.comment-link {margin-left:.6em;}

Ask Shifra

Something Different... Answering questions and making curious observations (online) since 2005.


Powered by WebAds

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Don't Take My Stapler

I work for a mid-sized company as a consultant.
As such I am treated like crap.
Although I've been here over three years I recieve no benefits and little respect.

Two weeks ago I was moved from my small but nice office with a window to an interior office (no windows) that used to be a closet and is centrally located between the mens' room and the ladies' room so I have the soothing sound of flush toilets to keep me company all day long.
Well I was a pretty good sport about that but today I was told that I'm being moved in with the MAINTENANCE CREW?! Well, I think NOT.

Since I no longer report to the man the hired me I don't really have much in the way of options. If they are that short of space around here I'd be happy to work from home. Short of that I believe I'll have to quit if this continues. I only wish I wasn't so choked by my financial responsibilities.

Happy New Year indeed!
GRRRRRR....

20 Comments:

At 12:16 PM, Blogger Shifra said...

I don't actually "work here" so I don't expect to be fired. It's my consultant status that does me in.

Don't worry, I'm already looking...

 
At 12:56 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

what field do you consult in
if i may ask

 
At 12:57 PM, Blogger Air Time said...

I was about to chime in with a stapler comment, but I see you already have it covered.

 
At 1:31 PM, Blogger Mar Gavriel said...

I only wish I wasn't so choked by my financial responsibilities.

It's OK. Maybe you won't be choked if you refrain from eating anything. I'm not going to be eating anything for the rest of today (at least until sheqi`a).

:-)

It's my consultant status that does me in.

You mean, here on the blogosphere?
:-)

 
At 2:35 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I know how you feel. I work for a well known large corporation. I would surmise that about 35-40% are temp/consultant staff. About three years ago, all temp staff had to add a "scarlet letter" at the end of their email name to identify themselves as "non employees". We are not entitled to any employee benefits such as free tickets to sporting events, onsite programs, store discounts, etc. What is even worse, they cut out some of the other staffing agencies who paid their employees a fair market rate. Instead, all positions are now funneled through one onsite agency whose pay is a disgrace. I am making less now than I did 6 yrs ago, but because so many outside ppl want to work at this company, they can get a away with paying so low wages. I only do it because I like the working environment and as a freelancer I can have a very flexible schedule.

 
At 3:42 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

If it's any consolation, I am an employee at another major telecom development shop, and they treat us like dirt too! My company had gone from >8500 to ~3000 employees in the last four years. Those of us left here are just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

- One of your regular readers, anonymous today (you never know when big brother is watching!)

 
At 3:46 PM, Blogger orthomom said...

Oooh. That is just NOT nice. The maintenance staff? Does that mean the janitorial closet? I'm getting "Office Space" deja vu....

 
At 6:07 PM, Blogger MC Aryeh said...

Sorry you are being treated so badly. Starting to feel better and better that I left the corporate world....

 
At 8:25 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

Didn't Homer think that being moved to the utility room was good thing?

 
At 8:44 PM, Blogger Shifra said...

"The maintenance staff? Does that mean the janitorial closet?"

Pretty close: It means I'll be in the area with the fix it guy and the airconditioning guy and all the junk that the contractors don't want to leave lying around, so yeah, basically. My life is very office space like. I'm definately considering bringing my cordless drill to work tomorrow.

In the meantime I'm applying for other jobs right now (I forgot how tedious a process it is!)

 
At 8:49 PM, Blogger Shifra said...

Chuck: that information is classified
Mar: I love my consultant status here on-line just not so much in RL
Anon #1: Ugh that's horrible - consultants are recognisable from our ID's here too. Misery loves company though, you made me feel better.
Anon #2: I've been there as well- very bad feeling - makes you feel motivated to get out at least I guess
Mirty: You are a kind soul- why don't you work in MY office!
Krum: Homer doesn't actually have any discernable WORK that needs to get done- if hiding from the boss and eating donuts was my game I'd be fine with the move!
McA - thanks for the sympathy.

You all are a good gang of commentors. Thanks for lifting my spirits!

 
At 10:33 PM, Blogger Ayelet said...

So annoying. Sorry to hear it. Maybe now's a good time to tell you that I've really been enjoying your stuff since I happened upon your blog. You've got a great edge and a sharp wit about you. (I just wish there was more room for live bookmarks on my personal toolbar!)

 
At 11:35 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you Ayelet. You are a pleasure to have around.

 
At 1:04 AM, Blogger Eliyahu said...

if Staples has e-gift certificates -- you'll get the stapler of your choice. otherwise, email your contact info to me....may you be blessed that this is the start of the most fantastic year for you, including an office with windows and a much better salary.

 
At 5:01 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

a gmar chasima tova and good luck on the work/closet front

 
At 9:13 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Until I got to the end of the post, I thought we worked in the same office. Because I'm an employee, they actually forced me to take some poor consultant's office and move her to a cube. They said it was a matter of policy that empoyees get the offices over consultants. She's got like ten years seniority over me and I felt so guilty about the whole thing. But she just got a cube not a bathroom closet.

 
At 9:17 AM, Blogger Steg (dos iz nit der šteg) said...

I have a (not-yet-engraved) replica medieval sickle to lend, if you'd like to get medieval on their heineys instead of using the cordless drill. Or you can get your own for only about 10$ (+s/h) on e-bay!

 
At 8:34 AM, Blogger Jameel @ The Muqata said...

Shifra: I used to work as a consultant for a large semiconducter manufacturing facility in Jerusalem. The CEO of our parent company came to speak to the whole plant a while back, and my department dragged me along to hear him. At the end was Q&A time, and I asked the guy next to me a question...he thought it was a great question, so he picked up my hand! I asked a very tachlis question, which made the CEO a bit uneasy. His answer was rather useless...(though he was right in the long run).

After the company meeting, about an hour later, a urgent memo was sent by email to the entire site: "From this moment on, NO CONSULTANTS/CONTRACTORS are allowed to be present at company meetings"

 
At 3:23 PM, Blogger Shifra said...

LOL!! When you put it that way I guess it's not so bad is it!?

 
At 6:52 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Whatever it is,* you can get it here newcordless phone comparison

 

Post a Comment

<< Home