The Job, and after
With money being extremely tight, I looked on Craig's List in my area for employment of the type I could perform. I applied to a few different listings, all of them office or customer service work. One replied back and I went and interviewed. I ended up getting a second interview and was offered a job. They were initially hiring for an office assistant, but because of my knowledge and background in information technology, they decided to create a new position for me. They wanted me to be their IT manager, set up their network, build systems, design a webpage, and do some writing. It all sounded great to me. There was one warning flag, however. I was asked if I wanted to be paid under the table. I told them no. I should have listened to that warning sign. The interview was on a Wednesday, and I started work on Friday.
The place that hired me was a garage. The owner rebuilt vehicles from autos to industrial, and sold them. He also did repairs. When I got there, I was basically thrown to the wolves, so to speak. The owner wanted me to build him four computers, and find a good deal on an Apple computer. I spent eight hours that day, and I gotta tell you, I was in incredible pain. On Saturday, I went in for an hour and a half to do some basic stuff and had Sunday off.
Monday I began getting the place ready. I wanted to learn how their current network was set up, and also investigate a safe they had there that had internet connectivity. I was there for a little over four hours before the pain started to kick in. I had to stop.
Tuesday when I got there, the office manager said she wanted to talk before the day began. So whatever, we did, and she immediately began attacking me. Well, let me just copy and paste the resignation letter I wrote. It should explain a little bit more.
Yesterday when I first arrived, Jenn told me to pull up a chair to have an early morning meeting. During which, I was flat out told that not only was I misusing time, I was not doing my job. In addition, I was told that I did not keep up clear communications. These were not suggestions nor a subject that was gradually arrived at, but immediately thrown in my face. I felt the words and tactics used to be very underhanded and emotionally subversive. Near the end, I was feeling lower than dirt. This is my take on the issue:
The real issue comes from the fact that you do not communicate with each other, and leave it my responsibility to make sure that both bosses are on the same page. Scott tells me one thing, only to have Jenn tell me different. I don't think it's right that I should be yelled at because Scott tells me, for example, to not worry about the ethernet cables, yet to have his employee brow beat me. I don't think its fair to throw me to the wolves and to research auto parts that I can't even name, much less know what they do, to find really cheap prices and expect immediate results. I don't think its right that I have to tell Jenn every single detail of what I am going to do with a network, when she won't understand half of what I'm saying, and all it'll do is take time away from my own work.
I also don't think its right that I would be expected to do my job as an IT manager with one hand tied behind my back. No one really seems to care about how the computer network is set up or what is connected correctly, allowing me to do my job, but instead I am to be micromanaged by people who know next to nothing about my specialty. You'd rather skimp on doing it correctly (as in actually purchasing Windows 10 instead of forcing me to try to Jerry-rig something in the hopes that it'll work). If data backup, protection from hackers (every system, no matter how small is scanned and accessed hundreds if not thousands of times a day from outside users), and hard reliability is not important to you, then keep on doing what you have been. As I explained to Jenn yesterday, what would you rather happen? Wait for something to break down and then for me to spend time learning about it to fix it, or learning ahead of time so that our downtime would be limited?
I take pride in my job, but when I cannot even be allowed to do the simple basics, it becomes near impossible. You didn't want to spend the extra money on operating systems? Purchase one less computer and add to the network as you go along. Do you want your network to run smoothly? Let your IT person actually learn how your network is set up, give passwords and logins to items such as the router, and when your IT person is actively investigating your safe to make sure that the data back up will work, and so that he'll be prepared for when the parts arise. Let him do his job!
As for the job itself, we only discussed pay for a short time during the second interview. Nothing more was said. To this day, I am still unsure of how the pay would be (hourly, if so, how much? Monthly? When is the pay period?). All I do know is that you seem to have preferred to pay me under the table. No thank you.
In addition, to handle your “concerns” the way it was done yesterday was extremely unprofessional and quite frankly, hostile. At most, Scott should have been there at the same time instead of letting Jenn do what she did. Even when I had my quarterly reviews, there were always two managers there to make sure it went off in a very professional manner. But to have that happen to me a mere three days after I started, and told that this is something that would regularly happen? No, I don't think so.
As I've mentioned before, I'll restate now, no one has the right to treat me the way you did, nor will I stand for it. In addition, if you hire someone to do their specific job because you can't, then let them do it. Give them a project, exact details of what you want, a budget and a time table, and then let them worry about it. But micromanaging seems to be the way you run your office. This is not how things work in the real world.
