posted on July 29, 2004 07:20:08 AM
I don't miss the bickering, the petty fights over trivial privileges, the underhandedness.
Don't know what brought this to mind this morning, but I was remembering when I worked in the distribution office of the largest fruit packer in the U.S. We were located in a downtown area, and there was a dentist right across the street. I had a tooth that needed pulling. I went over, noticed there were no other patients, had the work done and went back to the office.
A co-worker asked me how it went. "Well, the dentist reeked of tobacco smoke, which is a first for me, and I think he might have been drunk while he was working on me. While I was in the chair, essentially helpless, he and his assistant (his wife) tried to convince me I needed to have all my fillings replaced because they were killing me. Scary. I was just happy to be out of there."
So some helpful officemate overheard this and *called* the dentist's wife to let her know what I had said. And she called me, hopping mad and threatening legal action.
This is the same place where you had to be careful not to be standing in front of an exit at 5:00:00 pm precisely or you would be run down by a dozen people who made a point of never arriving any earlier or staying any later than they absolutely had to. A lot of tension. Not a pleasant place to work.
posted on July 29, 2004 09:01:15 AM
I rent an office space and unfortunately I am still involved in the BS around here.
Everyone here is like family but it doesn't always make for a "professional" atmosphere.
I can't make a phone call to customer or vendor without one of my yelling or screaming right in front of me.
Forget personal calls. I take my cell outside to make a call. Never tell anyone anything you want kept private. People ease dropping on my phone calls or conversations.
For all the BS I put up with I am lucky in many ways. No dress coded. I can work anytime I want (nights, weekends etc)Lunch is delivered everyday. Free shipping, UPS and USPS daily free pick up. free supplies. My rents is dirt cheap.
I work from home occasionally. I would like to be there more often but that would mean buying equipment and storing items I do not have room for.
I love the freedom I have now. I do not have to ask permission to take a day off, come in late or go on vacation. I work my ass off for me $$$$$.
posted on July 29, 2004 10:12:36 AM
My personal shipping is free to me.
I do not live in CA anymore. My rents is dirt cheap and it includes my internet connection,phone, office supplies, some shipping supplies. Storage, access to the graphics room (scanners, graphic programs)and the other things I mentioned before. Yes, I am very spoiled.
posted on July 29, 2004 01:43:58 PM
It's been a month since I quit my office job. I had worked for lawyers for over 20 years. Yes, it's true. I cannot even tell any of you how happy I am to be working at home. I'm working my butt off, much harder than I did before; but I love what I'm doing and the fact that I can go run that errand without having to ask anyone's permission. My husband said I even look better because all the stress is gone from my face. Pretty cool, huh? I am very fortunate that I have been able to do this. For the first time in my life (I'll be 50 this year), I'm working for ME. I don't count my consignment clients; I guess I'm really working for them - whatever. So, what I don't miss is driving downtown every morning in rush-hour traffic; covering my boss's butt all day when I know who he will talk to and who he won't and having to lie about it; sitting there many days with nothing to do and feeling as though I'm wasting my life; driving home in rush-hour traffic; and I know there's more, but that's enough of a rant for now. I'm one happy camper!
posted on July 29, 2004 07:06:49 PM
I currently work in an office. I work for a large clinic and am in the Business Services department. I know about the office "politics" all too well. Rumors fly around everyday and there is always gossip about someone whether it's a co-worker or even one of the doctors. I would love to make enough at my Ebaying to finally work from home, but with a mortgage, van payment, full coverage insurance, fiance, 5 cats to feed and hobbies, I can't do it. My fiance really wants to quit his job and work at home. He is burnt out on his job after 11 years and I don't blame him. He is wanting to do services using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. That's something he enjoys instead of his current job.
posted on July 29, 2004 08:54:48 PM
I just got laid off from my job at a large Neurosurgical Clinic. It was a good job as far as pay and benefits, but the office politics was the worst I have ever seen. The office manager had too many relatives and people he had a personal history with working there.
I'm glad I'm out of it and wish I didn't have to get another job. I like working at home also. I just don't make enough on eBay to pay all my bills.
Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own secret battles.
...Author Unknown
posted on July 29, 2004 09:13:41 PM
And on the flip side of the coin. I miss my job more than I can ever express. I worked in a small video poker/casino , As the day manager. There were 5 employees that worked different shifts so you kinda worked for yourself. We never saw our boss other than 15-30 mins here and there when he needed money lol. He come and grab the shift envelopes ,balance the money and out the door he'd go. He'd call maybe once a day to make sure we were still breathing and no one had held the place up. Pay was 500.00 a week plus tips (anywhere from 50-500 a week) and we had Blue Cross and Blue Shield (the good one where no matter what the doctor charged it cost 20.00) Then the new governor was elected and poof the job was gone ....it's illegal to gamble in South Carolina. But it's ok to have a lottery ,which I just love the site .It has a large sign that says "Have Fun. Play Smart. TM If you or someone you know has a problem gambling, please seek help through one of these resources.
SC Gambling Helpline 1-877-452-5155, Live support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (hotline managed by the SC DAODAS) " But it's not gambling don't ya know
posted on July 30, 2004 05:43:44 AM
I'm with Jenny. Before I started working for myself a few years ago, I worked as a legal assistant for many years. It used to drive me up a wall to commute 1 hour each way. And I had a boss who inevitably putzed around all day and then would decide to work at 4:00 in the afternoon. Everyday I was stuck in that office until 7:00-10:00 p.m. That doesn't include the times a brief would have to get out and I would be working until 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. Miss it? Not on your life!
Diane <--- much happier and content as a professional ebayer!
posted on July 31, 2004 06:45:27 AM
Oh, Diane! A kindrid spirit (legal assistant, aka slave)! I've thought about it some more and then to read your post about having to stay late because the buzzard didn't start working til 4 and that last minute get the brief out deal. Then I remembered all those pretrial weekends. Okay, it's official - I miss NOTHING about working in an office!
