A week from tomorrow is the last day of school. For the first time in the four years I've worked there, I'm feeling dissatisfied with my job and eager to get away from it for a few weeks. Yesterday morning was particularly stressful. Just like every day in the last few months, I was doing the job of three people (at least) while those particular people were hanging out in each others' offices, gossiping and laughing loudly from behind their shut doors, having a seemingly grand old time and not so much as lifting a finger to answer the phone.
The day had already gotten off to a bad start. Due to a "miscommunication" one of the assistant principals went off on me for something that wasn't my fault. (The "miscommunication" was that she hadn't bothered to read an email that went out to the staff a few days prior. I forwarded it to her again to show her that I had done the right thing. That really seemed to piss her off....like I wasn't respecting her authority enough!). It was really upsetting. I'm one of the few truly conscientious people up there and it hurt my feelings that she treated me the way she did. And then this happened:
Although thankfully, she wasn't around when I cried. But I'm sure she noticed later because my face gets puffy and red and my eyes go bloodshot and swollen at the first hint of tears. Also, if anyone out there knows of some method to stop yourself crying when you need to hold it in for a while, please, please drop a comment below and tell me about it. I hate crying at work or in front of other people more than almost anything!
Then the rest of the day was just me feeling excluded (which is typical) by the other office people and of course left to do others' jobs while they f*cked around and socialized. I was so discouraged by it all. I've complained to the principal a couple of times about some of the behaviors that directly impact me, and he'll go set things right in the moment, but nothing ever changes. I suspect that he hates confrontation and managing conflict, and while I understand it (and appreciate what a nice guy he is) that's not a good quality in a leader.
I'm far from alone in my dissatisfaction at the school, and the lack of accountability among the staff is the number one problem, in my opinion. I think the principal is thinking of moving on, anyway. He's finishing up a doctorate in December, and one day he quietly handed me a letter and asked me to scan it through to his email. It was a letter of recommendation to another school district. (It doesn't escape me that he chose me and not his secretary to do that for him. He knows I won't mention it).
Whatever, but I'm so sad that the school job that I love is being tarnished like this. I've begun casually looking at openings elsewhere in the district, and I'm thinking of moving on. It would be nice to make more money, anyway.
Sorry that work has gone downhill. It's no fun when work is stressful. I don't blame you for looking for other work. I decided this week that I am retiring in two years. It is time to go.
ReplyDeleteYeah. Today was a one of those days for me as well. No hormones involved, but still...
ReplyDeleteGot any more of the salted caramel Ghirardelli?
What are we watching on Netflix?
I finished the salted caramel last night but I can buy more!! I also finished Mare of Easttown on HBO, so I could use some Netflix suggestions. You choose!
DeleteThat "ass" principal has some nerve to get pissed at you for something she thinks you didn't do, and then get even more pissy when you show her that you did do it.
ReplyDeleteShe also got furious at one of the counselors that same day for basically the same thing...not making enough of a show of respecting her authority. Thank goodness the principal rarely takes a day off....she obviously has issues about being in charge and it's NOT a good look.
DeleteManagement never likes to be corrected, no matter how badly they have erred. And we all have bad spells at work, mostly, I suspect, because none of us really love working.
ReplyDeleteThe school would be a sorrier place without you there. Maybe after you get out of there for a bit it will seem doable again. As DaveR said " management never
ReplyDeletelikes to be corrected" Small weinies! Even if they are women, they have small weinies in between their ears. You know what I mean? Anyway, take it easy, put your feet up, have a glass of something and forget about bullshit -
and know that you are loved!!
Teeny tiny itty bitty weinies!!!!! The lot of 'em!
DeleteBeing ostracized at work really sucks. I'm so sorry that it's not going well.
ReplyDeleteThe workforce can be a bitch of a place, that's true. If you feel overworked and underappreciated then, yes, definitely start scouting around for another job. Life's too short to be unhappy!
ReplyDeleteThat next time she wants a coffee, put Visine in it.
ReplyDeleteIt's undetectable...and she'll be lucky if she doesn't shit herself. Several times.
Don't ask how I know, take my my word.
Damn! That's hard core!! 😳😀
DeleteNO!!!! Visine can be LETHAL. I mean, I'm sure you're kidding, but in all seriousness Visine can be fatal if consumed.
DeleteLOL!!! Tell my ex! Apparently politics gets very dirty.
DeleteI personally recommend a nice dose of ExLax.
What a shame, it was a job that you loved so much too. Keep records of their bad behaviour; photos, recordings, etc. If one day you feel forced to leave, it'll come in very handy for compensation.
