WTF?? Are Employers NUTS?
I just learned an acquaintance lost her job after 25 years working for an individual so he could do government work. No warning. No package deal. Just a big, fat surprise. Are employers NUTS??? I have heard of others losing their jobs because their bosses felt the grass was greener elsewhere. No notice. Just sayonara, baby! What are people supposed to do? Folks are being let go close to retirement and there is supposed to be a significant economic recovery going on? For whom? Wall Street? There are a few people making way too much money. What’s going on in this so-called great USA? We need jobs! We need TRUE economic JOB recovery! Yet, when we are frustrated with the current administration, we vote for radicals who don’t have any empathy for anyone and have their own agendas, want to make sweeping changes that benefit only the rich and wealthy, and then complain about it. Well, you got the governors and senators you voted for – just like someone (well, many conservative someones) who told me that “we got the president we voted for”. Well, I have news for you. Our president is doing the best he can. He gets no cooperation and no good deed he does goes unpunished. I do digress. There is no loyalty in the workplace. So, next time you are surfing for another job, don’t feel guilty. They (the employers) are doing the same thing.
Anger, Anger Everywhere Nor Any Relief to be Had
Greetings, Earthlings! It just keeps getting better and better at the American homefront! The rich keep getting their way on the backs of the poor AGAIN. Nothing has changed. How is this poor excuse for an economic system, capitalism, different from a monarchy? At least the royals were shamed into giving to the poor – they were shunned and ridiculed if they did not present their alms. America has its history steeped in slavery – from the natives to the Africans to the Chinese. How has this changed? Not by much. Well, you get a wage and now with the exponentially increasing inflation, you have to work two or more jobs just to get by. If you are lucky enough to get a break in Hollywood, or have the talent, strength and endurance to play a sport, yes, you can make a buck or two. Better yet – get born into it like the Hiltons, Rockefellers, Kennedys, etc. We poor slobs, however, have to be grateful for the scraps we are handed by Big Brother and Corporate Father. Wake up, people! Our paid time off days are shrinking along with our paychecks. We are making OTHERS rich because the richers have finally gotten their way: they got their slaves back and are kicking the middle class out of the way. The backbone of American is breaking and the richers are wielding the mace. How much more can we take? Revolution calling. Soon.
Thanks for reading (and hopefully, thinking),
Anita Jobb
If you like what you see here, buy me a Beer or Six-Pack or Keg!Corporation Cruelty
WTF??? I overheard a conversation in the elevator the other day about how one woman’s husband learned he had been fired (the euphemism nowadays is “laid off”) when he attempted to log on to his account from home and was unable to do so. Now corporations are firing people and not even giving them the courtesy of a face-to-face exit, no pink slip, no phone call, NOTHING! I used to work at a place where people were fired WHILE THEY WERE ON VACATION!!! Both women received a phone call at home. Both women had lost a loved one in the past year. Both women were worked to death to support the company’s agenda and when the company was done using them, they threw them away. Living well is the best revenge as both individuals landed secure jobs at wonderful law firms. I left that firm because I just could not work at a place that treats people like they were treated – both were loyal employees, rarely missed work, did everything they were supposed to do and that was the thanks they got. Another lady friend of mine was forced to quit (same place) because all of a sudden, after nearly 20 years of service, her “work product” wasn’t up to snuff. WTF? Did an Invasion of the Body Snatchers happen here? Was she replaced by a clone? She, too, is now living well at a firm that treats people with respect. I haven’t blogged in awhile because I have actually been working at a place where I am treated fairly and couldn’t have a better boss. Not possible. He’s the best I ever had. Hands off, respectful, courteous. He had the best parents ever, it seems. Anyway, I, too, and now living well and I thank the Universe and my friends and family for putting out all that good, positive energy for me. But I will never forget those who were treated unfairly, like the guy who was fired via cyberspace, and others who show up for work only to find their positions had been terminated unbeknownst to them, or yours truly who was fired via courier. Yes, we are the working stiffs still in the trenches and Corporate Amerika still does not see the disaster it would face if all of us formed a solidarity and QUIT simultaneously. It knows, however, that we cannot as we all desperately need our paychecks. We shall overcome; it just may take a little while longer.
