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Old 09-10-2009, 07:55 AM   #1
Larry_OHF
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Join Date: March 1, 2001
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Default Job woes (seeking advice)

It may be too late to get some good advice from you guys since this morning has a big decision to be made, but let's throw it out there anyway and see if it helps me in the near future.

So I have been working a job for two years with a manager who I find myself no longer wanting to be subjected to, and an immediate supervisor too afraid to stand up for me. The job itself is high stress, where people call in to inquire on their finances and usually have problems...and people are touchy with their money problems...

So yesterday when the manager decides to yell at me for something she claims I did wrong but in legal terms, I had done right...she mentioned that I frequently am in her office with such problems and what do I think we should do from here on. I told her that I can no longer see myself a part of this team and that I should resign in two weeks.

Her response to that was that maybe I was making a hasty decision and that I should think about it (last night) and come back to her tomorrow to let her know what I would be doing.

My goal is to get away from her and that contact center as fast as possible,,,but the US economy is not allowing us to just quit our jobs and find another fast. I have heard of people being out of work for nearly a year...or having to take crap jobs to make it. I don't want to be one of those, but I have to enact a change for my sanity as misery is creeping through my being like poison. I think the best thing to do would be to let her know that I will be seeking other employment, but that in the meantime I will continue to work my best to be able to leave on good terms, but that it might take more than two weeks...but there is a problem with that. It leaves me no time for going to interviews with other companies in the near future. I am literally beginning to search the entire span of the US to look for work, and will relocate if needed. I have already sent applications to Pennsylvania (and some as close as Raleigh, NC which is about two hours away).

Does anyone have any experiences that would help me make up my mind...should I quit in two weeks and if I don't have a job by then, then I can at least have all day every day to make room for interviews and take what I can get in the end if I get desperate enough, or keep my job and work on until I get something solidified...but risk being firedat a moment's notice because my manager is surely running out of steam with me?
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Old 09-10-2009, 08:18 AM   #2
Variol (Farseer) Elmwood
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Default Re: Job woes (seeking advice)

Well, I would go over that person to the next person and state my grievance. What do you have to loose? Do you have an HR department?

..and, it's always easier to find a job when you already have one. If you need to take time off for interviews, again, who cares?
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Last edited by Variol (Farseer) Elmwood; 09-10-2009 at 02:00 PM.
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Old 09-10-2009, 08:39 AM   #3
VulcanRider
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Default Re: Job woes (seeking advice)

Something to think about -- if you quit now (or in 2 weeks), how long can you afford to pay your bills while you look for another job? Better to tell the manager you were feeling frustrated and stressed and didn't really mean it, then at least you'll have a paycheck while you keep looking. Also, I'd ask her to discuss your "mistake", since you were following the law what did she want you to do instead?
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Old 09-10-2009, 11:25 AM   #4
Bungleau
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Default Re: Job woes (seeking advice)

Good advice thus far.

First point: Expand this beyond you and the supervisor. Include the HR department (very critical, and they will want to be involved, but beware: they care about the company, not you or the supervisor), and look to your supervisor's boss as well. Even though she is weak and won't apparently stand up, you can force the issue into their lap. And they will gladly toss it over to HR.

Second: Unless it's truly unbearable, keep what you have while you look for something else. Do you have any kind of non-compete agreement in place? If not, who are your competitors? Time to contact them.... but be aware that they may have connections where you are. Word will get out, sooner or later.

Third: Hard question: Can you deal with your supervisor like a client on the phone? Acknowledge her issues, and in a grown-up fashion, ask her to document, address, and resolve whatever she wants to see differently and why. My favorite line from "Night at the Museum": Who's evolved? Who is evolved? Let it be you.

Fourth: Documenting is important. If she doesn't know what she's doing, the documentation will make her look bad, and she will resist. Tough luck; you document from your side, then when push comes to shove, it will be your documentation against her word. She'll be hard-pressed to "win". Also, should this grow to a hostile work environment situation, you may have legal remedies, and your documentation will be beneficial.

Fifth: Deploy the Eddie Haskell rule. For those who don't remember Leave it to Beaver, Eddie was the kid who was fantastic and wonderful when adults were around, but an utter jerk when they weren't. At work, be on your best behavior. She may just be looking for excuses to write you up.

