From: Pluck
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 10:39 AM
To: Jennifer
Subject: Re: Question for you
Hey Jen!
Suzie called me last night, she was so helpful! It really meant a lot to me that she took the time out of her busy schedule to look over my resume, and give me some really valuable advice. So, thank you so much for thinking of contacting her! The timing was interesting too, as I was laid off yesterday. My last day of work is Tuesday, so now I am definitely on the hunt for a job and her advice will help me out a lot. Talk soon, Pluck
From: Jennifer
Sent: Thu, July 22, 2010 10:47:12 AM
To: Pluck
Subject: RE: Question for you
Hi Pluck,
I have been meaning to email you back from the other day. Oh, I’m so sorry they laid you off but you were miserable anyway there, right? Ugh, that sucks, regardless. You will find something soon I’m sure, and at least now you have more time to focus more on job hunting! Did Suzie give you any ideas of companies to give your resume to? I will keep asking around here to see if I can find anybody else who can help you... Let’s keep in touch, and hang in there!
From: Pluck
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 11:02 AM
To: Jennifer
Subject: Re: Question for you
Yeah, I was hating it here, so I guess it's a blessing in disguise. But you are right, I will have all the time in the world to find a new job! Actually my neighbor told me that his law firm is looking for a new secretary, it isn't what I went to school for but at least I would be getting income.
From: Jennifer
Sent: Thu, July 22, 2010 11:46:42 AM
To: Pluck
Subject: RE: Question for you
Good luck with the law firm job, I’ll keep my eye out for other stuff, too…you’ll find something I’m sure. And, there are so many people that end up in totally different industries than what they went to school for…you might find something you like better or it will be a good way to pass the time until your industry picks up a bit more!
From: Pluck
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 12:21 PM
To: Jennifer
Subject: Re: Question for you
Exactly. I'm worried, but not too worried that I feel like I need to get out of the lease I JUST signed... kind of upset because my boss knew that I was getting an apartment and she also knew that she was going to let me go, but she never said anything. Then waited until I was taking 3 days off to do Whitney, so I don't even get a full week for my paycheck.
From: Jennifer
To: Pluck
Sent: Thu, July 22, 2010 2:14:15 PM
Subject: RE: Question for you
Wow, what is wrong with that woman?? I didn’t know you got a place, where is it?? That hike sounds fun, and quite the challenge! What a cool way to celebrate your birthday! Happy early birthday if I don’t see you before! J
From: Pluck
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 2:42 PM
To: Jennifer
Subject: Re: Question for you
Don't even get me started on that woman. Right after she said her whole speech about letting me go (and by the way, my coworkers were in the room too) she said that she had a friend who was frustrated with an employee- so she asked her friend if she would want to hire me, weeks before. Then, she and my coworkers started brainstorming places of employment for me, which was getting really frustrating, even though I know they were trying to be helpful. So, I told them that I was fine and not to worry about it. My boss' response was, "Oh, it's GOING to be hard on you. I don't want you to think that it won't be hard, and that you wont be struggling." Uhhh?? Anyway, my place is actually across the street from Dave. My roommate found it, but it's a good deal! 2 bed, 2 bath, washer/dryer for $1349/Mo. Thanks for the birthday wishes!
From: Jennifer
Sent: Thu, July 22, 2010 4:36:18 PM
To: Pluck
Subject: RE: Question for you
Are you kidding me? She is so weird. As you know, I have never been very fond of her. She just seems really awkward and inappropriate. I can’t believe she would lay you off in front of the other employees. Isn’t there some sort of law against that? And she is crazy if she thinks you won’t find a better job than working for her! She really bugs me. There are much better jobs out there, and I can’t wait until you get an awesome one and you’ll be so glad you don’t have to deal with her anymore. I hope she has at least offered to be a reference for you?
From:Pluck
To: Jennifer
Sent: Thu, July 22, 2010 4:40:36 PM
Subject: RE: Question for you
Yeah, it was kind of embarrassing- especially when they were all talking about me filing for unemployment. But they were going to find out anyway, and I'm glad that it wasn't one on one. It would have been more awkward that way because I don't think either one of us is really comfortable with the other.
