[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/bbcode.php on line 483: preg_replace(): The /e modifier is no longer supported, use preg_replace_callback instead [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions.php on line 4668: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3815) [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions.php on line 4670: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3815) [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions.php on line 4671: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3815) [phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions.php on line 4672: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at [ROOT]/includes/functions.php:3815) Horror World • View topic - Chernobyl
This is going to be a very long, very personal rant so I'm warning you all up front.
Last night at work, I went chernobyl, big time. Raised voice, tears and lots of frustration.
Some say I'm too Type A when it comes to my work. My take is that the client pays a lot of money for the data we provide and part of my job is to make sure that the data is as close to 'perfect' as it can be. I've told my managers that; I've always said that I don't work for the [company], I work for the client because without the client, I would have no job.
Since October of last year, I've had a horrible workload. The first time was covering for a co-worker on maternity leave. It was a lot of extra work, but she was as diligent about her databases as I am with mine so the stress was minimal, just making sure I covered all bases and kept her database clean for her return.
3 weeks ago the company laid off 1/2 my team. There are now two of us stretched over the coverage that had been done by 4. One of the databases I 'inherited' is a mess. The person who was supposed to maintain it, didn't. In fact, it is so bad that the client has been all over *all* of the databases to confirm that they are correct. Fortunately, that is the only database that is a mess; unfortunately, I'm tasked with making sure that it is clean going forward.
To make matters worse, part of the maintenance has been shipped offshore and the people there are not as customer focused nor do they have any sense of urgency when the client wants something done. We could do it in 5 minutes but we're told we are not allowed to and that we must instruct the people offshore on what needs to be done. So what could take only 5 minutes sometimes takes 2-3 days.
Yesterday I received work to check from the offshore people. There were 7 pages of errors on the database that is a mess. I've only had this database for 3 weeks and have not had enough time to "ramp up" my knowledge. The people I used to count on to help me out are not allowed to work the databases either.
It took me 3 1/2 hours to check the errors and make suggestions on how to fix them. While this is going on, I am receiving IMs from the offshore person asking me when they will receive the corrections. I had 2 other offshore people IMing me on another database; asking questions about it. All the while, the pressure is building; I'm getting more frustrated - 1) because I didn't know how to fix some of the errors, 2) because of the constant bombardment of questions from the offshore people either IMing me or emailing me, and 3) I don't know what I don't know and a lot of the issues I was experiencing would have been corrected by the other 'onshore' team who know the databases as well as I do.
I guess that sounds a bit confusing but what happens is the databases are run, one team (located in another state) checks the database and cleans up some of the coding errors on the backend (this is the stuff I don't know); they would only contact me if they need guidance on placement (which is my area of expertise because I am closer to the client and would know where these things should be placed). Now that the databases are maintained offshore, the work that was done by the other team isn't being done and I am bombarded with questions that would normally not come my way. I don't know the backend stuff so when I try to fix something, I wind up making it worse because of that.
I reached my breaking point last night. I had one of the Directors and another person come in to my cube to see if I was OK because I really did have a meltdown.
On a positive note, these issues have now been escalated because my friend on the other team brought it to the attention of her management (who didn't have a clue) and he questioned people on her team and on my team to find out what was going on. Hopefully they will put some metrics in place to fix this problem. The downside is I had a meltdown at work, in public. I don't know if this will come back to bite me next week and I'm a bit concerned -- hell, I didn't get much sleep last night (or even a whole lot in the last 3 weeks since this all came down).
The frustration lies in the fact that I'm doing twice the work, I make the least amount of money on the team (and I'm senior person), raises have been suspended until September (we would normally have seen our raises this week) and there is no recognition or compensation for the amount of work we are doing. If something goes wrong, it is never the fault of the offshore people - it is always *our* fault. This has been very difficult for me to take. I know that I'm a good worker but surviving 3 layoffs and being told I should just be thankful I have a job is taking it's toll.
I want to do a good job but lately, because of the workload, I have been making stupid mistakes and this is just killing me. I don't like to make mistakes, especially ones that could be avoided if I just had more time to focus instead of being rushed through everything.
Oh my God, I can't imagine anyone working in those kinds of conditions! It's a wonder you didn't melt down sooner!
Hopefully they've seen what they have been putting you through and realize you need some assistance.
For your healths sake, your company has to come through with some support for you. If not, you've got to do something else. What's the sense in working in a place that is putting you under such tremendous emotional stress you can't even sleep? You won't be good to anyone if you're sick.
Let us know what we can do you for Nanci. Even if its a little as lending an ear.
Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:19 am Posts: 673 Location: UK
Whoa! What you've been going through is just awful. I'm so sorry.
I can understand why having a meltdown at work bothers you, but in these situations when you're pushed to breaking point it can only end one of two ways, implosion or explosion. It's a hell of a job coming back from an implosion. I know people who never really have. As my nan always says 'better out than in'.
I sincerely hope things improve for you soon and I echo tt's sentiments about offering any help I can.
_________________ She stole the keys to my house and then she locked herself out.
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 7:07 pm Posts: 1886 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Man, Nanci, that's terrible.
Why do companies make this same foolish mistake - over and over. In a time like this they need to figure out how to make more income, not cut back on the staff.
If a carpenter has more bills, he doesn't sell his table saw. He looks for extra work.
Bah! Why don't they let go of a few over-priced executives instead of the work crew???
_________________ FLASH VIRUS: EPISODE ONE (always free)
Hang in there. The most positive thing to come of this is that YOU apparently have higher standards than your employer. The school district I work for is toying with the idea of giving teachers 2 days off w/o pay to save costs. I know this is a minor thing compared to what you're going through,but i've also had my student load increased by 20% (for an English teacher,this is death;think about grading 20 more essays at 10 minutes apiece). Do the best job you can and try to decompress-nothing does the trick for me quite like Angostura 1919 Rum!!!!
Thanks guys. I wasn't even in a 1/2 hour and I started getting IMs about the databases! I put a big Do Not Disturb sign on my IM, put a block on all 'offshore' access to my IM, and have responded to the offshore people saying that I will no longer accept IMs or emails and that they have to submit everything through the proper tracking system. This will reduce my stress of having to respond to everything they send.
I didn't get much sleep last night thinking about everything and knowing that I had to come in and face everyone but thankfully no one has said anything. Most everyone I've talked to recently, however, have been having their own mini meltdowns; just not publicly like I did.
The job market here is awful - I live too close to NYC and competition for jobs is fierce due to the number of people who were laid off on Wall Street the last several months. So, I'm pretty much stuck for now. I truly hope that things start looking up soon...
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