Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Resentful? Who, me?

I'm finding that one of the biggest downfalls for working at the outsourcer is that I still have to directly communicate with the customer,  the old company.   Do you know how hard it is to put on a happy face to the very company who turned mine and 100+ other employees world upside down?  It's a pain in the ass!   

I like my new job, but I have a hard time wrapping my head around helping advance the old company's best interest.  While this all may play out in my head each day, of course I have too much pride in my work and I do my job.   The old company may have let me go, but they are still reaping the benefits of having me around.

Jane

Thursday, December 25, 2014

A Whole New World

Wow, I have been a bad, bad blog mommy.  LOL  I can't believe something that brought me a great outlet to vent and post my worries has gone to the back burner.  Well, I'm back.  And would like to update everyone on what's been happening since my last post.  :)

Let's see, the Reader's Digest version:

*  My company abandoned me.  lol not really, but they did lay me off.  Late last year they announced they were outsourcing the office/warehouse where I work.  Whatever.

*  I was hopeful for a long time that with my 10+ years with "the company" that I would find something within "the company".  That didn't work out so well. 

*  Near the end, I was told there was nothing for me within the new structure in "the company".  Okay, talk about rejection.  (Side note, lesson learned; just because you're loyal to a company doesn't mean they have to be loyal in return.  Sort of like a relationship.)

*  I was able to get a position (pretty similar to what I was doing) with the new company right before the transition to the new company.  Good news?  Who knows, the jury is still out.

*  Flash forward to today.  I'm still finding my way in the new position.  And of course, with a new company comes new processes and things you knew inside and out with the old company, you feel like a tool not knowing with the new company.

The *old* company was big, the *new* company is pretty small in comparison.  And just when I found some of the benefits of working for a smaller company, a larger company comes into the picture and is working to buy out the *new* company.  Here we go again.  Not really though.  The new company doesn't operate the same businesses.  They're buying us out so they can enter the market with the type of work we're doing.  So there has been no talk of layoffs or anything like that this time around.  For now. I have to be somewhat cynical considering what we've been through.  Sure, for now they have no plans to close us.  I'll believe it when we're still here for a couple of years.

Anyway, I hope everyone who finds their way to my blog a very merry Christmas.  I'm hopefull for the new year and the opportunity it will bring.  :)

Jane

Monday, May 12, 2014

Dear Jane

Well, I finally received news.  It's not good news per se, but news.  I had a talk to my boss and they confirmed my position will not be in place once the outsourcer takes over.  I'm not surprised.  For the most part, I'm not the type of person who will start to lose motivation or do a poor job.   That's just not in my nature.  I can totally see someone losing their motivation pretty quick.  It's kind of messed up though.  LOL something like this going through my head...I need you to work hard and help us with the consolidation so you can be let go.   Umm, sure.  

We also know it'll be sometime in September too.  So I have less than 4 months before walking away from nearly two decades of dedication.  Sucks.   I know business decisions like this are made each and every day.  But it's difficult not to be bitter.   It feels like a company just tosses you aside.  I'll continue to come to work though with my head up, and be able to walk away saying the quality of my work didn't deminish.  :)

Jane

Monday, May 5, 2014

Just A Little Bit Longer

Well, the higher-ups have addressed the team again.  This time to mention our new "end" date.  Now set for mid-September.  How bad am I that I was hoping for it early in the summer so I could enjoy some time by the pool?   Anyway, another four months.  I should be happy though so I can try more to line something up.  They did tell us the outsourced would be interested in most of the employees to join their team. That's good news.

Dead pool update!   That supervisor I had a feeling was going to leave, did.  He actually gave notice just last week.  Good for him, he found a promotional opportunity outside the company.  Great to be able to leave and get a raise out of it.   I don't really have a good feel for who is next, so my choice is truly a guess.

For now, I'm still here.  I keep getting mixed messages about if I'll have a job post roll-in.  So as before I'll keep plugging away doing my usual fabulous work.   :p. The vendor was here a few days a couple weeks ago.  Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to spend any time with them.  I'm sure I'll have more opportunities to dazzle them.  Oh yeah, and since the date was extended to September, guess who has an anniversary in between and will get a new bank of sick time to use?  ;).

