The short version about the happenings of the past few weeks, concerning my part-time job that I absolutely LOVED, but I wasn't pleased about, is this: I turned in my resignation on Friday morning. (via email in response to a hateful email I rec'd)
The fact that I'd worked on various blog posts, and then by Friday they were no longer relevant was because I'd written about the ups and downs at work for the past couple of months, and I was hoping for the outcome that I really wanted...but didn't take place.
It's way too long of a story, and actually probably similar to what many employees go through. I gladly took on every new task given to me, whether it was in my "job description" or not. I always kept my cheerful, upbeat attitude.
When I was given a former employee's job duties, without an increase in pay, I didn't ask for a raise since I hadn't been there very long, and thought I'd ask about it when my one-year anniversary arrived, which would've been this November.
Recently my three days a week, six hours a day schedule was changed to only two days a week, and yet I was supposed to keep up with everything I was barely keeping up with! Then I began to be blamed for things/mistakes I hadn't even done (too many people working on the same project) and the last straw was receiving snippy emails.
It got to be that I never knew what kind of personality I was going to be dealing with the days I came to work. And I could tell things weren't going to get better any time soon. So, I felt the need to quit...Life's Too Short, I Don't Deserve This....kind of thinking.
I had to go in this afternoon, Labor Day....kind of ironic, huh?....to get all my personal things because I was told they do not allow people with a financial position to work after they have resigned.
And in spite of all this ...I'm SO SAD! I loved my job. I really liked the people, both employees and customers, and my boss...when she was the way she used to be.
I feel like I lost a part of myself. A part of my identity. I don't even want to look for another job. I feel like I lost my best friend.... I cried all the 25 miles home.
This really is sad. My last job was over in 2009 and when I didn't find anything to replace it I went ahead and took retirement. I'd rather have kept working because I liked the job and the money, but I understood why they had to close my branch.
ReplyDeleteLosing a job is no fun and utterly life changing. Hope your situation works to the best.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Arlee, thank you so much for your kind words. They really do mean the world to me. (I'm sorry you lost a job you liked, too.)
DeleteI am so sorry. When I was forced out of my last job I discovered I had been defining myself by what I did. I wasn't ready (though in retrospect they were right) and I was bereft.
ReplyDeleteAllow yourself time to grieve.
Hugs.
Thank you, Sue. I know this is the best thing for me, because in spite of my sadness, I already feel that I don't have that heavy weight on my shoulders.
DeleteOh Becky. So sorry to read this. I know how you liked that place and your job. Hope the universe sends you something else. You have a lot to offer.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda, for your touching comment. Having friends like you always "helps the medicine go down"!
DeleteDoing everybody else's work without recognition is bad enough, but snippy emails and a boss whose temperament constantly changes is really the end of the road. I'm sorry it came to that when you loved the job, but perhaps there is something else for you.
ReplyDeleteHi River, your words, too, are really inspiring! Thank you so much!
DeleteOh Becky, what a terrible situation. I'm so sorry. Sending hugs your way.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Trish! Yes, a terrible situation that I couldn't "fix" except by leaving.. :(
DeleteSnippy emails...ugh...don't let her drama become your drama. Sounds like she created a very tense atmosphere, probably for reasons having to do with her and not anybody else. Embrace the peace in your day amd let this go.
ReplyDeleteSandi, my goodness...so many awesome words of support from every one of you! Thank you very much!
DeleteSorry, Becky. Sending a big hug your way.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen! Big hugs are very much appreciated! :)
DeleteBROWN-EYED BECKY-O! ~
ReplyDeleteBack at the beginning of December, I got hired for this new job. The plan was that I would work 3 days a week, and the woman who had been working here for two years would pick up the other two days.
Then suddenly she was told on the Friday before this was to begin that the company had decided not to keep her after all, so she should not report for work the following week.
I felt she had gotten a raw deal because for several weeks she'd been led to believe she'd continue in her position, and then she was unexpectedly canned just before the new schedule was to begin. And right at the beginning of the Christmas holiday, too! It wasn't right, it wasn't fair, and she was probably as upset about it as you are right now.
