I read this on the Fortune site and thought that it was pretty funny!
http://askannie.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2008/11/24/the-biggest-turkey-i-ever-hired
If you work in more than one place in your life, you'll probably get to work for some turkeys. It can't be avoided, they're everywhere.
Allow me, on this turkey day, to give you some examples.
I worked as a service writer in a Porsche-Audi dealership. The service manager knew nothing about cars, he was a retired Army sergeant*.
A mechanic cut out a large chunk of an Audi's body to make it easier to remove the engine. This weakened the car's body. I reprimanded him. The service manager backed him up and fired me!
Long story short, the customer sued, the mechanic got fired, the service manager lasted another 90 days and Porsche-Audi pulled the dealership franchise. I think the customer got a new car, but I'm not sure.
* I'm a military brat and have the utmost respect for those in uniform. He was in the wrong job at the wrong time.
I was hired to help open a new '$99.95 Car Paint'. One of the pay incentives was a production bonus for turning out more than a specific number of cars in a week. As assistant manager, one of my jobs was turning in the weekly production figures.
For a couple of weeks, my boss, the owner, told me that he had went ahead and done the paperwork for me. Which helped him cover up the fact that he was doing paint jobs on his friends, relatives and neighbors cars, without them going on the franchise records. Still, I felt sure that we had made bonus production.
When I opened the shop one Saturday, I couldn't find the copy paper for the copier. When I found the copier paper, I found the certificate from the franchise company with my name on it for making the bonus. I made a copy, put the original back. Never got paid for the bonus.
I quit the next month and went to Hollywood with my first screenplay.
If you go to the Ask Annie site, check out the link where employees get to talk about HR managers.
I don't know if it's posted or not, but I wrote about my experience with 'Ordeals', the tech writing company in my book.
IF it makes the Ask Annie blog, great.
IF NOT, then I'll write about it in the next post.
I don't know if HR stands for Human Resources or Helpless Rejects
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Tactics for Employees - Keeping Records
You get hired by the company. It’s exciting, your first day on the job. Eager to make a good impression, you don’t want to anger anyone or make a mistake.
Don’t make the error of thinking that you shouldn't be covering yourself.
One of the most important things you can do is to keep a record of events.
You don’t have to note down everything, but the major stuff could help in the long run.
Keep a private record of your time.
Buy a notebook, even if it’s a small pocket one. DON'T use company materials.
Get in the habit of daily logging your hours.
Note anything unusual in the operation of the business.
Log instructions or comments by your co-workers or boss that could be considered illegal, immoral or anything else approaching questionable practices.
DON’T TELL ANYONE AT WORK YOU ARE DOING THIS!
Many companies will fire you for this type of activity. It’s very easy to get terminated without cause in many states.
When I worked as a technical writer, I used to keep a log of all the work I was doing on my desk. It was the only way I could track the different books, art requests, phone calls, etc. that was necessary for writing the books. Keep emails for at least a year after the project is completed.
I had one save my job and my company over $26,000 in rework when it proved that the client’s project manager had dropped the ball on giving me the proper title for the book I wrote for them.
When I was illegally fired, I took all my log books to court. It made the difference in my winning my court case. When the company appealed the court verdict, I won again in court.
As long as you keep your records, take them home with you and don’t use them to intimidate or harass co-workers, you will have a good line of defense.
Now, if you do lousy work, goof off and expect to have the records somehow clean up your act, you have another problem.
You’re dreaming.
Don’t make the error of thinking that you shouldn't be covering yourself.
One of the most important things you can do is to keep a record of events.
You don’t have to note down everything, but the major stuff could help in the long run.
Keep a private record of your time.
Buy a notebook, even if it’s a small pocket one. DON'T use company materials.
Get in the habit of daily logging your hours.
Note anything unusual in the operation of the business.
Log instructions or comments by your co-workers or boss that could be considered illegal, immoral or anything else approaching questionable practices.
DON’T TELL ANYONE AT WORK YOU ARE DOING THIS!
Many companies will fire you for this type of activity. It’s very easy to get terminated without cause in many states.
When I worked as a technical writer, I used to keep a log of all the work I was doing on my desk. It was the only way I could track the different books, art requests, phone calls, etc. that was necessary for writing the books. Keep emails for at least a year after the project is completed.
I had one save my job and my company over $26,000 in rework when it proved that the client’s project manager had dropped the ball on giving me the proper title for the book I wrote for them.
When I was illegally fired, I took all my log books to court. It made the difference in my winning my court case. When the company appealed the court verdict, I won again in court.
As long as you keep your records, take them home with you and don’t use them to intimidate or harass co-workers, you will have a good line of defense.
Now, if you do lousy work, goof off and expect to have the records somehow clean up your act, you have another problem.
You’re dreaming.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
NO BUCS
This is posted on my other sites.
I'm more than a little angry about this 'bailout' deal!
NO BUCS!
Welcome to the roller -coaster ride of Wall St. No suicides, homicides or bailouts allowed. Please keep your hands and feet inside the car, sticking your neck out is optional. Just as long as it’s not mine.
Remember, that it’s all about your perception of ‘credit‘. None of the ‘money’ on Wall Street is real, it’s all paper tiger trash. All tangible assets will still be there tomorrow. Your house and city won’t disappear overnight.
This ‘financial meltdown’ is being done to keep you from real issues; lost jobs, wage, health care, and pension erosion, immigration and the wars on drugs and terror. All of which have contributed to this credit, mortgage and bank dilemma.
The root causes of this crisis is deregulation by the government.
There is a simple solution to this problem. It’s listed below and will pay for itself.
1) Immediate levy of an 80% tax on all incomes over 10 million per year.
