My Total Irritation Today

There's nothing quite like being left in the lurch and then thrown under the bus! My mantra: I love my job! Merry Christmas. Bah Humbug!

What A Loser I Am!

So at last, I have the internet at home. I only work for an IT company and am expected to be technologically saavy at all times. OK, not so much "at all times", but still, you'd think I'd be all hooked up at home, right? Nope. So I brought my laptop home to see if I could access the network from home. I forgot the one crucial item that I need in order to attempt that...the network cable. Duh!!! Loser!!! So, round two will be tomorrow night. I'll be armed with laptop and network cable, and we'll see if I can access the VPN. Wish me luck!

More on "The Boss"

So now the issue is: total micro-management. This is to the point where I think I've had just about enough. The following is a message from my boss with the subject line of "Time and Attendance": I didn’t receive your email today when you arrived letting me know when you came in this morning. Please be reminded, I need to receive this email everyday when you log onto your computer and every evening before you log off. If it helps, a reminder message can be set up in Outlook through establishing a recurring task, with a reminder message so that it appears as soon as you sign into Outlook. You need to send this email everyday, even when it has been arranged in advance that you will be coming in late. For today’s occurrence, I will seek assistance from security. But please make note of this and ensure that I receive this data daily. I believe this is creating a hostile work environment for me and my co-worker. We are in a professional environment, nobody punches a clock. We enter our time into PeopleSoft every day. Furthermore, when the boss stated that this would be a requirement, I asked her if we had given her any reason to be doing this, and she responded, "No, I'm just keeping track of time and attendance." I thought that's what PeopleSoft was for. This goes against one of our company's core values which is: Create and maintain an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. In addition to the "Time and Attendance" rule, we now have to 'filter' everything through the boss. That is, everything we send out (reports/data due) we have to send to the boss first, and then wait for her approval before we send to the party that is expecting it. We also have to 'filter' all requests through her as well. Like, if we need data from someone that is critical to a report, we cannot go to the source, we have to go to the boss and she will request said data. This goes against the aforementioned core value, and two more: 1. Encourage every team member to take risks, exercise initiative, deliver quality results and never be afraid to make honest mistakes. 2. Create a supportive environment that nurtures personal and professional growth. I don't feel like my personal or professional growth is being nurtured, and this is definitely not a supportive environment! I am also not being encouraged to take risks, and certainly not to exercise initiatives!!! The good news is, I have a meeting with the boss's boss on Tuesday. There are many more issues that could go into some ethical areas. That's for another blog.

Toxicity Level is HIGH

Does anyone ever think "Gee, wonder if I'm a bad boss"? Probably not. I know a select few who would benefit from asking themselves that very question. If they were honest with themselves, they would find that maybe they are micro-managers, time-mongers, or just the boss from hell. I was reading an article on bad bosses at www.toxicboss.com. Now that's an interesting site. It gives you tips on how to deal with a toxic boss, as well as stories about workplace revenge. It also has a Toxic Boss-o-Meter, to see how toxic your boss really is. I have had the misfortune to work for a few really toxic bosses. Every time, I find myself wondering, "Did I really piss someone off on a cosmic level?" or "What did I do in a former life that was so terrible?" I can never seem to get past the toxic boss, so I usually end up leaving the company or transferring out of the department headed up by said boss. I would love to learn how to win over a toxic boss. I don't mean I want to be friends with the boss, but at least get past the feelings of intimidation and worthlessness, and become a productive member of the team in the boss' eyes. Is that too much to ask? Maybe it is. I think Kramer would advise me to blow up the boss' house or car. Surely something evil. But I'm not looking for revenge. I just want to be comfortable, if not happy, at my place of business. My hubby tells me to document everything so I have it when I need it. And he's right, but am I missing something? I feel like maybe I can take an extra step somewhere that will lead to the boss not being so, well...bossy! I would love to hear your toxic boss stories. Any comments?

Hmmm...

Dear Staff: Please be advised that there are new rules and regulations implemented to raise the efficiency of our company. ATTIRE: It is advised that you come to work dressed according to your salary. If we see you wearing Prada sneakers & carrying a Gucci bag we assume you are doing well financially and therefore you do not need a raise. If you dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money better, so that you may buy nicer clothes and therefore you do not need a raise. If you dress in-between, you are right where you need to be and therefore you do not need a raise. PERSONAL DAYS: Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year. They are called Saturday & Sunday. LUNCH BREAK: Skinny people get 30 minutes for lunch as they need to eat more so that they can look healthy. Normal size people get 15 minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to maintain their average figure. Fat people get 5 minutes for lunch, because that's all the time needed to drink a Slim Fast and take a diet pill. SICK DAYS: We will no longer accept a doctor statement as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work. RESTROOM USE: Entirely too much time is being spent in the restroom. There is now a strict 3-minute time limit in the stalls. At the end of three minutes, an alarm will sound, the toilet paper roll will retract, the stall door will open and a picture will be taken. After your second offense, your picture will be posted on the company bulletin board under the "Chronic Offenders" category. SURGERY: As long as you are an employee here, you need all your organs. You should not consider removing anything. We hired you intact. To have something removed constitutes a breach of employment. Thank you for your loyalty to our company. We are here to provide a positive employment experience. Therefore, all questions, comments, concerns, complaints, frustrations, irritations, aggravations, insinuations, allegations, accusations, contemplation, consternation and input should be directed to the Unemployment Office. Have a nice day. Human Resources Dept.