Just getting my negative thoughts out.

Lounge
1

Here is a bitch/gripe that I need to get out. Right now I am not able to do it at home, but I have to do it somewhere so I chose to do it here. I am not looking for attention, or even a response. I just need to empty out some feelings before the negative ones overflow into my positive side. Sorry in advance. Anyways moving on…

I did not have a great month last month work wise. I just was not feeling it. I have been tops for months now. It is awesome being at the top, but stressful as well. I believe sometimes it is ok to be number 2. In some cases, not all. I think if you put forth tons of effort and just get a reward that is a little bit bigger than what you would get if you give half the effort, then why not give half the effort and put that effort somewhere else. (way long run on sentence) Anyways last month I decided I was going to focus on other things besides work for a month or 2. So I did not finish top, however I did hit my goal to get an incentive. So I was ahead of more than half of everyone else. The problem is, I did very little. That’s how ahead of everyone I was. I could do barely any work and still hit my goal. So now upper management is pissed off. They feel like they are paying me to do nothing. I understand their point of view. However, they ARE paying me for work that I have DONE. I still achieved the goal set out for me.

Anyways, my boss’s boss came around to give me my bonus letter. Instead of congratulating me, I get “I expect to see a huge improvement on the next one.” Not in a happy tone, no smile. That really jerked my chain. I made a polite comment of thanks back to her, but I was seething inside. (I am still a little angry now!) I make her look good every month. I do better than good every month. This month I still am successful. I do better than 25 to 30 other people who did not even hit their goals and I get shitted on. That made me lose quite a bit of respect for not only her but the company I work for as well.

She could at least have a meeting with me face to face and ask me what’s going on. Attempt to feign interest in me as a person instead of my numbers. At least send an email.

This is added to last week when the highest person in the company (locally at least) came over to “talk” to me. He has worked her for about 4 months prior, and has never said a word to me. Each month I get a card on my desk from him thanking me for my work and congrats on my numbers. He walks the floor and talks to others, but always skips me. That kind of hacked me off, but I really did not care. Then after my “bad performance” last month, he came over to “talk” and see how I was doing. I had taken a few days of FMLA due to my wife being sick, she has been home from work for over 2 months now. No one has cared enough to asked me about her before, but all of a sudden he wants to know how she is. I felt like asking him, if I had done well would he still be asking me? I did not say anything rude to him, however I did let him know, that I knew he was only over “talking” because of my performance.

Wow. Sorry that was way longer than I anticipated. I guess I needed to get something out!

Anyways I think I will begin looking for a new job soon. If you actually took the time to read this, well… thanks I guess. :slight_smile:

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No prob, I read every bit of it. I really don’t know what to say since I do not have a lot of experience in the work force, but I wish the best of luck to you and your wife =)

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LTDshred –
Hey thanks for your response. It will be fine. You do not have to say anything. I just needed to get it out, with my wife being sick, she is not the one to share it with. She dosent need to worry about it. This is an example of Corporate America at its finest. They care when it affects thier bottomline. Thats how most business works!
I gave you some reps :slight_smile:

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First, I hope your wife is feeling better.

Yup, welcome to corporate America. Unfortunately 99% of the companies out there care about their employees about as much as I care about the wasps nest in my neighbors yard. I only pay attention to it when it causes a problem for me. The upper management people are usually so far out of touch that they lean on the middle management who are generally slightly less out of touch. Middle management only knows that they are supposed to make the employees happy about eating Sh*t all day long.

I couldn’t take the rat race anymore which is why I have my own (counseling and communication) business now. It has its own stresses but at least I am responsible for my successes. I hope that things get easier for you or you are able to jump ship to someplace better for you. :slight_smile:

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Could not Rep you Snoopyace or I would. Thanks to you as well for a response. :slight_smile:
I really long for when I am able to say F it and work for myself. However I have kids. Plus with my wife being sick, I have to maintain income in my household. I have so many ideas for business. Who dosent though! The favorite thing I love about Androtics, even more than quality products, is the family-like relationship that they build with each customer. It is so rare for people to do that anymore. If I am able to have a business, you can bet mine will be ran the same way. A personal investment in people brings much more than money. It brings happiness and joy to everyone you meet, as well as making money. Its really sad companies have forgotten that.

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Welcome to life as a replaceable cog in “the machine”.:open_mouth:

Sorry to hear what a$$es your management is, but so is most.

Good luck in getting out.

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Thanks for the reply. I was aware of how they treat people. That is how the world of business operates. I just needed to have an outlet before I let it out at work! LOL
I am still going to look for another job though.

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One possibility is that due to your excellent past performance you are up for a promotion. Just at the time that middle management starts pitching your name to the higher levels, your performance flounders and makes them look stupid.

The other possibility is that they’re just a$$holes, as so many (but not all) corporate managers are. Consider both possibilities. There could be something else going on.

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I know how it feels to put forth a lot of effort only to have it start to be expected of you. Its not cool.

Here is my opinion though, don’t quit your job. Whatever you’re doing you’re good enough at it to excel past everyone else, so keep that in mind, you ARE good. Maybe others dont try as hard as you, or maybe they dont have the talent, regardless, being the best will pay off. Whether in bonus, promotion, or respect.

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Andrew,
The “What have you done for me lately?” attitude is a sad fact of many in the corporate world, where an employee seems more a commodity than a human being. Your bosses’ bosses complaints about your supposed mediocre performance (only in regards to your usual standard) do exist, as you say, only because you are held to such high expectations.

Look at the positive. You have a strong work ethic, demonstrated by how the criticism cut into you. There are many people who have little to no pride in the work they do, and there is little that can be done to motivate them.

Be mindful that your location’s head took an interest in you. I would take from this that he recognizes that you are an asset to the company, and realizes that something is affecting your performance. There is probably concern there, even if only for the bottom line, as you are known (by many levels of management) to be an asset with your usual high performance.

From my experience, I agree with Warren, that people who’ve vouched for you are getting nervous, because maybe you are being considered for promotion. From my own experience, while many managers are inept, clueless and selfish, there are some who are always watching the good things you do.

It’s easy for me to speak, since I had voluntarily gotten out such an environment. The consolations that you can have while you’re still there are the knowledge that you’re doing it to provide for your family and the pride that you’re doing a quality job. When I was in a corporate environment, for a while I had an excellent boss who recognized people’s work. Some days it was only the ‘thank you’ at the day of the day that kept me coming back the next day. Have faith that hard work does pay off.

Also, being honest in saying that you saw through the (false?) concern for you may pay dividends for you. If it wasn’t taken personally, you are guaranteed to stand out for promotion. I know that as a good and honest employee who’s not the usual phony sycophant, you will stick in people’s minds when a promotion spot comes up if you stay there long enough.

I hope your wife gets better soon.