She didn't offer up herself as a reference exactly, but I feel confidant that I can use her as a one. I think she knows how much this sucks for me, and will help me get a new job because it would ease her conscience.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Bridget
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 9:25 AM
To: Pluck's Mom; Rosie; Peg
Subject: RE: scrapbooking
So I guess I have to flake out once again, my daughter enlisted me as a chaperone for the movies with her friends. One day I will be back to join my scrap girls! Miss you! -Bridget
From: Pluck's Mom
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 9:46 AMTo: Bridget; Rosie; Peg
Subject: RE: scrapbooking
Oh noooooooo!! And I just told Pluck last night that all my girls would be there and she was so excited (well, as excited as someone can be on a day when they lose their job).
-Pluck's Mom
From: Bridget
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 9:50 AM
To: Pluck's Mom; Rosie; Peg
Subject: RE: scrapbooking
What the heck happened to Pluck! I saw her blogpost recently but I didn't think she would lose her job! -Bridget
From: Pluck's Mom
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 9:53 AMTo: Bridget; Rosie; Peg
Subject: RE: scrapbooking
Well the bitch claimed financial reasons but she's had it out for Pluck for a long time. Hopefully it will all turn out and she will find something way better. In the meantime she will find whatever job she can until she can land another design position.~~Pluck's Mom
From: Bridget
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 9:58 AM
To: Pluck's Mom; Rosie; Peg
Subject: RE: scrapbooking
She sounded like a piece of work! I can't believe she treated our sweet Pluck like that.
From: Rosie
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 11:48 AM
To: Pluck's Mom; Bridget; Peg
Subject: Re: scrapbooking
What about the apartment she was going to rent?- Rosie
From: Pluck's Mom
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 12:47 PM
To: Rosie; Bridget; Peg
Subject: RE: scrapbooking
She's already signed the lease so she's going to be struggling for a while until a job comes up. Meanwhile she will file for unemployment and beat the streets. Everyone keep your fingers and toes crossed and if you come up with any leads please forward them.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mo:
July 22 at 10:27am
Pluck...what happened? Did this all go down yesterday?
Pluck:
July 22 at 11:51am
Yes. At the end of the day, she called us all into the conference room saying she had some things to talk to us about. She said that the past couple weeks/month she has been very cranky and mean. She said that she's never been that way in her life (yeah, right) and that she has to apologize because she's been taking out on me- because I sit right next to her.
Then she started talking about how the business hasn't been making profit and that she's been feeding the business with her own money. She said should have done this a year ago but she wasn't being honest with herself. She wanted to cut hours because she can't afford 3 full time employees, so she was going to have my roommate and I come in part time. She was all prepared on Monday to do that, but then when I wasn't there, it became apparent that she needed to just let me go
Which is funny because, the reason I was out Monday and Tuesday is because the thought of coming into work made me physically sick.
So anyway, she was all apologetic and I was trying not to cry- but it didn't work, I was huffing like a baby. She said that it wasn't anything personal, she just couldn't afford it. She also apologized to my roomie because now she has to worry about me paying my rent on time. She-devil said that when she heard we were getting the apartment, she wanted to say something but it was too late- meaning that she has been wanting to let me go for a whole month and hasn't said anything, or given me a head's up. And now, she said that I can still work through the end of the month, but I am taking 3 days off next week for our big hike, that I've been planning for months. So instead of getting the standard two weeks, I get 5 days (Including yesterday and the rest of this week). I told her that I understand, and that I knew that times were hard and how I appreciate her keeping me on for so long through the economic struggles.
Just trying to be gracious.
Then because I had nothing to do yesterday- I asked if she even wanted me to come in anymore and she said, "Of course! I'm not FIRING you!" All sweet as pie... But I'm a little bitter because she knew she was going to do this and she waited until I was already in the apartment and then going on vacation. Easier for her I'm sure. But she did say that I could ask our reps for some suggestions or contacts to get a new job...
But that's pretty much the gist of it. My neighbor told me that his company was trying to find a receptionist or something, so he would see if they still needed one.
So Saturday, I will start looking for a design job. I found a few places that look interesting. Oh, and next Friday is my birthday. This isn't where I thought I would be at 25... unemployed. Yay.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that she said the reason she was letting me go versus either of the other girls was that she, "has to go in order of the way we were hired.." meaning last on, first to go. And that she needs the autocad, "and Croomie has a feel for that. And I've just come to rely on the other two more than you. Your position was to be my assistant, and now I will just have to do all that stuff on my own." Even though, when Croomie was out having neck surgery, I took all of her responsibilities and added them to my own! My other coworker does quickbooks and billing and stuff, and I am able to handle that stuff when she is gone too.
