Don't panic, it's really not all that bad, I just like the title.
But returning to paid work after five years is a little like slowly drowning. I wonder would it be different if I was in a stand alone role with no other accountabilities other than completing the work in front of me that day. That, however, is not the role I have. You know the story, you've all heard it loads of times before.
Girl gets part-time job that is really a full-time job. Outwardly others say how fortunate she is to find a job like that. Senior role, travel opportunities, a seat at the Excom. But she has three employees, two of whom have told her that the third employee bullies them. She has been given a hospital-pass of a project that is slowly spiralling into the ground which, in the days she is not at work, threatens to go belly up. There are so many fires to fight that it is hard to see the wood for the trees. She feels the weight of stress across the organisation of people desperate to keep their jobs despite them working impossibly long hours in a company hemorrhaging in the GFC.
And to top it all off there are serious hygiene issues being faced in the women's bathroom. Really. Think your worse thoughts and then double them. Why on earth is this an HR issue I ask?
Friends either tell me "I told you that sounded like a crazy job" or "welcome to the club".
These are not helpful comments. Is it worth being mentally exhausted every night, is it worth not wanting to blog lest you appear boringly negative, is it worth not reading as much, not knitting as much, not writing as much?
I can tell you that if part of last night's Lotto jackpot came my way I wouldn't have gone to work this morning.
So, it was fabulous to see a new order of yarn arrive in the mail
I've started on a crocheted blanket for a 12 month old girl. It strikes me that it is in fact a Neopolitan Icecream Blanket.
And I've finally got around to winding up the yarn that I bought from Suse. Do you think this looks like a pair of socks? Not yet, but one day.
These are the things that relax me so I think I'll go off now and meditate into my crochet and forget about work.
Oh, and I read The Slap. Gave it 4/10 at my bookclub. Clearly I have been living in a Jane Austen inspired bubble.
PS. I hope you have all been well. I look forward to visiting you again soon.
19 comments:
The loo issue, do you know who's responsible? Because, seriously, if you do, take them aside and tell them to clean the crap up - it's not an HR issue, it's an OH&S issue.
I won't use the loos on one floor where I work, it's just too, too terrible to contemplate and if I ever catch the responsible party, I'm rubbing her nose in it!
You have my sympathies.
The problem is that we don't know who is responsible although it's narrowed down to three or four.
The issue is partly cultural, partly poor hygiene.
We are treating it as an OH&S issue.
Agree with DMM - so NOT a HR issue.
I am SURE you are working for my old company - it sounds the same as it ever was ( sorry, wasn't helpful, was it ? )
Your rating of "The Slap" mirrors my own. Hoping that yarn detangles some of your stress.
xx
My baby! Out in the wild! *wipes eye proudly*
(Carefully avoiding making unhelpful comments about employment).
But do you like your job? Will you love it one day soon? If yes, then it's worth it...
That blanket is gorgeous! Neapolitan indeed, but the colours are beautiful.
DEFINITELY not an HR issue! Ugh.
I find working at a not-quite full-time job both wonderful and taxing. I find taking on a project and seeing it successfully completed and tucked away very satisfying (as opposed to the many home jobs that simply have to be done over and over and over again). BUT I don't like pressure and would love to have extra days off when the kids have their holidays, etc. It really is a balancing act, isn't it?
This is why I am enjoying contracting so much. I go, I do, I come home. It takes me 20 hours to perform the same amount of work that used to take me 50-60 hours, all thanks to the office politics, admin, bumff and so on being eliminated.
As for the toilets, I have heard about similar issues in several places I have worked. It's never a problem in the gents. I have had several HR managers almost crying on my shoulder at the prospect of having to counsel an employee to:
a) get everything in the toilet
b) flush the toilet
c) wash their hands afterwards
It's so off the wall as far as situations go in this day and age than most people don't know how to deal with it. You simply expect people in a civilised society to be able to do a, b and c by the age of 30.
The only way around it is to get everyone affected together in a room - and if that means all females working on a floor, then that means all females working o a floor - and give them a presentation on how toilets are expected to be used in a shared environment. Don't single anyone out. Just train the lot of them in seat etiquette, hand washing, paper usage, flushing, picking up after yourself etc. That will minimise the embarrasment anyone will feel - either yourself, or the perpetrator. Take photos each time there is a mess, do a presentation and show the photos, point out what is wrong with this picture and set them expectations.
I'm sure you'll feel like a right nong doing it, and you may get tagged with a nickname like "Ms Dunny Obsessive", but I'm sure many people will appreciate it.
PS. HR can be a crap job at times.
Oh no! I was really hoping that it would all be a Good Thing, this job of yours.
I work full time, but honestly, if it wasn't for the holidays that teachers get, I don't think I could physically do it all. I feel your pain.
Can you put a sign in the toilet? Something that suggests the current practices are not acceptable, that way the person may get the message without anyone having to do the awful face to face thing.
You poor thing - I hope it all simmers down for you.
What the boy on the bike said! And if we are expected to up up with what I'm thinking you're putting up with, bugger cultural sensativity, bugger it to DEATH!
I have been thinking and thinking of you. Understanding your quietness on the blogging front and wondering how it is all going.
Can I just say that your blanket looks gorgeous and you might, just might, have inspired me to take out the crochet!
I'm hoping like mad that things will settle, but you do have my sympathy and hopes for a better work future. Just because you're being paid doesn't mean you should be miserable, is my motto. Take care of yourself in the meantime, plenty of pilates and may I recommend some Georgette Heyer as a worthy follower to Austen. Cx
Transition is always difficult. Be kind and give yourself time to adjust (without breaking). We all secretly believe that we should leap into things without any ripples at all, but that's just not possible.
Ultimately you have to find the right balance that brings peace and happiness to you. That is different for everyone.
You are more than capable of knowing what is best for you. You'll get there. Neopolitan ice-cream may help...
It does look very much like the neapolitan icecream of my childhood. How wonderful :) I am looking forward to hearing the next 'nstallment' of the loo issue !
I am loving the wee blankie ... I wish I could do that ....
sack someone - it will make you feel better - only half joking ...
your experience mirrors my part time experiences and I just won't 'work' part time again - only contract- your terms your hours and no subordinate staff.
I only know you as a smart, capable woman, who is wise and thoughtful ... and will triumph over this temporary adversity .. my best le
I am there completely with 'Girl gets part-time job that is really a full-time job' but thankfully I have no subordinates and no toilet issues!
Not sure where you get the time to crochet and read though?
My new book has sat unopened next to my bed for at least a month, and the blanket I'm crocheting sits untouched in a plastic bag with only about 5cm to go... and winter halfway gone.
Take Care of Yourself and don't work too hard :)
ah that sucks. It must be a big adjustment after time out to go back to that level of stress again. Not to mention the toilet situation. We had someone painting the walls with poo at my last corporate job. Yup. Couldn't believe it. Don't recall how that one was resolved but doesn't it just say it all?! I hope you get to do some good comfort knitting soon and I hope you can ride out this crappy situation and find the ground with everything you have to juggle soon. Good luck.
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