CoWorker Grumblings

I am tired of work.  Actually, I love what I do, but it has become too much of a burden.  I work in a company that is so concerned about the price of shares that I can’t hire another team-member because it’s not in the budget…even though there is enough work for another full-time person.

And, why is it that I appear to be the only person who is interested in the bigger picture?  How is it possible that I have hired two people to work with me that I have trained and taught and spent time with, and they still can’t fully do the jobs they were hired for?  I assure you that what we do is not rocket science.  It’s mostly basic customer service.  Mostly just helping people.  Is it that hard???  I promise you that it isn’t.  All my job takes is kindness, willingness to help even the most frustrating person, organization, and (for lack of a better word) sticktoitiveness.

My co-worker C is going through a divorce.  I feel for him as I am sure that this is an unbelieveably tough time for him.  On top of this, by no choice of his own, he is also trying to prevent forclosure on his home.  (Short story, he can’t afford the payment alone, he hasn’t been able to sell, and the wife is not willing to participate and is fine with forclosure.)  So, what he decides to do…is to buy a home in another state for his mother to start a business (planning to generate himself some money).  Do you think, for one second, that someone with all of these things going on in his life has any time for a full time job???  He does not.  I would say that he is probably pulling about 60% of the 120% that I need him for right now (at our busiest time of year). 

I have already had to talk to my team about not coming in late.  And about not leaving early.  And, about notifying me now for any time off that they will need between now and the end of the year.  Honestly, if they can hang tight ’till then, they can have as flexible of a schedule as they need over the next few months.  They both know this.  How is it that C is still feeling like it’s acceptable to come to me and say, “hey, I can’t clear my head, is it okay if I work from home this afternoon?”  NO!  Its not f-ing okay.  Are you planning on answering your desk phone, from home?  I already told you that I need you every hour of every day until the holidays.  How freaking hard is that to understand? 

 The worst part about this is that I am a bit between a rock and a hard place.  When he first came to me with the news of his divorce, my boss and I told him that we would fully support him thru the process.  I can’t be that shit head that goes back on her word, right?

So, you ask, what is it that I did do?  I told him that it really wasn’t the best time for him to be leaving from work halfway thru the day and that I would really like him to stick it out.  However, if he really had to go, that he needs to do what he needs to do.  What did he do? He left!

 Do I sound like a huge bitch?  It just burns me that I am working at 200% and he shares my office so I am absolutely certian that he is working at 60% (maybe 70% on a good day)…even on days when we have full-on chaos.  I know, gripe-o-rific.

Pets, Work & Birthday Wishes

I just got home from work and there was a message on the answering machine:

Hi there, its Dr. M from Almaden Vet’s and I am calling for Macy.  I received the results from the biopsy that Dr. S did and I wanted to give a call.  I think that you will need to be intouch with the Oncologist at the office where you had the surgery done.  But, give me a call back and we can discuss.  Oh, and I will be out of the office for the next couple of days so if you would like to speak to me, please call here today or Thursday.  Or, feel free to contact Dr. S’s office.

This message was from our vet.  Not from our surgeon at VSA.  How is this possible.  She wasn’t involved at all in the diagnosis.  Why would she get the call before me?  When, the staff had both my cell phone and work phone number?  Grrr.   It frustrates me unbelievably that we now have to wait until tomorrow morning to find out more information. 

Okay, that vent is done…

My next frustration of the day is work.  Why is it that I can’t find anyone to hire on my team that is able to think ahead of the current ‘to do’ task?  If I ask you to prepare this presentation, is it too much to ask that when you are done doing the work, that you would double check your work and also make sure that all the extras are included?  By extras, I don’t mean things that we have never done, I mean, the little extra bits that make it look great rather than thrown together.  I need to figure out how to explain my expectations.   Grrrr.

Okay, now that one is done…thats enough for one day. 

On a happy note, today is my Uncle G’s birthday.  I called to wish him a happy birthday this morning on my way to my appointment in San Francisco.  We chatted most of the way.  He is just the cutest uncle.  In a constant struggle with his computer.  And always somehow gets his ass kicked by the technological world…maybe in the way of an online reservation going arwy…or a cell phone mishap…or some other item of frustration.  He is great chatter though.  I can always call him when I am looking for a good chat.  He and I could speak about nothing for hours.  And he loves my little girl.  He hates our cats…but loves my Macy.  Anyone who feels like I do about her has a special place in my heart.  Happy Birthday Uncle G.