Auburn Annie
12-14-2007, 04:17 PM
Yes, I am looking for work again. My job at the lab is no more. On the last day of my probation period I was told I was just not a "good fit" - a hard worker but without enough lab experience (which, by the way, they knew when they hired me.) :mad:
I have to say I was not surprised. The work was complicated, mostly because I had next-to-no guidance at all, not even a FAQ or procedure manual. I busted my buns learning the process, checking records for completeness, setting up homedraws, etc.
But most impoprtantly, my supervisor, who had held the job before I was hired, was the least supportive person I've ever met. I knew from the get-go there was a problem but couldn't figure what was wrong. In the entire two months not once did she ever say hello, how was your weekend, have a good night etc. Her only conversations with me were about what I did wrong or forgot to do. She mocked my explanations to another lab worker behind my back but within earshot. She had me dropping off a form in the billing office to Cheryl and I found out more than a month later I was supposed to be giving the forms to Kelly! And she introduced me to Cheryl, so that was no accident.
To her I was either the invisible woman or idiot child and she regarded me with undisguised irritation. When I had to go to her office to pick up paperwork she never acknowledged my presence. I found myself going out of my way to avoid walking past her office. I got one curt "thank you" (by accident, I swear) when I picked up a fax she was waiting for and dropped it off.
I showed up on time, kept my head down and did my work - all things considered, damn good too - but it didn't matter. In the end the administrative director had no choice but to let me go - based solely on her reports, I'm sure. He felt bad and I think suspected there was a problem but relies on her say so, so I was out. Almost everyone else at the lab was very kind and helpful and by the time I left was beginning to feel I could fit in nicely, given time. Except, of course, for my supervisor.
After discussing it with family and friends we decided that either [a] she was intimidated by my intelligence and/or friendliness (I doubt it - she's not the easily intimidated type) or [b] she had had her own candidate in mind for the job and had been outvoted by the administrator, so decided to get rid of me one way or the other. I have no doubt she had a weekly session with her boss complaining about how slowly I was picking up the work, and how badly that was reflecting on lab customers, etc.
It was very demoralizing to be considered incompetent when you *know* you can do the work, if only there was some support and a little time. However, after hearing my story, my friend Judi confered with her sister who had retired from the same lab a couple of years ago and her one word judgement was "Sheila" (the supervisor.) She told me Sheila has done this before, that it wasn't me, and that she sees herself as the power behind the throne, so to speak. The administrator is the "face" of the lab but she's the one who gets the work done and doesn't like anyone else in a position to do the same.
Anyway, my blood pressure is back in normal range. I'm not girding my loins to do battle five days a week. I don't have to get up at 5:30 in the morning. And I saved enough to pay the Christmas bills and next February's taxes and have a little left over. Can't re-do the kitchen, alas. So I'm off on my search once again for a job.
Thanks for letting me vent. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
PS - I saw a co-worker the other day (our shifts overlap, and she's a doll to work with) so I asked her if my job had been filled yet. Nope - "it's a zoo" says she, and another lab worker has been pulled from the bench to help out for now. It'll get worse before it gets better because my co-worker is having surgery next week and will be out until February. :p
I have to say I was not surprised. The work was complicated, mostly because I had next-to-no guidance at all, not even a FAQ or procedure manual. I busted my buns learning the process, checking records for completeness, setting up homedraws, etc.
But most impoprtantly, my supervisor, who had held the job before I was hired, was the least supportive person I've ever met. I knew from the get-go there was a problem but couldn't figure what was wrong. In the entire two months not once did she ever say hello, how was your weekend, have a good night etc. Her only conversations with me were about what I did wrong or forgot to do. She mocked my explanations to another lab worker behind my back but within earshot. She had me dropping off a form in the billing office to Cheryl and I found out more than a month later I was supposed to be giving the forms to Kelly! And she introduced me to Cheryl, so that was no accident.
To her I was either the invisible woman or idiot child and she regarded me with undisguised irritation. When I had to go to her office to pick up paperwork she never acknowledged my presence. I found myself going out of my way to avoid walking past her office. I got one curt "thank you" (by accident, I swear) when I picked up a fax she was waiting for and dropped it off.
I showed up on time, kept my head down and did my work - all things considered, damn good too - but it didn't matter. In the end the administrative director had no choice but to let me go - based solely on her reports, I'm sure. He felt bad and I think suspected there was a problem but relies on her say so, so I was out. Almost everyone else at the lab was very kind and helpful and by the time I left was beginning to feel I could fit in nicely, given time. Except, of course, for my supervisor.
After discussing it with family and friends we decided that either [a] she was intimidated by my intelligence and/or friendliness (I doubt it - she's not the easily intimidated type) or [b] she had had her own candidate in mind for the job and had been outvoted by the administrator, so decided to get rid of me one way or the other. I have no doubt she had a weekly session with her boss complaining about how slowly I was picking up the work, and how badly that was reflecting on lab customers, etc.
It was very demoralizing to be considered incompetent when you *know* you can do the work, if only there was some support and a little time. However, after hearing my story, my friend Judi confered with her sister who had retired from the same lab a couple of years ago and her one word judgement was "Sheila" (the supervisor.) She told me Sheila has done this before, that it wasn't me, and that she sees herself as the power behind the throne, so to speak. The administrator is the "face" of the lab but she's the one who gets the work done and doesn't like anyone else in a position to do the same.
Anyway, my blood pressure is back in normal range. I'm not girding my loins to do battle five days a week. I don't have to get up at 5:30 in the morning. And I saved enough to pay the Christmas bills and next February's taxes and have a little left over. Can't re-do the kitchen, alas. So I'm off on my search once again for a job.
Thanks for letting me vent. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
PS - I saw a co-worker the other day (our shifts overlap, and she's a doll to work with) so I asked her if my job had been filled yet. Nope - "it's a zoo" says she, and another lab worker has been pulled from the bench to help out for now. It'll get worse before it gets better because my co-worker is having surgery next week and will be out until February. :p