Work has been intense lately. That's the only word I can think of that isn't vulgar to best describe the workplace. The tides of change have been sweeping our company, however there seems to be no ending point, lest anyone become comfortable. Our new 'One company' approach has ruffled many many feathers, and has yet to make any sense. I'm not sure how to describe what's going on without starting from scratch, but that's time consuming. A short break down of current bees will be easier.
*The company sent out an offer for part (if not all) of the workforce to purchase an additional weeks vacation. Generous right? Obviously, this was a hit with much of the staff, and soon the HR department was inundated with buy in requests. Then the number crunchers started crunching, and what originally would have saved the company a little money is now going to cost the company big money. Here's what happened: By offering to allow vacation buy in, it was going to cut some salary costs. The problem- the genius who was probably in a new position and trying to score big (this has happened before) saw the initial savings, but didn't see it thru to the fact that now we would be so short staffed (everyone on vacation, after all) they would have to ramp up the contractor force.... anyone see where I am going here? Yup. Not a pretty picture, and I'm sure glad I wasn't the idiot who sold this plan. Needless to say, due to the popularity of the program, the company has now retracted the offer. Also not a pretty picture. To appease their employees, they have offered to allow people to buy 2 days of vacation. That's gone over like a lead balloon, le' me tell ya. (Yes I agree that 2 extra days is better than 0 extra)
*There are new standards, that are supposed to increase productivity, and foster better employee relations that are going into effect. These standards? Everyone is having to measure out their current cubicle/work space, and defend how much space they need. I'm not joking. I walked by a supervisors office and saw him measuring from wall to wall, and the file cabinets and office furniture. Not only is our cubicle space getting cut, but we are now moving to a central open office design. Walls we will no longer have. Privacy, yeah also gone. We've now moved back to elementary school where our desk face the teacher and follow each other one behind the other. Soon we will need bathroom buddies. For real. We will be able to reach out and touch someone, it will just happen to be our co-worker.
*Due to a recent increase in motor vehicle incidents, the company is starting a safety bingo. Yes you read that right, every week employees with gather around the campfire to sing B-I-N-G-O, and hold hands while discussing what platform went a week without an accident. Each week a number will be drawn, and as long as your platform did not get in an accident you can participate. When you finally get bingo, you earn up to a $100 gift certificate to a chain store (Home Depot, Dunking Donuts etc.). This is supposed to encourage people to be better drivers. I just shook my head at this new proposal, but really, it's lame.
*Due to funding the company wide BINGO game, the company is trying to reallocate funds from my department's budget, all while expecting the same amount of work to be done for half the money. Ok,ok I'm exaggerating, this may not be directly related to the company wide bingo game. Still I am pointing the finger at poor use of funds because really, playing a weekly round of bingo is so definitely going to help drivers drive. Right?
*Did I mention that the company is building a new corporate US headquarters in one of the most traffic congested areas ever? Yes employees are going to be forced to leave their easily accessible office that isn't nestled in downtown hell, and be forced to drive an additional 90 minutes to go an additional 10 miles. (Ok, ok you caught me, that might be slightly off estimate)
Yes, all these wonderful company changes are really instilling loyalty, and the sense of comradeship. Really it is working well.
I am fortunate to be fairly well insulated from many of these changes, however it is still disconcerting to see the company head in such a direction. (Which is down hill, and fast)
As far as my own individual work- I have decided that I should be made of metal, painted red, heat resistant and kept on hand. Any ideas? A fire extinguisher. That is my eternal costume here at the company. I'm tired of going from one fire to the next, because that's how I feel right now. I've also noticed within this past week I have developed a twitch in my left eyelid. Luckily it's not visually that noticable, but physically it's very noticable to me. I'm thinking this isn't a good sign.
Also, my small talk ability? Yeah, not so strong evidently. I stopped by to visit with a friend, who happened to be out, and one of his coworkers (literally beside him) was attempting to be social.
guy: Hi Angela, how are you doing?
me: Great thanks (if that's not a lie..) how are you?
guy: Oh I am doing well
me: good good. (silence as he stares at me)
me: So, are you ready for the holidays?
guy: No, I never am until the day before.
me: Oh no your a last minute shopper? I can't do that, it's way too much stress and too many people for me! (giggle, giggle)
guy: Well. I would shop sooner, if I could afford it, you know, but that's how it works out.
me: (silence)
me: (silence still, as he stares at me)
me: Ok, well I've got to get going. Have a nice holiday. (As I run away)
