Fats, I hear you, but according to the higher ups, "everyone is trained the same...'. I am very security minded and look out for the physical and mental well being of the people on my team. I am pro-active as well, actively seeking out potential security concerns and addressing them immediately. Well that is not how most of the other people think and it is getting real old, real fast......I just happen to be one of the only people at my work that will draw a line and refuse to budge. I just simply ask them, "are you ordering me to do this?". If the answer is yes, then I do it and document. If they say no, then I tell them I will never do the negative action you are asking me and for them not to ever ask me to do it again unless they are ordering me to do so. And then at that point I document and ask them to sign off on it, they ALWAYS refuse to sign or admit to anything. I mean my gosh, grow a pair. Mad, it is not about the money, it is about the current environment in which I work. I am not learning anything really except that I need to continue to be professional. I am not increasing my skill base at all and that is not good.
Brett...a comparison to me. Back in late 07 early 08 I was in Iraq...again, and tired of being away. So after much discussion with my boss, a great LtCol whom I have a ton of respect for (and he is now a Colonel) I made the decision to make a lateral move from being a Communications Officer to what I lovingly refer to being an Acquisitions weenie (Acquisitions Professional - I am a program manager). So I did - and made LtCol probably due in large fact to that move (it was a huge part of the consideration). So now I am an Acquisitions weenie, albeit an LtCol one...but I dread work each day. I mean, I freaking HATE my work now. Given the opportunity, I would become a Major if I could be a Comm O again and go back to what I am passionate about - and truly love doing. Maybe things will change, bosses do, work does or maybe I will eventually accept the fact that selling my soul for LtCol was worth it - I know it is for retirement...so that eases my mind on days when I want to reach out and choke someone. I don't know...but if you are doing what you like, or have the opportunity to do so - do that over money any day. A Marines perspective on things.
Sean, I do not love what I am doing these days. I believe in my heart being a realistic person that I am dang good at what I do now. The constant struggles at my workplace in regards to people not taking one dang bit of responsibility REALLY erks me to no end. I want to be around professionals, people that I can learn from and seek knowledge so my skill base can explode. The job I recently applied for was a boyhood dream of mine. In fact I was once accepted 5 years ago but turned down the job after I got cold feet. I was not ready as a person to accept the challenge when I was 30. I have high expectations for myself. So the current job opportunity is not only a step up professionally and monetarilly, but is also something I have thought about for a long time. I really believe I could sink my teeth into the job and do what I have always dreamed I wanted to do for a career.
I'm right there with you. You definitely sound like a great person to work with/for. Good luck with your decision
Ya can beat your self up trying to figure what everyone else is doing. As long as you do the right ****ing thing, it'll all work out. That other guy should be worried about what YOUR going to do. Make your decsion and don't look back. Know that you did the best you could do under the given circumstances. Hope this helps, but you know what they say about opinions, there like *******s and everyone has one.
VS, I recently went through something similar. For about 8 years, I did web design/development for my current company. I had things pretty easy. As long as I got my work done, no one really cared what I did. I always got my work done well and on time. I made my own schedule and came and went as I pleased. Our company downsized in January. They eliminated positions that were unnecessary. To speed up this story, I was given the option of staying in my current position or taking over the sales manager position. If I didn't take the job, they would hire someone new. I enjoyed my current position and knew I wouldn't like the new role as much. I took the new role for a couple reasons. I had to take the opportunity to move up, it meant an increase in pay, and I didn't want to take the chance of working for someone I might not get a long with. I was right, I do not enjoy my new role as much. Everyone's problem is my problem. Customer has a problem, I have to solve it. Staff has a problem, I have to solve it. At times I feel like an adult babysitter. My schedule is still pretty liberal, but not quite what it used to be. Sometimes I miss my old stress-free role, but I still think it was the right decision. If you have a chance to move up in life, I think you need to take it. It may mean more challenges but I think you are strong enough to handle that. Thats my 2 cents.
Just a thought... would the guy's attitude who you don't respect change if he saw you in a different light? I'm thinking of a couple different scenarios, dating all the way back to grad school. In undergrad school, there were professors we despised. When we entered grad school, they all suddenly saw us "on their level" (not true, but that's how it was) and we were "peers" -- not students. I wonder if that could possibly change with this guy? I've also seen it happen in different organizational structures in various companies I've worked at.
Vito and Greg, thank you for your thoughts. Vito, the upward move would actually reduce the stress in my day. It is a cake walk job, really it is. My skill base would actually decline since there are virtually NO job duties, I am not kidding. The position is one of oversight, but from what I have seen and experienced as a position directly linked to the position above mine, is that there is NO oversight. And to top it all off, noone holds them accountable for their lack of work. All of the work rolls down to me without regard to the correct protocol. The people in my building literally forget the policies THEY have written. And when I call them on it they just stare at me or give an excuse. It is amazing. When I flash back to something I was told 2-3 years ago and I have documented when arguing a case in point, they somehow feel threatened and get on the defense, and you know what happens when the higher ups get on the defensive, they turn offensive towards the person bringing them the heat. Greg, I understand what you are saying about having the guy see me in a new light. When he brings me in and closes the door down, I do not hold back when he asks me a question. If it his lack of leadership or others that I feel are lacking, I let him know in so many words. There are things that are an ABSOLUTE necessity in the corrections business. And those necessities are not being brought to the table in our building. It is not something I think I know, it IS the way it is......I will give you something simple to chew on in regards to an event in our building and you will see what I am talking about......
Completely understand... Just thinking aloud here.... You already work for him in a way; it's just lower down the food chain. How much would it benefit your family pay-wise if you worked for him just the same but had a promotion? If not enough to matter... then don't do it. If it would HONESTLY change your family's situation, then I'd consider it pretty hard. Or at the least, like Bruce said -- use it as a platform to stairstep to a better position elsewhere.
It would be a very small payraise after all is said and done Greg. Our county is hurting for cash and they are not giving out payraises above 5%. After everything shakes out I might make 1-2K more, but my resume would look good. I would lose my overtime potential so that would off-set the 5% payraise as I would now be an exempt employee. But I am looking for acquisition of skills and I do not want a cake walk job. I keep hearing people say they want a cake walk job, I do not. I want some stress that will help me grow, I want to be pushed and at my work that is not happening.
I really appreciate you guys letting me speak my mind and helping me out. It means a bunch to me. I just looked, the job popped open today on the website. Now I am going to have to face a bunch of questions from people at work asking if I applied. And if I don't I will answer to someone about that as well. But as that song once said, DON'T worry be happy. Thanks guys!
Let me play devils advocate for a minute. Life is to damn short to work closely with someone you do not respect for at least ten years. Trust me I did it for 18 months and 20 years later those are still the worst 18 months of my life. There is no wrong answer but if you can get out and work w better people and make more money that is where I would put my eggs.
every day i have to deal with what i want to tell someone at my job keeping my mouth shut. i have been disrespected time and time again and i chose to stand up for myself every time. what it came down to for me is that i will not let someone dictate how i feel just because they are above me. virginiashadow i truely belive from what i know of you and your background you would find a way to make it work. one way or another you will come out on top. as far as the other job apply for it for sure! if nothing else it gives you experience interviewing, a skill that i think all of us need work on from time to time. hope this has given you a diff perspective and let us know what happens for sure!!!!!!!
Keep your options open apply for it. If you get the other job then great, and if you get the one at your current job then great too.
A quick update. Once again, I REALLY appreciate the advice you all gave me in regards to the job decision I posted. I passed my first test today and had my first interview. They told us that 2 out of every 100 applicants will be accepted. Yikes. I will give it my best, for that is all I can do.
