...if it's the last thing I ever do.
The job. As if it were not already the most mind numbing thing I can think of, along comes two things that just add to my own sense of impatience of getting out sooner rather than later.
Late last week, I get an e-mail from the supervisor that handles all of our training regarding some more responsibilities that will be foisted upon us, not that we had a say in the matter, mind you. The pain has been spread out amongst everyone on this program, not just us telecommuters. So yesterday I had to take two hours out of my day to learn a new two new skill sets that, truth be told, could just as easily have been handled with handouts. (Even the trainer admitted this.)
Is there more money to be added to our regular bi-weekly pittance for having these new skills? Yeah, right, I should know better.
So, off I go, log onto MS Web Meeting, and sit through two useless hours of following a PowerPoint presentation that really was not necessary. For those of us that have been on this program for some time, myself included, there was really no need to undergo this. All they had to do was give us the handouts, (in our case, via e-mail) and some very brief, concise instructions on parameters for using them, and all would be good.
Actually, we got lucky; the client wanted a 7 hour training on this!!! Insane? You bet. Thankfully our trainer talked them out of it. The only saving grace was two hours of overtime in the coffer.
However, what has finally got my goat is the fact that our new schedules have come out, and I was not given the times and days off I have requested. It was not all that different from what I have now, but it was the fact that this was the umpteenth time that I have not gotten the schedule I have asked for. Mind you, I was:
A. One of two people that were the prototypes for this telecommuting program and proved that it could work.
B. Have been given an award for work that I have done regarding assisting people in the IM chat room we have for us that telecommute.
C. Was one of two people that field tested a prototypes virtual work environment that is planning on being implemented.
I didn't think that after all of this it would be too much to ask for a schedule that suits my needs. As a result, I may not be able to audition for a show I have had my heart set on going for, as I may not be able to fit in the rehearsals if I do make it in.
I am tired of having my working life dictated to. When I started my freelance writing business, I made a plan to at least be able to drop to part-time at my job within a year. (In other words, at least 50% of my income would be generated from the freelance writing to make that a reality.) I have decided to move that timetable to six months. One way or another, I am going to drop this god-forsaken job by early next year, if it is the last thing I ever do. I am going to also start delving hot and heavy into learning editing and proofreading, as this is really where there are a ton of opportunities.
Yes, I know, I should feel lucky I have a job. It's just not enough anymore.
6 hours ago
12 comments:
Although it doesn't sound like a pretty picture, I can sympathize with your "having a job is just not enough anymore" statement.
Issues such as job satisfaction, personal growth, freedom and being rewarded fairly are primordial.
I once got stuck in a dead end job that paid quite well. I left.
With the US being in a what is starting to become a real recession, I hope you can find independent work that is more satisfactory.
All the best from Belgium (also deep in a recession)
Having recently given up one job and rearranging another, all with a drastic cut in pay, I can well understand that just having a job is not enough. Good Luck.
I feel your pain, and I did leave that God forsaken place. More responsibility, but without more pay. Not to mention that the schedule changed every 3 weeks, therfore having to rearrange your life to match it was needless to say ridiculous. Yes the job I left for is basically the same work, but I have a lot more variety with it, and along with that I get more pay and benefits to make it worth my while. Mr. Nighttime may you be able to do the same.
Anon - Yeah, J, I know what you mean. They don't change the schedule every 3 weeks anymore, but still, it annoys the hell out of me.
I spent four years in a job I didn't like and I felt trapped. I constantly felt as though I was in prison - quite ironic since I'm now in prison but happy!
Go for the audition and ditch the job if you get it! Earning enough money is essential, of course, but sanity doesn't come at a dollar price.
A friend of mine did just what you'd like to do today. In the middle of her working day she threw up her hands at the final insult and said F*** it, I'm outta here', and left.
She has no idea how she's going to earn her crust, but she feels lighter, for sure.
You should not 'feel lucky to have a job'...that's what 'the system' plans to make us feel in their efforts to get us to be accepting of many and various innapropriate (and worse) working practices employed in the ways of captalist greed!
gemma - Believe me, I'm all too familiar with it. Myself, I believe in capitalism, just not the Ayn Rand variety. I don't believe in making money at the complete expense of others. One still needs to be a responsible human being.
Truth be told, there is no one system that is better than the rest. Each system, whether it be socialism, capitalism, anarchism, what-have-you wants you to think their way is best.
As for the "be glad I have a job" thing, well, I guess that is my dad creeping up on me. It is also the same thing that kept him back for many years, and stopped him from pursuing what he really wanted to do. This is why we never saw eye-to-eye on a lot of things. He never fully understood why I took so much joy out of being a paramedic. (But that is another story for another day.)
Powerpoint presentations blow monkey chunks. I remember them well and not fondly from my years in the corp. world as Advertising Barbie. I would get the yawns and it was all over, trying to hide my ennui was impossible, so I just stopped trying. That is why the search for my next job come September will not include any positions that require me to attend meetings, unless there are strippers involved. Amen.
"That is why the search for my next job come September will not include any positions that require me to attend meetings, unless there are strippers involved."
Male? Female? Both? ;-)
I am an equal opportunity ogler my dear.
I feel your pain. It took me five years to finally get out of security after having worked in that field for 10 years -total time in field was 15 years.
It was a job, at least.
Current job has picked up again. FINALLY. Much luck to you. You'll be happier for it.
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