June 11, 2010
Not Crystal Clear, but Definitely Less Muddy
Wow. The Universe/God/Fate/Karma really has a knack for bringing things into sharp focus, just when you need it. And in ways that are completely unexpected.
If I were a full-on Christian who has accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior -- and not the habit-Christian who has less of a belief system and more of a bunch of theories that are in a constant state of flux -- I might say that... God was working through Alpha to bring me some clarity...
I don't think she meant to tell me what she told me, as it kind of reflects badly upon Head Boss, and she is SOOOOOO mother-hen-protective of Head Boss. But we were out to lunch on a beautiful day, when no one wants to be at work, and tongues were wagging, and in such cases, people often... over-divulge.
Here's what she told me.
About four years ago, my predecessor hadn't yet started, her predecessor Zoe had just left, PhD Boss was brand new, Alpha had been there for ten years, Head Boss hadn't yet started, and his predecessor was slowly dying of cancer. Got all that? Go ahead and re-read, if you need to. No one will know.
With no support person and no department head, the burden of keeping the unit functioning lay squarely on PhD and Alpha. For six months, they ran the show, until Head Boss came on board. One of his first priorities was to become familiar with the budget.
In going over the numbers with Alpha, Head Boss learned that money had been budgeted to give Zoe a raise. Zoe was no longer there, but the money still was. So Head Boss asked Alpha what she thought they should do with it.
And this is where character comes into play.
Did Alpha say, "Oh, give it to me because I'm a single mom who has never received a penny of child support from my deadbeat ex, and I'm trying to put my daughter through college"?
No. No, she did not.
She said, "PhD and I have been working really hard picking up the slack these past six months. I think you should split the money between us."
And Head Boss thought that was a good idea. Until he shared the idea with PhD. And somehow, when Head Boss came away from that conversation with PhD, he thought that giving all the money to PhD was a better idea.
I'll just let that sink in for a moment.
Later, when Alpha didn't see a change in her paycheck and asked Head Boss about it, he told her that PhD had convinced him that he "really needed it." Yeah, you heard that right -- a PhD pulling down PhD-pay with a wife who was also working, and no kids, apparently "needed it" more than single mom Alpha.
First of all, one of my HUGEHUGEHUGEST contentions with businesses is that they tend to give people money based on need, or even worse -- perceived need. (I.e. Wenchie lives in an affluent suburb and therefore doesn't need to make any more money.) Whereas pay should be based solely on what people deserve through their hard work, or lack of it.
But in this case, the need issue is dwarfed by the fact that PhD Boss essentially STOLE ALPHA'S MONEY RIGHT OUT FROM UNDER HER. Head Boss had already agreed to splitting the extra raise money. It was intended for her. And then PhD somehow manipulated Head Boss into going back on what he had told Alpha he would do.
HOLY FUCKING SHIT.
I'm having heart palpitations just thinking about it. People, you don't fuck with another person's money! It's one of the most basic rules of decency! You don't wipe your boogers on someone's jacket; you don't eat from a stranger's plate in a restaurant; and you DON'T FUCK with someone else's MONEY.
I am so sickened by this. PhD had a choice: to do The Right Thing -- which would have entailed, essentially, doing NOTHING and just letting Head Boss' decision stand -- or doing The Selfish Thing. And he chose The Selfish Thing. He went out of his way and put effort into doing The Selfish Thing.
What does that say about his character, especially when compared to Alpha's character? PhD didn't know about the extra money when Head Boss talked with Alpha about it. Alpha could have convinced the apparently-easily-swayed Head Boss to give it all to her, and PhD would have been none the wiser. But she didn't. She did what was Fair and Just.
Good God, how does that woman come to work every day and not spit in their coffee?
When confronted with Alpha's "How could you do that to me?" Head Boss admitted that he regretted it. ... But he didn't change it. Doesn't speak very well to his character, but at least he has the decency to feel bad. I doubt PhD even thinks he did anything wrong.
I am so, so thankful that Alpha waited until a year after my start with this department to tell me about this incident. PhD Boss is on a three-month personal leave right now, praise God. Because if I had to come into work and see his face every day, I don't think I could be civil to him. He is everything that's wrong with corporate gender politics, and I no longer have an ounce of respect for him.
And THAT, my friends, is what gives me such a sense of clarity regarding my employment options.
I really hope that my current contract isn't renewed. And I certainly am never going to work for PhD in his new venture because I know that I am just a tool for his use, and he will never, EVER do what's right by me. And if I do end up getting one of the two possible other positions in the company, I will give PhD Boss my resignation with a smile on my face and a song in my heart.
So thank you, Alpha, for making my choices a little bit clearer.
Comments
Another example like the one where the cop follows the chick who curses like a sailor and such with a "follow me to Sunday School" bumper sticker because he thought surely the car was stolen...
Posted by: Honidus Corax Celticus at June 11, 2010 01:23 PM
What they should have done, what would have been the TRUE correct thing is to have cut Zoe the check and forwarded it on to her because it WAS hers.
Posted by: Stacey at June 13, 2010 11:21 AM