View Full Version : New job update
Good! Give yourself time to get comfortable with the new placement both before you go in and as you start to work. You have the experience and knowledge.
Congratulations, that's awesome! Enjoy your weekend of freedom!
Thank you, all! :D
IL unemployment was much faster this time around! I filed over the weekend and just got my letter today! I'm eligible for unemployment. So I'll get one week.
happystuff
3-19-21, 11:09am
Congrats, Tradd!!!! So glad this worked out. Enjoy your couple of days before the new job.
My job - on the other hand - just told us yesterday of more mandatory OT (aka "stealing" my personal hours = holding threat of no job over my head like a weapon while taking my personal hours that I am not giving up willingly. That's stealing, right?) . I will be working a 10 hour shift tomorrow and still need to do 4 more hours extra next week. When they said there would be "some" mandatory OT during the initial interview, I really didn't think they were so mismanaged that it is ending up being about every 2 months.
As soon as I am more fully awake, I need to start looking for another job. Any suggestions where a 60+ year old woman can find a decent paying job with benefits these days? After all, there's no age-ism in the American work force, right???? (yes, this post contains both anger and sarcasm)
Happy, do you have enough warehouse experience/understanding of how things go to work in the office?
happystuff
3-19-21, 11:33am
Happy, do you have enough warehouse experience/understanding of how things go to work in the office?
No, this warehouse is not set up like one would expect. Office personnel are apparently pulled from the ranks and undergo a series of "step" jobs to end up "where ever", starting with becoming a "lead".
I started writing a long, drawn-out explanation of the personnel set-up, but it just made me angry. Suffice to say, they may be a step up from Amazon warehouses, but it's a short step and it's very much a warehouse.
Sorry to hear. What about other warehouses? That’s actually what I meant.
happystuff
3-19-21, 11:43am
I will be looking into that as part of my renewed job search.
Tradd, I can’t believe you’re starting Monday. When I got this job they did a full background check once I’d signed the offer. It took almost two weeks before that cleared and the. I could finally give notice to my now former employer.
ApatheticNoMore
3-19-21, 1:39pm
Yes usually a slow process to get hired.
My job - on the other hand - just told us yesterday of more mandatory OT (aka "stealing" my personal hours = holding threat of no job over my head like a weapon while taking my personal hours that I am not giving up willingly. That's stealing, right?).
well technically if they pay you for your overtime, as per law, I suspect not (but I'm not a lawyer). A lot of true wage theft goes on where companies don't pay what they are legally obligated to, but this just sounds like a bad job.
When they said there would be "some" mandatory OT during the initial interview, I really didn't think they were so mismanaged that it is ending up being about every 2 months.
My bf had the experience with one job he took where the employer straight out lied in the interview about overtime. So lots of overtime in the job, but they said there wasn't. He took and left that job. Periodically he says he feels trapped in his present job, so I'm exploring options: "you could interview for another job etc." (real brilliant earth shattering never heard before suggestions :)) him: "What if the job has massive overtime etc.?" me: "I always ask about overtime in the interview" "But they lie about it" And another employer lied to him and others they hired, about what he would be doing in the job, like hired for one position and get an entirely different position level of lying. Yea, well hmm there is not much one can do if employers are straight out lying about the nature of the job in interviews :doh:. We have to kind of take some things on faith sometimes.
As soon as I am more fully awake, I need to start looking for another job. Any suggestions where a 60+ year old woman can find a decent paying job with benefits these days? After all, there's no age-ism in the American work force, right???? (yes, this post contains both anger and sarcasm)
there is, and decent paying full time jobs with benefits seem in some scarcity at any age (my concept of decent paying may be a bit warped, it's expensive here to live even a fairly minimal lifestyle and mine mostly is, so I need to pull down a truly middle class income). The usual advice is look at what skills you have, what you have done before, to a degree what you would like to do but we can't all do our dream job, to keep persistently trying etc. etc. and I've seen it work but it often takes time, and I've seen it not work. I'm scared enough that I'm in my 40's I think about my "forever job". Is this my "forever job", that I work until I retire and collect the pensions (lol I've never worked anywhere with a pension)? If not this then the next one has to be, or something, I can't keep playing around at my age, every new job is a risk, risk are getting too risky at my age. I absolutely believe in leaving a job that is outright bad though, and endless overtime would do it, almost no matter the risk. It's just like how much risk do I want to take just trying to find a more optimal job anyway really?
@jp1
My industry does background checks but they’re the standard ones. I suspect that given what you do, the background checks are more extensive. I also think it helps that I’ve got my broker’s license as the FBI does a background check on your for that. If you get ANY felony, your license is revoked.
@jp1
My industry does background checks but they’re the standard ones. I suspect that given what you do, the background checks are more extensive. I also think it helps that I’ve got my broker’s license as the FBI does a background check on your for that. If you get ANY felony, your license is revoked.
Indeed. Financial Services is a heavily regulated industry because of the potential for companies to become parties to money laundering and efforts of sanctioned individuals to skirt those sanctions. My former employer, years ago, got nailed for basically facilitating tax avoidance schemes so every time I did any sort of transaction in their underwriting system it included filling a dropdown box that basically said "this IS an insurance transaction and meets the company's risk transfer rules" Also, since insurance is mainly regulated at the state level there is no uniform federal licensing system as there is for you, and different states vary widely in how they approach this.
No, this warehouse is not set up like one would expect. Office personnel are apparently pulled from the ranks and undergo a series of "step" jobs to end up "where ever", starting with becoming a "lead".
I started writing a long, drawn-out explanation of the personnel set-up, but it just made me angry. Suffice to say, they may be a step up from Amazon warehouses, but it's a short step and it's very much a warehouse.
At the freight forwarder I worked for over 13 years and was laid off from last March, they did a huge amount of eCommerce stuff. I observed how things were done in the warehouse. There were the order pickers, which sounds like that's what you're doing. Then there were people who were leads and customer service. The customer service types were at a desk more often than not. They interacted a lot with the company whose stuff was being shipped out and dealt with the shipping companies. For at least one company, the warehouse shipped not just directly to people who had ordered online, but also directly to businesses who were retailers. Depending on what your experience is, perhaps you might be able to do one of the lead or customer service type jobs. The leads were sort of a go between with the order pickers and the customer service folks.
happystuff
3-21-21, 11:19am
At the freight forwarder I worked for over 13 years and was laid off from last March, they did a huge amount of eCommerce stuff. I observed how things were done in the warehouse. There were the order pickers, which sounds like that's what you're doing. Then there were people who were leads and customer service. The customer service types were at a desk more often than not. They interacted a lot with the company whose stuff was being shipped out and dealt with the shipping companies. For at least one company, the warehouse shipped not just directly to people who had ordered online, but also directly to businesses who were retailers. Depending on what your experience is, perhaps you might be able to do one of the lead or customer service type jobs. The leads were sort of a go between with the order pickers and the customer service folks.
Thanks. It sounds like some similar aspects to where I work, but - interestingly enough - the 'customer service' with this company is via email only! No phones, no "live" person, no human contact! And I have done other job functions - manual portions, of course!. My 10 hours of OT yesterday were spent on my feet at a table, opening and processing returns. For not being my "normal" job, I managed 200 packages/705 items in total. (Yes, the numbers are all right there on the computer while processing) Found out the "goal quota" to eventually reach is 100 items an hour.
Anyway, I digress. Will be putting in another 10 hour day on Monday and Tuesday to fulfill the required mandatory OT, but will then resume search for new job. As long as it was taking before I accepted this current position (basically out of desperation to work!), I know it may take a while, but my hope is returning. LOL.
happystuff
3-22-21, 9:45am
Start today!
Happy First Day on the new job!!!!
iris lilies
3-22-21, 10:18am
Start today!
So, are you driving to the new workplace? I mean, I guess you would be. But is any part of this work-from-home?
