office/project politics...a rant

[slowSSer]

The end of the year for my industry is a boat load of clients wanting to get stuff done by the end of the year. this means a bit of traveling, which is cool. the end of 2006 got me to Chicago, Ohio, Boston, and all of Michigan (yes, from Detroit to the US/Canada border). this year has gotten me to Oregon/Washington for one project and Tennessee/Mississippi/Arkansas (the mid south as the local news stations call it)

so, you go, do site visits, come back pound out reports, and repeat! this all lead to this week being a "pound out report" week until the brakes got thrown into a screeching, hydroplane style, lurching halt. what do we see this early morning? a "put your pens down NOW!" email. wtf?

here's the interesting part- all of us involved (50% of the company) had our bonuses threatened if we didnt get a certain part of the project completed on time, which meant that most of us were working on said deliverable on our last day of visits out of state. a push, but everyone got it done.

now, nothing? are you kidding me? and not even a mention as to why, other than "we'll know more monday" fabulous. heck, I was looking forward to the week of lots of work. oh well.

end rant.

[northshore]

Typically a sign to look for another gig. I won't tolerate working for a company that treats their employees like crap. Frankly, companies these days barely have to do 40%-50% of what Yahoo! and Google is doing for their employees to retain them!

[PacMan]

I'm only 32, but it seems like the longer I'm around, the more employers think they can treat their employees like crap.

It's a "just be lucky you have a job and deal with it" sort of mentality. I guess it's true to a certain point, but that doesn't make it right.

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by PacMan

I'm only 32, but it seems like the longer I'm around, the more employers think they can treat their employees like crap.

It's a "just be lucky you have a job and deal with it" sort of mentality. I guess it's true to a certain point, but that doesn't make it right.

I'm only about a year behind you, but i'm also new here at this company, having just completed my 90 day trial and error period

here's the kicker- the co is wanting to double in size here in the next year.

Originally Posted by northshore

Typically a sign to look for another gig. I won't tolerate working for a company that treats their employees like crap. Frankly, companies these days barely have to do 40%-50% of what Yahoo! and Google is doing for their employees to retain them!

we're also real estate based, which doesnt really help...

[katonk]

Double in size? Real Estate based? I'm not a business genius or anything, but.... um, all my Real Estate based clients are hurting right now.

[Abui]

Companies that push their employees like that are planning layoffs. They want to suck the last drop of blood before letting you go.

[BSki]

I find myself often using the phrase "Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine."

[allison]

Originally Posted by BSki

I find myself often using the phrase "Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine."

That's how it seems to be where I work!

I rarely run across something that isn't an emergency.

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by allison

I rarely run across something that isn't an emergency.

...or due yesterday.

[el_d00der1n0]

what's a bonus?

[CalEpic]

I always try to remember the following facts.

I am employed "at will" and can be fired as such without cause.

Payroll is usually an employers biggest fixed expense and the easiest expense to trim.

There is zero loyalty to me or my family by any company.

That said, I work for a great company but am a realist when push comes to shove. Any company's bottom line will always come first. I will never put myself in a position where I will be devastated emotionally or financially if my job disappeared. I learned this the hard way.

[BSki]

"at will" employment is the largest legal joke of any employment contract.

I am quoting my lawyer that reviews my contracts.

[katonk]

Originally Posted by BSki

"at will" employment is the largest legal joke of any employment contract.

I am quoting my lawyer that reviews my contracts.

Elaborate please.

[el_d00der1n0]

My company will evoke the "at will" line whenever they want to make threats, but they are very afraid to fire anyone -- no matter how worthless they are -- without like a years worth of documentation of discussion.

[northshore]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

My company will evoke the "at will" line whenever they want to make threats, but they are very afraid to fire anyone -- no matter how worthless they are -- without like a years worth of documentation of discussion.

Yup! My GF works H.R. talk about legal battles!