As a final nail in the coffin, I asked since the day I placed the order for the parts for not only the tracking number, but the invoice. As the IT manager, it is my responsibility to track all of that information, so that if problems arise, I can nip it in the bud instead of finding out after the parts arrive, causing further time delays. I even emphasized that point with Jenn yet again yesterday, being assured that I would get that information. I waited all day until the evening where I got an email form her saying that she tracked it and that everything seems to be correct. I was not given a tracking number. I was not given the invoice. All that this shows is that lip service is directed towards my concerns, but nothing else. However, I am the one responsible for miscommunication? I don't think so.
I fail to see how anyone could do their job in the current environment at your company. There is much more I could add to this, but I feel that my complaints have been made specifically clear.
I then signed the letter. Basically the owner would tell me to do (or not do) something and then the office manager would tell me something else. The "lack of communication" they were accusing me was that Jenn wanted me to verify the ethernet cables were already set up for the computers, but Scott, the owner, told me not to worry about it until after the systems were built. I told her that, but I guess she didn't like it. So, for some reason, I "didn't communicate." The issue with wasting time was that I took thirty minutes looking up a very cheap price for some auto part I never heard of before, had no clue what it did, or anything. I guess that was too long for Jenn. In addition, I spent a couple hours investigating a safe they have. Scott wanted to have the backup hard drive mounted in the safe, so I wanted to make sure that I knew how to set it up and everything was working properly. Again, Jenn thought that was wasting time. She said it wasn't important but I told her it was. This is where all your customer data is going, as well as all business data. I asked her if she wanted to risk losing everything because I knew nothing about the safe? Ridiculous. She also accused me of not finishing the order on Friday. She said it was incomplete. I had gotten her when I had finished the list, and remembered at the last minute to include an operating system. She hadn't purchased the order yet so I was able to throw it in at the last minute. In the end, Scott overruled it and wanted me to monkey around with the whole damn thing. Yet she still yelled at me about forgetting to include the OS in the initial order. I told her that hey, it's been a couple years, but I got it in there before there were any screw ups. What I've come to conclude is that she is just a control freak, and did not like the fact that I was doing something she really couldn't control. She had to "put me in my place." Well, I don't play those games and I won't stand for it. Obviously, I've been pretty depressed over the whole thing. It seems the only people who'll hire me are those who'll take advantage of me and abuse me. With the ever constant presence of pain, I just can't take anyone else's crap. The email does not cover all of what I experienced during my few days working there. All in all, it has left me with a horrible taste in my mouth.
Yesterday, my wife and I decided to get out of the house. We are both fascinated with geology and Idaho is known as the Gem State for a reason. So we looked up some information about mineral deposits that are relatively close to us, found one and went. Oh my goodness! We found some great stuff. We went to a stream and just browsed the shore. Laying in plain sight were all these minerals which would make excellent jewelry. Nothing like gold or what have you, but gemstones and minerals of a more common variety. We loaded up a backpack and another bag and headed back home. Man, if I had the money, I know exactly what I would do. I'd purchase a stone cutter and polisher, and everything else I'd need to get going. Then I'd start selling stuff through e-bay. There are tons of resources right where I live. The federal land around us allows for basically taking whatever stone we want. However, it will take a few thousand dollars just to start, and there is no way I can see possible of raising that kind of cash. Hell, we can barely keep our heads afloat as it is. Right now, the Internet and Electricity are two months behind. I hope we can pay them the next pay check. Oh yeah, I worked 16 hours at that horrible garage, and I will not get paid for it. I was thinking about setting up a gofundme page for the jewelry stuff, but I don't know if that would be worth it. I don't know many people, and I doubt people would give me money just to get a business started. So I won't do it.
There was one more positive thing that happened yesterday, however. My wife and I went into a ranger's office, and found out that since I'm on disability, I was able to get a free lifetime pass to every federal/national park in the country. I'll never have to pay a fee again to go to Yellowstone, or any other park. In addition, if I ever want to camp there or use the facilities, I only pay half. So, yeah, that's a good thing.
Right now, I don't know what to do. I gave it my hardest effort, and was once again tossed to the wolves. I fought through the pain and did everything they asked, but no, it wasn't to be. Today while my wife was at work, I did a bunch of laundry and cleaned the house a bit. It's the least I can do.
But I am very stressed, and somewhat depressed. I am lost and without direction. Anyway, that's what happened.
I am considering writing a book about my experiences with chronic pain. I just don't know if any publisher would pick it up, and if anyone would buy it. Heck, I don't even know where to start. I'm wracking my brains trying to think of ways to bring in much needed income, and I just can't seem to find an answer.
