The Puffer Forum

So guys, today, for the first time ever, I am contemplating turning in my two weeks at the job. Up until now, I have totally loved my job and what I do, but things are changing rapidly and unfortunately, it seems like in my department, it's not good change.

Back story: Small start up, commuting with my BF last year before we moved up here, and I hung out at their work while not in class. This time last year, I was jokingly offered a contractual position and I took it-- more than happy to. I have never been so happy at a job; I was able to work from home, work at school, work in between classes, and when I had to come into the office, Denzil and I again commuted, to save our selves on gas. That was back when there was only 15 employees total, and 7 of those, including myself, were in customer support.

I have been more than happy to do my job, and have taken the initiative on more than one occasion to make my job more easier. I have come up with some great ideas, and it's helped streamline what I do. Another thing to mention, is that we are also allowed to have dogs at the office. For the last year I have worked when they needed me, being the only one to do what I was doing. I busted my butt, tried to prove that I had what it took, and they made me an official employee in January. It's been great....until the last month or so.

Today I found out, that someone who doesn't know my duties that well, got the "senior" position for my job. She has been there for a year on and off, but never on a consistent basis. She never had any of my duties either, until kind of taking some on in April, when my right hand man left. I have been doing my job, once again, by myself, up until we started to hire more and more people. When there was just 10 of us, everyone knew I went in from 10:30am-7:30pm, (with Denzil) and took an hour lunch. Hell, there were even some times when I stayed and worked later because Denzil had to stay later. I also, bringing both my dogs to the office, have to take them out every few hours. It's never been a problem for anyone, because everyone knew and understood.

Now, I am watched by all these new people who are just temporary employees for Christmas. Every move is scrutinized, and they are all whining and complaining because I took an hour lunch (duh, it's a nine hour shift.) They are also complaining about me taking the dogs out (which I do at most, 4s a day (puppy), but usually it's about once every two hours (to fall along with break times)). My manager brought this to my attention today and said that perception is everything. And I totally agree. But I don't understand why everything that has been ok for the last year, is all of the sudden not ok now. I hate walking into the office now, for feeling like my every step is being watched by people who have no business watching me. I have busted my butt to get to where I am at, and these new people who aren't even permanent are affecting my job? I don't want to put in my two weeks, because this aside, I love what I do. Or did. Not sure how that will work now that someone is actually giving me orders (even though I have to clean up at the end of the day what she didn't do). I know perception is everything, but why is it any of these peoples' business? I put in my time, more than they ever have, and still continue to do so. I am so frustrated, I have a sinus migraine from crying, and I feel like my manager and assistant manager left me with very little option. Either start coming in at 8:30am -5:30pm (which someone will have to pick me up and drop me off, because Denzil and I only have one car at the moment) or I come in at 10:30am-7:00pm, only take a half hour lunch, but still, this does little to accomplish anything (like assistant mang. and mang said) because everyone else leaves between 5pm-6:30pm, the new employees still don't see me there past 6:30, and if Denzil stays later, then I am stuck there as well (normal occurrence). Due to the nature of what I do, it's imperative that someone does my job until the very last possible minute of the day-- hence why I come in so late. The more I get accomplished tonight, means the less there is to do tomorrow morning. Sorry guys, I am so horribly frustrated, and it makes me dread going into work now. I don't know what to do. Any thoughts? Any suggestions? Is there a resolution to this? Am I wrong, even though nothing that I have done has changed?

Don'e even consider leaving one job, until you have another one. Jobs are hard to come by, nowadays! Sometimes you have to ride out the rough times & when your employer sees you doing that, it looks good for you & that's when you may see some changes.

I agree about not ditching the job at the moment. It is a matter of perception. I think you like your "job" you just don't like working you happen to be working with at the moment. They come and go and if you don't make waves, you'll be better for it. But also don't be overly stubborn as well. Things change and we have to accept that also.

Heck, you're not 80 saying "back in the day.. we used to..."

Don't sweat the small stuff

Yea don't ditch it til you get something else. However only you can make the long term decision. I had a similar thing not that long ago where I was working under someone who just couldn't do any part of the job, I just cracked on and made it clear to everyone who was actually doing the work, guess who has the job now lol

Thanks guys, and yes, still love what I do, but these people's "perceptions" are interfering with my work. I have people running and telling my manager and assistant that I am not doing what I am supposed to be doing, yet I am. They have no clue of what I am doing or where I am going at the time. When pulled into our conference room and asked, I tell them what I did or what I am trying to do, and they are ok with it, but how are you supposed to defend yourself against "perceptions?" Short of laying out everything I do, where I go and how late I stay for everyone, (what business is it of theirs anyways?) I am at a loss. I have seniority and I interviewed most of these people, yet they are questioning me and what I do? It's frustrating, and even after sleeping on it, I am still frustrated.

Maybe you need to have a talk with the manager?

Pufferpunk wrote:Maybe you need to have a talk with the manager?

We did that last night, and all I was told was to work on my "perception." I don't understand it, neither does my bf or my coworkers. How can you improve someone's perceptions when their opinions are already made up? I can understand if it was a performance issue, but it's not, it's a "perception issue."

This might be awkward, but you could talk to the snitches who are complaining, tell them you'd like to work out any misunderstanding, and explain what it is you do, and why you do it, and so on. Tell them that it's important for you to have a good working relationship and that you would like to make sure everything is kosher. It sounds like they are trying to make you uncomfortable, and maybe get you in a bad light to make themselves look better. So, the best thing to do with those people is to make them uncomfortable back, but in a professional, proactive way. Don't let it drop either.

sevenyearnight wrote:This might be awkward, but you could talk to the snitches who are complaining, tell them you'd like to work out any misunderstanding, and explain what it is you do, and why you do it, and so on. Tell them that it's important for you to have a good working relationship and that you would like to make sure everything is kosher. It sounds like they are trying to make you uncomfortable, and maybe get you in a bad light to make themselves look better. So, the best thing to do with those people is to make them uncomfortable back, but in a professional, proactive way. Don't let it drop either.

big +1!

Sometimes it's not the situation, but your reaction to it that is the problem.