Taking an opportunity and leaping out of comfort zone
Discussion
funkyrobot said:
I hope it goes well for you too, whatever you decide to do. 
I must admit that I have been waking up late at night and worrying about the new job lately. It's so close to leaving time that it is all dawning on me now. However, I am extremely pleased that I made the decision to go. Nothing has improved here and if I had let my nerves and lack of confidence take over and said no to the other company, I would be very, very depressed right now.
The chat with HR yesterday was interesting, but ultimately quite saddening. It's a shame that companies can still operate this way in the modern world. It makes a mockery of the 'anti-harassment and quality of life at work' policy that I found when clearing my desk the other day.
Apparently, a big office move is planned for the day after I leave. I guess my lanky figure means my heightened desk takes up too much room here.
Apart from that, I'm being ignored by most people in my department as usual. I really, really want to tell some people in here how I feel about them tomorrow. However, due to me trying to be professional, I doubt that will happen. I think enough was said in the interview yesterday.
Good luck with everything ill.
You're not me are you, apart from the lanky part!I must admit that I have been waking up late at night and worrying about the new job lately. It's so close to leaving time that it is all dawning on me now. However, I am extremely pleased that I made the decision to go. Nothing has improved here and if I had let my nerves and lack of confidence take over and said no to the other company, I would be very, very depressed right now.
The chat with HR yesterday was interesting, but ultimately quite saddening. It's a shame that companies can still operate this way in the modern world. It makes a mockery of the 'anti-harassment and quality of life at work' policy that I found when clearing my desk the other day.
Apparently, a big office move is planned for the day after I leave. I guess my lanky figure means my heightened desk takes up too much room here.
Apart from that, I'm being ignored by most people in my department as usual. I really, really want to tell some people in here how I feel about them tomorrow. However, due to me trying to be professional, I doubt that will happen. I think enough was said in the interview yesterday.
Good luck with everything ill.
I'd love to rip into the people I work with, but there is no point. I've made my feelings very clear to HR and one of the directors, whom don't disagree with me. It started off so well here, and my bosses ego has taken over.
I've enjoyed my job here and I actually care for the business, I've offered to have a longer notice period as my job is quite specific, and I keep telling other managers to ensure they soak up as much from me as possible. I just can't stand the people in my department, either ego-maniacs or wet blankets!
The problem is, no one (even the higher ups) will do anything about it. Multiple complaints about my manager from 3 different employees over the last few years to HR, nothing. Well, I'm off, I'm better than this.
illmonkey said:
You're not me are you, apart from the lanky part!
I'd love to rip into the people I work with, but there is no point. I've made my feelings very clear to HR and one of the directors, whom don't disagree with me. It started off so well here, and my bosses ego has taken over.
I've enjoyed my job here and I actually care for the business, I've offered to have a longer notice period as my job is quite specific, and I keep telling other managers to ensure they soak up as much from me as possible. I just can't stand the people in my department, either ego-maniacs or wet blankets!
The problem is, no one (even the higher ups) will do anything about it. Multiple complaints about my manager from 3 different employees over the last few years to HR, nothing. Well, I'm off, I'm better than this.
Wow. Your situation sounds just like mine, but you are a shorter person. I'd love to rip into the people I work with, but there is no point. I've made my feelings very clear to HR and one of the directors, whom don't disagree with me. It started off so well here, and my bosses ego has taken over.
I've enjoyed my job here and I actually care for the business, I've offered to have a longer notice period as my job is quite specific, and I keep telling other managers to ensure they soak up as much from me as possible. I just can't stand the people in my department, either ego-maniacs or wet blankets!
The problem is, no one (even the higher ups) will do anything about it. Multiple complaints about my manager from 3 different employees over the last few years to HR, nothing. Well, I'm off, I'm better than this.
I've been through HR and the directors. Nothing has changed. If anything, my manager (who now thinks he is the most important person in the whole company) has become even more arrogant over the years.
Above me in the dept are one manager and two assistant (sub) managers. All of them are the same and think the company owes them something. All of them had the jobs created for them without any internal or external advertising or recruiting. They simply came to work one morning and were promoted to positions that had never existed before.