So, every day I deal with constant pain, some isolation, lots of stress and quite a bit of depression. The stress and depression comes from my situation. No pill will cure that. when I was working and things seemed great, the stress and depression was gone. There was a marked improvement in my attitude. I was having fun again, my wife and I were laughing again, and I had hope. But with the job being gone, so too is the joy and peace. I just need to find some way I can contribute to my home.
I love my wife and she is very wonderful and supportive. I just wish for once I could take her burdens away, and be the provider I used to be. That's the hardest thing of all.
The place that hired me was a garage. The owner rebuilt vehicles from autos to industrial, and sold them. He also did repairs. When I got there, I was basically thrown to the wolves, so to speak. The owner wanted me to build him four computers, and find a good deal on an Apple computer. I spent eight hours that day, and I gotta tell you, I was in incredible pain. On Saturday, I went in for an hour and a half to do some basic stuff and had Sunday off.
Monday I began getting the place ready. I wanted to learn how their current network was set up, and also investigate a safe they had there that had internet connectivity. I was there for a little over four hours before the pain started to kick in. I had to stop.
Tuesday when I got there, the office manager said she wanted to talk before the day began. So whatever, we did, and she immediately began attacking me. Well, let me just copy and paste the resignation letter I wrote. It should explain a little bit more.
Yesterday when I first arrived, Jenn told me to pull up a chair to have an early morning meeting. During which, I was flat out told that not only was I misusing time, I was not doing my job. In addition, I was told that I did not keep up clear communications. These were not suggestions nor a subject that was gradually arrived at, but immediately thrown in my face. I felt the words and tactics used to be very underhanded and emotionally subversive. Near the end, I was feeling lower than dirt. This is my take on the issue:
The real issue comes from the fact that you do not communicate with each other, and leave it my responsibility to make sure that both bosses are on the same page. Scott tells me one thing, only to have Jenn tell me different. I don't think it's right that I should be yelled at because Scott tells me, for example, to not worry about the ethernet cables, yet to have his employee brow beat me. I don't think its fair to throw me to the wolves and to research auto parts that I can't even name, much less know what they do, to find really cheap prices and expect immediate results. I don't think its right that I have to tell Jenn every single detail of what I am going to do with a network, when she won't understand half of what I'm saying, and all it'll do is take time away from my own work.
I also don't think its right that I would be expected to do my job as an IT manager with one hand tied behind my back. No one really seems to care about how the computer network is set up or what is connected correctly, allowing me to do my job, but instead I am to be micromanaged by people who know next to nothing about my specialty. You'd rather skimp on doing it correctly (as in actually purchasing Windows 10 instead of forcing me to try to Jerry-rig something in the hopes that it'll work). If data backup, protection from hackers (every system, no matter how small is scanned and accessed hundreds if not thousands of times a day from outside users), and hard reliability is not important to you, then keep on doing what you have been. As I explained to Jenn yesterday, what would you rather happen? Wait for something to break down and then for me to spend time learning about it to fix it, or learning ahead of time so that our downtime would be limited?
I take pride in my job, but when I cannot even be allowed to do the simple basics, it becomes near impossible. You didn't want to spend the extra money on operating systems? Purchase one less computer and add to the network as you go along. Do you want your network to run smoothly? Let your IT person actually learn how your network is set up, give passwords and logins to items such as the router, and when your IT person is actively investigating your safe to make sure that the data back up will work, and so that he'll be prepared for when the parts arise. Let him do his job!
As for the job itself, we only discussed pay for a short time during the second interview. Nothing more was said. To this day, I am still unsure of how the pay would be (hourly, if so, how much? Monthly? When is the pay period?). All I do know is that you seem to have preferred to pay me under the table. No thank you.
In addition, to handle your “concerns” the way it was done yesterday was extremely unprofessional and quite frankly, hostile. At most, Scott should have been there at the same time instead of letting Jenn do what she did. Even when I had my quarterly reviews, there were always two managers there to make sure it went off in a very professional manner. But to have that happen to me a mere three days after I started, and told that this is something that would regularly happen? No, I don't think so.
As I've mentioned before, I'll restate now, no one has the right to treat me the way you did, nor will I stand for it. In addition, if you hire someone to do their specific job because you can't, then let them do it. Give them a project, exact details of what you want, a budget and a time table, and then let them worry about it. But micromanaging seems to be the way you run your office. This is not how things work in the real world.
As a final nail in the coffin, I asked since the day I placed the order for the parts for not only the tracking number, but the invoice. As the IT manager, it is my responsibility to track all of that information, so that if problems arise, I can nip it in the bud instead of finding out after the parts arrive, causing further time delays. I even emphasized that point with Jenn yet again yesterday, being assured that I would get that information. I waited all day until the evening where I got an email form her saying that she tracked it and that everything seems to be correct. I was not given a tracking number. I was not given the invoice. All that this shows is that lip service is directed towards my concerns, but nothing else. However, I am the one responsible for miscommunication? I don't think so.