Hello! Survived my first morning. It’s SO quiet here. Partially due to most of the office still working from home but also no radios/music allowed. I’m used to having a local all news station on. So odd it’s so quiet.
So, are you driving to the new workplace? I mean, I guess you would be. But is any part of this work-from-home?
Yes. Most of the office is still working from home but I have to be here to get trained. Not sure on WFH in the future.
Oh and the system is MUCH better so far.
Oh and the system is MUCH better so far.
Sounds like a positive (but quiet) first day. Yippee!!!!
The system is so much better that I’m doing stuff second day after starting. I’m actually working not just sitting with the coworker training me and watching him do stuff. The owners were surprised I was up and running so quickly. :D
You get a snap from me. (If you've seen Legally Blonde you will get the reference.
Teacher Terry
3-23-21, 2:46pm
That’s great Tradd!!
rosarugosa
3-23-21, 4:37pm
That must feel so good after your last experience!
Guys, you have NO clue. Did I tell you guys I’m the individual licensed broker qualifying their corporate permit? Only the Chicago office files the clearances. Damned responsible position which is why I’m getting paid so much! :D
iris lilies
3-23-21, 7:25pm
Guys, you have NO clue. Did I tell you guys I’m the individual licensed broker qualifying their corporate permit? Only the Chicago office files the clearances. Damned responsible position which is why I’m getting paid so much! :D
I knew that tricky broker’s test would pay off!
I knew that tricky broker’s test would pay off!
Yep. Just took a while!
Yep. Just took a while!
FANTASTIC! What a wonderful sense of well-being when you get up in the morning and go to sleep at night:D
FANTASTIC! What a wonderful sense of well-being when you get up in the morning and go to sleep at night:D
I don’t know about that. The switch to getting up an hour earlier and getting home an hour later than I used to stop for the day is kicking my butt. The chair is different, too, and it’s doing a number on my sciatica. The sides are more built up on the seat. I was so sore yesterday and with such a headache that I got a McD coffee on the way home. Got into as hot of a bath as I could stand and stayed there for about an hour, adding more hot water as necessary. That really helped. Used a hard massage ball thing on my IT bands last night and I’m feeling much better. They were very tight. I’m doing a lot of stretching during the day.
I can’t tell you how difficult it is for me to work in such a quiet office and not able to have WGN or BBC Radio.
happystuff
3-24-21, 10:21am
More congrats your way, Tradd. Sounds like you really may have found your place this time around!
catherine
3-24-21, 11:15am
I don’t know about that. The switch to getting up an hour earlier and getting home an hour later than I used to stop for the day is kicking my butt. The chair is different, too, and it’s doing a number on my sciatica. The sides are more built up on the seat. I was so sore yesterday and with such a headache that I got a McD coffee on the way home. Got into as hot of a bath as I could stand and stayed there for about an hour, adding more hot water as necessary. That really helped. Used a hard massage ball thing on my IT bands last night and I’m feeling much better. They were very tight. I’m doing a lot of stretching during the day.
I can’t tell you how difficult it is for me to work in such a quiet office and not able to have WGN or BBC Radio.
Can you tell your boss that you have sciatica and need to have a different chair? If they won't get it for you, would they let you bring your own?
Regarding the ambient noise of the news, can you wear earphones (assuming you're not on the phone a great deal of time)?
As for the longer work/commute day, unfortunately it sounds like that will have to be an adjustment for you but hopefully the longer days coming will help.
iris lilies
3-24-21, 11:36am
Yes to Catherine’s suggestions especially for the chair.
You have to tread carefully as a new employee to not be seen as demanding, but as a supervisor having had tons of experience with employees and office chairs, I would be open to 1) buying a specific chair for you ‘though that takes time or 2) you bringing your own chair from home. I would see #2 as being a temporary solution.
The headphones thing, given my image of your work situation right now where you are new and are interacting with many people training you, I would say hold off on that request. Further down the road that might be do-able.
Will you eventually be able to work from home?
I know I'm probably an outlier here, but I don't see any reason why most employees should have to show up at an office more than occasionally now.
Headphones are a no go.
I think it’s a matter of getting used to the chair. I brought a tennis ball from home to shove under left thigh as needed. I’ve done that before many times.
I don’t know about working from home eventually. I’d be happy to have to capability for bad snow storms and that sort of thing
IL, there is only ONE person training me. He shows me stuff and gives me files to go back to my desk and work on.
Re sciatic - yesterday I was helping scan docs into the system as they had built up with only one person doing clearances. I was at the copier for over an hour. I grabbed a chair from an unoccupied desk to sit down. No way was I going to stand.
I was doing complicated EPA pesticide clearances today with NO errors. If that’s not proof the previous job’s system was crap, I don’t know what is! I did plenty of those two jobs ago - the one where I got laid off a year ago tomorrow.
The office manager got tired of the silence and put on some 70s/80s Pandora channel. :D
Things are going good. Got more stuff to do so the day is going by faster.
iris lilies
3-26-21, 1:50pm
The office manager got tired of the silence and put on some 70s/80s Pandora channel. :D
Things are going good. Got more stuff to do so the day is going by faster.
I would stab my ears out if I had to listen to someone else’s Music Choice broadcast throughout the office environment. Oh hell no.
I would stab my ears out if I had to listen to someone else’s Music Choice broadcast throughout the office environment. Oh hell no.
I’d much prefer WGN AM (mainstream talk station with local folks), but this is music I grew up on so I can deal with it. At least there is SOME noise in the background.
So some thoughts at the end of my first week.
Being able to use the stock Microsoft Windows clipping function without being harassed about using some super duper one old boss paid for and was very complicated was VERY freeing.
My knowledge being respected. One of the owners came to me today to check into the classification on one item that will require some research.
Being able to make several minor mistakes without being chided for them.
happystuff
3-27-21, 11:06am
So glad things are going well, Tradd.
SteveinMN
3-27-21, 12:46pm
Tradd, you landed in a much softer place. Good for you!
The place I had interviewed with three weeks ago yesterday (the Monday of the week I got laid off) decided they wanted me. The only thing I heard was that they were still considering candidates the following week. I’d let the recruiter know I was immediately available. I heard back today that the company wants to offer me $65K and that I was a really good fit. I told the recruiter I was sorry, but they had taken too long and I’m happy where I am, plus I’m making much more. Wouldn’t tell her how much when she asked. I don’t play those games. Recruiter doesn’t want to lose her fee for placing me there. I was adamant I wouldn’t even talk with HR when she begged me to.
This was all over texts. They apparently realize they took too long to make a decision and are kicking themselves for it.
It feels good to be wanted doesn’t it!?
The place I had interviewed with three weeks ago yesterday (the Monday of the week I got laid off) decided they wanted me. The only thing I heard was that they were still considering candidates the following week. I’d let the recruiter know I was immediately available. I heard back today that the company wants to offer me $65K and that I was a really good fit. I told the recruiter I was sorry, but they had taken too long and I’m happy where I am, plus I’m making much more. Wouldn’t tell her how much when she asked. I don’t play those games. Recruiter doesn’t want to lose her fee for placing me there. I was adamant I wouldn’t even talk with HR when she begged me to.
This was all over texts. They apparently realize they took too long to make a decision and are kicking themselves for it.
Fantastic! I'm so happy for you that you're in a positive working environment with respect for your experience and expertise!!!!
Got my first partial paycheck today - $1654 after taxes. Woot! Can’t wait for my first full one on the 15th.
Certified for unemployment today for the week I was off. $384 for the week and I think there’s the extra $300 from the feds in there, too.
Got my first partial paycheck today - $1654 after taxes. Woot! Can’t wait for my first full one on the 15th.
Certified for unemployment today for the week I was off. $384 for the week and I think there’s the extra $300 from the feds in there, too.
Fantastic! :cool: what a stress reliever!