Thanks for reading! Solidarność!
~Anita Jobb
If you like what you see here, buy me a Beer or Six-Pack or Keg!Idiot Managers
Time and time again my friends complain to me about their idiot managers who call them on the carpet, accuse them of things they did not do, in front of fellow employees, trying to intimidate and humiliate them. Why do I always smell a lawsuit? I, too, had been subjected to a similar scenario only it was more insidious and sneaky. When the dumping of work did not incite me to quit, I was subsequently fired for “insubordination.” I could not be found guilty of inadequate work product, unprofessional demeanor, missing days (I actually won an “award” for no days absent), my reviews were always stellar and impressive, so the only thing that idiot office manager could do was make up a false charge to which I could not legally respond. My time will come. I am very patient. A scorpion can wait a very, very long time until the perfect moment when she can strike. But right now, living well is the best revenge and I can’t help but feel grateful for the wealth of experience I have gained from that one act.
So, my faithful readers, do not be discouraged by the managers and directors out there who try to torture their subordinates with ridicule, unnecessary busy work, unfounded accusations based on hearsay and poor performance only because the person upon whom they dumped cannot humanly possibly be able to keep up with the workload, unless he or she were bionic. You shall overcome. The year 2112 is around the corner and there are going to be big changes so bide your time. Those who have the power have much to lose. We poor slobs in the trenches, well, the only place we have to go is UP.
Enjoy that glass of wine or smoothie! You deserve it!
~Anita Jobb
If you like what you see here, buy me a Beer or Six-Pack or Keg!Still Underemployed, but Strangely Stress-Free!
My husband and I went downtown last Friday to catch “Splice” at the Arena Grand Movie Theater in the Arena District in Columbus, Ohio. As we were driving by various businesses (it was after 4PM) I noticed people getting off work, with scowls on their face, as if they had been beaten up all week, and it’s all they can do to drag themselves to their cars and drive home. This is on a FRIDAY! WTF? It used to be when you got off work on a Friday you had a bounce in your step, you were enthusiastic to start the weekend, you were grinning from ear-to-ear and over and over again the old Love and Kisses’ disco song “Thank God It’s Friday” keeps thrumming its beat in your head (or, if you have an iPod or MP3 player, your music of choice). People used to be HAPPY they had a weekend to rest up and get rejuvenated for the coming week. What happened? Well, after reading many posts on Facebook, talking to my friends and family, I have found that employers are working people TO DEATH, expecting one person to do the job of three people – yeah, the two they let go earlier last year and never replaced.
Now, I understand and appreciate corporations and business owners wanting to stay in business and trying to keep things afloat. I get that. HOWEVER, when are the big pig CEOs and other managing partners, etc. at the top going to start adjusting THEIR lifestyles as opposed to downsizing us peons, not replacing us, yet still living high on the hog? When do you see that? Please correct me if I am wrong, but from my personal experience, the hired help always gets the shaft – whether it’s lost benefits, termination, extra responsibilities or cuts in pay. You still see the CEOs driving their fancy cars, getting free perks, parking, clothing allowances, etc., but what do us poor slobs get? AND, unlike the movie Glengarry Glen Ross, our third prize is we get to keep our jobs!
Well, a wise man said to me recently that he wasn’t going to work for “THE MAN” anymore. He wasn’t going to face getting downsized again, so he struck out on his own and has been doing quite well. He walks the walk and talks the talk and I have the privilege of working with him on a contract basis, which allows me to venture out and seek other contract work as long as it is not conflicting with his practice, which is relatively easy. I am blessed, but still short on cash as I only work a few days a week, plus maintain this blog among other activities. It is a temporary situation, but I feel for those who slave away, day after day, in a dead-end job (because you are overqualified and nothing else is available), drudging away with no ambition or hope for the future. Unemployed individuals have given up looking for a job. When will it end?