I've had no end of problems with them over the years. I've been verbally abused and treated like dirt, constantly been told that I need to work harder (even though I have been carrying the dept) and seen the senior staff get glory, pay rises and crazy benefits even though they do nothing. They break things, have terrible social skills, get constantly told by the department head that they are amazing and I've had enough. I had originally had enough a year and a half ago, but no opportunity arose until now.
As someone who has independent thought processes and will question things that are silly, I don't really fit in here.
I did enjoy the job and I enjoyed working with others in the company who care. However, people like this are rare and are becoming even more thinned out.
I still don't know how the company exists. They have no proper H&S, they have no proper HR, they don't seem to have inspections like other companies, the audits done here don't seem thorough and the culture of harassment and bullying is bizarre.
Although I am incredibly nervous about the new job, the leap had to be taken.
You are better than them and I'm better than the people I work with here. That's why I'm going because they simply wouldn't function anywhere else.
Interestingly, I still haven't heard a thing about my latest review paperwork. I was badgered and badgered to get it signed. Before I did, I changed things to reflect the truth. All of a sudden the badgering has stopped.
Wow, you sounds jus.... Ok, we could do this for days 
I'm glad it's not just me, clearly there are a lot of crappy business out there, and that's what scares me about going for an other job, rather than self employed.
Oh well, I'm looking forward to walking out, having a few weeks rest before getting stuck back in!
I'm glad it's not just me, clearly there are a lot of crappy business out there, and that's what scares me about going for an other job, rather than self employed.
Oh well, I'm looking forward to walking out, having a few weeks rest before getting stuck back in!
illmonkey said:
Wow, you sounds jus.... Ok, we could do this for days
I'm glad it's not just me, clearly there are a lot of crappy business out there, and that's what scares me about going for an other job, rather than self employed.
Oh well, I'm looking forward to walking out, having a few weeks rest before getting stuck back in!
Oh yes. I'm glad it's not just me, clearly there are a lot of crappy business out there, and that's what scares me about going for an other job, rather than self employed.
Oh well, I'm looking forward to walking out, having a few weeks rest before getting stuck back in!
I'm out of here tomorrow and in the new place on Monday. Only have a long weekend in-between.
funkyrobot said:
I hope it goes well for you too, whatever you decide to do.
I must admit that I have been waking up late at night and worrying about the new job lately. It's so close to leaving time that it is all dawning on me now. However, I am extremely pleased that I made the decision to go. Nothing has improved here and if I had let my nerves and lack of confidence take over and said no to the other company, I would be very, very depressed right now.
The chat with HR yesterday was interesting, but ultimately quite saddening. It's a shame that companies can still operate this way in the modern world. It makes a mockery of the 'anti-harassment and quality of life at work' policy that I found when clearing my desk the other day.
Apparently, a big office move is planned for the day after I leave. I guess my lanky figure means my heightened desk takes up too much room here.
Apart from that, I'm being ignored by most people in my department as usual. I really, really want to tell some people in here how I feel about them tomorrow. However, due to me trying to be professional, I doubt that will happen. I think enough was said in the interview yesterday.
Good luck with everything ill.
An interesting read and I really hope the new job is a success. I'm sure it will be as you'll work just as hard as you have done over the last six years but this time for people who appreciate it.I must admit that I have been waking up late at night and worrying about the new job lately. It's so close to leaving time that it is all dawning on me now. However, I am extremely pleased that I made the decision to go. Nothing has improved here and if I had let my nerves and lack of confidence take over and said no to the other company, I would be very, very depressed right now.
The chat with HR yesterday was interesting, but ultimately quite saddening. It's a shame that companies can still operate this way in the modern world. It makes a mockery of the 'anti-harassment and quality of life at work' policy that I found when clearing my desk the other day.
Apparently, a big office move is planned for the day after I leave. I guess my lanky figure means my heightened desk takes up too much room here.
Apart from that, I'm being ignored by most people in my department as usual. I really, really want to tell some people in here how I feel about them tomorrow. However, due to me trying to be professional, I doubt that will happen. I think enough was said in the interview yesterday.
Good luck with everything ill.
One little bit of advice before you start: try to relax a little. The new role that was a on the horizon is now just around the corner, and your treatment within such a culture will have had an effect on how you interact with colleagues and the way in which you fulfil your remit.
Think of it as being in a bad relationship for six years and carrying that baggage in to a fresh one and letting it affect how things progress.