Got the $684 from unemployment today.
Work continues to go well. Very busy and lots of weird stuff to deal with.
Teacher Terry
4-2-21, 2:03pm
So glad you like your job!!
Got one of the foam/gel chair cushions for work chair. Has a cut out for tailbone. Tried it in my desk chair at home. Very comfy. We’ll see how I feel today. Only ran me about $30 off Amazon.
Sounds like even the weird stuff is interesting. Congrats again and I hope it continues to go well.
The chair cushion makes a HUGE difference.
Guy I work closely with was out of the office yesterday. Full day by myself wasn't bad.
We have a new resource. One of the owners is from India. They've had an office in India for more than 10 years. They spent a lot of time in training the Indian office staff. When I have a long, complicated customs clearance, especially on the Indian food imports (lots of stuff for Indian grocery stores!), we email the documents to them and they enter everything. We then audit the file for any issues. Some entries might have 50 plus lines, which includes the needed FDA data. Saves us an enormous amount of time.
The Indian owner said that when everyone when on lockdown last March, they had enormous issues with internet service in India. The broadband service we have in many areas here just doesn't exist outside of business areas in India. Some people have very slow wired service at home or they have to run internet off their cell phones. Some people had to work off their phones.
It's important to keep those Indian markets stocked! (One of the first establishments I plan to visit when I'm vaccinated.)
The chair cushion makes a HUGE difference.
Guy I work closely with was out of the office yesterday. Full day by myself wasn't bad.
We have a new resource. One of the owners is from India. They've had an office in India for more than 10 years. They spent a lot of time in training the Indian office staff. When I have a long, complicated customs clearance, especially on the Indian food imports (lots of stuff for Indian grocery stores!), we email the documents to them and they enter everything. We then audit the file for any issues. Some entries might have 50 plus lines, which includes the needed FDA data. Saves us an enormous amount of time.
The Indian owner said that when everyone when on lockdown last March, they had enormous issues with internet service in India. The broadband service we have in many areas here just doesn't exist outside of business areas in India. Some people have very slow wired service at home or they have to run internet off their cell phones. Some people had to work off their phones.
Having competent support for details like that is such a big help! I’m fortunate that our department has good assistants. Once I get an order I can trust them to do all the follow on paperwork and collection of documents. All I have to do is regularly thank them for their efforts.
happystuff
4-10-21, 10:43am
Retail stores and warehouses seem to be the majority of the job listings around here. I have an interview scheduled next week for a different 2nd shift job. Actually it is the full-time position for the part-time one I had in the school system. MUCH closer to home. We'll see.
Teacher Terry
4-10-21, 12:12pm
Hope you get it. My ex lasted 6 weeks in a warehouse. He has neuropathy from diabetes and every part of his body hurt and it was impacting his ability to use 2 of his fingertips. Few older people worked there. He has lost 50lbs and hiked frequently so he didn’t think it would be a problem physically.
ApatheticNoMore
4-10-21, 1:12pm
Good luck, since you already worked there it's probably very good odds.
rosarugosa
4-11-21, 6:33am
Good luck, Happy!
happystuff
4-11-21, 9:46am
Thanks, everyone.
Fingers crossed for you happystuff!
First full paycheck today! Works out to an additional $670 a month from what I’d been getting.
Had a chat with one of the owners yesterday (the Indian one with an IT background). He told me to contact the software provider to have a chat. He said to tell them what I liked about the software I’d worked on for 13 years to see if current software can do anything of those things. If the software can do those things, then owners will consider the costs for the upgrades. One thing is getting an email everytime you get a message from Customs’ system. Handy for when there are sudden issues you can see right away.
Got health insurance paperwork to fill out. The two bascule Blue cross plans they pay for are a bit bare bones for me. I can choose another plan, but will only have to pay 10% of the plan cost. Which would work out to about $60/month, which is very little!
Things continue to be good.
iris lilies
4-15-21, 7:30am
That is a huge increase in monthly income!
Sure is! Throwing a lot at my cc.
I'd be tempted to send a thank you note to your former employer--your new job sounds like a major upgrade.
I’m at lunch now. Right before I went to lunch the import supervisor was asking me to do something customs related that is so wrong and illegal. I told her no and she was almost screaming at me. I simply told her that what she wanted me to do was incorrect and walked away, leaving for lunch. When the one owner snd I had the talk yesterday, I’d mentioned I’d been having issues with her just pushing stuff off on me to get rid of it.
CYA and make a record at home.
CYA and make a record at home.
Oh, I am. There’s always a fly in the ointment and the import supervisor seems to be it. Chick seems to be very disorganized and ignores her emails. I sent an email yesterday afternoon advising i needed two pieces of information. I went over to her desk and told her to please look at the email I just sent, as I needed the info ASAP. She tells me she’s too busy and can’t be interrupted. This morning she emails me asking why so and so wasn’t done. I just attached the email I’d sent yesterday to my reply and told her without the info I needed, this task wasn’t going to get done. She claimed to not remember the email.
This thing got dumped on me because the import person who had been doing them was overloaded. Doing these things is in my job description, but this one was a weird exception that I’d never encountered before. I was very honest I’d not done this exception before and was going to do my best. If you don’t get me the info I need, I can’t help you.
I just keep my mouth shut and laugh to myself. This chick’s desk is a mess. I can’t imagine how she gets stuff done.
Import supervisor has been behaving herself.
It’s amusing. After all the grief the previous boss gave me about my “subpar” excel skills, mine are on the same level or slightly above those of current coworkers. :D
I created a very simple spreadsheet for customs contact info in all the different port of entries. They were oohing and ahhing. A lot of them can’t add and delete lines. Heck I even know the keyboard shortcuts to do that!
That's cool, Tradd; that would build my confidence!
And it’s another data point that proves the previous boss was off his rocker.
Today was so nice and such a boost! Got a call from a contact at a company whose clearances I’d done for 5-6 years, until late 2018 or so. They had then left my old company and went elsewhere. Turns out they are NOT happy at all with the broker they’ve been with. They had internal conversations about when things had worked well and they all said it was when I was handling them. So they looked me up on LinkedIn and called today. Had a conference call with this contact and one of new company’s owners today. Looks really good about them switching.
Owners were just thrilled. Major brownie points for me! :D
Wow! That is so good. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Teacher Terry
6-9-21, 10:20pm
Trade, that’s great!!
happystuff
6-10-21, 10:28am
Excellent, Tradd!!!!
iris lilies
6-10-21, 10:41am
Today was so nice and such a boost! Got a call from a contact at a company whose clearances I’d done for 5-6 years, until late 2018 or so. They had then left my old company and went elsewhere. Turns out they are NOT happy at all with the broker they’ve been with. They had internal conversations about when things had worked well and they all said it was when I was handling them. So they looked me up on LinkedIn and called today. Had a conference call with this contact and one of new company’s owners today. Looks really good about them switching.
Owners were just thrilled. Major brownie points for me! :D
when you bring in new business that is a major score.
Proving your overall value will do wonders. I would bet the owners have never seen this in one of their worker bees before. So they got an experienced employee who is self motivated to improve the workplace and brings in new business as well. Probably think they won the lottery.
Proving your overall value will do wonders. I would bet the owners have never seen this in one of their worker bees before. So they got an experienced employee who is self motivated to improve the workplace and brings in new business as well. Probably think they won the lottery.
Yep.
My contact advised he’s going to have meetings with his bosses next week about switching over. Fingers crossed!
happystuff
6-24-21, 10:08am
I got the local, 2nd shift custodial job! I start later next month. I officially put in my two weeks notice to the warehouse. I'm happy, nervous and excited. LOL. Will be taking a week in between to go see my mom. :)
SteveinMN
6-24-21, 10:12am
Congratulations, happystuff!