Sixth, and finally answering your question: You've got a couple of different approaches you can try. You can go for:

1. Alpha stay. "I felt that it was unprofessional and inappropriate for you to yell at me about that, particularly when from what I could see, my actions were legally correct. In the future, if you have questions or concerns, I request that you discuss them with me privately, not publicly. With respect to this issue, I request that you document what you believe I did wrong and why so that I and others may learn from it. If you are unwilling to do that, then we need to work on how I'm going to leave."

Alpha leave. "I felt that it was unprofessional and inappropriate for you to yell at me about that, particularly when from what I could see, my actions were legally correct. I've thought about it, and I don't believe that I can continue in such an unprofessional environment. I may consider transferring to a different department, but I will not be staying in this department."

Beta stay. "I got frustrated because I thought I was doing the right thing from a legal perspective. I let that frustration out, which was unprofessional of me. I will work on that, and with respect to this issue and similar ones, I would like your help in documenting exactly what and how these kinds of situations should be handled in the future."

Beta leave. "I got frustrated because I thought I was doing the right thing from a legal perspective. I let that frustration out, which was unprofessional of me. After thinking about this, I've concluded that I can't contintue to work in this environment, and will seek either a transfer to another department or employment elsewhere."


I originally wrote "Wussy stay" instead of "Beta stay", but the idea is the same... a non-alpha position where you allow her to remain alpha. I don't know if that would work for me... probably not for long... but it would give me time to find my next job.

Good luck, amigo...
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Old 09-10-2009, 11:30 AM   #5
John D Harris
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Default Re: Job woes (seeking advice)

Vulcan is right, On the bright side your manager didn't say to you, yes you're right you should leave... so there's a spark of hope.

In this economy it's tough, with a paycheck you can eat. While lower stress is great, it doesn't put food on the table or keep a roof over you head. I don't know if you have enough money rat hole'd to make it through until you find something else to pay the bills, only you know that. But I know the stress of putting up with folks, is a lot easier on a full belly then the stress of an empty belly.
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Old 09-10-2009, 11:31 PM   #6
Felix The Assassin
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Default Re: Job woes (seeking advice)

Did you cross a bridge?
Did you burn that mutha down?
Did you pursue pittance, and ask for training?

Inquiring minds want to know. As do the rest of us, here!
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Old 09-11-2009, 09:08 PM   #7
Larry_OHF
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Default Re: Job woes (seeking advice)

I did what felt right, and told her that although I definately am eager to apply my talents where they would be of more use in an environment where I feel more at ease, that I would continue to work until I found that position. I would not limit myself to two weeks. That seemed to be the right answer as it did not get her kicking up dirt at me or anything. I think she tried to portray herself in a more accepting, friendly tone because now that she no longer holds a pressure over my head, she is probably more fearful that I would go to HR and report her mannerisms of abusiviness to employees and underling supervisors, and she wants to try to keep me on the thoughts of this being all on me without provocation.

Meanwhile, I spoke with four other people today who have been preparing to find their own way out, and it's because of how management treats them on the job...not the job itself.
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Old 09-11-2009, 09:24 PM   #8
Felix The Assassin
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Default Re: Job woes (seeking advice)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry_OHF View Post
*Snip*
Meanwhile, I spoke with four other people today who have been preparing to find their own way out, and it's because of how management treats them on the job...not the job itself.
Wow! Back the truck up! Sounds like trouble is brewing to me. Have you thought about joining forces with the others and pursuing an EEO investigation?

I'm sure "B" will be around in a bit, and give lots of thoughtful meaning to all this, but I'm curios, as I have only college studies to grasp what you are experiencing.
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The Last Shot

Honor The Fallen

Jesus died for our sins, and American Soldiers died for our freedom.




If you don't stand behind our Soldiers, please feel free to stand in front of them.
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Old 09-12-2009, 03:23 AM   #9
Memnoch
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Default Re: Job woes (seeking advice)

Good onya Larry! Life is too short to deal with that shit. There will be other opportunities out there mate. Maybe you can even get into your own business like me! (hint). Good luck mate.
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Old 09-12-2009, 03:42 AM   #10
Yorick
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Default Re: Job woes (seeking advice)

Larry I think you should apply for jobs while you still have this job. Both your concerns are valid. The job market sucks, but you can't stay where your soul is dying either. I feel you bro. I empathise.
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