A Job Disappointment
Posted by Shanna on 6 March 2007
I guess I have tried to be as understanding as I can towards my boss. She’s 79 yrs of age, and still going quite strong. However, it is unfair to say that I should consider that since she is much elderly that I have to close an eye to her misgivings. She has been blaming me for things which I have not done or things which I have told her. At first, I put the blame on myself for not doing it, or forgetting to tell her things, then I realise that it is not that I haven’t done or reminded her of certain issues, SHE FORGOT about them! And all those times, I felt so bad about certain issues. It affected me so badly that I couldn’t sleep at night at times, or I may call up friends to find out if I did any wrong!
Just today, we had a meeting. She brought out an A4 piece of paper and said that there are some ‘issues’ that she would like to bring up. Covering the paper, she read out one after another a list of things which I did not do, should not do, have not done, etc… and what surprised me was, she was saying things out of context!
My working hours are usually 10.30 am to 6.30pm on most days except for Tuesday and Saturday, where I start at 9am. Yes, she did mention that I have improved on my punctuality. I was usually late for my 9am working days! But then, she had to add in by asking what time have I been coming in on my other days as she doesn’t come in til earliest noon time on the other days! Then she went on saying that she called a few times around 11 am and my colleague picks up the calls, saying that I have just stepped out to buy breakfast or have not stepped into the office! I said, I don’t think so, get your information right! I have been at work latest by 10.30am. In fact, usually in slightly earlier then that! I later found out from my colleague that he only received those calls no more than twice! And I really did just stepped out for awhile!
Next, she asked why was it that I went to work late on 21 Feb 07, a Wednesday. And when she called, I said I was cleaning my place! In fact, she was so sarcastic to say, I thought most people cleaned their house on the first day of Chinese New Year, why do you clean your house on the fourth day instead? I was totally shocked cos I told her that I would be having a party on Tuesday night and I may be late as I would have to clean the flat, and she was ok with it! She even said to take my time as there were no classes in the morning, just be in time for my colleague’s class at 3.30pm! And now, here she is saying that I didn’t tell her!! So I was so pissed off and told her that I did inform her, and she kept saying that I didn’t. In the end, I waved my hand away and said, then forget it, if you say I didn’t tell you, then fine, I didn’t!
I even was close to being speechless! And I gave a last try by saying, ‘Es, this is not the first time this is happening! You keep saying that I didn’t tell you when I said I did! And it is really slowly getting out of hand! Cos I know I did tell you!’ But she is as stubborn as a mule, refusing to apologise for her mistakes and forgetfulness, instead, she said, ‘if I did forget, I would apologise but I know you didn’t tell me’!! DUH! What do you want me to say?
Even the simple Saturday task of picking up my daughter when my mum drops her off at the building, she had to make a fuss of it! She knew that I pick my daughter up every Saturday for her English class at the school and yet, she told me today, ‘You went down and left the reception area unattended for about 15 minutes’. The last time, she said it was ok, as it was not a busy time, it was during class time, so no one hangs around, and now? she changes her mind!
So I told her, ‘dun worry, I know what to do, from this Saturday onwards, I shall stop bringing Nicole for classes.’ Then she looked in disbelief and tried to be ‘nice’ by saying, ‘can’t your mum bring her up, cos other parents can’ and I said, ’she can’t as she is not so good in driving and parking in the public car park and going up the slops is something she is not good at’. Then she said, how about the hubby? I said, not possible as he works and even if he can, he drives a van, means, he can’t go into the car park building too! So I said, sarcastically, ‘Don’t worry Es, as I said, I understand, I’ll just stop bringing Nicole down for classes’. She was speechless! In fact, I think I shall return most of the materials to her too! I don’t think that I am THAT hard up for a free lesson!
It’s no wonder my colleague flared up few weeks back, throwing his office key on her table, telling her that he is not coming back! And I had to pacify him and advised him to stay! From the way things are going, I may be the next one to flare and walk out the door! It’s also no wonder that last year alone, there were about 4 ot 5 administrators in 6 months! All must have been unhappy with her!
How can one tolerate bahavior like that?