But she and I kept in touch. She had me over one night for a delicious home-cooked meal, and we've yakked on the phone a few times since. Then she decided to permanently retire, and to move -- which she hadn't done earlier because of her job -- so, she sold her house and bought another in a city about 30 minutes South of here.
The last time I talked to her, she was ecstatic about her new home and not having to work any more. She was actually very happy, and pleased that the company had let her go, even though at the time it happened it seemed like the worst possible thing and it had her in tears. I'm planning to drive down and see her new house one of these weekends.
So, bottom line: Buck up, Little Becky-O! Oftentimes what seems to be a tragedy turns out to be a blessing in disguise. You may be looking back on this in the not-too-distant future and feeling blessed that it turned out the way it did. We never know what good thing is just up around the next bend for us, once the way is clear to reach it.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
Stephen T. - I knew I could count on you for wonderful words of support, but you outdid yourself this time. I remember you writing about being so miserable at a job...and maybe this is the one? And I do know that whatever happens next will be what I'm meant to find. I definitely believe in all five of the quotes at the top of my blog! Thanks, friend!
DeleteBecky, I wish I could reach into by quote bag and come up with a healing bromide, but I'll settle for endorsing Stephen's encouraging remarks. Leaving an unhappy situation is nearly always the right move. Life is not only too short but too long to tolerate unhappiness. Know that prayers and good wishes are coming to you from your East Coast dispenser. Robert (btw, still rummaging for your mailing address. Please send.)
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Robert! You're always the man with the right words, even if they don't come from your "quote bag!"
DeleteOh Becky, I understand. And I really feel for you, leaving something you loved. Your situation sounds similar to what drove me to retirement (I was also ill but it was more the attitude of the boss). And it was hard, because so much of my public and private identity was connected to the television station and my work.
ReplyDeleteBut I'll leave you with some heartening thoughts. If you are fortunate to be as lucky as I, in time you will realize it was the most liberating thing that could ever happen. That your world opens up to explore new opportunities and you finally have the time to really take part. That your stress reduction will improve almost instantly and that will give you better health (if it was on the skids at all, and keep you there or enhance it if you weren't.) Life is infinitely better now because I am infinitely better.
I have several people in my life who not only left their jobs prematurely but were forced out or terminated, and unlike me, not able to retire with benefits. Without hesitation all of them have told me it was the best thing that ever happened to them. They found more rewarding lines of work, discovered they did not need a stressful environment and achieved success at both their personal and professional lives after. I will hope that their story and mine become yours. And knowing your spunk and humour, I suspect in time that it will.
Jeanie, thank you very much! After reading your encouraging words, I feel kind of foolish for being so upset over a part-time job that I'd had for less than a year. It did hit me hard, but here...only 2 days later, I'm feeling a lot better. When I do allow myself to think about it, I get my mind off of it as soon as possible. There's absolutely no sense in reliving it over and over in my head...Thank you so much. I'm so blessed to have some awesome blog friends!
Delete:( So sorry to hear this. It is difficult when a good situation turns bad and there's just nothing you can do to fix it. Sending you hugs. I believe there is something better out there for you. You'll find it when you're ready.
ReplyDeleteThank you sweet Lisa! I'm feeling that old tug of wanting to go on a road trip and visit girlfriends all over the country! Wouldn't that be great?! But, alas, there's always a few obstacles in the way...I swear, though, one of these days... :)
DeleteDearest dear Becky, so sorry that this happened. I hope there's another suitable position in the pipeline for you. An employer can throw his hat after you; you sound like a wonderful employee. Chin up, dearest Becky. Hugs Jo xx
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you, Jo! So great to hear from you. I hope you're doing really great! Hugs back to ya!
Delete:(
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue! Yep, that about sums it up!
DeleteSo sorry you had to go through this, but all things happen for a reason. There are other opportunities in other places (and a lot of them closer to home). No job is worth feeling unappreciated and miserable.
ReplyDeletePat
Thank you, Pat! You are a wise woman! :)
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