The Other Shoe Drops
So yesterday I talked about how I was asked to stick around my current temp job until well into 2006. Today, the plot thickened. I get to work same as usual this morning and Sarah, one of my two departmental coworkers, is on the phone with a family member and on the verge of tears. Without any explanation to the rest of us (Save possibly our bosses), she took off and called it a day. No problem, there's still two of us to run medical records for the day and even Friday if she needs to take both days off. It's all good.
No more than half an hour later, my other medical records coworker comes in and collects her stuff as well. "Are you leaving for the day?" I asked. She nodded and I said, "See ya tomorrow then!" She cocked her head and said, "Weeeelllll...." So I'm like, "You sneaky little.. You've got the rest of the week off, don't you? And since Monday is a holiday, you're making it a nice 5 day weekend! Well played. See ya Tuesday!" To that, she was like, "Well, we'll see," and left.
Did you get it? They canned her. I'm very dense, apparently. I had to be told several hours later that she wasn't coming back. I was shocked but I can't be totally surprised. A few people had problems with her for some reason, but that can be said about everyone at the office. So there I was, all day, running medical records alone... Again. Since I know how to do more around the office now than I did last time I ran the show alone, I was all over the place doing stuff. Why couldn't they wait to fire her until Friday afternoon or something? I could have used a second person around today. Thursday morning is a strange time to can someone, especially after Sarah, the proficient staffer who trained the two of us, left presumably for the unknown future. I pray she'll be back tomorrow, I can't do another day alone. But I did alright today. I did good. I'm proud. Others are proud too. I made it work, but my little piece doesn't solve the puzzle and the department can only coast for so long.
So now we have a theory. They knew they were gonna fire her before today. That's probably why they asked me to stick around. Yes, I know, who cares. But it's important because it means that the dynamic has changed. They see me as a replacement, not just a temp. Since it's now just me and Sarah, I'm sure they want me to stick around until they find someone new who can do everything I won't/can't. That could take until 2006. I'm worried that this new pressure to stay will translate into more duties without actually becoming a real employee. It's like Pinochio. I want to be a real boy but all I'm getting is wooden upgrades and all anyone is ever going to see is that.
I think I've about made up my mind. I'm leaving in October as planned.
No more than half an hour later, my other medical records coworker comes in and collects her stuff as well. "Are you leaving for the day?" I asked. She nodded and I said, "See ya tomorrow then!" She cocked her head and said, "Weeeelllll...." So I'm like, "You sneaky little.. You've got the rest of the week off, don't you? And since Monday is a holiday, you're making it a nice 5 day weekend! Well played. See ya Tuesday!" To that, she was like, "Well, we'll see," and left.
Did you get it? They canned her. I'm very dense, apparently. I had to be told several hours later that she wasn't coming back. I was shocked but I can't be totally surprised. A few people had problems with her for some reason, but that can be said about everyone at the office. So there I was, all day, running medical records alone... Again. Since I know how to do more around the office now than I did last time I ran the show alone, I was all over the place doing stuff. Why couldn't they wait to fire her until Friday afternoon or something? I could have used a second person around today. Thursday morning is a strange time to can someone, especially after Sarah, the proficient staffer who trained the two of us, left presumably for the unknown future. I pray she'll be back tomorrow, I can't do another day alone. But I did alright today. I did good. I'm proud. Others are proud too. I made it work, but my little piece doesn't solve the puzzle and the department can only coast for so long.
So now we have a theory. They knew they were gonna fire her before today. That's probably why they asked me to stick around. Yes, I know, who cares. But it's important because it means that the dynamic has changed. They see me as a replacement, not just a temp. Since it's now just me and Sarah, I'm sure they want me to stick around until they find someone new who can do everything I won't/can't. That could take until 2006. I'm worried that this new pressure to stay will translate into more duties without actually becoming a real employee. It's like Pinochio. I want to be a real boy but all I'm getting is wooden upgrades and all anyone is ever going to see is that.
I think I've about made up my mind. I'm leaving in October as planned.