I have been moved. On Friday, the quasi-supervisor lately overheard my cubicle neighbor and I having a conversation. We got a slight reprimanding at the time, a “Why aren’t you two working?” It wasn’t that the conversation was inappropriate. Or maybe it was. Some people might find The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air the epitome of workplace naughtiness. (We discussed the episode where Will got shot for a good five minutes.)
When things like this occur, I am always brought back around to the same question… Why don’t these people just fire me? This is clearly a reprimand for being on the receiving end of conversation. Why bother? I’m a temp. I’m a completely disposable employee. Why are they trying to salvage this? I wish I had a theory, but here’s why I can’t come up with a thing.
- I haven’t made any friends here. I talk to a couple of people when I see them, but it’s not like we hang out after work or call each other on weekends. So, who is pulling for me?
- My boss is gay. I’m pretty sure. So, clearly, there are no Secretary-ish S&M fantasies of which I am unaware.
- I do the bare minimum. Seriously. I even keep track. As soon as I was told my weekly quota, I sat out to do exactly that amount and not an iota more. It’s how I give back exactly what I am getting paid to give.
It’s not like I don’t need the job, or at least the money. It’s just like, what’s the deal?
April 7th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
vent, riley. this is your safe place. though the increased size in the font scared me a bit. it made you sound really upset.
you should do some stealth recon with your ninja skills and find out what’s going on. sounds like you might have an advocate… or the company is failing and needs all the cheap help it can get.
or, you might turn out like ryan from “the office” and end up at corporate. he was a temp too, you know.
April 7th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
“I do the bare minimum”
Well there you have it.
Speaking as a former middle-management-type person, going through résumés, temp agencies, interviews and training was a colossal pain in the ass and got in the way of the ‘real’ work I had to do. So, when I had an employee who did adequate work, chances are they’d keep their job; smart-alecky remarks and tardiness notwithstanding.
And reprimands were mostly for show cause I had a boss of my own who sometimes hovered in order to see what kind of ship I was running. Afterwards, I would go over to that employee and tell him: “Go ahead and take as many pencils home as you want, I don’t really give a crap!”
Hated that job. So glad I don’t have to do that anymore. Now I have a fun job where I can take time in the middle of the afternoon and read fan fiction. Cue segue.
I just read the latest chapter of Inamorata (very good as usual)but is that ass-kicking coming anytime soon I’m champing at the bit here
April 7th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Holy crap - you so could have been my boss. I have a weakness for nice pens.
April 8th, 2008 at 5:57 am
I fixed the font, and now your comment looks completely unprovoked, which is funny.
Uh, no intention of going to corporate, thanks. Or going corporate. In fact, let’s keep corporate out of all further conversations. It’s scary.
So, I have been moved for show. That does make sense. My boss did come over later in the day and ask if I liked my new desk. I think that’s kind of funny, because it’s the exact same cubicle and the exact same desk. Literally, the only difference is the location. I just have to make sure I don’t walk the wrong direction when returning from the restroom.
Heh, office supply klepto. I bet you have a whole drawer full of them.