The Office Chronicles

Fresh Off The Press From The
"Well Ain't That A Blip" Office Files....


INTRO: This morning I just want to vent a little bit. So please bear with me. For some time I've put off blogging about my job and my promotion (lack there of) situation, because I simply didn't want to think about it. If I want to have a good day, I just shove certain thoughts under the rug and keep it moving.

NEW JOB OPPORTUNITY: But today, I have chosen to speak about the office, because I've been permitted to peform a detail position in another office. After going through the line of protocol and discussing my disappointment in not getting a grade promotion after performing the work of a senior analyst for years, my supervisor and her bosses allowed me time away on a detail. For those of you who don't work for Uncle Leroy's gubment, a detail is a temporary job in another office. My job position itself is still permanent; I still belong to the old office. It's like my office loaning me and my work out to another office. And sometimes detail positions lead to permanent positions in the office the person is doing the detail. I haven't put any pressure and unrealistic expectations on myself. All I want to do is a great job, and then whatever happens happens. But I'll pray and hope for the best.

THE CATCH: Well friends, things can never ever be that easy. There's always got to be some mess. Just last week, my supervisor told me that today I would be allowed to start work in the new area. All that I would have to do is finish two letters, then I would be free to go do my thing. Yeah right. Two women are supposed to take over my work while I'm gone. Yup, two people will do the job of one workhorse (me). But the older lady co-worker is making all kinds of smart remarks, which is really starting to annoy me. She's getting to be a real pest. I have a lot of reading and learning to do with the new work area, and she's not making things any better by trying to give her work to me. I don't have time for it. It's a shame that people can't be happy for you when something good comes your way.

THE REAL DEAL: Let me give you a brief background about her. She came to my division about a year or so ago. She worked on other projects. But late last year, she started working on my project, because my office needed a backup for me. I thought my co-workers and I were cool until a meeting last December. My office and another office met to iron out some details of a new process. I simply made the recommendation that the analysts (the older lady and myself) should be responsible for pushing out the instructions and work, and not the supervisors, who manage several divisions and travel domestically and internationally for meetings. Instead of taking the time to listen to what the workhorse (me) had to say, the older lady co-worker turned her back to me and dismissed what I said in front of everybody. I had a "Oh No, She Didn't" moment, but I remained quiet. If you can't trust folks on your team, it's time to move on to another job. Now, my words have come full circle in that the new work process is severely behind, because the supervisors didn't manage and push the work out. I really wished that I cared, but I don't. Folks didn't listen, so now they need to deal with the ramifications and implications of their nifty ideas. Cuz, I iz through.

A TRUE PAIN IN THE YOU KNOW WHERE: Now that it is time for me to start work with the new office, the older lady is showing her true colors. Last Friday, I held a transitional meeting to provide background information about my project to the people taking over. But the older lady kept making comments like => "I'm going to keep sending you emails about the project." "You're not going to get out of this work." "You really need to attend next Monday's meeting as part of your transition." "You need to help us get this work done." "All this work will be waiting for you when you come back 4 months from now." "From time to time, we will be keeping you abreast of the project." "Look for the emails." "Who has this or that, because someone said that our office is unresponsive?" "So, are you coming to the meeting?" "We're going to keep you in the loop." Last week I had 1,000 emails in my work account, which I pared down to 890. Now I'm receiving emails from the new and old office (several from the older co-worker just today). I need to get familiar with the delete button. *shrug* Friends and family can't understand why I haven't put my co-worker in her place yet. I try to give folks the benefit of the doubt, but this is really stretching it. And that's the honest to goodness truth. I don't owe my co-worker any explanations as she is not my boss. It's none of her business if I choose to apply for another job, go to grad school, or anything else. Furthermore, it's every man (person) for himself when it comes to decisions involving advancement. Besides, what would I look like staying back and supporting everybody else, while I go another year without a promotion? That just doesn't make good sense. Whatever dude! The older lady is just a co-worker bummed out about having to take on my workload. In the past, when other co-workers were promoted or moved to another division, I wished them well and didn't bother them as they moved along. I took on their workload and kept it moving without all of the moaning and complaining and catty comments.

Trying To Keep Cool: Last time I checked I noticed that I got one paycheck, so why in the world would I try to do two jobs? I may be a lot of things, but I ain't crazy. I did all that I could to bite my tongue last week and today. I really hate confrontations, but if that woman comes to me complaining and making jabs about me getting an opportunity in another office, I might have to give Ms. Lady a piece of my mind in a nice way. I hope that it won't come to this though. I really don't want to hurt her feelings. At the same time I want her to realize that she is capable of doing this work and to not feel overwhelmed, because she has more experience and education than I do. I'm trying to deal with this situation the best way I know, but if you all have any suggestions, please do tell. <:-}