Reality Check: Am I out of line?

[malkin]

Push on for the fleet vehicle;

Nag them to buy you a transit pass, or to pay for part of it, or at least set up a way to pay for it with pre-tax $$; (Aren't you in SLC? UTA works with companies who ask to set up alternative ride programs for employees);

Remind your employer of what a good employee you are, how you accomplish more in 32 than most people in 40;

Keep your eyes open and your resume up to date in case something interesting floats by,

and by all means, have the tequila.

[malkin]

Write a proposal detailing how much more special and green and sustainable they'd be, and how much actual real money they'd save if they'd teleconference or run meetings via conference call or *gasp* just settle stupid matters by email!


I'm sure some meetings are really worthwhile, just hardly any of the ones associated with my work.

[solobiker]

I like Snap's suggestion of telling them your car will not be available for an extended period and then using a rental or taxi. It's not right that you should be required to drive.

I agree. It seems to me that most companies are only looking out for #1 which, no offense, is not you, it's the upper management and the $$. Heck, even the company I work for will no longer buy us pens even though I have to do a lot of medicare documentation in which I need what??? A black pen...and yet in the corporate office bathrooms, per my boss, they have several types of feminine products and mouth wash, all free for them. I ask you where is the priority...?? Sorry for all the punctuation So as my DH sometimes says "Stick it to the man" and refuse to use your car.

[yellow]

Leaving my car at work is too risky. I'd like to keep my windows. Hell, earlier this year the meth heads were stealing catalytic converters out of vehicles in broad daylight. I could leave it unlocked, I suppose, but then it would probably disappear overnight.

I was all ready to go chat with my boss today and...he's out until next week.

I think I'm going to approach the subject thusly: since the company isn't going to follow through with its plan to buy a fleet car, I am going to start renting vehicles for travel to and from meetings. If I get slapped down again, then I'll ask them what they suggest since I have decided to phase out of driving a car altogether (because ultimately that is what I would like to do). I'm not sure what they will do. I don't think they'd fire me, though I suppose if I p*** them off enough they might. Transit could work but would be time consuming because there is no transit service to the places I need to get to, but I could get within 5-6 miles and ride to there from the bus stop if I have my bike. I'll keep that one in my pocket.

But then, after today's meeting, I am more ready to just walk out. But for the need to support my rock & roll lifestyle, I probably would. I would still really like that custom Calfee someday...

I visited my therapist (hairdresser) today and she thinks I need a whole new career; she's watched me go from mildly disliking my job to loathing it. She has a point.

I don't really need the Calfee, anyway.

[tulip]

Hairdressers are astute observers of the human condition. Listen to her.

In the meantime, do a little math to back up your argument. Reverse engineer if needed. Rental costs vs. using your own car reimbursement costs. Show your boss that your solution is actually better for the company in terms of liability, costs, employee moral, company perception (you can rent Prius and impress your clients). Go in with positive info and attitude, as opposed to conflict. If it doesn't win this argument, it'll prove that you're a problem solver (and OTHER companies would be happy to have a proactive problem solver).

But really, working for a place that is more in line with your thinking and beliefs has its benefits.

[Tri Girl]

I teach, so I have nothing in the way of advice to offer you, as I know absolutely nothing of the corporate world (thank goodness). I DO KNOW, however, what it's like to hate your job. I left my last school after 9 years because my attitude got increasingly worse over the last couple years. I still loved the kids (although they were becoming increasingly spoiled and bratty because of their parent's attitudes), but hated administration and their ridiculous demands on us (it was a private school). I even considered leaving teaching altogether and interviewed at many corporate companies. In the end, I simply changed school districts, and although I can no longer feasibly commute by bike (52 miles/day), I am much happier and peaceful. I like my job again and don't dread going in to work.

I'm with your hairdresser. Find something that makes you happy. Money is important, but your sanity and peace of mind is more so. You'll get by just fine (and if you really do sell your car and go car-less you could even look for a salary a bit below where you're at now).
Look into other jobs and see if something else is out there for you. Your happy job is out there somewhere... Good luck, Yellow!

[mimitabby]

what happened in today's meeting?

[ny biker]

My $.02 is - you spend most of your waking hours at work, and it's not worth it if the job makes you miserable or constantly angry. Life is too short. I did a career change 10 years ago and I'm really happy I took the plunge. In the short run my salary was cut in half when I started over. Now it's not as high as it was when I had the soul-sucking job but it's close enough. I'm not rich but I have enough money to live better than most people. And the stress from my job is no longer making me ill.

Good luck with your situation.

[yellow]

Mimi, the meeting issues stem mostly from the fact that I am working on a project that I am personally, fundamentally opposed to. It's a struggle that some days I do better with than others.

Well, they threw some more money at me because I think they are on to the fact that I'm super crabby. I didn't even ask for it.

I did have the rental car conversation with my boss and we agreed that I will review my project budget and if I am confident that I can keep the costs consistent with what I would spend on mileage reimbursement AND not fall short in the project tasks, then I could do it. The biggest problem is the inevitable "scope creep" that has required me to do out-of-scope work (and thus spend budget allocated for something else). I discovered that there is one other gal in the office that makes a similar trip, currently not as often but expected to increase in frequency; she and I agreed to try to schedule things so we can share rides. So we are moving in the right direction.

He confirmed my suspicion that a fleet car is probably not in our future. He would like one as well, but the office manager hasn't been able to make it pencil out (not sure why as so many people use personal cars for business...).

In the meantime, I remain hopeful that, by some miracle, a wonderful new job opportunity will come my way. The way I picture it in my head is...me sitting on a lift on a bluebird powder day and WHAM....it hits me. I take my helmet off and look very thoughtful. And then when I get off the lift I have an epic run in hip-deep pow. Guess that only happens in the movies, huh? I did make an attempt to get out of this field once before and wasn't successful, for numerous reasons.

Thanks, all.

[redrhodie]

In the meantime, I remain hopeful that, by some miracle, a wonderful new job opportunity will come my way. The way I picture it in my head is...me sitting on a lift on a bluebird powder day and WHAM....it hits me. I take my helmet off and look very thoughtful. And then when I get off the lift I have an epic run in hip-deep pow. Guess that only happens in the movies, huh? I did make an attempt to get out of this field once before and wasn't successful, for numerous reasons.

Thanks, all.

No, it's not only in the movies. You control your life. Visualize what you really want, and go for it. It doesn't take a miracle. A strategically sent resume will help that job find you, btw