A lot of folks want to criticize the US administration, blame Wall Street, corporate America, etc. That’s fine, but people need to come up with SOLUTIONS. We should be sick and tired of expecting our government to solve everything. We are a country by the people and for the people and we, as people, need to act! We need to start in our own communities and help one another. Grassroots efforts are quickly becoming more popular and we need to focus on our neighbors. Then we can branch out to our neighboring neighbors and so on. One foot in front of the other, baby steps are what will be necessary to get us out of this Re-Depression – we need to work with one another, not against one another. If you know of a family in need and you can help, do so. If you need someone to help you with a project and you have the money, call someone you know who needs a hand with their bills. Let’s all do our part and not depend on our government. We all saw what happened with Hurricane Katrina and now the BP oil spill. Let’s get our country on the right track and re-build from the bottom up and create jobs.
Thanks for reading and don’t despair – this can’t last forever! The rich people will get bored with all our complaining! LOL
~Anita Jobb
If you like what you see here, buy me a Beer or Six-Pack or Keg!The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Stay Poor
Recently, my husband received a phone call from his insurance provider for Medicare. They have a program to save him almost $100 by the State of Ohio paying for his insurance. We don’t qualify because I make over $500 – it’s a SPECIAL Ohio law. Now, unemployment in Ohio is astronomical, not to mention the rest of the United States and the hoops individuals have to jump through to get any kind of government benefits is demoralizing, demeaning and strips all of us of our self-respect, self-worth and integrity. If you declare bankruptcy, you should automatically be approved for benefits up to and including food stamps, utility payment help and mortgage reduction, provided you fall within REASONABLE qualifications. The way it stands now, they want you to be dead-ass broke before you can get any kind of relief, then keep it almost super secret as to how you get it. Oh, and if you don’t have children, they light the hoops ON FIRE to jump through to get government benefits. I’m not a welfare baby. I don’t intend on using “the system” forever, but I’ve paid into it long enough; I should at least be able to have these benefits available to me without all the gawdawful red tape. LESS GOVERNMENT, PLEASE!!!!! Thank you for reading.
~Anita Jobb
The Resume Cover Letter I Would LIKE to Send to a Prospective Employer
Dear Hiring Manager:
Please find attached my resume for your review. I have been in the legal field for over 13 years as a legal assistant (legal secretary/paralegal hybrid) and obtained my paralegal certificate at _______ University Law School in the Fall of 2008. Tragically, the bottom fell out of the legal field in ____________, Ohio and hence, I have been unemployed ever since. I thought I could ride out the storm and attend law school, but unfortunately, college graduates were unable to find work and decided to go to law school. I think most of them must have applied at _________ University because I was unceremoniously bumped from the evening program as a result.
However, to maintain my skills, I have been working temporary jobs as a dominatrix, Tarot card reader, taxidermist, burlesque show director, a few legal jobs (skip tracer, narcotics snitch, bail bondsman, private investigator plant, etc.), but have thus far been unable to secure any gainful, meaningful employment.
You are my last hope. I have inundated _____________, Ohio with my resume, sometimes two and three times (I may be famous by now), to no avail and must look outside of this area. Attorneys are hiring law school graduates as paralegals here and I am now overqualified for legal secretarial positions. Like Jude the Obscure, my law school dreams have been dashed into oblivion, the job market is abysmal, and unless I can use my creative marketing talents combined with my legal training and education, the only career path I face is performing beat poetry at coffee houses and pubs. I once contemplated exotic dancing, the gimmick being I would be paid NOT to take my clothes off, but as my unlucky streak proves, the audience would be filled with chubby chasers and I certainly would NOT want THAT skeleton to be dug up in case I run for some kind of government office, become a reporter, star in a movie, etc.
At any rate, I would truly appreciate any possible assistance in working with your company or at the very least, a referral to a law firm, corporate legal department or government agency DYING for my litigation expertise. I am also pretty good with corporate, real estate and workers’ compensation. I am also a fabulous cook, jewelry maker and fashionista.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Otherwise, I may have to stalk you.
Sincerely,
/s/ Anita Jobb
Unemployed and Undervalued Workers of the World Unite!! We Shall Overcome!!
