Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself

This post is all about what has happened to me (personally) the last few months and I can't use full names, but I will use initials.

This is to inspire you (those of you who are actually following this blog, and I thank you in advance) to not be afraid to stand up for yourself, even if you are like me and still just the temp.

I have been the temp at this current company now for over 2 years. (2 and a half really, and coming this January it will be 3). I have been lucky to have been passed over the last two layoffs, but being the temp, HR doesn't count you (as you are not in the head count, you are just the temp). Now this doesn't ALWAYS work, but in Corporate Workplace, this can happen.

Basically my story is I started Jan 07. I had some A/P and A/R experience, and this is what they were looking for (the company). That year I learned about Oracle, ERP, S&R, Invoicing and doing invoices. I learned also on how to do expense reports, and all the policies and rules behind them.

In Jan 08, the woman who trained me for expense reports left the company (I really miss her), and the position was open. I put in my resume, and had a first interview. I never got a second interview. Then they hired Miss. A. (no name to protect the innocent).

Little Miss A. started in March of 08 and took a vacation as early as April or May of 08. She also liked to come in late, leave early and my personal favorite took a "mental vacation". Of course, I being the temp had to cover for her work. And I had to train her...yeah...that was fun...so little Miss. A. wore PJs to work, and did sloppy work at that (when she did come in).

Finally in Nov 08, the company had enough of Miss. A. and from Nov 08 - Feb 09 I covered the position again, after cleaning up little Miss. A.'s mess (and boy was it a mess). Then the company didn't have the position open on their website, but on Monster (which I was not aware of) and was not even considered the second go around.

In late Feb 09 they then hired Ms. E. (again no name to protect the innocent), who I had NO choice but to train. The girl who they thought was not qualified to do the job, but qualified enough to train the new person. (I did ask my agency for a raise). I had hopes for this one, even though she showed up 2 hours late on her first day. (Even the security guard had his reservations...)

She threw me under the bus more times than I can count (said I didn't train her on certain things, which I know that I did), but I felt that she still didn't understand the position.

Ms. E. happened to be Cape Verdian (and I happen to be a nice white Jewish Girl). She started coming in late too, started taking days off here and there, (once a week at one point), and I had to cover for her as well. (Well, until she sent me a not so lovely e mail to not touch any of her work, as she had it nicely organized...'scuze me!) (Hey, but guess what, I am the temp, if my manager wants me to cover for you, I have to cover you, 'cause that's my JOB).

I found out that she was on a P.I.P. (HR words for Professional Improvement Plan) from another guy that also was her manager.

Anyways, she was still there, and then June came around...and I was busy with the Renaissance Faire (http://www.winslowshire.com) and at the last weekend of June, I was a zombie, but I came in anyhow. At this point, I was told by my manager not to touch any of her work, and that facilities and shipping knew that all paperwork went to her and not me. (My manager never did send out an e mail to employees).

This one day, (the day I was a zombie), I got an e mail from an employee regarding an expense report that they submitted. I informed this guy that he would have to contact Ms. E, as I didn't have any of the paperwork...long story short, she basically sent me two NASTY e mails, and I lost it...I yelled and I swore, at her....

She was also out again after that. My personal favorite was when her "father" died (I know G*d Forbid, but I really don't think it was true) over the weekend and then she came in the following Tuesday and Wednesday...(really?).

A few months ago (near my birthday) she claimed to HR that I made racist/racial remarks, WHICH I IN NO WAY SAID OR DID NOR WOULD EVER DO!!! HR finally finished their investigation, and dismissed the case. My point in all this is that I stood my grounds at the investigation, I told them exactly what happened in my own words, with or without my manager's knowledge. By the way, if you don't have an HR representing you, and you get into hot water, you do have your agency, which is supposed to be your advocate here.

Now since Thursday, Ms. E. is now gone...now I have to clean up her mess too...sigh.

Thanks for letting me vent this all out...yours, just the temp.

Personal demons

I know it has been a while since I last wrote or posted on this blog. I've just been so busy with my personal life, and my other sites that I am also blogging on (http://www.winslowshire.wordpress.com, http://www.giazzworld.blogspot.com and now http://www.northshoreparenting.com) . I am also getting ready to do a Halloween event at the Winslow Farm Animal Sanctuary all for the month of October.

However, I am really afraid to write about what is going on here at my temp gig. I don't even think I'm supposed to write about what is really happening (or at least until the investigation is over by HR, yes...an investigation about me...sigh). I know I can't talk about it amoungst my colleagues (if I have any left) or anyone in the Finance group here, which I have not....but you know how wildfire rumors go around Corporate workplaces.

I can say that if you do find yourself in a similar situation know that if you have noone at your HR department that is your contact, do talk to your agency about what is going on, especially if it escallates into something else altogether. If they are unable to help you, then I would suggest at least talking to an attorney to see if there is anything that you can do, but you may need to wait it out, it may just go away on it's own.

