O.K Man this SUCKS (What would you do?)

[Rotty]

Been in the same situation, Ms. protected, lied about me. Welcome to corporate america. IT sucks.....

Also sounds like you did not kiss enough rear area and play puppy dog and say "what ever you want master... ", put in lots of free over time, etc.

Usually I get the last laugh when they go bankrupt, and all of the management is out of a job...



If you are in a right of work state, the you are also in a right to fire (for no reason state). :{

Keep your head up as best as you can and polish the resume. Immediately file for unemployment benefits. The company may contest it but at least you will be getting some money to cover some bills.



Also write down what you remember about the problems/personnel and document them. If it ever comes to court, he who has written documentation over memory wins automatically.



Pull in some of your markers with vendors/acquantencies/ friends to help you become employed again.

I believe you have 17,000 plus members/markers/friends and references here. :-laf

Been there, too many times...

Good luck.

kevin

 

[Mike Ellis]

I hate to hear of your job loss Tim, that sucks big time. Hope you are able to find something soon bud.



I have been a manager in corporate America for a long time, and it sounds to me like you fell victim of "blame transferrence". I've seen it used by fellow managers many times and it is a pretty scumbaggy process.



How does it work? Well, as the horseman shows teach you nowadays, every animal tries to avoid pressure. When a situation like yours comes up and there is a team where a protected individual is causing a problem, the other workers raise Cain and pressure mounts on the manager to "do something". Many times the manager can't do anything about the real problem source because of company or government rules, so they are left to sweat as the situation grows worse and eventually comes to the notice of people upstairs, who focus more pressure on the manager resulting in more sweat. There are several ways that individuals react in that situation, one is to be smart enough to use the system to make work a living heck for the troublemaker, but that takes time and effort that sadly many folks aren't willing to put in. Instead they will find someone else to blame for the problem, sometimes subconsciously but usually deliberately. Their theory is usually "Well, I can't do anything about the knucklehead that's causing the real problem, but I can do something about the people who are grousing and complaining and causing ME problems... . "



So what happens? Generally it ends up being "Shoot the messenger!", and the guy who has been telling them about the problem is singled out instead of the actual problem source. People always assume the squeaky wheel gets the grease, but they forget that in an era when MBA's have decided preventative maintenance is too expensive it is often "cheaper" to replace the wheel.



It sucks that people act that way, but that's the reality of corporate management. A large number of managers will cheerfully slit your throat to keep their little corner of the world running smooth, and nobody upstairs is ever going to blame them for it because that's what they PAY them to do. Meanwhile the protected problem source continues causing problems, until they find other workers stupid enough to pick up his slack without complaining.



If you find yourself in such a situation again, the best approach is not to complain about the individual causing you more work, but to give him/her enough rope to hang themselves. If you complain about them, you inevitably end up being associated with "being part of the problem". There are many ways the REAL trouble makers can be gently helped to give themselves a boot out the door without getting yourself in the bullseye.



Good luck Tim, I hope you find a much better job soon, when you do remember to drive by the old place of employment and give 'em a nice puff of diesel smoke.

 

[Alphacowboy]

Hey, look at it this way, perfect opportunity to start your own business! Ya know, at first it was a little rough, and it does have its hard times, but I wouldnt trade being self employed for a minute! I really like it, and the freedom is pretty nice, and to top that off, the pay is alot better.

 

[MMeier]

That really means: "you didnt kiss are a. ss enough"



Thats the sad state of today's work environment. Makes me glad I am union.

They didn't help me either... way back in '93! They went and sided with the company. Haven't gone back there either.

 

[CSnyder]

Hey Toolman this may not be an option for you but I would hire you to run my hotshot rig in Iowa if you would relocate. Heck maybe I would even give you a job as a hired man on my grain farm. Let me know if I can help!