Everything is cyclical – and everything comes back around. Change is constant and nothing is permanent. That is what is so great about life in general. We have the free will to change our circumstances and the most successful people emerge from strife, challenge and adversity. This Great Re-Depression will make us stronger. I feel we will be valiant and have the last laugh at the employers who pile on the work assignments knowing (or thinking they know) their employees will eat what they are served because there is nothing else out there. I predict a great worker resurgence when the pendulum swings upward. There will be more jobs than people. The pay will increase for qualified, trained workers because there simply will not be time to train unskilled workers. Perhaps the salary range for my occupation will also increase. Employers are getting away with extremely insulting low pay right now. It won’t last. We are headed for a revolution. We will rise up and finally be able to DEMAND our fair pay and DEMAND our fair treatment and DEMAND respect. This employer’s economy and exploitation of good people has gone on long enough. Equal rights for all and reasonable pay for all, that’s my prediction. Hopefully, we will see it soon. Those are my words of inspiration for today. Buddha says “Everything comes full circle.” You’ll see. Thanks for reading!
–Anita Jobb
If you like what you see here, buy me a Beer or Six-Pack or Keg!Employers Waiting for Prince or Princess Charming? What Gives?
I cannot TELL you how many resumes I have sent out, how many interviews I have been on or how many employment agencies with whom I have registered! It astounds me that employers will hold out for MONTHS, seeking the “perfect” candidate. They will accept individuals from out of town, they will sift through hundreds and hundreds of resumes. By the time they have allegedly “found” the right candidate, a perfectly reasonably qualified individual could have had the job, become familiar with the tasks at hand, had training, and hit the ground running. I just don’t get it. I also don’t get why a company would want to get somebody in from outside Central Ohio. Yes, this is directed specifically towards Columbus and/or Ohio in general. Our unemployment rate is projected to go into the double digits, yet companies will hold out and interview OUTSIDE of Ohio just so they can fluff their feathers and pound their chests. It’s insulting to the residents here. I have checked other markets. They prefer to hire LOCALLY. HELLO? THINK LOCAL. HELP your community. HIRE someone who has a ton of experience, education, professional savvy HERE IN OHIO. What’s WRONG with you? Ohio needs help and soon. What can our legislators, governor, mayors and senators do to help us? We need to start filling their e-mail and post boxes with letters. We need to stimulate OFFICE jobs. I don’t know how to operate machinery other than a fax machine, copier or computer. The stimulus package has done nothing for me and my colleagues. The employers here have done nothing for us with their search for “Prince or Princess Charming.” I heard a story once where someone was perfectly qualified for a job but was passed over for Princess Charming. GUESS WHAT? Princess Charming left in a year. The qualified candidate meanwhile would have still been there, happily employed. So, Mr. or Ms. Employer, maybe you ought to figure in appreciation, loyalty and gratitude into your little “perfect candidate” formula. It would be nice to have a society where the employer and employee enjoy a loyal, long-term and fulfilling working relationship. Oh, wait – I’m sorry, that’s a fairy tale.
Thanks for reading!
–Anita Jobb
Are Employers Hiring? Really? Part Deux
Okay, riddle me this. I just had an interview on Thursday 8/20. My rejection letter was dated the same date. Now, did they like immediately eliminate me as a candidate as soon as I left, or did they have the letter pre-written, not intending me to go to the next level interview stage? Funny thing the envelope was HANDWRITTEN. I’ve NEVER handwritten a professional envelope IN MY LIFE. Are they really hiring anyone or are they just going through the motions to fulfill EEOC requirements only to turn around and officially hire cousin Bill or sister Sue? I think it’s suspicious myself and this is not the first time this has happened. Blood is thicker than water and families will look out for each other (well, normal families) and chances are, the family member or close friend is already in line to be hired. Meanwhile, we poor slobs waste our time going to the interviews. I knew it was a waste of time. I can pick up vibes and I felt it very strongly. Will any of us gain employment or get out of our soul-sucking jobs? Only time will tell . . .