Shafted by my co workersI was recently ...well not "let go"...there was this contractor "change over" transition...apparently, EVERYONE had no fear of not getting their job back,,, in fact our NEW company that was going to take us under their wing ensured us of this. Prior to the new contractor...my previous contractor did an evaluation on me about a couple of weeks before the "take over" I had a par evaluation, no complaints from my supervisor and that was that. Well, it appears I get a phone call from the new contractor saying, "I'm sorry, but we cannot extend to you an offer, due to performance issues." I apparently did not meet their standards in performance, when in fact I was told I was doing relatively decently for the almost 5 months I was there (which, is actually, not even long enough to figure out how I was doing) I have the feeling that some co-workers had it in for me, first of all, I was working with a bunch of young punk "Fresh out of college" kids who got drunk off their asses when we all went out of town for our work (this was off duty, but at a hotel lounge of where we stayed). I was never much of drinker (perhaps they thought I was too "square"). I think alcholics actually get irritated at people who decide not get drunk to the point of incoherence, that "I'm not cool". or something. I have witnessed this, they won't admit it, but.....someone who is "on the straight and narrow...to some people...aren't 'normal" to them. I went to one of my supervisors about the news, he apparently told me that I wasn't improving at the "rate" that was expected...and I told him "Well, this is the first time I am hearing about this." I am a 35 year old working with a bunch of punk kids, so I think they were threatened by me or something. Is it possible for co-workers who think that you're not "hip' or you're too "square" to perhaps make up crap about you to get you fired? They told you that you didn't meet their standards of performance. They said you did "relatively decently", which is NOT a ringing endorsement of your skills. And you think you got left behind because you didn't go boozing, or because your teammates talked smack about you? Sounds like your co-workers didn't have to say anything, if in fact they did. You fell short of expectations and as a contracted employee, you are not entitled to a performance review and a chance to improve like employees are, as you hinted at in your post. You don't have to like the reasons, but you DID get them. If you met or exceeded their expectations, nothing your co-workers said could have made them drop you. I wonder if your own attitude didn't factor in...you call your former co-workers "young punk fresh out of college kids who got drunk off their asses". In my experience, people are not as good as they think they are at hiding their attitude problems, or their disdain for their colleagues. Your opinion doesn't matter to anyone and if you made your feelings known to even one person, that might have been enough to finish you off. See, even if they did drink like fish, if these "punks" did the job they were asked to do that's all that matters.
Actually, I got a decent review, however, I wasn't there long enough to warrant a "real evaluation" however, my boss said I was doing decent work, had a good attitude, working steadily, AND a good ATTITUDE (yes it's documented) So there goes your theory. So there ya have it, but for some reason the NEW company that came aboard, based their opinion on hearsay. Their decisions WAS based off what my co-workers said about me, although co-workers are not qualified to make these kinds of decisions. Believe it or not, people can have it out for you, and can see to it that. I had alot of people in that office that had my back though, they agreed that management in their office was rather crappy the past few years. You're just going off about what I'm typing "right here", so you have no idea about my attitude...I get a kick out of people how they "judge" someone based SOLEY on their post alone, that's ignorance. Believe me there had been buzzing going around the office about "poor management" by the permanent employees....heck, one guy got ticked because me being not working there anymore, meant more work for him (because I was given a task that he used to do, to give him more time to catch up on his tasks). So it's been this way all across the board. They wanted to stay in touch with me, because they liked me, one gentleman even wanted to relay my contact information to someone that they know that could probably hook me up with a higher paying job. Would someone who needs an "Attitude check" have such charity brought upon him the day he leaves? I was practically a regular "George Bailey" around there. Some people agreed how crappy and haphazard that the NEW contractor told all of us that we weren't losing our jobs, but then I am losing my job, lol. I must've told like 6 to 8 workers this, and they were all shaking their heads on how they thought I really got the shaft. Kind of gave me some encouragement. SOme offered to let me use them as references. And to make matters worst, I was out in the field in the middle of nowhere when I found this out...I had given this so called "new company" 2 or 3 contact phone numbers, but they only called me at home...so I called them up....and they were like 'Haven't you heard??" Then they told me, so I was stuck in the field, and I decided to cut my field work short, to come back so I could make preparations to leave, so I had some workers come to complete my tasks while I took my trip back to "clean out my desk"....what ticked me off was, the boss said NOTHING