Chris

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Oh man you guys have been great so far I appreciate it big time. It still eats away at your core values that you hold so dearly to heart. Even when a person is strong willed and is strong within it still plants that seed in the back of your head that makes you feel like crap somehow. If it were in my card I would relocate al over the US . . but at this stage I can't.



I was telling TqT tonite that it's one thing to loose a job that you just go in do your thing and ehh leave every day dreading tomorrow. Somehow You feel like you have done something wrong some how. Allmost like that "I'm in trouble" feeling. It's another if you poured your heart and soul into evry aspect of your job and beyond at some points. Hell I have won three awards (Nifty lexan engraved thingys and several 250 dollar award checks) for exelence and performance. Stay late blah blah go the extra mile and ..... But what I was getting at 7 years is long, 15 years in the trade in general is COMMITMENT and that is what I was about ... and still am.



This is just a fart in life's elevator ... soon the doors will open and it will pass.

 

[rubberneck]

Dude, that sucks. My wife got smacked in the face at work, and was rewarded by being demoted after she reported it, and they gave the scumbag her job. :-{} She had been complaining to corporate about some issues at the worksite, and apparently they didn't like that. We talked to the state rep and a lawyer, but ended up forgetting it and moving on. Just not worth the BS and drama.



One thing to think about considering the kid is on the way. Make sure you pay for that supplemental insurance. Do not let it lapse. I changed jobs halfway through my wifes 1st pregnancy, and my new insurance would not cover anything related to the pregnancy. They called it a pre-existing condition. Luckily, I had payed for COBRA during my probation period and was able to continue paying for it throughout the pregnancy. I complained every month, but it turned out to be a life saver, as there were complications, and the hospital bill came to 33K. The 500+ per month i had been paying didn't seem so bad anymore. Good luck with everything. Phil

 

[ACoyle]

TMTT - Sorry to hear about this. All I can add is that it is probably expensive and dilutes your efforts to do anything, but move on. After you get settled someplace new than maybe you could do something nce for them.



I do agree that it will work out better in the end.



AC

 

[E7mack96]

If you land a new job soon, and they offer benefits (medical), tell them that you need to keep the cobra until the wife delivers and have them cut you a check for whatever they would have paid to put you on their plan. They can do this in many creative ways. Use this payment to pay your cobra. Once everything is good, then join the new employers' group.



I have done this before and it is a good solution to pre-existing conditions.



Tony

 

[MFalkinham]

Toolman, you've got the right attitude about this. They don't deserve you, and you're better off without them. I've always looked back on such situations later on and just smiled.

By the way, according to the HIPAA act of 1996, pregnancy can not be considered a preexisting condition by Health Insurance companies. But you should definitely Cobra your existing insurance to prevent other "preexisting conditions" from biting you later. Any lapse in health insurance coverage opens that door, with pregnancy being an exception.....

HIPAA also prohibits preexisting condition exclusions relating to pregnancy and for newborns, adopted children, and children placed for adoption who are enrolled within 30 days of birth, adoption, or placement for adoption.

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/publications/newborns.html

 

[daveshoe]

you've got mail

There is a way to win -- sorry,guys,not for public consumption. Tim, please tell me if you got the message.

 

[Grunt]

Sad to say but in "Corporate America" you are just another body to fill their needs and whims

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

There is a way to win -- sorry,guys,not for public consumption. Tim, please tell me if you got the message.

Oh you betcha I did Oo.

 

[bmoeller]

and ummm oh yeah it will be 767. 00 a month to maintain our health insurance. ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH

It is over $1000/mth for health ins. for my folks. Went up 200/mth after mom had her chemo/surgery to remove cancer. That is a tad over 40% of what my dad brings home.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Sorry about the job Tim hope you find a better one.

 

[Todd T]

Not a good position to be pregnant and jobless. I hope you can replace that income in a hurry.