Jane

Monday, April 21, 2014

Out Of It

Hey everyone.  Sorry for the lapse in entries.  I ended up getting sick for the better part of a week and it just knocked me on my ass.  The good news is I'm better and back at work.  Well, the good news is I'm better.  Not sure if it's good to be back at work.  lol  I've never been hit that hard with being sick for that long.  It gets tougher to recoup as you get older.

Anyways, this is an exciting week at work.  They have announced the vendor taking over operations and they will be in, in mass, this week as they plan for the transition.  Pretty quiet today, but I'm sure that will change over the next few days.  The place is abuzz of speculation.  When the higher-ups dropped the news on us, they did mention the new vendor has an interest in taking over the workforce.  After of course, they interview folks.  But good news nonetheless.

On to the dead pool watch.  Okay, "dead pool" may be a bad term, but I'm referring to folks who have jumped ship. There's been a couple of hourly folks leave, but that's about it.  I did get wind that someone on the supervisor level has a lead with another company similar to ours. It sounds like a pretty good lead from what I've heard.  BTW, this supervisor was MY guess as being the next one going.  Too bad I can't find someone to take some good odds for that!

Anyway, almost time to leave work.  (I'm on break!  I don't take advantage of my work time for personal things).  So here's to a promising tomorrow.

Jane

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Elite Eight

Not that elite eight.  We have a pool going in the office on what leaders will be jumping ship first.  We started with a dozen on the team and we're down to eight.  (see what I did there?  with the elite 8 reference now?)  Anyway, it's like playing a dead pool game.  We're wagering on who will be dropping next.  I've said all along, if we don't have a little fun with what's going on (and the lack of information) we'll all go crazy.


Friday, March 28, 2014

Another day, another day

Ugh, another week of no news.  Here we are within reach of April and given an initial date of June and no news.  At this point my worry and concern is beginning to grow to anger and frustration.  I used to understand that decisions made by senior leadership were given proper diligence.  But now, I don't care.  I want news and my frustration towards how decisions are made and by whom is being tested.  :(

Jane

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Career Training

We had more career "training" this week.  I use the quotes around training, because this session was more about how to put together your resume.  Truth be told, I did enjoy it.  Although to me resume writing is a big PITA.  I mean, they're very subjective, don't you think?  And in this case, we received the instructors opinion of how resumes should be written.  I think the trainers just go with the popular flow as it were.  Whatever the resume du jour is, that's the method taught.


Sunday, March 16, 2014

Seeing into the future

Of course, we can't see into the future.  If I could, that huge lottery jackpot would be mine.  But what I can do is hedge my bets, so to speak.  I want to stay with the company without question.  And I have a lead on a position with one of the vendors coming.  But I've also been working on ideas I can do on my own if things don't work out.  My own business ideas.  I've been keeping this notebook with me the last couple months, jotting down ideas, thoughts, research, etc.  Some way out there ideas, but some which I may be able to make a living doing.  This scares the hell out of me.  There's something to be said for working within the safety of a big company.  Well, I had to laugh as I typed that word, "safety".  Not really feeling safe these days even though I'm working for a very large company.  So, I suppose I can't use that for an excuse anymore.  ; )

My notebook.  Lots of ideas of varying interests I have.  The more I spend gathering data and thoughts, the more I really think I can put some of these ideas to practice and maybe even have a shot at not only doing something I enjoy, but to make a living off of doing it.  I feel after the experience I've gathered over the years, I have some very marketable skills which companies could benefit.  For now though, I need to keep doing some research and data gathering.  I have to say, my significant other has been nothing less than 100% supportive in my ideas and really believes there's something out there for me to do which I not only will enjoy, but I'd excel at.

