New ways of working allow staff to disappear

[pinkytoe]

I am currently the only staff member in my office who shows up everyday and it feels like I am often running the place since there is no one else here. With email, voicemail, texting etc all of my supervisors manage to not be physically present for hours and/or days at a time. They can choose not to answer any message and that is often the case. Because we have a large budget, I am sometimes even asked to find a consultant to do their work. These are people making six figures yet I don't see any real work being done especially in the case of one of them. It is endlessly frustrating to me - maybe more than being micro-managed. Will try to hang on a little longer though for retirement bennies...just had to get that off my chest since it is an issue I can't really discuss with anyone else here.

[JaneV2.0]

This goes back to what I said earlier "The amount of pay is often inversely proportional to the amount of work done" or words to that effect. And it's even easier to disappear now. I don't really have any words of advice--how long until you can retire? Is a transfer possible? Although the problem would probably follow you.

[pinkytoe]

A year at most but as soon as next September. Depends on how simple my living has been once I crunch all the numbers.

[Teacher Terry]

I have worked in state government in 3 different states & nothing like that ever went on. that is terrible!

[JaneV2.0]

Come to think of it, when I worked for the state we couldn't work at home more than occasionally because of the perception that we weren't actually working. Things must have changed drastically.

[ToomuchStuff]

Humor..............

Ok then, hire a consultant to do your job while you sit back and enjoy their coffee machines.

[pinkytoe]

sit back and enjoy
I wish I were wired that way but I prefer to be productive in most endeavors.

[Lainey]

Reminds me of this guy who came to work but had secretly outsourced his job to China - maybe that's what's going on?

http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jan/17/business/la-fi-mo-man-outsourced-job-to-china-20130117

[awakenedsoul]

It sounds very frustrating, pinkytoe. I hope you are able to retire soon. It's difficult to work in a situation where people are taking advantage. I've had to leave a few jobs like that. Hope things work out better for you. The less you spend, the sooner you can retire!

[iris lilies]

I am glad that Texas tax payers can fund this Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous Academics.

Some consolation is that these kinds of jobs are drying up all over the place, so those at UT are a rarefied breed, extremely lucky, and are likely at the top of their field to get these cushy assignments.

I observe my friends at private universities here, tenured profs, and they put in a ton of time in either teaching, teaching prep, or doing research. I know them well enough to know when they are working evenings and weekends, so this as described by OP is not a universal situation.

[flowerseverywhere]

I wish I were wired that way but I prefer to be productive in most endeavors.

you can't change other people. But you can change yourself.

Do the best job you can and at the same time physically and mentally prepare yourself for retirement. Are you planning on working part time? If so, work on developing the skills you need. be as healthy as you can in the workplace, taking every opportunity to walk around. Take those fifteen minute breaks to do something healthy.

Instead of letting it get you down secretly rejoice in your retirement plans. Make every day a small step towards the larger goal. Remind yourself how lucky you are to be able to leave your toxic work environment. You can do it and come out a healthier and happier person for it. Don't let yourself become an ugly and resentful person just because you are surrounded by people whom you do not admire.

[SteveinMN]

Instead of letting it get you down secretly rejoice in your retirement plans. Make every day a small step towards the larger goal. Remind yourself how lucky you are to be able to leave your toxic work environment. You can do it and come out a healthier and happier person for it.
I think this is very good advice. Deciding to leave my HSSJ was a positive step in itself -- drafting my letter of resignation, knowing I didn't have to endure another ridiculous annual review. And preparing for my new career -- finding out what kind of insurance I might need, shopping for the needed items, registering my business name with the state, ... -- all energized me in a way that I hadn't experienced in months before the decision was made. It's a powerful feeling to know where the Exit sign is.

[jp1]

you can't change other people. But you can change yourself.



I agree with this. Unless the other people's not working is causing you to have to work overtime to cover for them, or not get your own work done within deadlines because you can't get approvals or whatever, then it needs to be addressed. If, on the other hand, it's just that their seeming lack of work ethic bothers you just because it's wrong, then try to let it go. You aren't going to change them and getting upset about it isn't doing you any good. You're lucky to be able to retire in the forseeable future. What a wonderful place to be in.

[pinkytoe]

secretly rejoice in your retirement plans
Thanks, I needed the pep talk. I do spend quite a bit of time thinking about my new life and probably way too much time on the internet. I am really jazzed about tweaking our finances to make it all happen. That includes figuring out where to move to that is less expensive. I am probably the last of a dwindling population of workers who will get a pension and social security so that alone keeps me motivated. To be fair, we have been without a director for two years, and that is when some staff began to take advantage. Just got a new director so hopefully things will get back on track.