You'd Be Proud of Me

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2004
You'd Be Proud of Me
6
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 3:25pm

I got my annual review from my office manager today. It wasn't very good, and I received no raise -- but, I never lost my cool. In fact, I think my office manager was surprised as hell that I didn't get upset. Nope. That's what they want, and I'm not buying into it. I did, however, realize what's going on, and now I know how to play the game -- and that's exactly what I intend to do. It's really very simple. I work at a law firm. I like my boss, he's great, and he gave me a great review. Unfortunately, the two partners in charge of raises don't listen to a thing he says. And also unfortunately, one of those partners does not like me. He used to, back when we started up this firm and I worked my butt off all the time, he used to tell me I was the best secretary here. Then, his secretary left, they hired a secretary from our old firm who is a b****. We didn't get along, and we got in a confrontation. Ever since then, this guy has not liked me because his secretary doesn't like me. That was 2 years ago. I think it's time for the personal vendetta to end, and I told my office manager that. But, the bottom line is that things will never change. He's in charge and he's powerful. He probably wants me to quit, but I won't give him the satisfaction. Three things were mentioned that I need to improve on, and they will re-review me in June. Those three things are legit things that I can improve on, and I will. The only thing that bothered me was that this partner said the quality of my work is poor. That is not true. Of course, he had no proof. So, for now on, whenever I do anything for this man, I will make a copy for myself. That way I'll have proof that my work is good.

This is a test, and I intend to pass it. I'm such a hot-headed Irish Scorpio, though, that I'm so pleased with myself that I handled things so well. Yeah, a raise would have been nice, but I've been with this company 18 years in April. I have seniority, I get 4 weeks vacation and 6 sick days. I'm not about to give that up and start over somewhere else when I really like who I work for. In my opinion, all I have to do is make my boss happy -- and he's happy with me. So, go screw the big crabby man. I know for a fact (from my boss and my office manager) that this partner cannot fire me, only my boss can fire me. So I know, no matter what this guy says, I still have a job. I just have to keep proof of what I'm doing, and he won't have a leg to stand on. I don't let all this bother me because I know what the real truth is.

Just wanted to share.

Donna

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2004
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 4:47pm

Oh, Donna, you poor thing. What a bad day you've had. I am sorry and send hugs!!

But at the same time you have a very excellent sense of analysis for the whole thing. If you have been there for 18 years and have all that vacation and those benefits then you should document everything and try to stay and have a good attitude.

At any rate, it isn't going to be better somewhere else. You are right about that. Seniority rules!!

Avatar for cl_beckty
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 5:27pm

Donna, what a crappy experience. I always get good reviews, but they are going to HAVE to point out at least some of my weaknesses. And I hate that. I feel bad for the rest of the day. Your day would have killed me.


So...GOOD FOR YOU!!!!


And I hope you do get what you deserve.

Becky

Becky

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2003
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 11:59pm

Donna,

I think it's wise that you will keep copies of everything you do for the guy, and keep hounding him as well for feedback on the work you do for him so that he can tell you when and where your work isn't up to his standards. I think just putting the onus back on someone puts them in a tighter spot than they put on you in the first place. Especially if you ask them for feedback in front of others so there's less room for him to be a jerk to you, cause there would be another person there to call him on nitpicking and so forth.

I know with my last job, my boss said that I was lacking, but when I sent him a formal email requesting to know in what specific areas so that I could improve, he admitted that he was just blowing smoke.

Hang in there
Alison

Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Thu, 01-20-2005 - 2:04pm
I think you are awesome. It takes a lot of strength to recognize what you can and can't change, and be okay with it. I hope your new plan of attack works and they are forced to give you a well deserved raise next time. Can you ask for a mid-year review so if you can demonstrate you have improved you might get some sort of raise sooner?

Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2004
Thu, 01-20-2005 - 3:40pm

First:

I'm going to be reviewed again in 6 months, and supposedly if I have improved on the things they mentioned, I will get a raise. It's not even major stuff, it's just little, picky things. This guy doesn't have anything real, so he has to come up with something. I'm going to improve what they want me to, and I fully intend on getting a raise in June. I'm just sooo glad I kept my cool.

Donna

Avatar for comountainsprite
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 01-21-2005 - 10:24am

Hey, just a quick note to say "Way to Go!" You kept your cool and you didn't let the b.s. stuff cloud your judgment about valid stuff you could improve on. That shows such incredible wisdom and professionalism.

I'm actually this morning wondering if I should have a chat with my new boss (we finally got a new executive director) because I think she needs to know some stuff about me and about my position before she starts doing a brand new office organizational chart. I'm really not feeling good about things and another coworker who was feeling similar about her position talked to her and said that it was really helpful. We'll see how I'm feeling later this morning I guess.

Anyway, way to go girl.