ReplyDeletePut a cotton handkerchief or two in a zip lock bag in your purse. The next time you feel like having a cry take your purse to the restroom, wet the hankie in cold water,go into a stall and close the door, have a good cry, then take an extra 10 minutes or so to put some visine in your eyes and hold the cool wet handkerchief on your face and eyes until you are feeling calm enough to re-appear. If somebody asks why you were in the bathroom so long tell them you are sick and need to go home. Once you leave the building you will feel much better.
ReplyDeleteI once worked in an office that sounds similar to where you work. Quit working there if you start thinking about putting vodka in an empty travel size Purell bottle. Seriously, I would look for a different workplace during this summer.
These are wonderful suggestions!! Thank you so much!
DeleteAs a retired Head of Department in a large Comprehensive School here in the UK I know that a happy staff and a good head combine to make a good school - the pupils are all much happier if everyone pulls together. Look for another job.
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame. I'm glad the school year is almost done, but it's a shame to end on a sad note after the overall rough year+ it's been. If you do decide to leave, I know you'll be snatched up very quickly!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely time to be looking for another job. I remember how thrilled you were to get this one and you enjoyed it so much to start with. Such a shame it has soured!
ReplyDeleteHow annoying that a job you enjoyed at the beginning has got so different with those people causing problems. Hope you find something in a happier place
ReplyDeleteThese comments are great, and I appreciate all the support.
ReplyDeleteTo be clear, there are still parts of my job (and some staff members) that I love. What I dislike the most is the growing feeling that being working hard and always trying to do a good job makes no difference. Other people call out all the time, behave like unruly children, don't take their job seriously....and there don't ever seem to be any consequences. It makes me feel like a fool, like why not call out repeatedly? Why bother to try hard? It doesn't get me any more respect or appreciation, that's for sure.
And if I find a transfer within the district I'll keep all my accrued benefits. I plan to stay with the district so although my location may change, my employer will be the same.
But first, summer break! And it's been a rough year for everyone. Maybe things will improve after some time off.
I feel like if a job (or a person there) makes you cry, it is a sign indeed, to move on. You've used up your available energy to be there, you now vibrate at another level, therefore you're needed elsewhere. The Universe knows how to get you to go where you will be happier! Maybe this sounds silly or simple, but I've lived with this philosophy for a long time, and it has worked well for me!
ReplyDeleteUgh. It's one thing to know that you are being conscientious and doing what you are being paid to do (and more) while others aren't and another thing to be doing all of that and get chastised for shit that's not your fault.
ReplyDeleteI really do hope that you can find another job in the district that will be more appreciative of your work ethic AND pay you more money.
It's honestly infuriating when I see the total slack offs getting just as much (or more) respect and consideration than I do. Lots of them make more money, too. One day last month I ended up staying an hour and a half after my going home time (off the clock) because the police were bringing a runaway student back to the school to meet with DSS. The principal was off playing golf and the one assistant principal who was here (the same one who made me cry) told me she had a dentist's appointment....and left me to deal with it. Me! And she makes more than 4x my salary at the very least!
DeleteMy brother used to say "the known or the unknown" when making a change. You know the asses at your current job (and the nice people too) and you don't know what you will find at a new job. So you look at the good and bad of each situation to see what is best for YOU. You might be right that some time off will give you a chance to figure it out! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteLuckily I'm making connections and friendships throughout the district and I'm hoping I won't go into my next position totally blind.
DeleteThere is nothing that annoys me more than working my butt off while other people around me are dilly-dallying. I wonder if you could say something like, "So-and-so, could you grab that phone? I'm busy with xxx." If it's his/her job to grab the phone, they shouldn't take offense! Although it IS annoying that you'd have to basically ask them to do their job.
ReplyDeleteI hope the job search is productive. I think it's normal to get frustrated with a position and want some new challenges.
There's no way to ask them to grab the phone because they're nowhere to be found, or else they're in each other's offices with the doors shut. It's more than dilly dallying, too. There are people that put in less than a half day's work every single day, and no one will hold them accountable. That's IF they even bother to come to work. Most of the people I'm talking about have long blown through their PTO and they just don't care.
DeleteI remember how happy I was when you found this job ! So sorry that a few can destroy the job but that is how it is. It is who you know and kiss up to. I have a lot to say about the Principle and his lack of running a great school new job our not.
ReplyDeleteHow come all these other employees are fooling around and not doing any work while you're doing the work of three people? Is there no one supervising them? Maybe you should stop doing some of your work as well? A very frustrating situation.
ReplyDeleteThe summer vacation is very close. Take a deep breath and hang on in there! Remember how long it took you to get out of the retail job. Perhaps your negative thoughts are connected with the fact that this has been a long and difficult school year. After six weeks paid leave you may find that you are once again pretty happy with your job. However, it is clear that the admin team's individual responsibilities require better delineation.
ReplyDeleteP.S. To prevent crying I suggest four pints of Tetley's bitter.
Reading these in hindsight , I am glad to read all the comments of Love and Support you get.
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