It'd be a shame to allow their poor treatment of you to continue to have an impact in the future. Sometimes when you've had a hard time of it, you become very analytical and almost paranoid. Take a little time. Do some of your favourite things. Celebrate with some friends. Then start afresh.
Well done on landing the new job!
Pferdestarke said:
An interesting read and I really hope the new job is a success. I'm sure it will be as you'll work just as hard as you have done over the last six years but this time for people who appreciate it.
One little bit of advice before you start: try to relax a little. The new role that was a on the horizon is now just around the corner, and your treatment within such a culture will have had an effect on how you interact with colleagues and the way in which you fulfil your remit.
Think of it as being in a bad relationship for six years and carrying that baggage in to a fresh one and letting it affect how things progress.
It'd be a shame to allow their poor treatment of you to continue to have an impact in the future. Sometimes when you've had a hard time of it, you become very analytical and almost paranoid. Take a little time. Do some of your favourite things. Celebrate with some friends. Then start afresh.
Well done on landing the new job!
Very good advice, thanks a lot. One little bit of advice before you start: try to relax a little. The new role that was a on the horizon is now just around the corner, and your treatment within such a culture will have had an effect on how you interact with colleagues and the way in which you fulfil your remit.
Think of it as being in a bad relationship for six years and carrying that baggage in to a fresh one and letting it affect how things progress.
It'd be a shame to allow their poor treatment of you to continue to have an impact in the future. Sometimes when you've had a hard time of it, you become very analytical and almost paranoid. Take a little time. Do some of your favourite things. Celebrate with some friends. Then start afresh.
Well done on landing the new job!
It's interesting what you say about carrying baggage across to the new role. The best thing I can do is try to stop the old job affecting the new. I will try my hardest to do this. It's all I can do and is far better than telling certain people to get lost tomorrow.
I shall indeed be relaxing. Have Friday and Saturday away with my fiancee as it's my birthday. Sunday will be nice as we are decorating and preparing a bedroom for our new baby which is due in October.
It's a big fresh start with new people and I need to treat it as that.
Oh yes. I was approached by a senior manager yesterday when away from the office on another part of our site. He walked up to me, said his goodbyes and took my hand a shook it. He thanked me for all of the hard work I have done over the last six years. He told me to get my head down in the new role like I have done here in the past. He then looked at me, winked and said you will be fine.
That look and little moment meant a lot to me as it told me so, so much. Here was a very senior manager who has nothing to do with my current dept showing me he knows how much I have done for this company. Made me feel quite good about myself.
Anyway, I need more thoughts like this as it is quite nice.
Don't worry Pferdestarke, I'll be as cool and calm as I can be come Monday morning.
Another update. Sorry.
Just got summoned to the manager's office. He doesn't agree with most of my review comments, but he will file it as it is. It should be signed by both of us, but he hasn't asked me to do that.
Along with the appraisal, I was asked a barrage of questions about the new job. I was asked what work I'll be doing, who will I be working with, who the suppliers etc are for the company and other things. I spoke only to confirm that I am doing projects. The rest is none of his business, so I didn't respond.
He then kept talking about how I'm going to have to do this and that in the new job. He mentioned that the reason I am going is partly my fault. Eh? He followed that up with lots of rubbish about me coming back here, the door always being opened etc. I think he wanted me to say I was making a mistake and can I change my mind.
This was followed by points about me not paying attention in meetings etc and what people think of me. Interestingly, he noticed that I didn't want to say much to him then and tried to say that if I kept doing that, people at the new job wouldn't respect my opinion etc. All a load of twaddle really.
During the chat, I had a really invigorating moment where I realised that he cannot tell me anything. I have nothing to learn from him and there is simply nothing he can say that will help me in any way. I just looked at him and he soon understood that the conversation was a complete waste of time.
His final question was do I have anything at all to say to him? Anything to get off my chest? Any comments about leaving etc? Anything at all?
I sat for a second, said 'yes' and his face lit up. It soon returned to a look of puzzlement and a fake smile when I followed up with 'how long do I have to be here tomorrow?'
Oh yes, he was seen hanging around HR a few hours ago. That will be interesting as the person who I had my exit interview with shouldn't tell him anything directly. It is supposed to go through her senior HR colleague first (who will decide what is fed back). She is away on holiday for another week.