to me before I left on my field trip. EVen when I came back, people did not "hear the news" apparently, people are coming to me with tasks and questions, and I answer their questions, and I say, "Um...didn't you hear.....I am no longer going to be working here....so I can't take on those responsiblities anymore." Apparently everyone his scared to death to relay "bad news" around there The contract was for a specific program, I wouldn't have any doubt that they might be next, that me being turned down was just a hint of things to come., then every contract worker on the project will get the shaft. And the supervisor is NEVER around. He's always "Busy", one time I needed him to sign my time sheet when he was "wisking' his way out the door, and I stopped him, apologized by saying, "Hey, sorry to keep you from what you're doing, I know you're busy, but could you please sign this?" The ass hole says , "Try to catch me at a time when Im NOT busy"...but he signed it anyways on this side of the wall. I, being the guy with the great attitude, kind of laughed it off. So who is the one with the attitude...Mr Scrooge or me? lol! <sigh> You're absolutely right. You did not one single thing wrong. Everyone around you is incompetent and you are the best thing to happen to them if they were only smart enough to realize it. It is a wonder they are still in business and you should consider yourself well rid of them. The fact that some co-workers agreed with you is clear proof that management has it in for you. At the ripe, experienced age of 35, you clearly have more business savvy than any of those clowns in management even though they have been working - excuse me, screwing people - for years. Who cares that you were told you didn't raise the bar, or meet expectations? It is what your co-workers think that matters, not what managment thinks. Feel better? Good. After reading your second, more "fact" filled post, I stand by my first post. You didn't pass muster with management. The new company can base their decisions on anything they choose and clearly felt previous management was on to something. You will ALWAYS find people who work with you who say nice things about you if only because they are trying to make nice and you'll go away so the opinions of some of your colleagues means nothing. Do not confuse consensus with fact. I've handled layoffs for more years than you've been working. I cannot tell you how many laid off people have supportors who say the same things your "friends" said to you. Let their kind words bolster your hurt ego, but not your cause. Their opinion about your work matters as much as yours, which is to say not at all in this case. You didn't impress management and want to think people have it in for you. You felt this way about your last job too, as I recall. Maybe the common denominator in your career failings is you, after all. Monster- I'm sorry this happened but I have to tell you, I knew this was coming when I read your first post about the change. They're going to pick and choose the absolute cream of the crop from the pool and dump the rest of you. They don't need excuses to do that, that's what happens in these kinds of situations. I don't think it has anything to do with the partying kids. I think it just has to do with their PERCEPTION that you're skating in the middle versus being one of the superstars. Doesn't matter if that isn't the case, that's what they think. So, write it off, move on, find the next gig and write this off as "company lost contract". When you're in the next job, you may want to step up a notch if you think there's any truth to the skating theory. If you've been giving it your all then it is just one of those things. Tess Thanks TMSmalley.... Actually, I don't know if I mentioned this or not, but I phoned the old contract company, and they were suprised as all get out as to what happened, the contracting manager (who did my evaluation was shocked) and he said, "well, if that's what they want to do, they can do that....and there is no stopping them". But they did send me more openings to apply for a.s.a.p. I spoke with a nice southern gent that said the same thing he did, but in his own words.... "You can try to move a bulldozer, but you're still gonna need the keys, and since you don't have the keys, you're better off just going around it (Meaning...moving on). What I didn't go for is when the new contractor gave me this false sense of security saying, "Don't worry, you are not going to lose your jobs!" And then, guess what happened? lol Oh oh, trap door....aeeeyyeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! Perhaps I am a rare breed but I do not take anyone's word about an employee unless I really know the person giving the recommendation or negative comment about the employee. I look at past history and volume of work done. I realize some supervisors and managers can be biased. I know this because it has happened to me many times and I know the feeling of what Monster is going through. To me, if a hiring manager believes others over giving this person (Monster) a chance, then working for this manager may not be a good idea. MonsterReader, You are supposed to be 35 years old and this is what you have learned from all of the experiences you have posted on these boards? At 35, most people have become adults and yet the entries you have posted on these boards sound like a kid of 18. 35? Can't be. I remember being 35. No one is like this at 35 and not even 25. Dazed and confused...not sure where you got that idea...but my initial post here was emotional to my situation. | |
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