So yes, I am writing about this to cheer myself up a bit, and thank you for letting me at least write some of it out...I do appreciate the support, and yes, I am still just the temp.

Keeping the temp gig as long as you can

We all know that the economy out there is not so great right now. Temping or Contracting at a job can be a little draining at best sometimes, but it is a job. A paying check that gets you or your family through the week.

Don't just do your job, see if you can help other departments. The company will appreciate it, and you will look like a star.

If you know of someone that is still looking for work, check with your agency and see if you can refer them. I know some agencies will pay you (yes you) if that person that you referred gets a temping job.

Call every day or every other day to check in with the agency too. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the job.

Keeping your temp gig may not be your ideal thing, but that's the great thing about temping...you can figure out what you really want to do and still keep the temp gig.

Helping assist with other projects

I've always been one to try and stay busy. But, as I'm am still the temp, and if you are a temp too, then you should know this as well...you need to assist with other projects.

What do I mean by that exactly? What I mean is if someone from a different department asks you to assist, just check with your manager first, and then go ahead and do it. However, don't forget to ask questions, if you need the help, get it.

Besides, it will look fabulous on your resume...

Also, being an administrative assistant can come in handy when making phone calls, faxing or copying things, or just knowing how to do a scan as most everyone knows how to do this already, you would be surprised at how many people actually don't.

That's my update for now, and remember you are more than Just the temp.

Coverage

So, again, Monday, she is not here again...(wait did I say that twice?..oh yes, I think it was on purpose).

Being a good girl, I went to my manager and said "Am I covering for her today?" and his answer was "not at this moment..."

Okay, just letting you all know that now I am just writing and thinking about exactly what I need to do.

I think that I've covered my bases here...don't you?

Confusion anyone? Anyone?

So, I guess I'm confused...I know that being the temp for a long period of time means that I will be asked to do anything for this company, even if that means that the person that they did hire for the position is not doing it correctly...

Yes...I blew up....at her....

Well, I'm sorry, but she was just being really stupid and just really aggravating. I had a great weekend, and she is not going to be the one to ruin it. I may just end up losing this gig over it...but you know what? If I do, then I know that I was right, and let them fire me....'cause I'm not going to quit.

What happened? The drama? The story? Okay, I can't divulge full details...but it goes something like this. I will use E as her name as I want to protect the innocent...(sure...)

I get an e mail from employee Monday 10 am ish: 'Hi, sent in my report via FedEx to be there Monday morning, here is my excel sheet and my manager's signature via e mail approval. - signed employee'

I send back employee: 'I'm sorry but, all expense reports now go to E., please forward this e mail to her. - signed me'
I also send employee manager same info.

E sends employee and my manager and cc's me 'Dear employee, I have not recieved any paperwork, if you sent it to (me) then she will have to forward said paperwork.'

*problem here* Fed Ex has NOT arrived YET

5 minutes go by: E sends another e mail to me, and cc's my manager '(Manager) I have no recieved ANY e mail back from (me) (with large CAPS and in RED no less) '

I do not get anything from shipping or receiving...in fact, I don't even have a mail bin downstairs anymore with my name on it...I bring this to manager's attention, to say, look, I don't get anything, can you please let her know that shipping and facilities both know to bring all paperwork to her directly?

5 minutes go by...nothing is said...nothing is done...I am now really pissed...I bring again to manager's attention, he says "That's probably because it says it will be delivered Monday (that same day) and that FedEx has not been delivered yet (we have a guy in shipping come every day to have her sign things)...he was supposed to send out mass e mail MONTHS ago to let people know that she now has the position, and that I am to do nothing with this position (or so I'm told).

I then knock at big boss's door..."I need to see you, today!" as I know this is not getting resolved...he then says, "Now?" I then said "Not this very minute, but sometime today would be great."

Long story short, he tells me, her and my manager that to knock it off, that this is not kindergarten and that we all need to work together as a team...which I agree to, but if things are still not resolved who do I go to?

Now, today, Monday, a week later, she is not here (shocked?, um no) and I ask my manager again (yes, because I am part of the 'team') if he wants me to at least stamp things, review things, and he tells me not to touch anything...

So, I'm just really confused...

Thanks for letting me vent...
Yours,
just the temp

"Just smile and wave" - Penguins of Madagascar

Sometimes as the temp, you are asked to do things that you don't really want to do, or that you weren't hired for.

Sometimes the employee or other contractor that is related to some other employee asks you to do something that you already did.

I find it just much easier to just do it and keep your mouth shut. Just like the penguins of Madagascar say "Just smile and wave boys, just smile and wave."

This is to say, that while you are thinking in your head "Gee, didn't I already do this?" or "Why are you doing it this way?", your job as the temp is to not ask questions, but to just go ahead and do what they ask you to do.

This is part of being the temp.

You can be a great temp by just smiling and then going home at the end of the day and then complain later.

I also find that if you can be flexible, you will be more adaptable at what you do, and then can add it to your resume later.

So, just remember what the Penguins of Madagascar say, and just remember that you are more than just the temp.