I GOT SQUASHED LIKE A BUG! - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/14/2007 06:29:58 PM · #1

Once again I am the casualty of a corporation. Venting my frustration. Sorry.

I work for X... a large, nationwide, corporation. I have decent pay (for me and my needs, not for the work I do, but that's just my opinion), and my direct bosses are wonderful people. On the whole I do not have many bad things to say about X. I just happened to get caught in 2 very precarioius situations that were made possible by the "corporation" part of my job.

Situation 1: Dental

For those of you that don't know I work the school season as a photographer and am then laid off until the next season starts. My first season I did NOT sign up for dental. Bad move but the coverage seemed limited and I PRESUMED it would not pay for my wisdom teeth anyhow and also saw there was a year wait before anything but preventative. Mistake on my part to not call human resources and further investigate.

Second season arrives and I think, what the heck I'll sign up, even if it is only "preventative" coverage, at least it pays for the xrays I'll need before the opperation. Come to find out the year wait I thought was for everyone (which is why I didn't sign up) was only for people that don't sign up right away. So despite the fact that I get LAID OFF at the end of the season and get another chance to sign up when I am REHIRED, specifically because I did not sign up my FIRST season I have this year of bullshit coverage. Don't ask me WHY they have this rule, I don't get it. I understand this is partially my fault, but one simple readng error is the difference between me and being in debt $3000 when I'm with an employer that supposedly offeres "benefits".

Not to mention the human resources woman said that it might not be covered by dental anyhow but my HEALTH insurance. I didn't sign up for health either because they offer NO help in the off season to offset the FULL COST of health insurance in the months where you need the help most, when they lay you off on your ass. Basically I'd be paying even more for my insurance than I'm going to be on paying off the debt. Also, others can get unemployment through the state if they wish (thought most don't) but I cannot because I am a student. So in the summer I'm on my own.

Nothing human resources can do for me. This strange "year wait" was set out by corporation X and the dental insurance providers. A simple change in my policiy # would be all it would take, but why would the actually want to PROVIDE me with health care? If there weren't these corporate binds, if it was say up to my personal boss which coverage I got, obviously they'd help me out. There is no difference in the cost of the plan. I'm sure the year wait is a way of tightening the wallets a bit without changing the cost when coverage is full or only preventative.

Situation 2: Bonus

All season long I have been of the knowledge that I am #1 in my district for sales participation from last season. Bonuses from the fall are paid out at the end of spring and I am thinking I'm only a few weeks away from my bonus. My immediate boss has been cheering me on and praising me and saying I was going to get the bonus. Basically I thought I had it in the bag. And with my shitty luck on my teeth issue and losing ALL of my 9 months of savings (over 1000) to paying for summer school (which is REQUIRED by my university but not paid for by my financial aid) I was hoping that money would aid me while I was SOL on money in the summer before finding a new job after X lays me on my ass.

So the BIG boss calls me and says something along the lines of... "I wanted to give you a heads up before you find out tomorrow on your conference call, bonuses are going out next pay period."

My brain is saying YES! I so need this right now, thank God. She is calling to congratulate me.

She continues...

"And unfortunately you did not qualify. See you needed to photograph 2000 to qualify and you only did 1600."

Not the best way or order to break the bad news in. Explain the checks are coming but not to me.

Corporate rule. If it was up to her and my immediate boss, I deserve it. But they are bound. My immediate boss even offered to give me a piece of her bonus, an offer I in no way can accept. It's more than just the money, it's the principle. I was #1 and I'm not getting my well earned bonus because of a technicality. I work hard, I do my best every day. And a lot of others that do my job can say that as well, and some of them can't. And I've seen this in action. And I deserve the same as them? No bonus, no nothing?

And they tell me I look good for next time. That means I have to work another Fall before I see the fruits of my Spring labor. Nope. There isn't going to be a next time. I'm going to do all that I can to find a better job this summer so I don't have to go back. And this isn't a rash decision based on these events, I decided long ago that this job is too high-stress for me.

I was on the brink of quitting SEVERAL times this season and held out for 2 reasons. 1. Respect for my coworkers who would take the brunt and all of my schools and 2. I thought, if I leave now, I have nothing. If I stick it out to the end at least I'll have that little bonus as a bolster before I find another job.

Excuse me for being a good employee.

bdenny

Sony DSC-H5

05/14/2007 06:45:10 PM · #2

There's probably not much anyone could say to console you but I will leave you with my partner's favorite saying....

