Trinkets of Thought

Corporate America—definition: where the golden rule is chucked out the window and selfishness barges through the office door (along with her sisters, greed and dishonesty).   I’ve worked at 3 places since moving to Louisville over one year ago.  I hired on with a temp agency and was quickly given an assignment at a local industrial company as an administrative assistant.  The job was easy, the pay was okay, and I enjoyed my time there (except for my bosses asking me to lie).  I was there for 3 weeks, and on one particular day, I routinely went to work.  I sat down at my desk, ready for my day.  SOMEONE ELSE’S PURSE was there and the computer was already on.  Hmmm?  I asked a coworker what was happening.

He squirmed and very awkwardly said, “Did no one tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“We gave the job back to the girl who had been here 2 admins ago, so we don’t have to train you.  You were doing a great job; it’s just that she wanted her job back.”

EXCUSE ME?!?!?!?  It was an incredibly painful experience.  Although upset, I did my best to be graceful that day as I left.  But, it was incredibly difficult.  I took it personally, though the coworker insisted I had done a great job.  That day was filled with many tears.  However, being a temporary worker on contract, they have the right to dismiss employees whenever they want.  Simply stated, however: It would have been nice to know.  I give a company the proper 2 week notices when I leave; a reciprocated courtesy would have been polite. But, Corporate America can be so dog eat dog.

Looking back, though, I don’t think it was the company’s fault.  I think that the person who placed me on assignment (at the recruiting agency) KNEW what was happening and assumed that if he told me, I’d quit…so he just “conveniently” forgot to tell me, overlooking my feelings of impending devastation.  It was to his advantage to keep me in the dark, so that’s just what he did.   Corporate America can be so dog eat dog.

I then was out of a job.  A couple weeks later, the same temp agency employed me at their actual office as several positions had become available, again as a temp.  I worked there for several months as a temp worker and continued to look for a more permanent job.  Five interviews later, I received an offer to work at my current company.  When I told my boss at the temp agency that I would be leaving, they offered to take me on as a permanent employee, pay me more, and even offered to give me a position that had been promised to another lady if I would stay.  Corporate America can be so dog eat dog.  The job wasn’t mine to take!  It would have put me in the same situation where I had been previously devastated!  It would have put me in a better position and would have ousted the perspective employee from their promised position.  I declined.

I’m happy to work at the company where I’m currently employed.  I feel, ethically, they line up more with where I want to be, and not all companies out there are dog eat dog…but if you’re wondering why I’m writing about this all NOW, here’s why.

This past week, I received an email from the same temp agency offering me an administrative assistant position with their company.  Yesterday, a call.  The person emailing me was the lead admin…the spot I’d have appropriated had I stayed.  They were offering me an available position.  It wasn’t until halfway through the conversation that I realized…THE POSITION WAS FOR SOMEONE THAT WAS STILL THERE!  She is currently part time and having difficulty fulfilling all her responsibilities.  So, they are planning to get rid of her and were offering to employ me in her place.  Personally, I doubt she knows.  Yes, I’m glad they thought of me–that’s a nice compliment.  But folks, this just really epitomizes what I’ve been saying…Corporate America can be so dog eat dog.

Happy Tuesday!