Guten Tag, meine Liebchen. It is late in the afternoon on this gloomy and cold Sunday. As I rock out to Glee’s version of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, work continues on Project Get-The-House-Ready-To-Sell. Our hardwood floors have been sanded, re-stained, and sealed. The polyurethane goes on tomorrow morning. The painters are next, followed by the window cleaners. We cleaned out all the closets yesterday, and next weekend’s big project is cleaning and organizing the kitchen. By this time next week, we should have a For Sale sign in our front yard. Then will start the begging for prayers that we sell our house in a month or less in order to keep us on schedule to move well before the new school year. It is a scary/thrilling/intense situation.
Remember last week when I mentioned I was going to HQ for a mysterious meeting with the head of the department? I went, and it was definitely not what I expected. I was basically given his reasons why they were hesitant to offer me a job. It seems one of my former coworkers has been telling tales about my performance and my ability to work with others, and the person with whom I was talking never bothered to double check this information with HR. So, I was graciously offered an ultimatum that if I became more “collaborative” and developed “more productive relationships”, they would allow me to work at HQ in a temp capacity after we moved while they assessed whether I was a good fit for the company. If they find that I am not a good fit, they will give me my 60-day notice as per the terms of my severance agreement. If they find that they do want me, only then will I be placed into a permanent position somewhere within the organization. ***blank stare***
Yeah. My thoughts on this entire discussion are not fit to print. I was gracious and left it open that I would be willing to accept their wonderful proposal. However, I keep going back and forth about whether I want to work for such a company. On the one hand, I need a job when we move. I am working with a recruiter in the area who is trying to help me find a job but to no avail at this point in time. On the other hand, I feel like I have been given so many mixed messages and they have handled this entire acquisition SO poorly that I am not certain this company is for me. Perhaps it would be better for both parties if I called a halt to everything now and just say that I will work as per my retention and severance agreements but part ways after that. I know it would bring me a sense of much-needed closure and allow me to focus on finding a much-needed position in our new location. I have a feeling this week coming up will be another emotional week filled with much soul-searching. (Yes, Bryan, I still need that ketchup.)
Did you check out the books I reviewed this week? John Green is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite authors. I have yet to read a bad book written by him, but his latest is pure genius. I have a feeling I am going to be raving about it for a long time to come.
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
- Across the Universe by Beth Revis
- First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde
Don’t forget to vote for your favorite bloggers (ideally me) in the Goodreads Independent Book Bloggers Awards. Voting ends tomorrow.
That’s about it from here. It has been a long week/month/year. I am going to take these last few hours of the weekend and relax. Have a great Sunday afternoon, everyone. Happy reading!
It's been difficult, and I know my husband feels awful about this whole scenario too. The meeting made for an absolutely awful day, made even worse by the fact that I had fly up for it. I'm just glad it is over.
I can't imagine attending a meeting like that … and continuing to work for a company that is willing to manage like that. I know that sometimes it is easy to be "practical" but I imagine in the long run you might regret it. You've got so much going on that I'm sure it is hard to be relaxed and able to make decisions about all this easily.
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I am definitely waiting for karma to come. In the meantime, I can make sure I do everything possible to keep my distance from her. It is interesting to see how some people are rising to the top, and others are out only for themselves. Thankfully, it is only a select few who are doing the latter.
Hang in there – you have a LOT going on! I find downsizing brings out the worst in people in the workplace but it really is going too far to mess with people's careers and professional reputation. Don't worry – karma will come for this person eventually.
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Thanks, Tif! It will get better, of that I have no doubt.
I gave my "thanks but I am not interested in a future job at this company" notice today. It was a relief, even if it was a horrible conversation. I appreciate you keeping an eye out for openings. Management/Cost accounting in Beloit, northern Illinois or even southern Madison is where I am concentrating my search!
Oh my goodness! I cannot believe what you have had to deal with on the job front. I am definitely thinking about you and wish you the best in the end!
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Michele:
Enough is enough. This company doesn’t appreciate or deserve you. It is time to move on. I am keeping my eyes and ears open – something in management/cost accounting in the Beloit area. Correct?
I suspect I know who was talking about me. I've referenced her before on here and is what has made the last year at this company such hell. She gets a new job with the company, and I get the shaft because she still finds a way to make my life miserable. I'm waiting for karma to kick in at any point in time.
OMG I don't even know what to say about the whole job kerfuffle! I don't think I would want to work for a company like that either. Taking the word of someone else over the person themselves. And what about this other person who did the yapping? I do believe in karma but I think I would help speed it along…like an anonymous singing telegram or something to be out her in a spot. I hate this kind of nasty behavior!
Hope the house sells quickly and I would consider cutting ties with the company. Puts a bad taste on your mouth. Hope this week is better for you.
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Oh, trust me – I did not want to act as graciously as I did. I wanted to walk out of there with more than a few choice words but felt it would be prudent to avoid doing so in case they take it out on my husband, who is now contracted to work for them for another 18 months. I think by waiting, it will be better for all involved parties.
Thanks, Meghan! It used to be a great company to work for but the new owners leave a lot to be desired. I think it is best for both parties to part ways at this point in time. They have obviously judged me based on someone else's words versus on my actions. I will constantly have to battle against that unfortunately. It is time to move on, in more ways than one!
That stinks! It sounds like you handled it much more graciously than I would have been tempted to…. I agree with Bryan – sounds like the perfect time to move on! I will pray that the house sells quickly.
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I think I personally need a case after all of this. 😉
Yes, I have all but decided to cut my losses and move on. I am waiting for some paperwork that seems to have been misfiled, and I will be having a conversation with the person with whom I met on this past Monday. It should be an interesting discussion.
I'm sorry to hear that you still need ketchup. Maybe I'll have to send you and your family a few bottles. 🙂 I mean :(. That company, unfortunately for you anyway, doesn't sound like it's worth staying for. Sometimes it's the right time to move on, and this might be the case for you. You'll know when the time is right.
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I'm sorry to hear you're having such a hard time with your job – honestly, it doesn't sound like a very nice company to work for and it's so annoying that they are treating you unfairly. =( Good luck with that and with selling your house as fast as possible!
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