"You goin' to work? Girl, f*ck that job!"

Sorry to hear about your situation. :(

Message edited by author 2007-05-14 18:45:32.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

05/14/2007 07:15:57 PM · #3

None of that would have happened to a man. :P

bdenny

Sony DSC-H5

05/14/2007 07:44:45 PM · #4

Maybe to a gay man? ...

05/14/2007 07:45:12 PM · #5

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

None of that would have happened to a man. :P

Hey! I never said that! Next thing you know the Saj will show up and tell me I need to see the side of the corporation because the poor ceo will lose 30 cents if my wisdom teeth get paid for!

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/14/2007 07:46:10 PM · #6

Originally posted by bdenny:

Maybe to a gay man? ...

lol. in case you are unaware, Art is poking fun at me after completely blasting me in my feminist post.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

05/14/2007 07:50:20 PM · #7

If I can't poke fun at you, Monica, who can I poke fun at?? :)

...and you should keep the wisdom teeth - you need all you can get. ---- ooooohhhhh JAB! :P

bdenny

Sony DSC-H5

05/14/2007 07:52:11 PM · #8

Oh no...I'll have to catch up on that too now...I tried to stay out of that one. Didn't sound safe :)

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

05/14/2007 07:52:35 PM · #9

BTW...

This totally overshadowed my "first day as wedding photographers assistant and I got food poisoning the night before causing mad diarrhea in the morning and almost blacked out while at the wedding" story that I was gunna post. Oh well, no one wants to hear about my bowles anyway.

And if you think that was a joke, oh I wish it was. Maybe if I put diarrhea in the title I'd get more traffic in here though... hmm...

And that one Art, didn't happen to a man! LOL. My roommate Rob ate the same thing as me and was fine. That Thai place poisoned me!!! That or it was the chicken as Rob is a veggie. Besides him and my boyfriend both have stomachs of steal. Damn country folk.

David Ey

Nikon D80

05/14/2007 07:53:31 PM · #10

When you took the job did you know there would be a 3 month layoff?
Did you know what was required of you to get a bonus?
Why did you do only 1600 of the required 2000?
A simple change in policy number is likely fraud.
It sounds like your immediate boss and the human resources lady are lacking in supervisory skills and knowledge of company policy. I think you are doing the right thing by finding another job. Don't be too surprised to find 'seasonal' jobs normally have few benefits. NEVER count on a bonus to make up for low wages.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

05/14/2007 07:55:47 PM · #11

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

If I can't poke fun at you, Monica, who can I poke fun at?? :)

...and you should keep the wisdom teeth - you need all you can get. ---- ooooohhhhh JAB! :P

Oh I would love to but only you have a mouth big enough to hold all the extra teeth!

Terrible shame you don't know wisdom teeth is a misnomer, if so you might be more aware of your "state".

lol.

saracat

Pentax K10D

05/14/2007 07:55:48 PM · #12

Monica -
On a slightly more, um, helpful note...

Dental Insurance Quote

You can get a quote on getting independent dental insurance. Some of the plans are fairly inexpensive, and my in-laws are currently looking at one (sorry - don't know which one) that they say sounds really good. It might be worth looking into.

Sara

05/14/2007 08:01:09 PM · #13

Originally posted by David Ey:

I did but I thought of it as a plus and didn't care. I was still considering going back to summer camp any how (I used to be a counselor) but that is out of the question (horrible pay and I don't want to be away from home that long again).

I didn't mean fraud. Obviously a legal deal is a legal deal with concern to my company. I just meant perhaps a smaller company could upgrade me is all.

I didn't know about the numbers. And my boss, who should have, didn't realize either and that is why she kept telling me I'd get it all season. Her and I are pretty close and to get those numbers on my first season, she was really proud of me. She meant telling me as an encouragement and praise and instead it blew up in both our faces.

The reason for those numbers too was that I was a late higher. It wasn't a lack of me working or pulling my weight, the rest of the staff just had 2 weeks on me.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

05/14/2007 08:03:30 PM · #14

Originally posted by saracat:

thanks very much, I appreciate it.

the problem was from the begining I didn't have much hope for dental covering my wisdom teeth and it still might not, as the woman at human resources said, it is probably a health insurance thing. Anyhow, my surgery is on the 31st so I can't really do anything now. I waited 3 years because I was broke and had no insurance. I apparently am pretty much in the same spot (though I make a little more money) and my teeth are telling me I can't wait any more, they are growing in and causng all sorts of problems.

