Well.

[ellid]

The grievance meeting did not go well. First, the Billing Manager (aka my boss) and the Director of Operations (aka the person who was hired to be the IT manager and is now basically running the place) came with the HR Manager (aka the woman who's all smiley and friendly in public). Note that the Clinic Director, the person I used to report to and who knows my work better than anyone, was not present.

They *immediately* tried attacking the shop steward for not dating the grievance (even though she's NEVER dated a grievance because there's no place for a date on the form), then tried to split hairs over whether I was really grieving the disciplinary letter or the workload. At one the HR manager actually started *shouting* stuff like "Do you want to end this now and go straight to Step 2? Do you?"

And this was the first five minutes.

Suffice to say that they denied everything about my workload, said that I was a rude, abrupt, and sloppy worker, tried to turn the whole meeting into me being nasty to the volunteer (!), and then, when the shop steward kept reiterating that this was about my workload, brought in a three month old printout showing my former Internet use. I objected on the grounds that a) I've stopped all Internet use at work, and they know it (although they denied knowing this - ! Their own software proves I'm right!), b) this wasn't part of the disciplinary meeting and is not on the written warning, and c) this is NOT about something that ended three months ago.

The meeting ended on with me once again saying that I'm overworked, that the load is too much for one person, that the volunteer is trying very hard but that she isn't experienced enough to do much more than file (especially since they haven't given her a password for the computer yet), and that I not only work for the clinic, I also am supposed to provide administrative support for two smaller programs as well, which I haven't been able to touch because of the front desk workload. The ONLY thing they conceded was that the complaints about me started after my job went from being a two person job to a one person job, which proves my point, but oh no, they can't hire another person "until the numbers come up at the clinic."

So. I'm filing a Step 2 grievance and will be meeting with the union rep on Friday. I am hoping to hold off the inevitable long enough to find something else, and thank God every second that there's enough left from the executrix fee that I *can* go without work for a few months. I'm also applying for the job at Hartford Seminary this weekend, as well as several other positions.

The shop steward is convinced that they want me out. I'm certain she's right.

What a mess.

Comments

[fuschia.livejournal.com]

The ONLY thing they conceded was that the complaints about me started after my job went from being a two person job to a one person job, which proves my point

That's the whole point right there! They're trying to exploit two jobs' worth of work out of you, plain and simple.

I'm so sorry! *hugs*

[(Anonymous)]

Thanks, hon. :D Your company isn't hiring, by any chance? *bats eyes*

[fuschia.livejournal.com]

Actually, yes! I sent you an e-mail.

[scribbulus-ink.livejournal.com]

Poor you. I know this sucks big-time. :( The thing that boggles me, though, is that they do seem to be forcing you out, yet they already don't have enough people to get all the necessary work done. With you gone, all they'll have left is the volunteer, which may help financially, but it seems to me they're screwing themselves over. Not getting work done efficiently or in a timely manner is not going to help the business in the long run.

[baronessmartha.livejournal.com]

I am sorry they are being so shitty.
I am glad you have union back up, that will help hold them responsible for their shit.

I hope you find a job soon that is perfect for you.

hugs

[celandineb.livejournal.com]

Good grief. I think she's right, too. *sighs* {{hugs}}

[arionrhod.livejournal.com]

*HUGS* So sorry they are being assholes, honey. Yes, you are going to be WELL out of there!!!! *HUGS*

[stasia]

I don't get it. They're already frightfully understaffed, they have one brilliant employee, who they're not only overworking, but forcing out?

Um.

You mentioned that your old boss is no longer your supervisor - was that change part of a larger change in the focus or mission of the organisation? Because this sounds remarkably like something that happened to my husband when a new HR person came in with his own ideas about how the company should be run. He ran out a lot of the 'older' (and by that I mean longer-term, not age) staff members.

Good luck and I hope you get OUT of there.

*sends good interviewing karma*

Stasia

[quyllur.livejournal.com]

Hugging you, sweetie. They are rotten people and I don't know how they can look at themselves in the mirror.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

So what does a Step 2 grievance entail? It certainly sounds like you have a case especially with their rather unprofessional behavior.

[ladyaelfwynn.livejournal.com]

**hugs** I'm sorry you have to deal with this. I hope that you find something new quickly and relatively painlessly. I hope that they get what they deserve. Hang in there!

[tree_and_leaf]

I'm sorry. It seems like your shop steward is quite right, and I'm crossing my fingers that all goes well with the job applications...

[lillian78.livejournal.com]

God I hate it when they combine jobs, make you do double or triple the work and expect you'll be able to keep up. Arseholes.

[xochiquetzl]

Geeze, what a bunch of assholes! I hope you find something better soon.