YAY Happystuff! I hope this job is a better environment.
iris lilies
6-24-21, 11:17am
Happystuff, this is great news.good job.
I got the local, 2nd shift custodial job! I start later next month. I officially put in my two weeks notice to the warehouse. I'm happy, nervous and excited. LOL. Will be taking a week in between to go see my mom. :)
So pleased for you!!! Happy dance for you and your persistence and efforts paying off. We do need a 'happy' emoji. Congratulations!
ApatheticNoMore
6-24-21, 12:34pm
Good luck. That warehouse job sounded pretty bad. It's time to WORK TO LIVE (not live to work).
I got the local, 2nd shift custodial job! I start later next month. I officially put in my two weeks notice to the warehouse. I'm happy, nervous and excited. LOL. Will be taking a week in between to go see my mom. :)
I worked second shift for years--it was my favorite. Congratulations!
Teacher Terry
6-24-21, 1:01pm
So glad for you Happy!! I know warehouse jobs are miserable.
I got the local, 2nd shift custodial job! I start later next month. I officially put in my two weeks notice to the warehouse. I'm happy, nervous and excited. LOL. Will be taking a week in between to go see my mom. :)
Great news! How is the pay?
So glad for you Happy!! I know warehouse jobs are miserable.
It depends on what you do in the warehouse. Order picking for eCommerce, yes, it seems. But if all you’re doing is running a forklift and loading trucks, it’s a lot different. I have several friends that do the latter. They like it.
happystuff
6-24-21, 1:35pm
Thank you, everyone!
Tradd, the pay is a few cents more than what I make at this moment. However, the warehouse presented a new pay scale last week where, starting in July. I would have been making about $1.25 more - so not a big increase. I can live on what the new job will be, plus it is about 10 minutes from home (if I don't hit all the lights - lol) and no mandatory OT unless it snows. The new job starts 30 minutes earlier than the current warehouse job, but the warehouse job had about a 30-40 minutes drive - so, I would be leaving the house about the same time and getting off 1/2 hour earlier. I'm thinking I'll be adjusting my sleep/wake up time by about an hour.
Teacher Terry
6-24-21, 2:50pm
Running a forklift is fairly similar no matter where you do it. When I talk about warehouse work I mean the picking and packing which is tough work because of the production standards most places have.
So glad for you, happy, you deserve it, and enjoy the new shorter commute!
frugal-one
6-24-21, 4:32pm
Congrats! Enjoy your time off too!
rosarugosa
6-24-21, 6:34pm
That is excellent news, Happy! The warehouse job didn't sound very pleasant, but you were a trooper about doing what you had to do. So glad better things are ahead for you!
happystuff
6-25-21, 10:49am
Again, thanks so much, everyone. That actually already scheduled a "resignation" meeting - apparently to find out why I am leaving. Was told this was normal. I'm thinking similar to an "exit interview", but I'll find out today. Happening quickly as I just sent 2 weeks notice yesterday. Again, I'll find out soon enough.
Thanks, frugal-one. I still have to find tickets and will pay whatever I need to on such short notice, but I'm super excited to see my mother and other siblings - even for a short time. It was been wayyyyy too long.
Work funny: guy who started several weeks ago called today to say he wouldn’t be back. An aunt had died and left him enough money that he didn’t need to work. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but it was damned creative!
ApatheticNoMore
6-25-21, 1:40pm
Funny if it's not true. If it was actually true that an aunt died and left me enough money not to work, I'd still give two weeks notice ... you never know is how I see it. Anyway doesn't probate take longer than that? Like I say, you never know what might interfere.
ApatheticNoMore
6-25-21, 1:49pm
I've used the exit interview to try to get my coworkers more pay. When they asked why I was leaving: no raises, need better pay. Now was that really all? No, the work was mind-numbingly boring. But saying the work is boring does noone any good, the work is what it is, and saying it's pay probably does no good either, but might give them a little feedback to perhaps contemplate giving a raise (noone was getting them, year after year).
Funny if it's not true. If it was actually true that an aunt died and left me enough money not to work, I'd still give two weeks notice ... you never know is how I see it. Anyway doesn't probate take longer than that? Like I say, you never know what might interfere.
If it's true, I hope nephew is rock solid certain that 1) aunt left him that kind of money and 2) things are very clear cut such as he is the only next of kin and heir. And even then stuff can crop up.
iris lilies
6-25-21, 5:45pm
If it's true, I hope nephew is rock solid certain that 1) aunt left him that kind of money and 2) things are very clear cut such as he is the only next of kin and heir. And even then stuff can crop up.
It doesn’t sound like a real excuse to me.
This reminds me, although it’s not likely the case here, of a mean joke that was played on the coworker of a friend a few years ago. They did an office pool of buying mega millions tickets. There was a mutually disliked backstabber type employee so the rest of the pool pretended they’d won the jackpot. Hated employee promptly went in and obnoxiously resigned to boss. The next day when he found out the truth he had to go, tail between his legs, and ask for his job back. The boss had mercy for him and let him keep his job.
happystuff
6-26-21, 10:00am
They postponed the exit interview. It's interesting... none of the supervisors, leads or managers have said ANYTHING to me about my leaving. It's all rather funny.
linacapeola
6-28-21, 1:31pm
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I have several customers who import food items from the same shipper in India. The shipper is on the FDA Import Alerts list for salmonella in one food item. Every single shipment with this item is detained by FDA. The product has to be tested by an FDA approved lab. Then if it has salmonella, they have to pay thousands of dollars to have the items destroyed. Plus there are extra costs for the testing, etc.
You would think everyone involved would want to get this solved. One customer said it shouldn’t be on the import list, per something the shipper told him. I contacted both customers AND the shipper, explaining what has been going on and suggesting they collect the needed documents to get this item off the FDA Import Alert list. No one seems to give a flying fig. Amazes me. It took the shipper a month to respond to my email (he is still working from home) and forward the email to someone else at the company to look at. No sense of urgency at all. All the while there customers on the US side have ever increasing costs. I told one customer the solutions are to stop importing this item or get the shipper to cough up the paperwork to get it off the FDA Import Alerts. He was like “meh.”
Face palm!
happystuff
7-16-21, 10:01am
Was on vacation in CA and walked along the beach with sibling. Sibling was surprised as to how many barges were lined up off-shore. I remembered the thread somewhere here in the forum about the back-ups. Interesting to see it in play.
Those are actual container ships, not barges. Big difference!
Glad you enjoyed your vacation!
happystuff
7-16-21, 1:14pm
Those are actual container ships, not barges. Big difference!
Glad you enjoyed your vacation!
Thanks, Tradd. I wouldn't know the difference - lol. Don't they both carry stuff? Or is it a difference in "what" they carry? (Seriously asking as I really don't know!)
And thanks. It was very relaxing and I have time to get some things done before my first day on Monday.
Barges are for river or close in coastal traffic. They’re pulled by a tug usually. Not meant for open ocean.
happystuff
7-16-21, 2:40pm
Don't know if these are clear enough, but what the heck. 3856 3857
There was a long line of them. The pic with the fisherman shows more, but it was an overcast day.
Thanks for the photos. A friend lives in the LA area and scuba dives a lot from boats. She says she always sees the container ships. Sent me a few photos recently.
happystuff
7-16-21, 2:53pm
Thanks for the photos. A friend lives in the LA area and scuba dives a lot from boats. She says she always sees the container ships. Sent me a few photos recently.
:)
happystuff
7-19-21, 5:45pm
First day at the new job. Initial summer hours are 6 to 4:30 M-TH, with F, S, and Su off. Once school starts up, I will be on 2nd shift again. Anyway, it was a good day, nice people and I was busy the whole time. I'm really tired, though. It will be an early bedtime for me. :)
Good to have a schedule with time off planned so that you can plan outside work. Thanks for letting us know. You don't have a long commute with this job, do you?
happystuff
7-19-21, 7:04pm
Thanks, everyone!