I fail to see how anyone could do their job in the current environment at your company. There is much more I could add to this, but I feel that my complaints have been made specifically clear.
I then signed the letter. Basically the owner would tell me to do (or not do) something and then the office manager would tell me something else. The "lack of communication" they were accusing me was that Jenn wanted me to verify the ethernet cables were already set up for the computers, but Scott, the owner, told me not to worry about it until after the systems were built. I told her that, but I guess she didn't like it. So, for some reason, I "didn't communicate." The issue with wasting time was that I took thirty minutes looking up a very cheap price for some auto part I never heard of before, had no clue what it did, or anything. I guess that was too long for Jenn. In addition, I spent a couple hours investigating a safe they have. Scott wanted to have the backup hard drive mounted in the safe, so I wanted to make sure that I knew how to set it up and everything was working properly. Again, Jenn thought that was wasting time. She said it wasn't important but I told her it was. This is where all your customer data is going, as well as all business data. I asked her if she wanted to risk losing everything because I knew nothing about the safe? Ridiculous. She also accused me of not finishing the order on Friday. She said it was incomplete. I had gotten her when I had finished the list, and remembered at the last minute to include an operating system. She hadn't purchased the order yet so I was able to throw it in at the last minute. In the end, Scott overruled it and wanted me to monkey around with the whole damn thing. Yet she still yelled at me about forgetting to include the OS in the initial order. I told her that hey, it's been a couple years, but I got it in there before there were any screw ups. What I've come to conclude is that she is just a control freak, and did not like the fact that I was doing something she really couldn't control. She had to "put me in my place." Well, I don't play those games and I won't stand for it. Obviously, I've been pretty depressed over the whole thing. It seems the only people who'll hire me are those who'll take advantage of me and abuse me. With the ever constant presence of pain, I just can't take anyone else's crap. The email does not cover all of what I experienced during my few days working there. All in all, it has left me with a horrible taste in my mouth.
Yesterday, my wife and I decided to get out of the house. We are both fascinated with geology and Idaho is known as the Gem State for a reason. So we looked up some information about mineral deposits that are relatively close to us, found one and went. Oh my goodness! We found some great stuff. We went to a stream and just browsed the shore. Laying in plain sight were all these minerals which would make excellent jewelry. Nothing like gold or what have you, but gemstones and minerals of a more common variety. We loaded up a backpack and another bag and headed back home. Man, if I had the money, I know exactly what I would do. I'd purchase a stone cutter and polisher, and everything else I'd need to get going. Then I'd start selling stuff through e-bay. There are tons of resources right where I live. The federal land around us allows for basically taking whatever stone we want. However, it will take a few thousand dollars just to start, and there is no way I can see possible of raising that kind of cash. Hell, we can barely keep our heads afloat as it is. Right now, the Internet and Electricity are two months behind. I hope we can pay them the next pay check. Oh yeah, I worked 16 hours at that horrible garage, and I will not get paid for it. I was thinking about setting up a gofundme page for the jewelry stuff, but I don't know if that would be worth it. I don't know many people, and I doubt people would give me money just to get a business started. So I won't do it.
There was one more positive thing that happened yesterday, however. My wife and I went into a ranger's office, and found out that since I'm on disability, I was able to get a free lifetime pass to every federal/national park in the country. I'll never have to pay a fee again to go to Yellowstone, or any other park. In addition, if I ever want to camp there or use the facilities, I only pay half. So, yeah, that's a good thing.
Right now, I don't know what to do. I gave it my hardest effort, and was once again tossed to the wolves. I fought through the pain and did everything they asked, but no, it wasn't to be. Today while my wife was at work, I did a bunch of laundry and cleaned the house a bit. It's the least I can do.
But I am very stressed, and somewhat depressed. I am lost and without direction. Anyway, that's what happened.
I am considering writing a book about my experiences with chronic pain. I just don't know if any publisher would pick it up, and if anyone would buy it. Heck, I don't even know where to start. I'm wracking my brains trying to think of ways to bring in much needed income, and I just can't seem to find an answer.
So, every day I deal with constant pain, some isolation, lots of stress and quite a bit of depression. The stress and depression comes from my situation. No pill will cure that. when I was working and things seemed great, the stress and depression was gone. There was a marked improvement in my attitude. I was having fun again, my wife and I were laughing again, and I had hope. But with the job being gone, so too is the joy and peace. I just need to find some way I can contribute to my home.
