The Saga Continues On the Job Front....

[icebreakerpenguin]

To those who are familiar, I talked to Mr. Wilson, managing partner of the law firm, about getting a larger than 25 cent raise.  Needless to say, it did not go well.  After going over the added responsibilities I've taken on from the office manager who left in October (who has not been replaced), especially the billing function for the entire company, he answers me back by saying, "What's so important about the billing?" (the same mouth who stated numerous times that billing must go out within 24 hours because we need to pay the electric bill).  Then he says, "It looks to me like you want to be the billing clerk as other employees say we should hire a full-time billing clerk."  I said that I took the role which I was ORDERED to do in addition to the duties I was hired to do and that I wouldn't want to go to just a billing clerk.  I also said that I've already had financial responsibilities in other jobs but that I liked it to be a part of my job but not my entire job.  He then said, "Well, I don't think you could handle being a full fledged billing clerk" and went on to talk about a former employee, Deb, who was a "wiz" at billing and a "wiz" at computers.  He stuck his foot in his mouth again by saying, "It's like the tortoise and the hare.  You're the tortoise and Deb was the hare."  There were other comments made of a similar nature including, "all you do is clerical work" (even though I stated that I was drafting legal documents and doing research) and "I gave you the billing because otherwise you wouldn't have a job because there isn't enough work on your side of the building" (low and behold he was the one who was giving me occasional overtime to get the "MORE THAN ENOUGH" work done!)  In between his talking about his war days and his hobby with taking pictures of trains, he ended by saying, I'm sorry you're unhappy but I can't go any higher than 25 cents as a raise and I will not look at your performance again until a year from now when I do everyone else.  When you leave, give me four weeks notice.  I had tried to negotiate to no avail.  How do you deal with someone like this?  I've had difficult bosses before, but never anyone like this.  (And he probably wonders why so many people have come and gone here at the firm!)

[icebreakerpenguin]

By the way, FYI, I had applied for the office manager position, which he is fully aware of.  That's the role I'm qualified for, but they have decided not to fill the position but distribute duties among the already busy staff remaining.

[winkiebear]

Well put KSmile!



Pengy, you keep up the good work.  As for giving 4 weeks notice when leaving, you are not bound by law to that.  Personally, after that conversation, I would be dusting off the old resume, surfing Monster.com and other sites.  Let the search begin!  And make sure you give a 2 week notice.  



We love you Pengy!!  You sure are an icebreaker!!!



Happy thoughts on this Hump Day,

 winkiebear

[icebreakerpenguin]

His words don't mean anything to me after all of this.  I received nothing in writing since I began here almost 8 months ago.  No written confirmation of offer.  No company handbook.  No copies of my evaluation after repeated asking.  So he isn't going to get 4 weeks of notice, nor 3, nor 2. Hey...that's right, the tortoise will come out in first in the end!  Thanks -- I NEEDED THAT!  

[ohiosec]

Pengy, I think you should find another job - quick - and give him zero notice because that's what a scrooge like that deserves.  If you have any corporate legal departments in your area, by all means explore working for one of those.  The attorneys in that environment are totally different than in a law firm.  I have worked in both environments and the difference is amazing.    

[icebreakerpenguin]

You're right, ohiosec.  The unfortunate thing was that I was a temp-to-hire in the patent department of a large paper company a year ago and I loved it!  Two months into the job, I was told I was just temporary.  They "downsized" about 30 people at the technical location I worked at.  I was one of them, including one of our patent attorneys.  I still remain in touch and they said they want me back and miss me.  HR knows and will keep me in mind if any administrative position opens.  I have my feelers out there.  I just have to revise my resume to make my more impressive accomplishments more noticeable, work on my interviewing technique, and go out there and SHOW MY STUFF!  Thanks!

[ozbound]

Good luck finding a new, better job and saying "IN YOUR FACE" to the old bossie!    

[ohiosec]

Pengy, I have worked with patent attorneys too and they are a great bunch.  That would be a good move for you.  I hope it materializes!