Mo:
22 at 12:42pm
well Pluck...First off... I think she is acting nice towards you so she doesnt look like the bad guy. A LITTLE LATE FOR THAT. Its like you put all the pieces together. Ya know? She should have made sure she was saying things that covered her ass, not make it sound like shes been wanting to let you go for a month now. You dont drag that kind of stuff on. If you are going to be a boss you must have integrity and confrontational skills. Just say what you gotta say and stop wasting the other persons time you know? I would collect unemployment for a little while just to cover your obligations. Do that while you are looking for another job. Hopefully that receptionist job will be available! I just want you to know that you are a good person and you are very reliable. You deserve a job that wont make you sick. Maybe this was a good thing for you. You have a sense of being 'free' from the job from hell. But you will stress about finding another job. At least you wont be sick anymore. Can I help with anything?
Pluck:
July 22 at 12:52pm
No.. I don't think so. You got any money?
Pluck:
July 22 at 1:05pm
Kidding....
Friday, July 23, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Oye... let's get all caught up with my life so far:
A couple months ago, coworker #2 asked if I wanted to move in with her when her lease was up in July- she wanted to move closer to work, and her old rommie was moving out. I said, "Sure." and then didn't really think too much about it after that, because it was "months away"... I had been wanting to move out for a long time and actually, my goal was to get into an apartment before my 25th birthday at the end of this month, so I knew it was coming soon, I just didn't realize how soon.
Three weeks ago, my coworker/roommate (or Croomie- if you will) saw an ad for an apartment that she liked, and two days later we were filling out lease applications. The following week we were told that the apartment was ours and then the next day, we were picking up the keys.
Now, I know that this is exciting news and something that I probably should have blogged about right away. However, my boyfriend and I have a big hike planned for the end of the month that we have been trying to get ready for, and most of my spare time has been spent moving my stuff in to the new apartment (which I am still working on). So, the new news is that Pluck will be on her own very soon... if I can ever finish getting my crap moved.
The old news is that my boss is still a raving lunatic. The week that Croomie and I signed the lease, biz-natch (that's slang for the "B" word) flipped out on me over some AutoCAD drawings. Now, I thought that I had understood what it was she was asking me to do, but figured that the drawings would still need some adjustments which, is why I was showing them to her and asking if they were okay.
And, apparently they weren't.
And evidently, I am also an idiot, because she thought she had, "MADE IT CLEAR!!!!!", what it was that she wanted. So when I tried to clarify things again, she started in with the insults, "I thought that was the obvious way to do it but I guess it's not! I mean why wouldn't you get that?!" It was like her words were sharp blades being flung at me, and with every one, I was cut down. Smaller and smaller. She ended her rant with, "DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I WANT?!"
This attitude she had towards me continued for the next couple days, and when I showed up to work on Friday, I was completely drained. I had a hard time waking up, and my stomach was aching. I came in a couple minutes late and when I told coworker #1 that I wasn't feeling well, her response was, "Well, you probably just want this to stop. I mean this thing with the boss has been going on for a few days now and I bet you are just tired of it, and want it to end."
Stop the train, and let me off.
I am not crazy.
"So, you see it too?! She does treat me like crap?" We talked for a few minutes about how neither of us knew why the boss was acting psycho towards me. Which didn't get me far, but coworker #1 said that it wouldn't be a good idea for me to talk to her about it (like my boyfriend has suggested in the past). She had seen an old employee approach my boss for a 'conversation' and according to coworker #1, it did NOT go so well.
Luckily, Friday was Friday and then the weekend came- but good Lord, last week sucked too!
I was working on closing out a contract that I had written up for a client, when I spotted a mistake. My stomach hit the ground and I started to sweat instantly. I had looked over that contract twenty times (probably literally, twenty times, because I am paranoid that I will screw up and piss off Vampira) and I still missed something. I showed coworker #1 and we tried to see how we could solve the problem... but it wasn't going to happen. I had mistakenly given our client the net cost of an item, and now my boss was going to make $700 less on the contract.