No, not much of a commute at all!!!
Teacher Terry
7-19-21, 7:54pm
Glad you like the people!
SteveinMN
7-20-21, 12:56pm
So far so good! I appreciate the update.
I wish we could be paperless! Certain things with procedures make this a challenge. I print the bare minimum for each file. Everything is in the system against each file, but that’s the only good thing. Everything goes get scanned into the system when we’re done with a file on the customs end as packet in a particular order. The import people upload all the docs as they get them from overseas and the carrier. I need to sit down and think of how things could be improved before I bring anything up.
Being paperless was a huge plus at the work from home job.
happystuff
7-20-21, 6:10pm
Thanks again, everyone. So far, so good.
I wish current company would go paperless, but I don’t think that’s going to happen any time soon. They’d have to apply for permission from Customs to keep all records electronically. The work from home job showed me how a paperless workplace could function. But current company also has lots of processes in place that are dependent on paper. Even when people were working from home during lockdown last year, people were having to print stuff out. They’d also have to upgrade Adobe to the full licenses to be able to be able to combine separate PDF documents. That’s expensive, even if they went with a different software that did the same thing that was less expensive than Adobe. Things would have to be totally revamped to go paperless. So I’ve quit worrying about it snd just print the minimum needed for my files.
It is helpful that you have experienced both approaches, seeing the pros and cons of each. That is seeing as management would view it.
rosarugosa
8-13-21, 7:37am
Tradd: I suspect the time will come when your current employer does want to go paperless; they just aren't there yet. I would just make sure they know that you understand and can function well with a paperless system, so they know in the back of their minds that you are a potential SME. When/if the time comes for them to make that transition, you will be worth your weight in gold to them.
SME? I’ve never heard that before.
SME - subject matter expert. I've often been involved in software teams that partnered with an SME, so that the application we create is actually useful to the audience, as opposed to software engineers guessing what features the target audience would want.
SME - subject matter expert. I've often been involved in software teams that partnered with an SME, so that the application we create is actually useful to the audience, as opposed to software engineers guessing what features the target audience would want.
The things one learns on this site! SME added to the list.
happystuff
8-18-21, 6:25pm
Have already completed my first full month (plus a few days) at the new job. The work during the summer is somewhat different than what will occur during the school year, but I'm learning a lot and getting the hang of things. When a parent of elementary and middle school kids, I only ever thought of "new school year preparations" as something teachers did. I was so wrong! There is SO MUCH that goes into getting an entire school - building, contents, people, etc - ready for the kids to come! It's been an education - pun intended. :)
Happy, glad to hear things are going well!
Good to hear. Wait until you get to know the kids and they figure you out as well.
happystuff
8-19-21, 8:35pm
Thanks, Tradd and razz.
razz, once school starts, I will be a night custodian. No kids except for some after school activities - if they even have them.
So today was officially the last "summer" workday. I start the 2nd shift hours on Tuesday - the first day of school. It's going to be VERY interesting!
happystuff, so how is it going?
Newish coworker at the office. Gets the idea into her head that she wants to take the customs broker exam and get her license. She’s not a US citizen and has only been in the country for about a year (from India). She didn’t like it much when I told her you have to be a US citizen to even take the exam. I even showed her where it says that in the Customs regulations. She damn near threw a temper tantrum. Princess at the old job was the same way.
What is it with these people?
happystuff
9-27-21, 1:12pm
happystuff, so how is it going?
It's been *interesting*. The other night custodian - long timer, experienced, called out for a "back injury" after the 2nd day of school. (I'm not saying either way, but the other long-time folks say this is a pattern). That means I have been on my own since then, including locking up the school at night alone. There have been one or two incidents - someone tried to break into the school one night AFTER I had set the alarm and left, and then there was some removable hate/racist things written on my car another night (ended up being unidentifiable kids apparently just "messing around".) As a newbie, both were a little nerve-wrecking, but things seemed to have settled down. The people are nice, the work is manageable, the hours... still don't like them - LOL. Today is the start of week 4, so we'll see what a new week brings. LOL.
Thanks for asking, Tradd. I hope you don't have to have too many interactions with your new coworker.
linacapeola
9-29-21, 9:34am
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Ransomeware attack at work. Shipping/customs clearance software down. We have email and internet at least. Had to contact Customs to tell them we are unable to authorize duty payments. There is a daily statement. Duties have to be authorized for payment within 2 business days. Otherwise, they’re late and you’ll get a fine. We may be back up Friday. Hopefully if we’re unable to pay today’s by Friday, Customs will work with us rather than issuing fines. I’m sure this has happened with other brokers and they have policies in place. We were proactive and notified them as soon as we found out this morning.
iris lilies
9-29-21, 11:41am
Ransomeware attack at work. Shipping/customs clearance software down. We have email and internet at least. Had to contact Customs to tell them we are unable to authorize duty payments. There is a daily statement. Duties have to be authorized for payment within 2 business days. Otherwise, they’re late and you’ll get a fine. We may be back up Friday. Hopefully if we’re unable to pay today’s by Friday, Customs will work with us rather than issuing fines. I’m sure this has happened with other brokers and they have policies in place. We were proactive and noticed them as soon as we found out this morning.
ack!!!!
Ransomeware attack at work. Shipping/customs clearance software down. We have email and internet at least. Had to contact Customs to tell them we are unable to authorize duty payments. There is a daily statement. Duties have to be authorized for payment within 2 business days. Otherwise, they’re late and you’ll get a fine. We may be back up Friday. Hopefully if we’re unable to pay today’s by Friday, Customs will work with us rather than issuing fines. I’m sure this has happened with other brokers and they have policies in place. We were proactive and notified them as soon as we found out this morning.
Awww dang. That sucks. I hope your company isn’t one of my insureds. 😜
Work was so boring today. They actually said they didn’t want us on our phones all day but there was precious little to do without having the system to work on. I was on my phone though spacing what stuff I had out.
We’re sorta back up. Someone clicked on an email they shouldn’t have.
iris lilies
9-30-21, 11:40am
My public library system was brought to its knees by ransomware about 2016 or 2017. I was retired by then, thank god. They didn’t pay money. The malware got into the IT system through a very old piece of software running something connected to …I don’t know. But it was an minor opportunistic hole in the entire system.
That system shutdown caused many ramifications, including wiping out old customized code for my department that generated labels for books. It was something I had wanted to be rid of for a long time, but the output was deemed completely necessary by others. So, when that software went kaput, the customized product was no longer around and the library moved to the modern age in this specific thing. Surprise! They WERE able to function after all without that custom code.
Everything is pretty much back up and running. Everything I had on my computer desktop is gone. At least I had out all my how tos I created in a folder of my own on the public drive that gets backed up. Several people are now following my lead.
I’ve been spending a lot of time at work lately wrangling with FDA on food imports. One customer brings in oodles of reefers filled with various kinds of frozen food from India. One fruit item has had an FDA import alert for salmonella contamination from the same manufacturer for maybe 5-6 years. Every time this product comes in, it has to be sampled and tested for salmonella by a private lab at the importer’s expense. Maybe $500 for each set of tests. Once you notify FDA you’re going to test, you get an extension of the time required to respond to FDA, 4-6 weeks extra depending on FDA inspector. So response date is yesterday for the frozen fruit. Importer arranged their own testing. I’ve been trying to get a hold of importer for three weeks to get testing update. Crickets. He was ignoring email and voice mail. I left him a voice mail yesterday asking if he wanted his fruit refused by FDA (which means you have to destroy or reexport it). Got a call back damn quick. Turns out the lab he contracted with had never even collected the samples for testing. The groveling email he sent to FDA asking for another extension was very amusing. :D
linacapeola
11-19-21, 4:50am
That is really interesting.
linacapeola
11-22-21, 7:38am
A software design document is a valuable tool (https://mlsdev.com/services/mobile-app-development)https://mlsdev.com/services/mobile-app-development. This document sets expectations for the project. Moreover, it is a great way to avoid reworking and modifying software projects. Often, the documents are a single source of truth and should be referred to constantly. Its goal is to improve the quality of the software developed. Its documentation is crucial for the success of a software. This is why it is so important to have a design.