Just got summoned to the manager's office. He doesn't agree with most of my review comments, but he will file it as it is. It should be signed by both of us, but he hasn't asked me to do that.
Along with the appraisal, I was asked a barrage of questions about the new job. I was asked what work I'll be doing, who will I be working with, who the suppliers etc are for the company and other things. I spoke only to confirm that I am doing projects. The rest is none of his business, so I didn't respond.
He then kept talking about how I'm going to have to do this and that in the new job. He mentioned that the reason I am going is partly my fault. Eh? He followed that up with lots of rubbish about me coming back here, the door always being opened etc. I think he wanted me to say I was making a mistake and can I change my mind.
This was followed by points about me not paying attention in meetings etc and what people think of me. Interestingly, he noticed that I didn't want to say much to him then and tried to say that if I kept doing that, people at the new job wouldn't respect my opinion etc. All a load of twaddle really.
During the chat, I had a really invigorating moment where I realised that he cannot tell me anything. I have nothing to learn from him and there is simply nothing he can say that will help me in any way. I just looked at him and he soon understood that the conversation was a complete waste of time.
His final question was do I have anything at all to say to him? Anything to get off my chest? Any comments about leaving etc? Anything at all?
I sat for a second, said 'yes' and his face lit up. It soon returned to a look of puzzlement and a fake smile when I followed up with 'how long do I have to be here tomorrow?'
Oh yes, he was seen hanging around HR a few hours ago. That will be interesting as the person who I had my exit interview with shouldn't tell him anything directly. It is supposed to go through her senior HR colleague first (who will decide what is fed back). She is away on holiday for another week.
My favourite parting shot was by a former colleague. We had both been unhappy due to similar circumstances to thise you mention.
As he was leaving the department he turned to his boss and said:
'I'd like to say it's been a pleasure...'
and just walked away.
The tone was important - and the look on the manager's face as he realised that what had just been said was not the compliment it might at first have seemed was hilarious. His face turmed from smile to puzzlement to aghast as he slunk back into his office and closed the door.
Good luck going forward and please heed carefully the advice about taking baggage with you. Leave it all behind for those poor schmucks who now have to cope with your workload to deal with.
As he was leaving the department he turned to his boss and said:
'I'd like to say it's been a pleasure...'
and just walked away.
The tone was important - and the look on the manager's face as he realised that what had just been said was not the compliment it might at first have seemed was hilarious. His face turmed from smile to puzzlement to aghast as he slunk back into his office and closed the door.
Good luck going forward and please heed carefully the advice about taking baggage with you. Leave it all behind for those poor schmucks who now have to cope with your workload to deal with.
funkyrobot said:
Last day today. 
In the office now. Really hoping I can be let out early.
Nervous.
No reason for you to be nervous. They're the ones with the mountain to climb ahead and you hold all the cards bar one - a reference.In the office now. Really hoping I can be let out early.
Nervous.
Stay calm, smile A LOT (it will unnerve them), and say good morning in a bright and breezy way to everyone.
Have a great day and don't look back as you walk out the door.
Tyre Tread said:
No reason for you to be nervous. They're the ones with the mountain to climb ahead and you hold all the cards bar one - a reference.
Stay calm, smile A LOT (it will unnerve them), and say good morning in a bright and breezy way to everyone.
Have a great day and don't look back as you walk out the door.
Thanks. I'm already smiling. Stay calm, smile A LOT (it will unnerve them), and say good morning in a bright and breezy way to everyone.
Have a great day and don't look back as you walk out the door.
I'm hoping to get away at lunchtime. That will be really nice as my fiancee is off work today.
Edited to add - references were done weeks ago.
Edited by funkyrobot on Thursday 17th July 08:45
Ha ha. I can't sabotage it.
Here until 2 pm. Have been given a nice voucher and a bag full of sweets. Spent the last half an hour distributing the sweets around the site.
Everyone has been really pleasant, apart from one person I work with. He has proven today what an arrogant so and so he is. Oh well, I'll say my goodbyes and be gone in an hour or so.
Just need to flatten my work laptop.
Here until 2 pm. Have been given a nice voucher and a bag full of sweets. Spent the last half an hour distributing the sweets around the site.
Everyone has been really pleasant, apart from one person I work with. He has proven today what an arrogant so and so he is. Oh well, I'll say my goodbyes and be gone in an hour or so.
Just need to flatten my work laptop.
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