I hope you've caught a good lesson from this situation you've put yourself in and learned from it. I gotta admit 7 years and to be in front of management and written up as often as you speak of it doesnt surprise me they let you go. I've been with my company 14 years and have NEVER been called to the red carpet. My work load is incredible but I dont miss my deadlines and always complete on time and on budget. That alone is my reward, whether the compay recognizes it or not. My personal values feed on it. I'm not saying I just roll over and take it, but you have to pick your fight and that starts with constructing the arena it takes place in. If everyone you and he worked with knew he was a loser then collectively you could have fed the company enough data to put him in the spotlight and keep him there while all still remaining in the shadows. (wink wink)



In most company's eyes hard work and dedication is rewarded with more responsibility with the expectation of more hard work and dedication. There are loafers in every organization and to point them out and then go on the attack was probably your downfall. In the future unless someones personal safety is being jeopardized it is best to let the loafers lie. As hard as that is to swallow, going against all your personal values they WILL get theirs in the long run and you wont have to fall on your sword again.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Email / offer sent.



Matt

 

[fest3er]

Back in '87, I was caught in the first round of layoffs from GTE Gummint Systems. Taking a break from packing my belongings, I went to say g'bye to a friend, who had taught me a lot about typesetting and printing. After chatting for an hour or so, I headed back to my cube. She poked her head out and yelled, "Hey! There's a spring in your step that wasn't there before!" Yes, I was glad to be out of *that* big corp.



After being out of work for a year, Motorola hired me. So I moved from MA to IL. I worked there for 10. 5 years, giving it my best. But I was miserable the last five years. My manager told me, to my face, "Neal, you're productive, you get a lot done, but nobody knows what you do. That's why you're in the bottom ten percent of your pay grade" and "Well, if you don't want to advance, I don't know what to do with you". She reminded me of a tyke trying to pound a square peg into the triangular hole. And *I* was the peg. I finally had enough of corp. life, told my group leader that what I really wanted to do was write a letter of resignation, left his cube, wrote it, and went home. Next morning, I looked the letter over (real long: "As of 30 March, 2000, I resign. "), still liked it, looked over and saw scheisskopf manager was in, so I strolled over, handed the letter to him and said I quit. And I response that there was nothing he or they could do to convince me to stay; he agreed.



For the next 2. 5 years, I did Y2k fixes for an accountant in IL (I still do emergency fixes for him now and again). It paid the bills. Then DHRA came along and has taken up all my time since. But paying bills has been problematic.



I do not miss corporate life at all. I don't miss 'punching a clock'. I don't miss 8-4:30, or 9-5, or 10-7PM or any of those regular hour thingies. GTE was a nice first job, and I put in my time for the country (testing components used in Minuteman and Peacekeeper missiles); but that wasn't for me. I learned a lot at Motorola, but the self-serving, self-centered, boot-licking, butt-kissing, wallet-stuffing management style taught in most b-schools now is simply infuriating. Producing a quality product at a reasonable cost , that satisfies the customer and earns the company a fair profit whilst gruntling the employees is an alien concept in today's corporate climate. With any luck I'll never go back. And God strike me dead if I ever turn into one of 'them'.



So Tim, though you may be thinking, "Lord, grant me the patience to endure my blessings", count your blessings that you are out of that abusive environment. Fully turn your back and walk away, strongly and proudly. And don't ever look back; bitterness will hold you back (look at me; 6 years gone and I *still* loathe the corporate environment, I *still* have no desire to hold a conventional j. o. b. ). With the diesel brotherhood here, you should find gainful employment right soon. Then you'll be wondering why you tortured yourself for so long at that nook in Hades.



N

 

[JLEONARD]

Tim,

That really sucks but you need to put a positive spin on it and consider it a window of opportunity.

Who knows... as soon as the hum rel guy gets canned you may end up back there as the big boss.

I have seen that happen.



Best of luck.

Jay

 

[JoshPeters]

Email / offer sent.



Matt

Now that would be AWESOME!



Toolman in Wisc... . That's food for thought! Oo. Oo.