The good news is that you were only there for 3 weeks. Given that short stint, the job won't pollute your resume.
Your boss sounds like a petty tyrant who enjoys lording over his hapless PA's. Better to leave now than 3 years from now where he would have enormous leverage over future job prospects.
He very much appears to be the poster child for the "dysfunctional boss." You're good to be rid of him.
As for post-employment plans, make sure that they pay you all wages earned. Also, for unemployment compensation purposes, apply for benefits (if your earnings history qualifies). I would take the position that you were discharged and that you did not engage in any disqualifying wilful misconduct.
Good luck. You'll get through this bump on the road.
I asked him if he wanted me to give 2 weeks notice and he told me to leave the building immediately. WHAT? I didn't say ANYTHING aggressive. HE was raising his voice, so I kept talking to him in that soothing, monotone voice that people use when you're acting all crazy. If anything I looked like I was about to cry and my voice was a bit quivering.
I'm sorry this happened to you. It is far too fresh right now, but I bet at some point you will come back to this part above and realize what an idiot this man was, and maybe even find some humor in it.
It was a good thing you got out of there. I understand that it still sucks to be fired, even if it was the best thing for you.
I know how you feel regarding the field of psychology because of your experience with adults. But would you ever reconsider using your education and personal life experiences to help mentor and council at-risk youths and/or teens? Honestly, Otter … you'd be PERFECT for it. I don't even know if you're even aware of how well they would relate to someone like you and vice/versa.
Just some food for thought …
I have thought about this, a lot actually. Part of my frustration is that I yearn to work in the helping professions. I doubt I could really handle it at this point, though. I get so overwhelmed by everything. It's a weird conundrum. I have a drive, an intense drive, to help people, but lack the emotional or psychological rigor to hold up under the yolk of government or nonprofit employment.
I think I do need to work for myself. I keep chalking it up to personal failure when I lose a job because I can't toe the line, but I take for granted that not everyone has my level of intelligence. Which sounds really arrogant. I hate sounding like I think I'm above other people, really I am not. It's weird because for the most part I feel like I respect those who are in positions above me. If not for their intellect, for the rich depth of experience that they can share with me.
What irks me is that when I try to get people in higher positions to share their experience and knowledge with me, they guard the expertise jealously. Like tribal communities who fear that pictures will steal their soul or something.
I've encountered very very few people who are confident enough to share their knowledge.
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Uh huh. Ok. What's up? Shut up.
(Trick Daddy)
Of course you have. That's a given. You're perfectly suited for it and it isn't difficult to see it. But I understand that you're not ready … yet. The self doubt you still have will eventually subside as well. Or maybe you'll find another venue where you can fully appreciate and utilize your special gifts.
Quote:
Which sounds really arrogant.
You're not arrogant. You're realistic. Not everyone is cut out of the same mold or suited to handle the same professions. We're all born with something special (a unique intrinsic talent), but sadly some people are never lucky enough to discover what their "calling" is because they are too busy following the herd just simply trying to make a buck and survive.
Follow your passions, Otter, wherever they may lead you. You've got so many years ahead of you, so damn much going for you, that it would be a shame to swap out your happiness and fulfillment for inertia. Life's too fragile and short!
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"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” ~ Mark Twain
Otter, you are very intelligent and a very good writer IMO. I understand your desire to work in the helping professions or maybe just to help. People like you are rare.
Any fool can get a license to get into a helping profession, God knows there are lots of incompetent fools in the business.
But you have something special. I think. Something special that not many people have, a gift perhaps that makes you different and can make your life harder for you until you accept your gift.
My recommendation is to forget working for someone else for the rest of your life, forget nonprofits and government jobs. Think about what YOU want to do and the extra things you'll need to do it. Things like licenses and maybe a Masters degree and then just do what you want to do. Be the lone wolf, hang out your shingle and just do it. I know you'd be good at it, you'd be in charge of yourself, set your own hours and be doing something good for others and yourself.
Oh the reason that people are not too willing to share their experience and so called knowledge? Fear. Fear that you will either find out how little they know and/or that you will become their competition. Believe me, you already have what it takes all you need now are the credentials to be your own boss.
Sorry to hear the new BO. Onwards and upwards though...!
What is it with these types of twats?! I trained to be a PA initially. I thought I'd be good at it, being organised. Come to find I found it extraordinarily annoying when the fat twat in his office asked me to dial him a number which was in his rolodex in front of him.
Reach out your hand and use those stubby, fat fingers to dial it yourself assh*le..!!
So yep... definitely not the profession for me. I can't think and do everything for someone else. I expect them to use their own brains just like I do.
Otter, you are very intelligent and a very good writer IMO. I understand your desire to work in the helping professions or maybe just to help. People like you are rare.
Any fool can get a license to get into a helping profession, God knows there are lots of incompetent fools in the business.
But you have something special. I think. Something special that not many people have, a gift perhaps that makes you different and can make your life harder for you until you accept your gift.
My recommendation is to forget working for someone else for the rest of your life, forget nonprofits and government jobs. Think about what YOU want to do and the extra things you'll need to do it. Things like licenses and maybe a Masters degree and then just do what you want to do. Be the lone wolf, hang out your shingle and just do it. I know you'd be good at it, you'd be in charge of yourself, set your own hours and be doing something good for others and yourself.
