How Do You Feel Today? v4

[samrw3]

Yipes Sorus sorry you have to deal with that. Welcome back Avatar.

[Sorus]

Thanks for listening to me complain. Unfortunately I can't just up and quit without having something else lined up, and I certainly can't do anything that would burn bridges reference-wise. Especially after having sent literally hundreds of applications into various quantum singularities over the last few years. I'm convinced that it's all in who you know, and everyone I know has fled this absurd city. They were smart.

[Avatar]

Thanks guys.

What about relocating Sorus? Look for jobs in other cities (or countries...) and then move?

It's never all about who you know...

--A

[Sorus]

That's something I've been giving a lot of thought to lately. I was born here. Lived here pretty much all my life. No idea where I'd go. This city is going to hell in a handbasket, but is the grass really greener somewhere else?

[Linna Heartbooger]

That's something I've been giving a lot of thought to lately. I was born here. Lived here pretty much all my life. No idea where I'd go. This city is going to hell in a handbasket, but is the grass really greener somewhere else?

Y'know, over the past few years, I've occasionally been in like... one hospital or another and thought to myself, "You know, this looks like a healthy work environment. I wish I could teleport Sorus into a work environment that is as healthy as this one looks."

Not that you would have to become a nurse / aide / phlebotomist. (I know investing in training while working is a bummer.)
Have you ever thought about Medical Billing and Coding?
Mind you, I don't know what Medical Billing and Coding is, and it sounds like something I'd not like myself.
But I think you have a keen mind for systematization and would make yourself an expert in it.
And occasionally would run up against other people who you know more than, but that's the trials of caring about your work.

Also, I suspect that one of the receptionists at one of my doctor's offices was one of those People Who Saved My Life back in '14...
I needed to get an MRI scheduled and to move forward with cancer treatments, and dealing with administrative nonsense over the phone was Very Difficult.
I had tried calling the MRI place, ran into some difficulty, don't know if I called a few times more or why I believed they would not help me, but...
...there was a receptionist from my surgeon's office... whose name I still remember. (It's Esme.)
I pleaded with her if she could do something about this problem, and she helped me get the appt.
So I'm biased towards people working in the "unnoticed" positions in that field.
You know, maybe go and save someone's life.

I don't know what places are good.
I'm in the midwest and I love it. (Now, that is.)
I actually think I've even made peace with the cold winters.
I love being planted in the same place for a long time, myself, so I can see not wanting to leave your hometown. Even when it's bad, there's "the devil you know versus the devil you don't know" argument.

Okay, back to taxes for me, I think.

[Avatar]

That's something I've been giving a lot of thought to lately. I was born here. Lived here pretty much all my life. No idea where I'd go. This city is going to hell in a handbasket, but is the grass really greener somewhere else?

In general, (and on average), it's probably not. But in your specific case, it might well be. That job is not good for you. How they treat you would be illegal in my country.

--A

[Skyweir]

And mine

[samrw3]

Sorus - I have been in similar situations as yours. I have no idea of your specifics so maybe what I am about to advise is not even 1% relevant to your situation. However, maybe it is so giving it a shot.

**Warning** Some of this is going to come off sounding insensitive. Yes I know it is kind of - but that is only because I have been in similar situations and sometimes life is not pretty.

Ok - get ready for cliff dive no#1 - if you left with a at two week notice (or whatever notice you want to give) they would figure out a way to do your job. Companies are like vultures. They make it seem like everyone is indispensable until they are forced into reality when someone leaves. I have seen it play out time after time - person A leaves coworkers are shocked and/or sad, managers upset everyone grumbling. Day after person A left - people are grumbling because now they are asked to pick up the slack but they are also arguing who can all the supplies person A left - can I have their chair - all of their notepads,etc., But guess what that is not your problem!! Sure in the short term your life might be uncomfortable and anxiety driven - but isn't it already? I was let got from a company last year with one day notice and guess what - even though I knew a lot of stuff that no one else did somehow they made it through. Even though they had just complimented me on what a great job I was doing when it was convenient for them they let me go on short notice. Why am I telling you all this? Because when you are ready - it is ok to move on!! Yes you may feel short term guilt and anxiety but trust me if they upped and fired you, as they did me, they would move on and you would more forced to move on as well.

Cliff dive #2 - Figure out some survival wages - in the past I worked temporary jobs and/or part time wages for survival. Also had to resort to severe survival living budget - limited/no cable options, severe food budget, extremely limited entertainment budget no purchases unless surrounding basic necessities. Did it stink? Oh yes to high heavens it stunk big time!! But in your mind you have to convince yourself that it is investment into a better future.

Cliff dive #3 - when looking for a job most applications do ask for references but also most allow you to skip that as long as you state why - just state you are currently employed. Or if you happen to know some of the people that left try to get them to be references. That is one advantage of working at a temp place you get money and start building references that don't rely on horrific working company. Also - a secret I discovered - give HRs phone number as a reference check. In most states HR can only tell your wage, your state and end dates. They cannot reveal too many specifics about your reason for leaving so employees don't come back against them. [Even if all the HR people hate your guts trust me - most companies are too afraid of law suits/etc to tell too much in a reference check]

Now back to your question is the grass greener? That is excellent question. Sometimes the devil you know is better than the devils you don't know. Ultimately that is only a question you can answer. I will tell you that if you are going to work almost every day regretting it and thinking about leaving and all the work misery then the grass may not be greener if you left but at least you tried and there will be something about that trying that will lead you to new adventures and the preparation to leave company #2 if it is a worse dump than where you are working.

