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Archive for the ‘employment’ Category

My company is sending me out of town for training after the 1st of the year. I have to successfully complete one month in accelerated courses to pass my probationary period.

Funny. They still haven’t ‘officially’ given me the job, but they are organizing my training.

As we sorted out hotel accommodations, they reviewed my per diem rates for food, gas, etc. The budget manager tapped on my plastic company card, ‘OK Rebekah, we both know you don’t eat much and you’ll never get anywhere near spending all of your allowance. Don’t be tempted to drink the difference. Alcoholic beverages are not covered’ he said with a wink.

They take away all the fun.

It’s been a while since I’ve flown on tickets purchased by my employer.

Traveling on someone else’s dime is always a lot more fun.

I’ve said it before, I ride public transit. Sure it’s not my favorite way to get around, but it saves me serious cash so I put up with the inconvenience.

If there is one thing you learn – and learn fast – about riding public transit, it’s how to identify the ‘creepers’. I know in 5 seconds flat who will give me grief.

This morning, I noticed a ‘Grade A Creeper’. ‘Grade A Creepers’ are the people you are willing to step back off the bus or train to avoid. He looked disoriented, disheveled, and up to no good. I nearly stepped back out, but I was in a rush to get to work and decided to take my chances.

Bad idea.

As soon as we started moving, he stood to face us. There were four of us on board… all young women. A disgusting smile spread across his face as he slowly started walking toward us. He was, well, I’m not sure how to put this. He was, ‘pitching a tent’ in his pants.

He walked up to two of the women, blocked them in, and started groaning and moaning at them. His ‘tent’ only grew.

In a panic, I hurriedly dialed the emergency number for the train (I keep them on speed dial). Just so you know, in emergency situations, I am not the best person to help.

‘What direction are you headed?’

‘Northeasterly? Oh wait. No, Southwest?’

‘What is the man wearing?’

‘Purple? No. Green. Wait. Blue.’

Despite my poor directions, I apparently gave enough information for them to identify the guy and force him off the train to an awaiting group of officers. Maybe it was because he was the only guy on the train. Whatever.

I went up to the women, made sure they were OK, and gave them the security number in case they should ever need it.

That was it.

I didn’t singlehandedly wrestle him to the floor and punch him. I didn’t shout at him. In fact, I really think I could have done more. I was simply too terrified.

Well…

Turns out, one of those folks onboard sent an e-mail to a clerk in HR and titled it ‘EMPLOYEE DESERVES TO BE COMMENDED’ (my company ID badge was pinned at my waist). The person identified what I was wearing, what I did, and what I said. It was an incredibly kind e-mail. The HR clerk identified me and forwarded the e-mail to the head of HR. The head of HR forwarded the e-mail to me, the CEO, the CFO, the head of legal counsel, and to my direct boss.

The CEO, who I’ve spoken with once in my whole career, personally came down to thank me for helping others. My boss and the head of HR also came to congratulate me.

I was stunned. I kept trying to say, ‘I didn’t DO anything!’ but they didn’t seem to listen.

So, I can keep fighting, keep saying how much I didn’t do, OR, I can smile, say thank you, hope they remember this when promotions are announced, and get back to work.

I choose option B.

What a weird, weird, weird day.

Black Friday this year was particularly dangerous. In late 2008, I lost my job and had only recently picked up a new one. We were so busy putting our financial lives back together that Christmas gifts weren’t an option. In late 2009, my husband was laid off and didn’t have a job over the holidays. We skipped Christmas that year too. This year, not only are we both employed, my husband got a raise and things are looking good on my end too.

I was ready to shop this year.

But, crazy thing happened on Black Friday…

I had to work.

I think I heard the Hallelujah chorus blaring from my wallet the entire morning.

Oh well. There will always be next year.

Did you shop on Black Friday this year? Or did you have a moment of sanity and skip it?

Friday afternoon I was called in for a meeting with the CFO.

I have been given strict instructions NOT to share the happenings of that meeting until the formal announcement in a few weeks.

So, I won’t share what happened behind those doors…yet.

What will I share? Window views are lovely.

My boss called me into his office yesterday morning and asked me to sit down. Of course, in this economy, I figured he was going to lay me off. Instead, he said he nominated me for a position two steps above my own. No one in my department has ever skipped a step so I was a bit surprised.

It took a few seconds to respond since my prepared speech was more along the lines of, “I have enjoyed working here and I hope you will consider me if a position becomes available. I’ll have my desk cleaned out in 5 minutes.”

I think I stuttered out a “Wow… Um… Cool” which is exactly the ‘professional’ appearance you want to portray when someone sticks his neck out for you.

He told me the promotion has to get approved by the CEO so nothing is official yet but he ended the conversation with…

“Just act surprised when they offer you the job ok?”

I can act surprised… but I can’t seem to wipe this silly grin off my face.

My co-worker lost her sister suddenly to an unknown health condition. Understandably shaken from the unexpected loss, she took a few days off work. During that time, she tried her best to notify her sister’s creditors of her death.

She came back to work this week and I stopped at her desk to see how she was doing and ask if she needed anything. She talked to me for a little bit and when she finished, I started to walk away. She caught my arm and said, ‘I have another reason for you to hate credit cards.’

Hmm. I may be a little too vocal about my hatred for credit cards. I’m starting to get a reputation.

She told me she had called one of the credit card companies to inform them about her sister’s death and the jerk on the phone said, ‘Are you planning to pay your sister’s remaining balance?’

‘N-n-n-o’ she stuttered, shocked.

‘Someone needs to pay this debt. Can you or your parents make payments? Does she have any other siblings who can pay this debt? Are you willing to sign on this account?’ he demanded.

She couldn’t even answer. She was crying so she hung up and has not called back.

What kind of SLEEZE demands payment from the sibling of a person who recently passed away?!?!?

Leave it to credit card companies to take advantage of the emotional roller coaster of death to force payment.

What is your worst credit card company story?

Wow! Now I feel kinda bad about complaining but…

My husband got his raise!! How much?

10 PERCENT!!

He’s a hard worker, he’s reliable, he’s smart, and his butt looks great in his Costco jeans (but I’m sure the last part has nothing to do with it).

We’d like to celebrate but… we just got back from a foreign vacation. We can’t afford to celebrate until 2014. Plus, I’m typing this while sitting on a couch that smells like dog pee… kinda takes away the joy of the moment. ; )