A software design document is a valuable tool https://mlsdev.com/services/mobile-app-development. This document sets expectations for the project. Moreover, it is a great way to avoid reworking and modifying software projects. Often, the documents are a single source of truth and should be referred to constantly. Its goal is to improve the quality of the software developed. Its documentation is crucial for the success of a software. This is why it is so important to have a design.
This sounds like software development in the 80's and early 90's where the goal was compliance to specification. No matter that the market changed, or customers changed their minds, we are working per the original document and avoiding all change. Been there, done that. Two to three years developing this monolith, meanwhile more agile vendors are responding to changes in the market, while we ship this expensive product that no one wants.
Iterative development, with frequent customer feedback, is much more effective with less resulting "shelfware" ie software that meets the document, but isn't what the market wants. Change is a given (and wanted). Newer methodologies embrace change and reduce the friction of change.
Just found out one coworker is leaving. Last day next Friday. She’s been working from home for two years. Everyone else has been back in the office since last spring. She refuses to come back. No clue why. They gave her an ultimatum. So she quit. That means I get a bunch of complicated stuff dumped on my desk. I already did part of it. Now I get to do all of it.
I suspected this was going to happen sooner or later. Grrr.
Got a text late this afternoon from a gal in Dallas who was my counterpart as a customs broker at the company I was with for 13.5 years (laid off March 2020). We worked together for years and got along well. She's at a different company now and they have an open position for a licensed broker. They're apparently willing to make it remote for me. No way would I move to TX - too hot! I'm pursuing it and we'll see what happens! Interesting timing!
Well that’s exciting! Good luck!
I bet your co-worker left to pursue work at home options. If I were still working, I'd certainly do anything to avoid a commute. Talk about stolen hours of your life!
Good luck in whichever direction this new opportunity takes you!
I bet your co-worker left to pursue work at home options. If I were still working, I'd certainly do anything to avoid a commute. Talk about stolen hours of your life!
Good luck in whichever direction this new opportunity takes you!
I bet she did. Thank you - was quite a coincidence hearing about this today!
Applied online and friend has my resume as well.
happystuff
2-17-22, 10:44am
Doesn't it feel nice to be wanted? Congrats and good luck, tradd!
iris lilies
2-17-22, 10:50am
The broker’s license is valuable.
Doesn't it feel nice to be wanted? Congrats and good luck, tradd!
Yes, absolutely! Thanks! :)
Teacher Terry
2-17-22, 11:45am
Good luck!!
Well this may not work out after all. They must have figured after seeing my resume this morning that I don’t come cheap. Asked by what I currently made. I told them. They said they had planned on offering $10K LESS than I currently make. I made $2K less than that number at the last two jobs. I got a $12K bump when I started current job last March. This was all before talking to me at all about the position.
You have been pleased with the respect you are enjoying from management, the decent wage and, it sounds like, some interesting diversity in your work, you are in a good place now.
That said, I admit I have no knowledge of what encompasses your work situation beyond the basics.
There are some small nagging crap at current place. Will post more later.
rosarugosa
2-18-22, 6:46am
I don't think there is a workplace in existence that doesn't have at least some small nagging crap.
Half of the two owners is India. He and his wife (import manager and my boss) will take off for weeks at a time to India. Can’t be bothered to let the office in general know they’re gone. I don’t care where they go, just let us know they’re out of the office. Customers will call needing to talk to them, some with rather urgent issues, and they get pissed when they can’t reach the Indian owners. The import manager might only come in a few hours a week, yet she’s all over us micromanaging crap when she is there. I worked there a month before I even met her as she wasn’t in the office. Was taking care of some elderly relative from India who was in the US. Much better when she’s gone.
happystuff
2-18-22, 11:19am
I don't think there is a workplace in existence that doesn't have at least some small nagging crap.
Very true!
A businessman friend of mine, upon hearing I’m taking on extra work, said I have to ask for a big raise every time I’m asked to take on something new. I told him he was crazy. You don’t go running to the boss for more money each time you’re asked to do something additional.
that's not how it works where I have worked. But I've always blamed myself for not being more assertive with respect to pay.
that's not how it works where I have worked. But I've always blamed myself for not being more assertive with respect to pay.
To me, there is a big difference between asking for a raise at review time because you’ve taken on xyz and running to the boss saying “you owe me another $5K because I’m doing x.”
Looking more and more like this isn’t a good company. Talked to them a little this morning. I would be expected to provide my own laptop and two monitors. I advised them I have a small MacBook and no external monitors. No windows computer which is required. I was told I’d have to go out and buy one. And computers are still not plentiful these days. I’m not going to plunk down several grand. If they really expect remote work, they have to provide the hardware.
Yes. The IRS would consider it something an employer should provide and would not allow a deduction unless you were self employed. Huge expense just to get a job. Suspect they really dont want a new employee, or a highly qualified one.
Yes. The IRS would consider it something an employer should provide and would not allow a deduction unless you were self employed. Huge expense just to get a job. Suspect they really dont want a new employee, or a highly qualified one.
That’s what I suspect as well, given they wanted me to take a $10K pay cut.
It may also be that they aren’t prepared to pay Chicago wages and were expecting you to accept texas wages. We’re looking to hire two more people on our team and although our ideal is someone in either LA or Chicago we’ll hire wherever we can find the right people. Talking to my boss I was amazed at the salary difference between low,middle, and high cost of living cities for someone at the same skill/experience level.
Not only did my employer provide all the necessary hardware, you got up to a $500 reimbursement for any other equipment (eg office chair) you needed once you went to remote status.
It may also be that they aren’t prepared to pay Chicago wages and were expecting you to accept texas wages. We’re looking to hire two more people on our team and although our ideal is someone in either LA or Chicago we’ll hire wherever we can find the right people. Talking to my boss I was amazed at the salary difference between low,middle, and high cost of living cities for someone at the same skill/experience level.
That’s something I hadn’t considered. However, I was told they couldn’t find anyone decent and experienced locally so they were trying remote. Sounds like they want someone cheap and experienced.
That’s something I hadn’t considered. However, I was told they couldn’t find anyone decent and experienced locally so they were trying remote. Sounds like they want someone cheap and experienced.
Yep. It may well be that they can’t find anyone local because people in Texas with the necessary experience won’t work that cheap either.
happystuff
2-20-22, 9:41pm
Holidays that most people get off, I usually don't with this job. But I actually have tomorrow off!!! I'm not sure what I want to do - sleep late, binge something all day, do some crafty, declutter, visit family... all of the above?? LOL. I feel like I won the lottery! LOL. I think I'll sleep on it and decide in the morning. ;)
Holidays that most people get off, I usually don't with this job. But I actually have tomorrow off!!! I'm not sure what I want to do - sleep late, binge something all day, do some crafty, declutter, visit family... all of the above?? LOL. I feel like I won the lottery! LOL. I think I'll sleep on it and decide in the morning. ;)
Play wordle?:devil:
happystuff
2-20-22, 9:46pm
Play wordle?:devil:
Go ahead and laugh, but I found the Wordle Unlimited website - very bad!!! :(
iris lilies
2-20-22, 10:53pm
Go ahead and laugh, but I found the Wordle Unlimited website - very bad!!! :(
I hope you enjoy your day.
ApatheticNoMore
2-21-22, 3:47am
But I actually have tomorrow off!!! I'm not sure what I want to do - sleep late, binge something all day, do some crafty, declutter, visit family... all of the above?? LOL. I feel like I won the lottery! LOL.