Jane

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

A small light

Well, we had more visitors to the facility this week.  I didn't think this would have any impact on me, but it did.   I ended up having to work with a couple of our visitors going over some numbers and such.  I've said it before, I know my job very well and they could tell.  When we were done with my part, before I left they asked me what my plans were if nothing comes up with the company.  I told them I didn't have any plans but to wait it out and see what comes up.  After handing me their business cards, they told me if nothing comes up with the company, to make sure they're my first call.   That was a nice feeling.  : )

Jane

Sunday, March 9, 2014

The Week Ahead

Well, we're all anticipating some news this week.  Not sure what the news will be specifically, but we're all betting on it happening.  The big shots went to corporate last week to go over the bids and make a determination on what outsource company will get the job.  That's not really "good" news, but news nonetheless.  Which is more than we've heard since last fall.  Then at least we can hope the new company will be requiring some help, *wink-wink*.  Of course though, there's still been nothing good posted for internal jobs.  And with the length of time our recruiting department takes, someone would almost have to see something posted today in order to just make it for an early June deadline.  Ugh.

 We are potentially looking as soon as early June, that's right around the corner.  Part of me is okay with that, and part of me would like the to run long with the timeline.  It would be nice to have some extra days with my other half during the nice summer months.  It would give us some time to spend together and do some fun things that a limited amount of vacation time wouldn't allow.

In other news, we should all be receiving our annual merits this week.  Another bittersweet thing.  Here's some more money, for now.  I'll take it.  If I land on my feet and stay with the company, I'll be happy for whatever increase I end up getting.

Jane


Monday, February 24, 2014

Got Training?

I'm looking forward to the career guidance the company is providing via an outside vendor.  Included with the training will be resume building and some social media information.  I'll take it!  While I feel pretty comfortable with both those topics, I'm bound to find something good in the information. 

Admittedly, I haven't looked over my resume in years.  I know it's a poor excuse.  You should update it every now and then regardless of how you feel about your current position.  It's always easier to update accomplishments and responsibilities when they're happened recently.  I've been motivated to start working on it so when I have the class I can really scrutinize my work. 

In closing news, there's still no news.  We're on the cusp of March already, barely at 3 months left until the original date they gave us last fall.  I'm getting antsy too.  There's been nothing really good within the company that I've found interesting.  I keep saying I hope we'll hear something soon so I know at least what potential positions there will be "after".  As the time winds down, my warm and fuzzy feeling about sticking with the company is fading away.

Jane

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

No Flexibility

I can never tell if someone is doing something because of spite, to assert their authority, or both.  The other day I asked my manager if I could leave early a day next week for a doctor appointment.  My manager said I will have to take sick time to cover.  Now, I should mention I'm salary and put in plenty of hours above my scheduled time.  I also call in very infrequently and schedule all my time off well in advance.  So the very few times I do ask for some latitude and ask to leave early a couple hours the answer should be, no problem.  But no, I'm expected to use some of my sick time. 

I get it, my sick time is for things like this.  But, leadership should understand they can't have it both ways.  In that I mean they can't "nickel and dime" you for time when you regularly put in more than your regular and even more than your peers.  I would also accept it if, IF, this was a habit for someone.  If they have a habit of asking for a half hour here, an hour there, then yes they should be using sick time. 

How do leaders repay their good workers? Most of the time they give them more work.  I've been frustrated about this for a week and really need to let it go.

Jane

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Annual Merit Time

We're fast approaching annual merit time in my company.  Of course, it's wrapped around performance reviews.  I feel I had a really good year.  The metrics my review is based off of were all solid in 2013.  I'm looking forward to seeing what the final verdict is though.  Additionally, my annual bonus is also tied to my performance review.  And depending on where my final performance evaluation falls, will depend on how much of my bonus I receive.  Since the merit percentages my company gives out is pretty small (1-3%), it's the annual bonus where I really make out.  So, I'm crossing my fingers.  Especially because of the circumstances the money will help cover some expenses.  ; ) 

I know, I know the annual increase of 1-3% is much better than many other employers are giving and I shouldn't complain, but I will anyways. : )

Jane-


Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Work Shift

Lately, it seems there is a slight shift of work.  There has been some projects and work that has gone to one worker instead of someone who already has that responsibility.  Not sure if it's happening in the warehouse area, but it's obvious here in the office.  Just reinforces the idea I had saying there is already a plan.  Now it seems they're making subtle changes to begin to prepare workers.  It hasn't happened to me yet. But I'm sure that's a matter of time.

