It's Official: They Think We're Stupid
Oct. 25th, 2002 06:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lawnrrdThis may be the first time in my career I've been unequivocally Dilberted.
My company sent out an email today. They emphasized that despite the horrible economy, the dwindling revenues, blah, blah, blah, they are not reducing the merit raises for this year. We are therefore to feel appreciated and rewarded for our contributions to our firm's success.
Except, of course, that instead of taking effect in March, the raises will take effect in May. We will, therefore, go an extra two months without our raises. Let's see . . . two months is one-sixth of a year. They are thus hoping we won't notice that they have actually cut our merit raises by nearly 17%.
It is becoming harder and harder to think of reasons not to perform like the mediocrity they think I am. It is also becoming harder and harder to think of reasons to work eleven-hour days, as I am doing today. But I do it anyway--And if professionalism, as such, had been this important to me four years ago, I might be earning $200k this year as a practicing lawyer.
But that's another post, which is coming soon.
My company sent out an email today. They emphasized that despite the horrible economy, the dwindling revenues, blah, blah, blah, they are not reducing the merit raises for this year. We are therefore to feel appreciated and rewarded for our contributions to our firm's success.
Except, of course, that instead of taking effect in March, the raises will take effect in May. We will, therefore, go an extra two months without our raises. Let's see . . . two months is one-sixth of a year. They are thus hoping we won't notice that they have actually cut our merit raises by nearly 17%.
It is becoming harder and harder to think of reasons not to perform like the mediocrity they think I am. It is also becoming harder and harder to think of reasons to work eleven-hour days, as I am doing today. But I do it anyway--And if professionalism, as such, had been this important to me four years ago, I might be earning $200k this year as a practicing lawyer.
But that's another post, which is coming soon.
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no subject
Date: 2002-10-25 08:25 pm (UTC)I spent years in the very same situation, working long hours, repeatedly Dilberted and marginalized by the folks 'in charge (uh, yeah).' I now live by the rule "only within my job description!" which may be modified at anytime, for the right compensation. Any other approach and your just being ripped off.
no subject
Date: 2002-10-25 09:38 pm (UTC)It's not so much idealism--although that's part of it--as it is pride and ambition. And maybe some arrogance mixed in there, too.
At some point, I decided that I must conquer the world, cut its head off, and have it stuffed and mounted above my fireplace. I'm not going to get that with rules like "not within my job description." If my efforts aren't being recognized, there's always another job, even in this economy.
no subject
Date: 2002-10-26 01:13 pm (UTC)In my last job, I actually kept a spreadsheet which tallied all my extended hours.. what projects they were associated with... etc. My boss was frequently caught off guard when I could quote the total extra hours billed to a job, and issue a full report within seconds as to what those hours entailed and when the occurred.
I made quite sure to pick my moments and made sure to remain 'matter of fact' about it and that it was always in the presence of his boss. It would backfire from time to time, leaving my boss with egg on his face when trying to take credit for my work. But in the end, I'd usually wind up the winner.
When review time rolled around, I had a complete report of my hours worked and on what for their approval. I even found a way to highlight the tasks outside of my job description without saying as much.
It worked quite well for a long time, however, it did lead to my boss resenting me quite a bit.. but I always looked great in the eyes of the company and the CEO.
I guess I could have summed this up with, "make sure they know and never forget all the things done which don't fall into one's job description."
Beat it into their heads if you have to...