I emailed my Mom, "I might lose my job today. I'll keep you posted".
When the boss came in, I took a deep breath, and told her what I had discovered. She, of course, was not happy and made it very clear how angry she was. I apologized a number of times, but she didn't really speak to me for the rest of the day, but she also didn't fire me. I decided that I would send her an email after work, just to make sure she knew that I was sorry and that I understood how serious the mistake was... I also added in that I would accept all repercussions. I thought this sentence would open the door for her to fire me because, I was pretty confused about why she hadn't done it already.
As I told my boyfriend later that night; I sit right next to this woman. I have been on her shit list many times before, and it is uncomfortable. I can feel her anger, and it makes me more stressed and tense at work than I usually am. If she wants to fire me, then I want her to fire me. I figured that maybe she didn't feel right doing it in front of my coworkers, or that she was trying to decide if that was the right punishment.... but why prolong the pain?
I still had a job the next day, and the day after that as well... and though she didn't fire me, or allude to wanting to fire me, she definitely made me wonder. The rest of the week, we exchanged few words, and she would tell coworker #1 to, "have Pluck do this" or ask Croomie to "tell Pluck to email that"... even though each time, I was sitting right there. She was also having me send things to my coworkers, so that they could complete the projects. Sort of like, taking work away from me... I have nothing to do when I go to work tomorrow and part of me thinks that might be her plan.
I know that I need a new job, and I have needed one for awhile... Before, this job sucked, and my boss was mean and I wasn't getting any respect- but I was sticking it out so I could finish my portfolio. Now, this job is hell, my boss treats me like a child and it's hard to walk in there everyday- but I have rent to pay, and can't afford to lose the income. My portfolio is nearly complete, just a few more tweaks, and it will be good to go. I am so busy right now, with all the stuff going on in my life, but I have GOT to make time to look for a new job this week.
I can't go in there everyday and get treated the way I do. It's beyond annoying now. It's actually ruining my health- I am constantly nervous and antsy, even when I'm at home. Right now, I am thinking about ways I can get out of work tomorrow, just so I don't have to deal with the crap.
I am also thinking about stuff I can pack in my car to bring to the apartment in the morning, and how I have to take the car to the body shop tomorrow (and get a rental) because it went all transformer on me again, and was hit by yet another car. I've got dinner with boyfriend and his parents on Tuesday, I have a chair that needs to be recovered this week so I can take it to the apartment, and I still don't know when I will get to sleep there for the first time... Croomie is already moved in, and I am starting to get anxious about getting all my stuff in there. Boyfriend and I are climbing Mt. Whitney on my birthday and my hiking shoes still aren't broken it, plus, I am starting to catch a cold with all this stress and ...I JUST WANT THE ROOM TO STOP SPINNING SO I CAN GO TO BED!
A couple months ago, coworker #2 asked if I wanted to move in with her when her lease was up in July- she wanted to move closer to work, and her old rommie was moving out. I said, "Sure." and then didn't really think too much about it after that, because it was "months away"... I had been wanting to move out for a long time and actually, my goal was to get into an apartment before my 25th birthday at the end of this month, so I knew it was coming soon, I just didn't realize how soon.
Three weeks ago, my coworker/roommate (or Croomie- if you will) saw an ad for an apartment that she liked, and two days later we were filling out lease applications. The following week we were told that the apartment was ours and then the next day, we were picking up the keys.
Now, I know that this is exciting news and something that I probably should have blogged about right away. However, my boyfriend and I have a big hike planned for the end of the month that we have been trying to get ready for, and most of my spare time has been spent moving my stuff in to the new apartment (which I am still working on). So, the new news is that Pluck will be on her own very soon... if I can ever finish getting my crap moved.
The old news is that my boss is still a raving lunatic. The week that Croomie and I signed the lease, biz-natch (that's slang for the "B" word) flipped out on me over some AutoCAD drawings. Now, I thought that I had understood what it was she was asking me to do, but figured that the drawings would still need some adjustments which, is why I was showing them to her and asking if they were okay.
And, apparently they weren't.