The head of our facility has been spending quite a bit of time behind closed doors too.  He mentioned to all of us that they were going to award the outsource contract the beginning of March.  A funny word, "award".   Couldn't they just say contract?  Award makes it seem like some sort of prize.  A prize for a job well done.   Our "award"?  A big thanks for your years of service, there's the door.

Bah.

Jane

Friday, February 7, 2014

I Got A Feeling

I've been getting some weird vibes over the last week or so that there's something bad coming soon.  Just a feeling.  Thinking someone is going to be leaving sooner than later, and not leaving by choice.  I hope I'm wrong.

Jane

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

California Dreaming

It seems like one snowstorm after another around.  In my neck of the woods, we're now ranking this winter with the top worst ever.  Nothing like going for a record.  And we really still have another month before there's somewhat of a spring light. We we're hit with 6" of snow last night and it supposed to get arctic cold again.

As I get older, I realize I really dislike this weather and would rather be someplace warm.  As nice as I think it would be to be someplace with warm winters after we retire, I think I would miss four seasons.   My other half and I discuss our options, dreaming of better, relaxing days.  But then we think, by that time we likely won't be working.  So who cares how much it snows, by then we'll just camp out at home since there's no need to leave the house. Lol   Do we not like this winter weather because we have to be in it each day and would we think differently if we didn't have to go out in a big storm?

Jane

Friday, January 31, 2014

More Snow?

Sure, why not more snow?  We've come this far we may as well shoot for the record books!  lol

With the impending snow we picked up a couple movies to watch this weekend since we'll likely not get out of the house tomorrow.  Oh well, I think I'll make tomorrow a real sleep in day.  I'm usually up before the break of dawn, but tomorrow I'll see how long I can stay in bed.  We'll see though.  I'm an "early to bed" person, but usually can't sleep much past 6 or 7 am. 

So another week in the books at work.  We had a meeting with the leadership staff this week and they talked about the outsource progress.  Bids have been turned in and now they're going through each one.  They'll have a decision by the end of February or first week of March.  They did mention there is a chance the outsource company will be giving a good portion of the work population a chance at a position.  That's good, hopeful.  They also mentioned there would be some guidelines for the stay-on bonus.  Not sure why that surprised me, but it did sort of.  I suppose it did because I didn't give it any thought, but thinking about it there should be some structure around the transition. 

No one else from management has jumped ship yet.  But we've lost a few of the hourly folks, some good people.  That makes sense.  By the end of this the leadership team will have their work cut out for them when there's going to be a good number of employees left who probably shouldn't be here to begin with.

Jane

Monday, January 27, 2014

Monday, Monday

Yeah, many of my post subjects are names of songs.  Between movie quotes and song quotes, I think I could have a conversation with just using them.  :)

A pretty non-eventful time it's been at work.  We're in the midst of a cold snap here.  Schools and businesses are closed.  But not mine.  I think in the years I've been with the company, there's been but one day they closed up for the day.  So one of the big wigs in the place has had meetings with everyone noting job postings on the company website.  I suppose it's a good form of communication.  But by now, we're all very attuned to the company job site and don't really need someone telling us about jobs on there.  Most of us check the site daily for updates.  lol

Here we are almost February first.  Four short months from now it will be nearly June and close to the final days.  I keep saying to myself it will go quick.  It's gone pretty quick since that day they told us the news.

Not that there's enough pressure with closing shop.  But we're also on the cusp of launching a couple of new systems.  Not just a little move to a new system, but a huge undertaking.  They're recruiting supervisors to help with the change.  I suppose they figure they have more latitude with the supervisors work, and motivation.  They really haven't let any of the hourly folks in to help.  They'll have to at some point.  But I think they feel the hourly folks lack motivation considering the situation.  Well, probably.  lol  I kind of feel bad for those salary folks.  They don't have much of a choice if they want their stay-on bonus or consideration in the "new world".

Stay warm!

