Two strange work events in two days! I got another one to share with you, from the mouth of your writer, John Henry Eden, straight to your heart.
While at work today, someone came in to sound the note for a staff meeting to happen immediately. So, two employees went around to the two different areas of our office, telling everyone to report to this staff meeting for everyone. After we are all gathered, the big kahuna (not the guy from yesterday, someone bigger) informs us that after someone purchased a cake for a departing employee, several knives were found placed in each of the men's and women's restrooms on each side of the office (total of four knives placed). As a result of this incident, the police were called in and presented their suggestions. In addition, they announced a policy to everyone that there will no longer be knives placed in the kitchen area of the office.
Now, a couple of things. First, what the heck? Someone really thought it'd be cool to take some knives and place them in the restrooms? What kind of prank is that? (Note: it was NOT me. I don't like my job, but I'm not that disgruntled).
Second, why are the police called in here? No one was harmed. Nothing bad happened. It's strange, to be sure, but the police are being called in here? Come on.
Third, we're going to ban knives? Are we all suddenly five, completely incapable of handling sharp objects lest we get stabbed through the cheeks and are forced to suck food through a straw for weeks? Until someone gets assaulted, consider it a prank.
Goes to show you, people these days are too reactive, too politically correct, and too afraid to just say what needs said. And as my blog I hope demonstrates, I am a victim of this environment.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Work sucks
So, I haven't written for a while, but I figure I'd write about an experience I had at work today. Now, to protect the parties involved, I will never reveal the following information on here:
1. Where I work (it's a state government entity, but that is as specific as I will get.)
2. The names of anyone involved (positions, somewhat.)
3. What I do (I will speak in generalities.)
The reasons to protect are so that this won't publicly ridicule anyone. This will not stop someone who works there and knows the intimate details from understanding exactly what is going on, but it will not let someone from the outside know. Way too much disclaiming? Sure, but I got to protect, right?
So, I was at work today, and what I do at work is scan files into a database. That's all I do. I take directions on how to scan files, and I operate in the way my boss asks me to.
About eight weeks ago, he asked me to scan in two new sets of files before I scanned in older ones, since they are likely to use the newer ones first. After a couple weeks and a meeting with him regarding this work, he stated that I was doing extra, unnecessary work by scanning both and wanted just one set in. So, naturally, I complied and I finished this part of the task and continued on.
Fast forward to today. I was working on another database maintenance task, my boss approaches my desk and wants to show me something. With the database not working right (typical), I could not view what he wanted so I just asked him to explain what he wanted. He asked me if I had scanned in the paper type he was holding. I had not, as from what he told me when we were talking last time, I was giving myself too much work. So, I just made sure one copy was in there, as was his instruction. Or so I thought.
After telling him this, he gives me this dumfounded look, then stating that "we obviously have our signals crossed." I then told him I'd look at what needed done and I'd give him an assessment on how long it would take. After that, he returned to whatever he does while working (my functions are disconnected from the rest of the department he runs).
What I gave you is basically what happened. There was no recollection by him of what he told me. None. All we had was what I remembered. I think that if you want to lead a department, you want to have people under you, you need to remember what you are instructing people. This comes from a guy who seems intent to not communicate at all and when communication is required, he seems dumbfounded that there are mistakes. Since I do not feel a need to take initiative or can have my initiative awarded (last time I tried, I was met with a chastising rebuke), I just let it all go.
Piece of advice: don't get stuck in a job you don't like. Have a way out. I had a couple of chances, and I failed to convert my opportunities. With one coming up in a few weeks, I know this chance has a lot riding on it, particularly my long-term happiness.
1. Where I work (it's a state government entity, but that is as specific as I will get.)
2. The names of anyone involved (positions, somewhat.)
3. What I do (I will speak in generalities.)
The reasons to protect are so that this won't publicly ridicule anyone. This will not stop someone who works there and knows the intimate details from understanding exactly what is going on, but it will not let someone from the outside know. Way too much disclaiming? Sure, but I got to protect, right?
So, I was at work today, and what I do at work is scan files into a database. That's all I do. I take directions on how to scan files, and I operate in the way my boss asks me to.
About eight weeks ago, he asked me to scan in two new sets of files before I scanned in older ones, since they are likely to use the newer ones first. After a couple weeks and a meeting with him regarding this work, he stated that I was doing extra, unnecessary work by scanning both and wanted just one set in. So, naturally, I complied and I finished this part of the task and continued on.
Fast forward to today. I was working on another database maintenance task, my boss approaches my desk and wants to show me something. With the database not working right (typical), I could not view what he wanted so I just asked him to explain what he wanted. He asked me if I had scanned in the paper type he was holding. I had not, as from what he told me when we were talking last time, I was giving myself too much work. So, I just made sure one copy was in there, as was his instruction. Or so I thought.
After telling him this, he gives me this dumfounded look, then stating that "we obviously have our signals crossed." I then told him I'd look at what needed done and I'd give him an assessment on how long it would take. After that, he returned to whatever he does while working (my functions are disconnected from the rest of the department he runs).
What I gave you is basically what happened. There was no recollection by him of what he told me. None. All we had was what I remembered. I think that if you want to lead a department, you want to have people under you, you need to remember what you are instructing people. This comes from a guy who seems intent to not communicate at all and when communication is required, he seems dumbfounded that there are mistakes. Since I do not feel a need to take initiative or can have my initiative awarded (last time I tried, I was met with a chastising rebuke), I just let it all go.
Piece of advice: don't get stuck in a job you don't like. Have a way out. I had a couple of chances, and I failed to convert my opportunities. With one coming up in a few weeks, I know this chance has a lot riding on it, particularly my long-term happiness.
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