Oh the reason that people are not too willing to share their experience and so called knowledge? Fear. Fear that you will either find out how little they know and/or that you will become their competition. Believe me, you already have what it takes all you need now are the credentials to be your own boss.
She's already got the degree. She's already ahead! I agree with this here. Give it some thought BO!
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"Did you just say "the bee itch?" Or did you just call me a biiitch!? "
oh no, i just saw this thread. that sucks, otter. your ex-boss sounds like such a major *******. i've had situations before where the boss expected something from me - but he didn't know exactly what, and he couldn't be bothered to figure it out himself, and we both ended up frustrated and unproductive. which is why those guys never get beyond middle management.
you have so many gifts, otter - and as several folks here have pointed out, you're an excellent writer. have you considered trying to freelance, at least as a side gig? getting the "glamor" writing jobs takes a little while and some editor schmoozing, but i wonder if there are places there in the swamp (e.g. univ. departments, therapists' offices) that could use someone with your background and need help writing content for whatever materials they distribute to customers and clients. i'm just babbling off the top of my head here but i'll give it some thought. PM me of course if you're interested...i know a little about freelancing.
I have thought about this, a lot actually. Part of my frustration is that I yearn to work in the helping professions. I doubt I could really handle it at this point, though. I get so overwhelmed by everything. It's a weird conundrum. I have a drive, an intense drive, to help people, but lack the emotional or psychological rigor to hold up under the yolk of government or nonprofit employment.
I think I do need to work for myself. I keep chalking it up to personal failure when I lose a job because I can't toe the line, but I take for granted that not everyone has my level of intelligence. Which sounds really arrogant. I hate sounding like I think I'm above other people, really I am not. It's weird because for the most part I feel like I respect those who are in positions above me. If not for their intellect, for the rich depth of experience that they can share with me.
What irks me is that when I try to get people in higher positions to share their experience and knowledge with me, they guard the expertise jealously. Like tribal communities who fear that pictures will steal their soul or something.
I've encountered very very few people who are confident enough to share their knowledge.
I have been at my current position since November 0f 2004...I have not brought my past with me...but I did get fired from every restaurant job back in 2003, when I was getting back into the "work world" and I had an article published during national recovery month of Sept. 2003 where I told too much and scared people as someone who went way overboard but walked back off the plank before I had to make the real dive.
My boyfriend said I wasn't a good server because I had an arrogance about me....who knows....but your thoughts above, really hit home with me & my work experience...
I even got fired over the phone before I even got to work...with no explanation whatsoever...
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With nothing to believe in, the compass always points to Terrapin
You'd wish people were more professional, had a more realistic idea of what their employees should or should not be doing, and did not retaliate *on the job* when someone commits the abominous crime of asking some time to think over their ridiculous badly-disguised threats.
Otter, I really hope you can get the kind of job you like - and enjoy it.
You are too friggin smart to work for inflated ass****s like this (former)boss of yours.
But, your boss was being a boss. If you are hired as an assistant to him or her, I imagine it involves keeping his schedule which may include personal appointments (ie soccer schedule). Now I would draw the line at picking up the dry cleaning, but I do not think his expectations were out of line.
The execution of the reprimand or counselling certainly was.
But, your boss was being a boss. If you are hired as an assistant to him or her, I imagine it involves keeping his schedule which may include personal appointments (ie soccer schedule). Now I would draw the line at picking up the dry cleaning, but I do not think his expectations were out of line.
The execution of the reprimand or counselling certainly was.
Nope, I was not hired as a personal assistant. I was hired as an office manager and was told that they would handle their personal life themselves. I've had thosetypes of jobs before and I can't handle them. I don't think it's too much to expect people to deal with their own effing soccer schedules.
well, especially since you did, as you said, follow the understood procedures for distributing incoming faxes. so you did your job. just because he didn't check his inbox and therefore probably got **** from his wife or daughter is not a good reason to fire you. i guess it's as they say - **** rolls downhill.
and i agree, i think it's a huge red flag when someone wants you to "think" for them. at some point, they will inevitably be unhappy - it's an impossible situation for an employee. there's no way you could always anticipate someone who won't take the responsibility on their own shoulders. it's really crass to push that off onto an employee.
She placed the soccer schedule in his inbox. He "forgot" to check his mailbox and expected Otter to anticipate his absent-mindedness before even knowing him well enough to figure out he was unable to think for himself. He felt his authority was being challenged when Otter stated as much in her not-so-politically-correct way and was quick to remind her of the good-ol-boy network's pecking order.
Please note: The suggestions and advice offered on this web site are opinions only and are not to be used in the place of professional psychological counseling or medical advice. If you or someone close to you is currently in crisis or in an emergency situation, contact your local law enforcement agency or emergency number.
Or did you just call me a biiitch!?
"
your ex-boss sounds like such a major *******. i've had situations before where the boss expected something from me - but he didn't know exactly what, and he couldn't be bothered to figure it out himself, and we both ended up frustrated and unproductive. which is why those guys never get beyond middle management.
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