Is it difficult- definitely! I lived months which seemed like eternities on limited income mind blowing limited budgets and anxious days and nights. But even though I lived through those I don't regret any decision I made to leave places that were not acceptable.

Hope some any part of that helped - if not just know that whatever you decide to do we at KW are here to try to encourage and strengthen you.

[Avatar]

Yeah, been there, at the other end anyway. Had "essential" people leave suddenly, and we always managed to make it through. My own nominal "subordinate" at work just resigned too...just means I will have to do her job until we find somebody else to do it.

In other news, Thursday. Friday tomorrow.

--A

[Skyweir]

haha

[Sorus]

Companies are like vultures.

Hey now, that's not fair to vultures. My preferred saying is that companies eat their children.

I know I'm expendable. That's the main reason I don't try to demand better treatment. And yeah, of course they take advantage of that. I'm not a cliff diver. Nothing terrifies me more than the thought of being unemployed. Plus I already live on a budget that has very few cuttable corners.

But I thank you for the thoughts and all that went into your post. I've been in this boat for a long time - it's a lousy boat, but sinking would be worse.

[Avatar]

At least you wouldn't have to keep bailing if it sank...

Just keep sending out those applications, eventually somebody will be smart enough to hire you.

--A

[Skyweir]

AMEN .. to what he said

[samrw3]

Sorus - no problem. I have been in similar situations.

Just a couple quick more thoughts. Glance through https://www.meetup.com/ you can join group/s that help during a job search and may be a chance for you to find some of those connections you were talking about in a prior post. I have used meetup.com in the past because I am a pretty severe introvert and fond a group of other introverts and enjoyed some movies and dinners with the group. So even for those not job looking it is a good site for finding groups with similar interests.

Also some libraries have groups that you can join were they help during job search.

Anyways I don't blame you for staying put if that is your comfort zone - I have been there done that.

[Sorus]

At any rate, it looks like we're going to have a full regime change. The big boss is retiring on Monday, and his second is leaving sometime in the summer. Could be better, could be worse. For all his flaws, he did give me a lot of autonomy in the way I do my job - probably because he could see that it got results. Now I'm going to have to prove myself all over again - which I can do, but a lot depends on the personality of his replacement. The one thing I can't stand is being micromanaged and told how to do my job by someone who couldn't do my job if their life depended on it. So yeah, I've pretty much put myself into expecting-the-worst-case-scenario mode in the hope that I won't be disappointed.

[Sorus]

Have you ever thought about Medical Billing and Coding?
Mind you, I don't know what Medical Billing and Coding is, and it sounds like something I'd not like myself.
But I think you have a keen mind for systematization and would make yourself an expert in it.
And occasionally would run up against other people who you know more than, but that's the trials of caring about your work.

I should look into doing something like that. I mean, it isn't what I want to do, but it's bound to be more lucrative and less stressful than what I am doing now. And I'm good with numbers and virtually immune to boredom - which is part of what makes me good at what I'm doing now, but there must be something better.

[Kizza]

I should look into doing something like that. I mean, it isn't what I want to do, but it's bound to be more lucrative and less stressful than what I am doing now. And I'm good with numbers and virtually immune to boredom - which is part of what makes me good at what I'm doing now, but there must be something better.

I just read through a bit of the backstory here Sorus and gotta say "f**k me dead"...
In big business, and by that I mean publicly listed or a company where the owner is not hands on, then the majority of times they are happy to see good employees die at the desk before they barrow them on to be replaced.
There are so many jobs which require 24x7 commitment yet get the reward of a 38 hour day job. The curse of email on mobile phones most of the time.
Networking is a good idea and was mentioned here earlier, (ie: LinkedIn) and it can help, especially when you are in a specialised industry which can often be almost incestuous.
I always remind myself to "keep your powder dry" when dealing with a new boss. Be yourself, and don't doubt your capability. Unfortunately the boss is the one who will come in and watch for the first little while before making determinations (unless an agenda already has been set which can often be the case).
I wish you well. They say the grass is not always greener on the other side, but if you are in a bad place a change can be better than you realise.
Best of luck, hang in there and be sure to spend energy on yourself. Be it looking for a new job. or taking time to get what you need.

[Avatar]

And...it's Monday all over again. Here's hoping for a good week for everybody...

--A

[Skyweir]

Have you ever thought about Medical Billing and Coding?
Mind you, I don't know what Medical Billing and Coding is, and it sounds like something I'd not like myself.
But I think you have a keen mind for systematization and would make yourself an expert in it.
And occasionally would run up against other people who you know more than, but that's the trials of caring about your work.

I should look into doing something like that. I mean, it isn't what I want to do, but it's bound to be more lucrative and less stressful than what I am doing now. And I'm good with numbers and virtually immune to boredom - which is part of what makes me good at what I'm doing now, but there must be something better.

Hahahahaha ... love the ... virtually immune to boredom bit

Out of interest .. what would you WANT to do
Very interested

[Avatar]

I feel like it's been quiet...

--A