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

05/14/2007 08:08:41 PM · #15

Negotiate! Tell them you are gonna walk if they don't keep your bosses word. She said it so the company should back her or risk losing an employee. It would probably cost as much if not more, to hire and train a replacement for you, then to give you the bonus. As well they are losing a go getter/company person, which value is very hard to quantify.

If you are planning on leaving anyway give it a try. The worst that can happen already has...they said no.

Good luck!

05/14/2007 08:28:21 PM · #16

Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:

lol. Thanks for the advice. I'm not even sure the big boss has that sort of power. She is after all just another cog ( i was so delerious i wrote god, lol) in the system. I actually JUST gave my unofficial resignation to the big boss before reading this. I wouldn't have the heart haggle for the bonus if I knew I wasn't coming back anyway. I had planned on not coming back before all this. This job had been amazing because of the children but I have learned all that I can from it and it has taken the life out of me. I am constantly stressed, exhausted, and my body aches (my knees got some significant damage my first season). I'm done!

I've got the rest of my life to feel like crap at my job... or not and find one that doesn't make me feel this way. So I said to myself before I'd go back if I didn't find something better. Now it's a definite no, I need to just keep trying all summer until I DO fnd something better or I'll just come back to this like a crutch.

Message edited by author 2007-05-14 20:28:59.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

05/14/2007 08:30:46 PM · #17

I feel scared and yet so liberated.

I hope I find a better job. I HAVE to!

I'm in freakin Hollywood aren't I? Sure there is competition evverywhere but there is opportunity abounding everywhere too.

Off to craigslist I go. I can do whatever now that I don't have the idea of going BACK in my mind.

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

05/14/2007 08:32:12 PM · #18

Originally posted by escapetooz:

I've got the rest of my life to feel like crap at my job... or not and find one that doesn't make me feel this way.

Amen! :-D

pcody

Canon PowerShot G6

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

05/14/2007 09:04:32 PM · #19

I feel really bad this happened to you. It stinks.
You really should take your boss up on that offer to share her bonus. If you were the top performer and didn't get a bonus, how did she get a bonus? Why was she patting you on the back all season and not telling you what you needed to do to actually get the money in your pocket? It just seems pretty cruel to me.

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

05/14/2007 09:21:39 PM · #20

Originally posted by pcody:

It was a flub on her part. She feels really bad and she was like "well I know better next time not to say anything at all until I know for sure".

I do not want her bonus though. She works twice as hard as me and has a family, she is a machine and I don't know how she does it. I would fall apart. This bonus is for fall, the season has be gone and done with since December 10th. Obviously plenty of time to realize I didn't make it from the begining but it was an oversite.

She once lost a 1,000 over only 200 kids. I lost 500 over 600 kids. She has been there and I don't want to take her money. She earned it.

Edit to add: thank you though for the support. I appreciate. It's been one hell of a... well it's been one hell, that's what I'll say.

Message edited by author 2007-05-14 21:24:45.

David Ey

Nikon D80

05/14/2007 09:41:43 PM · #21

Well, good luck Monica.

crayon

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

05/14/2007 09:52:23 PM · #22

if your boss had been a male instead of a woman, would you have suspected sexual discrimination on this issue?

05/14/2007 11:49:44 PM · #23

Originally posted by crayon:

if your boss had been a male instead of a woman, would you have suspected sexual discrimination on this issue?

100 % no. Please don't insult my intelligence. This issue was of numbers and rules. Had nothing to do with me, if it was up to my boss I'd have the bonus.

fun fact. Only 2 male photographers in my whole district. And the person in the #2 spot that will get more money now that I'm gone is a one of them. I'm happy for his gain. He works 2 jobs trying to support his family.

another fun fact. I didn't get hired in a very similar, actually less demanding position (another company) because the interviewer, a man, thought I was too quiet and would not be able to handle the equipment. Then I got this job with more responsibilities and all my own equipment and was hired by my boss, a very petite woman, who looked at the fact that I had a year of experience photographing preschoolers instead of how big my muscles were. I handle all of the equipment just fine, as does she, all of her 5 feet 90 pounds or whatever she may be.

Again, I was not the one bringing my personal life up to bat in the feminist thread. I do not claim to have a bad life because I'm a woman. Have I seen feminist issues illustrated in my own life though? of course. and ill be happy to let you know those. But I don't use it as a blanket excuse for everything.