November 22, 2010
I Got Me a Champion
Why did I make a doctor's appointment for every single work day this week? Did I not know that Thanksgiving is coming? How could I not be aware that I would need to do some grocery shopping at some point? Am I new to this country? I have to make a four-layer pumpkin cake to bring to Billi's!
Anyhoo, as I type this, I have twenty-eight and a half more days left in this shithole organization, in this soul-sucking job. (The half is because we get a half day off on December 10th as a thank you for... I don't know. Not shooting up the place? Time off for good behavior, I guess.)
In case you're new, I've been looking forward to ending my time here, as demonstrated by my counting down of the days. Yeah, I don't look forward to trying to find a new job or Husband nagging me to find a new job. But I look forward to no longer being in an atmousphere that is so bad for my complexion and digestion.
One of the people who was laid off on October 11th (a.k.a. The Columbus Day Massacre) came back to visit some friends today. The first comment Alpha made to her was, "Wow, you look great!"
Apparently, she has lost SIXTEEN POUNDS since escaping from Azkaban! SIXTEEN! I feel that's a very clear picture of what this place does to a person, don't you? I just couldn't be more jealous. And believe me, she's not the first person who has come back for a visit looking ten years younger. It's a universal phenomenon.
In fact, HR Troll #1 was walking by and chimed in, "How come everyone seems to lose weight after they leave here?" Um, because they're not compelled to fill the empty void that once was their self-esteem by eating their weight in Snickers bars? Just a hunch I'm throwing out there.
And speaking of the Ninth Circle of Hell, there is yet more news about my job. Son of Job News. Revenge of Job News. Job News and the Deathly Hallows Part IV. Abbott & Costello Meet Job News. And so forth.
It is one hundred percent fo-shizzle certain that my contract will not be renewed after January 15, and indeed, there is no chance that I will be continuing in my present position. And there was much rejoicing. Well, by ME. Not by the three people whom I support.
BUT. Head Boss seems to have taken a personal interest in getting me employed elsewhere in the building -- specifically in the job that I interviewed for months ago and got and then lost when I couldn't get a straight answer from HRT#1 because she was trying to spin the fact that they're just going to "transition" one of her little friends into my job.
Now, I don't know why he's interested in doing this. Maybe he really likes me and is actually interested in supporting me and my career? Maybe he really wants to stick it to HR and their bullshit "inclusive" hiring/promoting practices? I like to think that it's a little of both.
Anyhoo, he has told me that I need to speak to WM forthwith and make no delay. The dust has settled, the 2011 budget numbers are in -- so is that position officially taken off the books? If not, when is my start date? Head Boss and PhD Boss both told me to be 100% honest with WM about what I think is going on, and what I want to do about it.
Get this -- Head Boss even told me, several times, that he'd be more than happy to accompany me and/or WM into HRT#1's office and argue my case. The job is MINE, so if it still exists, what's the hold-up? Oh, sweet Jeebus, let me be a part of that conversation. Even if I don't get the job, just being given the opportunity to defend myself against the bullshit racism and zip-code-bigotry will be a balm to my soul.
I am quite unaccustomed to having a man champion my position. Mostly because they wouldn't dare. But hey, I'll be the first to admit that there are many instances in this world where I weild little or no power, and it would be FANTASTIC to have a well-respected man stand up and say, "This isn't right. She deserves better than this. This is an unjustice that I would see righted."
My heart flutters at the thought! But on the other hand, there is a feeling in my gut, like a ferret gnawing on my spleen, that tells me not to open myself up to this process again. Why set myself up for more rejection? Haven't they proven to me over and over and over that I have no future there?
And c'mon. Even if the HR Trolls acquiese, they're never going to pay me what I deserve. They will low-ball me in the hopes that I'll turn it down. And I will.
Coming soon to a theatre near you! The final Oscar-contender of 2010! Wenchie's oh-so-convincing performance of a woman who actually gives a shit about her job! "You don't like me! You really, really don't like me!"
Comments
Get yourself out of that place and I guarantee you'll feel better in every way. Some offices are just toxic.
Plus I'm home most days so we can play on FB together :)
Posted by: Hope at November 22, 2010 10:32 PM
You are absolutely right, Hope. Why am I not listening to the ferret in my gut? It's there to TELL ME SOMETHING!
Luckily, there is no way they're going to hire me and pay me what I want, so I'm just torturing myself shortterm.
Posted by: Wenchie at November 23, 2010 09:18 AM
I almost hate to say this, but it's nice to know someone out there has it worse than me. I hate my job, but at least I still have one, so I come in every day anyway just for the paycheck. You on the other hand would rather face unemployment. Gawds it must suck even worse for you, and I'm truly sorry.
Anyhoo, this is another post for the quotes file.
-L.
Posted by: Lori at November 23, 2010 12:55 PM
Don't worry about it -- my blog is all about schaudenfreude (sp?).
Posted by: Wenchie at November 24, 2010 06:24 AM