And evidently, I am also an idiot, because she thought she had, "MADE IT CLEAR!!!!!", what it was that she wanted. So when I tried to clarify things again, she started in with the insults, "I thought that was the obvious way to do it but I guess it's not! I mean why wouldn't you get that?!" It was like her words were sharp blades being flung at me, and with every one, I was cut down. Smaller and smaller. She ended her rant with, "DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I WANT?!"
This attitude she had towards me continued for the next couple days, and when I showed up to work on Friday, I was completely drained. I had a hard time waking up, and my stomach was aching. I came in a couple minutes late and when I told coworker #1 that I wasn't feeling well, her response was, "Well, you probably just want this to stop. I mean this thing with the boss has been going on for a few days now and I bet you are just tired of it, and want it to end."
Stop the train, and let me off.
I am not crazy.
"So, you see it too?! She does treat me like crap?" We talked for a few minutes about how neither of us knew why the boss was acting psycho towards me. Which didn't get me far, but coworker #1 said that it wouldn't be a good idea for me to talk to her about it (like my boyfriend has suggested in the past). She had seen an old employee approach my boss for a 'conversation' and according to coworker #1, it did NOT go so well.
Luckily, Friday was Friday and then the weekend came- but good Lord, last week sucked too!
I was working on closing out a contract that I had written up for a client, when I spotted a mistake. My stomach hit the ground and I started to sweat instantly. I had looked over that contract twenty times (probably literally, twenty times, because I am paranoid that I will screw up and piss off Vampira) and I still missed something. I showed coworker #1 and we tried to see how we could solve the problem... but it wasn't going to happen. I had mistakenly given our client the net cost of an item, and now my boss was going to make $700 less on the contract.
I emailed my Mom, "I might lose my job today. I'll keep you posted".
When the boss came in, I took a deep breath, and told her what I had discovered. She, of course, was not happy and made it very clear how angry she was. I apologized a number of times, but she didn't really speak to me for the rest of the day, but she also didn't fire me. I decided that I would send her an email after work, just to make sure she knew that I was sorry and that I understood how serious the mistake was... I also added in that I would accept all repercussions. I thought this sentence would open the door for her to fire me because, I was pretty confused about why she hadn't done it already.
As I told my boyfriend later that night; I sit right next to this woman. I have been on her shit list many times before, and it is uncomfortable. I can feel her anger, and it makes me more stressed and tense at work than I usually am. If she wants to fire me, then I want her to fire me. I figured that maybe she didn't feel right doing it in front of my coworkers, or that she was trying to decide if that was the right punishment.... but why prolong the pain?
I still had a job the next day, and the day after that as well... and though she didn't fire me, or allude to wanting to fire me, she definitely made me wonder. The rest of the week, we exchanged few words, and she would tell coworker #1 to, "have Pluck do this" or ask Croomie to "tell Pluck to email that"... even though each time, I was sitting right there. She was also having me send things to my coworkers, so that they could complete the projects. Sort of like, taking work away from me... I have nothing to do when I go to work tomorrow and part of me thinks that might be her plan.
I know that I need a new job, and I have needed one for awhile... Before, this job sucked, and my boss was mean and I wasn't getting any respect- but I was sticking it out so I could finish my portfolio. Now, this job is hell, my boss treats me like a child and it's hard to walk in there everyday- but I have rent to pay, and can't afford to lose the income. My portfolio is nearly complete, just a few more tweaks, and it will be good to go. I am so busy right now, with all the stuff going on in my life, but I have GOT to make time to look for a new job this week.
I can't go in there everyday and get treated the way I do. It's beyond annoying now. It's actually ruining my health- I am constantly nervous and antsy, even when I'm at home. Right now, I am thinking about ways I can get out of work tomorrow, just so I don't have to deal with the crap.
I am also thinking about stuff I can pack in my car to bring to the apartment in the morning, and how I have to take the car to the body shop tomorrow (and get a rental) because it went all transformer on me again, and was hit by yet another car. I've got dinner with boyfriend and his parents on Tuesday, I have a chair that needs to be recovered this week so I can take it to the apartment, and I still don't know when I will get to sleep there for the first time... Croomie is already moved in, and I am starting to get anxious about getting all my stuff in there. Boyfriend and I are climbing Mt. Whitney on my birthday and my hiking shoes still aren't broken it, plus, I am starting to catch a cold with all this stress and ...I JUST WANT THE ROOM TO STOP SPINNING SO I CAN GO TO BED!
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