read and a soak, but first I have to post this photo:

There.  I was feeling left out that I had apparently been left out of the loop on posting this photo, but now I can sleep.  :)

Thanks for listening to the ramble.  It's the last one.  I promise I'll now return to your regularly scheduled programming.