[phoenix55]

Penguin,



I was in a similar situation for years.  It's all about power and "keeping you in your place."  I'm sorry you're going through this.  As for me, I stayed at the job out of necessity, my old boss was finally forced into retirement and someone I had worked with for years was chosen to replace him.  It worked out very well for me as I was moved into a management position (from the low rung on the ladder as I was demoted by the old guy--believe it or not--because I got pregnant!).  



Be patient, remember "it's just a job," and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that something wonderful comes along soon.  You're in my thoughts--stay strong and believe in yourself.

[goldenearring]

Don't you DARE let that egregious blowhard get your spirits down.  Job hunt with a fervor unknown to the masses, and get the HECK OUT OF THERE!  Don't even THINK about letting that bullying session he had with you affect your confidence, because YOU HAVE GOT WHAT IT TAKES.  Did you post somewhere that you make only $8.25 an hour and you do the billing for a LAW firm?  Those people bill at upwards of $200-250 an hour where I live and if they can't pop out more than a quarter for the person who handles getting that money for them, there is DEFINITELY something wrong with that picture.  But, you are a smart cookie and you know that!  If you can stand it, and if you financially or job market-wise need to, stay there until you get another job.  "But" when you do get another job, don't you give that arrogant little Napoleon-wannabe a 4-week notice.  He is totally off his nut.  (And, as you can tell, I have flown off of mine!) I'd like to take him and Jade's old boss, tie them together stuff an apple in EACH end of both of them and drive them up and down Main Street as stellar examples of how NOT to be a decent human being.  I believe in you, girlfriend.  Go make us proud and give us a story to howl about for weeks to come when you do!!  (Not advocating torching any bridges, but there are subtle ways to make your point on the way out the door.)  Oooh, somebody pass the relaxation aromatherapy stuff over here.

[goldenearring]

What did you say Mr. Wilson's phone number was?  I have an important message for him.  



BWA HA HA HA HA HA

BWA HA HA HA HA

BWA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[craftygirl]

(((IP)))



Four weeks my tushy!  Puh leeze.........



Pulling for you down in Florida,

Shannon

[radaro]

Mr. Wilson wouldn't know a good thing if it jumped up and bit him on the nose (not the particular body part I originally wanted to mention).  What he is really looking for is slave labour.  Find a better job, give him your two weeks notice (don't burn any bridges!) and then get the "H - E double hockey sticks" outta there.



Then when he finds that there is no one to do the office manager's job and your job, he may finally realize what a good thing he had going.

[icebreakerpenguin]

GoldenEarring, just to let you know, someone else said they make $8.25.  To give you an idea, I currently make about $24,000.  I took a cut because I was doing temp jobs and wanted permanent.  I wanted to learn the law so I could get that "golden" job.  My co-worker at the paper company I formerly worked at recommended this firm because she belongs to a legal professional chapter (which is very similiar to IAAP) in which most of the secretaries at this firm are a member of.  They're are nice people.  I was making more in most of my temp jobs here.  At my peak when I was an executive assistant in a smaller city I made $33,000 (that's the job I was fired at because my boss forced me to sign a document early in my employment because I had asked about advancement stating that if I talked about my career again he would terminate me - if you can't talk to you boss about career you're doomed!).  In that same job, I went from making about $18,000 to the $33,000 in less than 3 years -- what does that tell you?!  The boss I had after that when I took an office manager was worse -- a whole new story!  Anyway, I've been told by others that my resume is impressive but I'm not getting offers from the positions I've been interviewing with.  I don't know!  Remember the "enthusiasm" question I brought up here at the forum?  I'm going to stop rambling now...

[lioness70]

What a jerk!  I would give him notice based on those words alone!  In fact, I did just that a few jobs ago, when a boss told me I wasn't smart enough to do anything besides his dictation and outdated filing (I had a college degree and he was a high school dropout!  Go figure that one out)!  As soon as you find that better job, leave him high and dry with NO notice, and let him see how valuable you really were when the work piles up to the ceiling!  Maybe THAT will teach him a lesson, but sometimes, the lesson never gets through to thickheads like your boss.  You're better off without him!