Advice about ongoing unpaid overtime and work stress

[mariole]

Hi, my friends! I'm up writing at 3:30 in the morning because I have a tension ball in my stomach and can't sleep. A wonderful situation at work turned on its head. Any advice regarding my mistakes and situation is very welcome. And listen, feel free to tell me what a jerk I've been, because I am not blameless in this mess I've made for myself. I'm

Comments

[addie71]

Oh, Mariole, I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. You're human, you made a mistake and sadly, you are paying a much bigger price for it than you deserve. Those women aren't going to change and I doubt the director will.

I agree that you should document everything that happened as soon as possible - you never know when you might wish you had. I would also start looking for another job because I think the bitches are going to be gunning for you in earnest from now on and the stress could prove to be too much.

this country is going to the dogs Sad, but so very true. Even companies that can afford to compensate their employees well are jumping on the 'poor economy' bandwagon to reduce wages and benefits. Then they hold it over the employees' heads that they can easily be replaced. It's so fucked up.

My hubby's last raise was seven years ago and shortly after that it was taken away and pay reduced to a level from a year or two before that. Then they raised the employee portion of their health insurance premium so much that to cover just the employee it was over $500.00/month (fortunately for our family I had more affordable insurance through my work so we just dropped his), claiming 'poor economy'. But that poor economy hasn't stopped them from buying out several other companies that have gone under.

We're here whenever you need to vent. *hugs tight*

[mariole]

Oh, Addie, how horrible about your husband. That's exactly the kind of abuse that companies are pulling these days. In my case, I believe it was my "entirely average" review that will form the basis of them not giving me a raise. I shouldn't prejudge, but I strongly suspect that's what's going on here. It makes me want to spit nails, but what can one do, except try to make the best of a bad situation and not become exhausted or bitter in the mean time.

I'm afraid I don't agree with you that I'm paying a much bigger price than I deserve. My boss was quite right to expect better. As a developing, self-aware human being, _I_ expect better. I think this was an eye-opening experience for me, and I really mean to make the best of it. By that I mean, to grow, to be a better person, to learn how to get along with my fellow, flawed human beings while supporting _them_ on their difficult journey, rather than making it difficult for all of us.

It sounds like a saint, which I'm sadly not. But I do want to do better and intend to work on acquiring those skills. It will help me in the long run, even if I'm embarrassed and have to struggle in the short term.

Best to you and your hubby. Hang in there. Best of luck to all of us!