I love my wife and she is very wonderful and supportive. I just wish for once I could take her burdens away, and be the provider I used to be. That's the hardest thing of all.
Replies
ohhh my goodness buddy you\'re long winded....lol i\'m sorry this position didn\'t work out,, perhaps with your seemingly great wealth of knowledge you need to create a business from which u have things sent to you as a independent contractor so that multiple companies can use your expertise you get to set your own time for work but most important your own pay,, place that on craiglist an see what responses you get,, how you feeling btw? i was thinking about u the other day have you ever did deep water therapy? its a form of physical therapy in something like a sauna,, its supposedly very relaxing an less stressful on your joints,, anyway good luck on your next venture, stay calm an just chilllll,, hope you enjoy your upcoming holiday ,, BBQ ALL DAY
Lol, yes, I\'m very long winded. I just like to write, what can I say? A lot, obviously ;) No, I\'ve never done deep water therapy, it sounds interesting though. As for how i\'m feeling, the usual. Thanks for your comment! :)
Hi sweetie.. You longwinded? nooooooooooooooooooooooo... lol
About that job? Holy flippin moley. That sounds like a COMPLETE nightmare! From you saying they asked if you wanted to get paid under the table I was thinking \" trouble \". What imcompetent bullies. I understand you were feeling less depressed and stressed working, but that shit absolutely wasn\'t worth it. Like cbreez said, is there any way you could advertise your skills or something you want to do and advertise it on Craigs List and see if the work can come to you on your own time ? I don\'t know much about how that works.
That is SO SO cool about all of the gems/minerals that y\'all found. That is so cool! I wish you could do what you suggested. It wouldn\'t hurt to set up a gofundme page. I\'ve given to friends and family who had pages for various reasons and I\'d be more than happy to donate to you. :0)
I know your wife appreciates all that you do around the house and the cooking, knowing how much pain you are in and that it surely makes it worse, so please don\'t ever discount that, okay? I know you want to work and provide for her, but you are doing the best that you can. I know how depressing it is to be in pain. I\'m miserable right now and it\'s memorial weekend and everyone is out enjoying themselves and I\'ve been in bed all day wanting to cry.. it frickin\' sucks.
As far as writing a book you can write one and publish it yourself on Amazon. A friend of mine here on DS did it. I\'ve known others who\'ve done it too. I know you love to write and you have a great talent for writing. That\'s something to consider, okay?
Know that I keep you in my thoughts and my prayers. I wish I could take your pain away.
oh.. and it\'s very cool about the National Parks , no admission and 1/2 off if you camped. That\'s a nice thing.
Big love and hugs my precious friend.
xo
G
Thanks LMT. *big hugs*
I have put my resume on CL before and put in what I was looking for etc, and I ended up getting on response - in September. The guy I ended up working for is bi-polar, and one day his wife came in to the office. I was the only one there. She asked if I had seen her husband and it turns out he never came home that night. She was considering calling the police. Well, stuff happened and we ended out working relationship. It literally took me over a month of constant threats and badgering to get paid for the work I did, and they only paid me for half of it. So yeah... that was my other CL job experience.
I guess I\'ll look into the gofundme thing. I\'ve never tried it before and I hate to beg. I\'ve always been \"self reliant,\" but with everything else chronic pain gives you, I guess I have to give that up too, huh? I just think that if I could get that stuff, that\'s something I could do at home and be able to bring in some cash. Maybe I could offer free jewelry to those who donate?
As for doing the thing on amazon, I\'ll look into it.
So sorry you had a horrible experience. You probably were lucky it was only 3 days. They sound like very shady people and could have been disastrous if you accidentally got involved.
There are also other perks, free fishing licenses, free admission to museums, etc., check for your area. I found out I don\'t have to pay entrance fees for a lot of places.
I can\'t remember the websites, but there are websites for people to post computer work they need done from building a website or fixing other computer issues. Some are small jobs and some larger. Would that be something you could tackle and earn some money? That would be perfect for your experience and you could choose small or large jobs according to how you feel? If I had more experience in some areas that is something I would do.
I also have thought about writing a book, but I am a lousy writer. LOL I have 2 or 3 years worth of daily journals on how I felt that day. I kept it for my lawyer/disability case.
Check out the computer freelance jobs, you\'d be perfect for that! I know there are actual work at home customer service jobs also that are not scams. You basically are at home and answer the phone and assistant customers. I have looked into that also.
Big hugs friend, please try to Let go and Let God. I know it\'s very hard for you right now, but God will be there. Stress will add to your pain so much!