I have it off too and it has lifted my mood all weekend. I mostly just get the typical holidays, but for some reason they give us presidents day. Hooray Presidents!
rosarugosa
2-21-22, 6:28am
Enjoy your day off, Happy and ANM!
I have it off too and it has lifted my mood all weekend. I mostly just get the typical holidays, but for some reason they give us presidents day. Hooray Presidents!
You’ve worked places that gave you holidays off but not president’s day? The only place I worked that didn’t give president’s day was an accounting firm because it is tax season.
The last place that I worked bundled most of the holidays so that folks would have Christmas -> New Year's off. That meant however, no presidents day, Columbus day etc.
happystuff
2-21-22, 10:48am
Retail related businesses usually do not give these types of holidays off. Business-wise it makes sense, but that means employees work.
I can certainly understand retail businesses and healthcare, police forces, etc that can’t give holidays off. But they often just give people other time off. (SO doesn’t get any holidays off because the hotel doesn’t close, but he gets 30-something PTO days, some of which he uses on holidays.). But I was under the impression that ANM had some sort of office type job.
ApatheticNoMore
2-21-22, 2:59pm
Yea it's an office job, but I've worked many many such jobs and except for this one almost never had presidents day off except that year I worked for an actual bank (I'm not in banking right now). So standard 7 holidays: New Years, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, 2 days Thanksgiving (it's kind of been hit or miss whether I got 1 or 2 days but this place gives 2), Christmas and then plus presidents day = 8.
I don't get MLK day, Columbus/indigenous people's day or anything. I don't work for the government afterall. I don't get a week off for the holidays, I get Christmas and New Years. We usually do get to leave a few hours early on the work day before a holiday. 10 days vacation (now up to 13 as I reached the 2 year mark and got 3 extra days). 3 sick days as per California law - very good I live in a state with mandatory sick time as they only give the legal minimum - I think before that law was passed it was none but that was before I worked there. And that's the total of PTO besides holidays. And no they aren't horrible employers, raises, bonuses (believe me I've worked places those were non-existant), just most jobs don't have a lot of time off in my experience.
Interesting. Every office job I've had over the last 32 years (except the year I was temping and working for the accounting firm so we didn't get Presidents' day) I've gotten the same 9 (new years, MLK, Presidents', Memorial, Independence, Labor, Thanksgiving+friday and Christmas.) My current employer also gives us Juneteenth.
I’ve never gotten holidays like these off.
rosarugosa
2-22-22, 6:59am
My former employer was a large, international insurance company. We used to get President's Day, Bunker Hill Day, Patriot's Day, Columbus Day, and Veteran's Day in addition to the major holidays. When MLK Day became a thing, they changed the policy to where we got 3 "personal holidays" off instead of the minor holidays. We still got Patriot's Day off, but that was local and logistical, since we were located so close to the Boston Marathon route. Everyone got 11 paid holidays including the personal days. An office could choose to observe a minor holiday if it was important locally. I remember them announcing the change in policy like it was so wonderful to have this flexibility of the personal holidays, like we were supposed to be glad to get 11 days off instead of 12. If we were stupid enough to believe that, why would they even want us as employees? It also created childcare issues for many parents on the minor holidays, and public transportation was on a decreased schedule, so it really didn't benefit the employees at all.
On the other hand, we did have a generous vacation/sick time policy. New employees accrued 15 days off per year (vacation and sick) and I was getting 35 days per year when I retired, so that was pretty sweet.
Well, that brought up a question I would not have thought to ask otherwise. Rosa just mentioned several local holidays I’d never heard of since I have never lived in MA. Off the top of my head I’m not aware of any minor CA holidays but I’m wondering if any of the rest of you have minor local holidays that a locally headquartered employer might give off or that would be significant enough that transit runs on a reduced schedule?
Pulaski Day in IL could be one.
frugal-one
2-22-22, 10:20am
In TX the day after the super bowl … schools are closed and people have off.
In TX the day after the super bowl … schools are closed and people have off.
Knowing Texas's love of football this seems totally logical to me! :-)
Maryland- Old Defender's Day ( writing of National Anthem ) Repudiation Day ( stamp act)
Teacher Terry
2-22-22, 1:48pm
Nevada day which is October 31. Some people thought we were getting Halloween off:)).
Wow, this is very interesting!
I looked it up, and apparently, March 1 is Vermont Town Meeting Day, and August 16 is Bennington Battle Day.
My previous home state, New Jersey, has Juneteenth as a State holiday.
I work at a bank and had Presidents Day off yesterday. This year we get a new one - Juneteenth. I always said that getting all these minor holidays off is a trade off for the poor salaries, lol.
When we lived in upstate New York, the kids got off school the first day of deer hunting season. Kind of a minor holiday.
Just found out why the one gal quit. She wanted to work from home permanently. She wanted her work load reduced by 1/3, and she wanted a raise. Indian owner said nope. And she quit. No one has any space in their workload to take 1/3 of her stuff.
Teacher Terry
2-22-22, 9:25pm
Tybee, we lived in upstate New York and they had a spring break for a week during planting season for the farmers:)).
Just found out why the one gal quit. She wanted to work from home permanently. She wanted her work load reduced by 1/3, and she wanted a raise.
"I want a reduced workload and a raise." Sounds like a winning negotiating strategy...
rosarugosa
2-23-22, 6:52am
City of Boston employees also get Evacuation Day off, which just coincidentally happens to be St Patrick's Day as well.
"I want a reduced workload and a raise." Sounds like a winning negotiating strategy...
I know!
Don’t forget the permanent work from home thing when no one else is working from home now. That’s some nerve. I think that’s the nerviest request of all three!
ApatheticNoMore
2-23-22, 2:56pm
I don't think it's the nerviest by itself, because there is a lot we don't know about people just by looking at them, we don't know if someone might be severely immunocompromised and scared. But that combined with less work and more money, it just seems that's unlikely to be what is going on. Because if you need to work for home for reasons, ask for what you need, but it's a lot to combine such a request with "and a pony".
Lost of places have lost people to places offering permanent work from home of course. One of my coworkers already left for that. And more money? Well no doubt that too. But not necessarily and less work.
Working from home costs much less than commuting for people who don't get subsidized auto leases, parking, etc--not to mention lessening of the stress involved with driving or riding mass transit, and dealing with office politics. So if you don't get a raise, it's still a better deal.
Working from home costs much less than commuting for people who don't get subsidized auto leases, parking, etc--not to mention lessening of the stress involved with driving or riding mass transit, and dealing with office politics. So if you don't get a raise, it's still a better deal.
That may be, but she was expecting special treatment when the rest of us have to come into the office.
That may be, but she was expecting special treatment when the rest of us have to come into the office.
I was just generalizing, so it wasn't a reference to your co-worker.
City of Boston employees also get Evacuation Day off, which just coincidentally happens to be St Patrick's Day as well.
That's a horrible name, just sayin.
rosarugosa
2-23-22, 7:00pm
"Evacuation Day is a holiday observed on March 17 in Suffolk County, Massachusetts and also by the public schools in Somerville, Massachusetts. The holiday commemorates the evacuation of British forces from the city of Boston following the siege of Boston, early in the American Revolutionary War."
Wikipedia
Ah. I was putting it together with St. Patrick's Day and Chicago.
Or it could have been Withdrawal Day...:D
mschrisgo2
2-24-22, 1:51am
We used to have Admission Day, the day California became a state, Sept 9th.
Well a guy in imports quit yesterday. His last day is next Friday. The Indian half of the owners is treating the imports dept like dirt. When I was off Friday afternoon, I’m told they had a meeting where he just ripped on them. Some new system tools they were given to use aren’t working. They were getting yelled at for not using them, but owner ignored repeated complaints about the tools not working.