Jane

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Productivity Hacks via LinkedIn

I get a kick out of reading articles like this.  I'm not being sarcastic either!  I like reading about how folks who are accomplished handle their days.

Productivity Hacks from LinkedIn

Jane

Friday, January 17, 2014

TGIF

Another week has come and gone.  Not a bad week considering I was a bit aggravated earlier in the week.  We still haven't heard anything good.  It is becoming more evident that people are just drifting along.  I can see it in the leadership eyes, the frustration of how to handle.  It's something they're not used to dealing with.  Sure, we have enough lazy folks to try to keep motivated but this is a special kind of motivation, lol.

I've been saying that the unknown is the worst part.  It definitely is.  I really need to try to not think about it as much.  :(

Jane

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Ugh

I put in extra hours pretty regularly.  If you're going to work at a job, work hard.  I have to say though, that is becoming harder and harder to do.  I feel like the company is holding this carrot in front of everyone.  "Well, you want to work hard so you have a good chance at another position within the company."  Umm, no, I should have a good chance because I'm a good worker, not how I perform NOW. 

So they're probably aware of how the final "shakedown" will be with positions.  But what would be the point of telling folks that now?  If they did that, there would be a good size population who would lose all motivation.  So it's not in their best interest.  Let's keep this story going so we can keep the peasants in line.

Ugh, can you tell it's been that kind of a day?

Jane

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Visitors

So we had our first set of visitors in earlier this week.  I'm not certain how the visit went, but I know one of the managers running the facility spent quite a bit of time with them touring and behind closed doors.  I figured many people will be asking him how it went.  I'm going to wait until next week to ask and maybe get a little info.  :)

With the type of production we do here, it's going to be hard for many outsources to walk right in and start working.  There can be no downtime, probably their biggest challenge.  But who am I to say, they're the ones that do this for a living, right?  lol

I did get a chance to meet a couple of them as well as one of the big honchos for my company.  I can't imagine it helped my cause out, but it is good to get my name out there.

As a side note, my SO found a state government job which fits my current responsibilities really well.  I'm going to apply for it this weekend, but that process takes time.  It's the government after all.  And I'm sure in today's economy there will be plenty of people applying.

Time for a cup of coffee!

Jane

Monday, January 6, 2014

Cold, a four letter word

Brrr.  If you live in the Midwest as I do, look out, it is cold!  I ended up working from home today because it was so cold out.  I wasn't worried about my car starting this morning to get to work, it sits in a nice sort of warm garage.  I was more worried about it sitting outside all day in the wind and then not starting, lol.  Anyway, one of the perks of my job is to work remotely if need be. 

After checking in at work and making some phone calls, I found out about half the employees didn't even make it into work today.  Not a good thing for a production facility. There will be lots to catch up on this week. I have to say, I stay pretty productive when I do work from home. I can't say that for some of my peers as they brag about how little work they do. Karma, did you hear that?  Anyway, I feel the company gives us this opportunity to work from home, we shouldn't take advantage of it. I worry that one day, a few people not doing much from working at home will make the company stop any work from home.  Crossing my fingers it doesn't happen.

It's -13° currently outside.  I swear, I think our heat has been running non-stop for the last hour.  We'll be curling up on the couch under a blanket to keep warm while watching some TV. 

Jane

Friday, January 3, 2014

Cold Spell

Not sure how it is in your neck of the woods, but it's going to be brutally cold here the next few days.  Time to crank up the fireplace and curl up with someone.  ; )

We found out two of the potential outsources will be visiting our facility over the next month or two to check out our operation.  Nothing like having your replacement coming into the facility asking you how you do your job.  Talk about some motivation. lol  I can't wait for that!

I was asked to have some reports ready as well as a description of what I do.  Umm, shouldn't you already know what I do? There is a job description for my position after all. You've heard of organized chaos, well we're unorganized chaos at my place.  A dangerous combination. 

I suppose it will give me a chance to size up the outsources as well.  You never know, neither of them already have a presence here so they would likely be hiring a fair amount of workers.  I will have to have my game face on.  : )

Jane