[lorena-snape.livejournal.com]

What a mess, indeed. Sounds like you will be well-rid of that place, though it sucks being esentially forced out. But who knows? Hopefully you will find something much better, and soon. Good luck!

*hugs*

[drusillas-rain.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry you have to go through this! I hope you find something else soon *hugs*

[nazrynn.livejournal.com]

I am really sorry you have to go through this. All of the unprofessionalism involved here is enough to make for a nasty case, and it does not sound like this job is worth keeping at all. It's going to take time to get over the toxicity, but I hope when the day comes that you can cut your ties with this job, that you can breathe a huge sigh of relief and look forward to better employment.

I hope in your future job search you encounter a job that treats you with as much respect as you treat it, and competent administrators to work with who don't try millstoning you like this.

*HUGS* Be careful, and be prepared. Please document every detail of this review for your union rep.

[eibbil-libbie.livejournal.com]

Sounds like they have the same brilliant business sense of my former workplace. *smites them with pickles*

I will keep my fingers and toes crossed that you find your way out of there and get to bid them a HEARTY heave-ho

*smooch*

[froda-baggins.livejournal.com]

Wow, that sounds really outrageous. I'm sorry you have to deal with this crap, but I hope you stick it to 'em good - there is no reason for them to treat you like this.

[tekalynn.livejournal.com]

Yikes! What a nasty situation. Clearly they came in predisposed to think the worst of you, which is extremely unprofessional of them.

Best of luck in getting out of there.

[jedirita.livejournal.com]

Oh gawd, that sucks.

I tend to be very susceptible to criticism, so it would be hard for me to go through something like that and maintain my own sense of rightness and self-confidence. I hope you don't have that problem, but still, these things are very hard to deal with.

Good luck with finding something better!

[xrian.livejournal.com]

Yeah, these things are just not predictable. It shouldn't happen, but it does: some new staff person comes in and decides they don't like the way you tie your shoelaces, so of course that "makes" you a Bad Employee. Le Sigh.

Never having worked in a union shop, I have no idea what a "Step 2" grievance is. Care to enlighten? And does being represented by a union mean you can't sue them for wrongful termination if they actually do fire you? (Not that I think you should, necessarily -- just asking...) The way they are acting -- and before witnesses, no less -- makes it sound as though you'd have a pretty good case. This is just stupid, stupid behavior on their part.

Hug lots of kitties or whatever it takes to make you feel like this is Not Your Fault, because it isn't.

[psyfic.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

*MAJOR hugs*

Well, shite. B-( What a load of wankers. You're going to be well shut of that place.

*more hugs*

[lore]

They want you out so they can hire in someone at a cheaper rate and "train them right" at the position - in other words, make them do the job of two people without them ever having known it was ever two jobs. You can dump a lot more crap on and have higher expectations of a newbie who doesn't know any better. She'll make herself insane to do the job "right" and be grateful for it.

They also want you out because you dared use your union rights against them, but I think they still wanted you out anyway before that kicked in. The internet useage is probably at the heart of the matter. Even though it's clearly over, and even though they had previously given you permission to use it, new people are in charge and they think once a "surfer on the company dime, always a surfer." I guarantee you, that's what started all this. And that wasn't your fault.

*HUGS* Note everything. And be sure you get, as a final result, in writing their guarantee that they will not disparage you to any future reference calls. That they will only report the facts of your employment - "Yes, she worked here, yes, from 1999 - 2007, yes, her job duties were ___" - and nothing else. But better that than them spreading lies behind your back.

I'm so sorry this is happening to you. You're living my nightmare. *HUGS*

love, lore

[varianor.livejournal.com]

I would submit that it's even more basic than that. (I suspect if you audited the boss's emails you'd find a ton of unauthorized use.) It's really one of personality. I've been fired for speaking up, when I was the only one. Managers hate conflict because they aren't in charge, and they promote those they like, firing those they don't.

Good luck. Hope you can find something better.

[beard5.livejournal.com]

Massive hugs to you, I'm so sorry that you're going through this level of nastiness.

If you feel the need for a break, or just a good drink, I'm up near Concord NH now (and there's always enough food for another person)

[hak42.livejournal.com]

Gah! That sucks. I'm so sorry. *hugs*

[chazpure.livejournal.com]

What utter @ssholes! >:-[

This must be excruciating to go through, honey. :-( Sending you loads of vibes for landing much better job really soon, a giant can of @sshole repellent, and {{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[lychee1968.livejournal.com]

What a bunch of asshats. You should record the next meeting. Could you request the Clinic Director be there next time?

Urgh, I feel for you. Here's hoping you drag them through the wringer... and then leave for the most awesome job ever!
Good luck (and a stiff drink, sounds like you need it.)

[prince-hring.livejournal.com]

Remember:

Right now you are not fighting to keep a job. You are positioning yourself for terms of severance.

Take 'em to the cleaners!