Owner’s wife, the import manager, was supposed to show up this week at 8 am, we were told, but she’s rolling in closer to 10. Was blaming me when a trucker tried to pick up some cargo but the warehouse shows it wasn’t customs cleared. It was cleared more than a week ago. The gal whose last day was Friday didn’t bother sending proof of clearance to the warehouse. She shut up as soon as I showed her the clearances were done. Sending the clearance paperwork to the warehouse is NOT part of my duties and never has been here.
We go along just fine without the import manager around. Like it much better when she’s gone.
The thing that makes my job the hardest are those damned additional Chinese tariffs (15%-25% depending on product). The US Trade Rep’s office announced 350 exclusions the end of last week. I’ve been inundated with customers contacting me to see if their items are covered by the exclusions. Here’s the point of my post: *none* of their products are covered. I’ve had several customers arguing with me. I get they want to be rid of the additional duty, but if your stuff isn’t on the list, arguing doesn’t suddenly change things. I’ve actually given the list to the arguers and told them to screen shot and highlight where their stuff is. They can’t.
I believe I posted a while back that of the two schools in the district I work, my preference has always been to work at the elementary school. I have been working, however, at the middle school. Right before the holidays last year, the supervisor said I would be over at the ES by Christmas. Didn't happen. Well, last night I saw him and he said I will be switching over there by "mid-week". To me that means Wed or Thurs. Hopeful, but not holding my breath!
Well so much for the move. Today was supposed to be my last day at the middle school and supervisor texted me 1.5 hours before work basically saying "not now". This makes it the second time he has done this. I'm So angry.
ApatheticNoMore
4-8-22, 7:49pm
Well so much for the move. Today was supposed to be my last day at the middle school and supervisor texted me 1.5 hours before work basically saying "not now". This makes it the second time he has done this. I'm So angry.
that sucks. sorry about that.
iris lilies
4-8-22, 7:49pm
Well so much for the move. Today was supposed to be my last day at the middle school and supervisor texted me 1.5 hours before work basically saying "not now". This makes it the second time he has done this. I'm So angry.
That is crappy. So sorry!
Happy, so sorry to hear that. Ugh!
You must be so frustrated. I'm sorry.
happystuff
4-9-22, 10:17am
Thanks, everyone. No, not frustrated... very angry! I was told in November that I would be there by Christmas and now this. That's twice.
Happy, is there someone else you can talk to about this? HR or someone up the food chain?
happystuff
4-9-22, 10:38am
Happy, is there someone else you can talk to about this? HR or someone up the food chain?
As far as I know there is no "real" HR. My job is a union job, but I am not a member of the union (my choice). I don't think there is anyone else up the line to go to, as I don't think he TOLD anyone else! I wasn't supposed to tell anyone until my last day (he said I could say my good-byes then), but I told 2-3 of my closer co-workers. ;) Of course, I then had to turn around and tell them he reneged. (I'm thinking that may have been why he didn't want me mentioning it to anyone?)
Anyway, I have to finish being angry before I jump in and do anything I may regret later. Thanks so much for the suggestion!
A good reason to join the union!
ApatheticNoMore
4-9-22, 1:29pm
I don't think most of the time it's a unions role to deal with individual level grievances so much as collective (bargaining) issues. And that's an important rule, I'm pro-union, don't work the type of jobs that have them. But I'm not sure this would necessary be their wheelhouse and if one switches schools are they covered by that union?
Teacher Terry
4-9-22, 1:38pm
I would join the union.
I don't think most of the time it's a unions role to deal with individual level grievances so much as collective (bargaining) issues. And that's an important rule, I'm pro-union, don't work the type of jobs that have them. But I'm not sure this would necessary be their wheelhouse and if one switches schools are they covered by that union?
Friends who work in union jobs tell me the union is definitely for this sort of thing. You were told you would be moved to a different position and weren't. I'm surprised you didn't join the union.
ApatheticNoMore
4-9-22, 2:18pm
I'm surprised you didn't join the union.
me or happystuff? I don't even work the type of jobs that have unions. Happystuff, if they think the union will help, then yes they probably should. This was just my impression talking to people in union jobs, that some individual grievances weren't addressed.
Our union negotiated individual grievances on a regular basis, usually in favor of its members.
me or happystuff? I don't even work the type of jobs that have unions. Happystuff, if they think the union will help, then yes they probably should. This was just my impression talking to people in union jobs, that some individual grievances weren't addressed.
Happy.
Thanks again, everyone. Even though I am not a union member, one of the other guys told me he wasn't sure if the union would handle something like this or not. Again, not sure what I want to do it at this point. As I said before, I need to get passed the anger first. Also, this is not a "career" for me. I need to work - anywhere - for the next three years and that should be it. And with my current custodial experience, I don't think it would be hard getting a similar job, as I have already checked some of the other schools in the area and they are needing custodians. Plus, I would like to see what - if anything - happens next week.
rosarugosa
4-10-22, 6:31am
I hope something better comes your way, Happy. Three years isn't a very long time, but it can sure feel like a long time in a job that you don't enjoy.
iris lilies
4-10-22, 8:44am
I don't think most of the time it's a unions role to deal with individual level grievances so much as collective (bargaining) issues. And that's an important rule, I'm pro-union, don't work the type of jobs that have them. But I'm not sure this would necessary be their wheelhouse and if one switches schools are they covered by that union?
It is the union’s role to address individual grievances. That is exactly what it does.
Union laws vary from state to state so I can only tell you what the deal was in my workplace: the union represented everyone, regardless if they actually paid dues to it or not. For instance in my workplace only about 20% of employees belong to the union. But if an employee had a Grievance, they had the right to have a union member with them when they met with administration about their grieved issue.
At my workplace this would not be a grievable offense as employees were moved from location to location sometimes, not always entirely their choice. Which doesn’t mean that it’s not annoying and etc.,but that all varies by workplace.
Happy stuff, it is so difficult to get good employees everywhere so you should probably start looking for a different job. Your chance of success is good.
chrisgermany
4-11-22, 6:41am
At least talk to a union representative.
Then you know more about your options.
Work has been going much better. Got a 13% raise yesterday. $10K! I’m still shocked!
Owner said he likes how I keep Customs off his ass. I told him I like how he leaves me alone to do my job without micromanaging. He laughed at that, but I was seriously micromanaged previously.
Teacher Terry
5-18-22, 1:41pm
Great news Tradd!!
iris lilies
5-18-22, 1:51pm
This is so great, yay for you!
I completely different I may Need your advice about toll roads when I come to Chicago area (Lisle, IL) on Memorial
day weekend. I can’t tell yet if the route I’m taking uses a toll, but I never know how that works. Rather I should say I don’t know how it’s supposed to work efficiently if you don’t have one of those passes.
IL, if you don’t have an iPass or EZ pass transponder, you just make a note of the toll taking sites and pay online. They did away with actual toll booths with covid. You pay online after you’ve traveled the tollway within 7 days. They just have overhead things across the highway with cameras and transponder readers.
Teacher Terry
5-18-22, 2:07pm
Glad to hear you no longer throw coins in. That was such a pain.
Forgot to add - I asked for the ability to work at home occasionally such as when a bad snowstorm is forecast. I have a 45 minute commute. Owner agreed to that. They will move me to a laptop from the desktop pc.
Forgot to add - I asked for the ability to work at home occasionally such as when a bad snowstorm is forecast. I have a 45 minute commute. Owner agreed to that. They will move me to a laptop from the desktop pc.
So glad that this job has turned out such a positive experience. Way to go, Tradd, you earned it!
Congratulations, Tradd! Happy work stories are as rare as hen's teeth.
I took a toll bridge once; they just recorded my license plate and sent me a bill.
Wow! Congratulations! It sounds like you have a mutually beneficial relationship! That's great--also great about the ability to work from home occasionally.
frugal-one
5-18-22, 7:09pm
That's awesome, Tradd!
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