Tax rate to adjust down to 30% per $100,000. These rates to be in effect for the next four years. If you made big bucks, you should pay big bucks, no exceptions.
EXAMPLE: Rush Limbaugh will have to ‘get by’ on about $27 million from the $105 million that he’s paid. Either amount is ‘lottery’ money to the average American.
Big actors will ‘take home’ 4 million out of their usual 20 million movie salary. Tough, but they’ll survive. Sell a yacht or an extra house. Taxes were higher than this in the 1950’s for millionaires.
2) Immediate 10% reduction on all government contracts. No exceptions. ‘No-bid’ contracts to be reviewed for revision and imposition of limitations.
3) Immediate 10% reduction on all elected officials salaries in the government (Executive, House of Representatives and the Senate) Since they can’t do their jobs, they deserve a pay cut. They’re lucky we can’t fire them outright.
4) Immediate yearly bonus cap for ALL employees, agents, managers or officers of companies, not to exceed 10% of annual salary. No adjustments or exclusions. This to include shares of stock or any other investment instrument.
5) Price gouging fine of 25%, minimum, on all excess profits from market manipulation for any ‘vital necessity’; such as: energy (oil, gas, propane, coal, electricity, etc.), food, health care and products, and clothing. A temporary price cap to be put into place as penalty for a 3-6 month period.
6) 90 Day moratorium on mortgage rates, to be extended as needed, on a monthly basis. This will allow the market to stabilize over the winter, which is a slow time for sales.
7) Minimum 50% equity share in every business that requests assistance from the government. Government to be first to recover investment when asset is liquidated or there is a return on profits.
8) Immediate freeze on stock market. Declare a ‘stock market holiday’ until 6 October for legislation to be enacted, based on proposed actions listed above.
IF no action is taken on a fair and comprehensive restructuring of the financial system, then:
ALL AMERICANS SHOULD STAY HOME ON 7 OCTOBER 2008 TO REMIND THE COMPANIES AND THE GOVERNMENT WHO REALLY RUNS THIS COUNTRY!
IT’S ‘WE THE PEOPLE’!
October 7, 2008, is the 243rd anniversary of the Stamp Act Congress.
One of the first attempts to insure the rights of citizens of America. Look it up, read about it, learn our history.
TAKE ACTION TODAY; CALL, EMAIL OR WRITE CONGRESS!
We trust in our government to manage our money and provide for our security. When they don’t, we the people must assert our rights to demand proper service.
The proposal above is not perfect, nor complete. It’s an outline of what needs to be done, without putting the entire burden on the average American.
NO BUCS!
NO BAILOUT for UPPER CLASS SWINDLERS!
Please forward this email to all your friends!
30 September 2008 Thomas L. Segerson
I'm more than a little angry about this 'bailout' deal!
NO BUCS!
Welcome to the roller -coaster ride of Wall St. No suicides, homicides or bailouts allowed. Please keep your hands and feet inside the car, sticking your neck out is optional. Just as long as it’s not mine.
Remember, that it’s all about your perception of ‘credit‘. None of the ‘money’ on Wall Street is real, it’s all paper tiger trash. All tangible assets will still be there tomorrow. Your house and city won’t disappear overnight.
This ‘financial meltdown’ is being done to keep you from real issues; lost jobs, wage, health care, and pension erosion, immigration and the wars on drugs and terror. All of which have contributed to this credit, mortgage and bank dilemma.
The root causes of this crisis is deregulation by the government.
There is a simple solution to this problem. It’s listed below and will pay for itself.
1) Immediate levy of an 80% tax on all incomes over 10 million per year.
Tax rate to adjust down to 30% per $100,000. These rates to be in effect for the next four years. If you made big bucks, you should pay big bucks, no exceptions.
EXAMPLE: Rush Limbaugh will have to ‘get by’ on about $27 million from the $105 million that he’s paid. Either amount is ‘lottery’ money to the average American.
Big actors will ‘take home’ 4 million out of their usual 20 million movie salary. Tough, but they’ll survive. Sell a yacht or an extra house. Taxes were higher than this in the 1950’s for millionaires.
2) Immediate 10% reduction on all government contracts. No exceptions. ‘No-bid’ contracts to be reviewed for revision and imposition of limitations.
3) Immediate 10% reduction on all elected officials salaries in the government (Executive, House of Representatives and the Senate) Since they can’t do their jobs, they deserve a pay cut. They’re lucky we can’t fire them outright.
4) Immediate yearly bonus cap for ALL employees, agents, managers or officers of companies, not to exceed 10% of annual salary. No adjustments or exclusions. This to include shares of stock or any other investment instrument.
5) Price gouging fine of 25%, minimum, on all excess profits from market manipulation for any ‘vital necessity’; such as: energy (oil, gas, propane, coal, electricity, etc.), food, health care and products, and clothing. A temporary price cap to be put into place as penalty for a 3-6 month period.
6) 90 Day moratorium on mortgage rates, to be extended as needed, on a monthly basis. This will allow the market to stabilize over the winter, which is a slow time for sales.
7) Minimum 50% equity share in every business that requests assistance from the government. Government to be first to recover investment when asset is liquidated or there is a return on profits.
8) Immediate freeze on stock market. Declare a ‘stock market holiday’ until 6 October for legislation to be enacted, based on proposed actions listed above.
IF no action is taken on a fair and comprehensive restructuring of the financial system, then:
ALL AMERICANS SHOULD STAY HOME ON 7 OCTOBER 2008 TO REMIND THE COMPANIES AND THE GOVERNMENT WHO REALLY RUNS THIS COUNTRY!
IT’S ‘WE THE PEOPLE’!
October 7, 2008, is the 243rd anniversary of the Stamp Act Congress.
One of the first attempts to insure the rights of citizens of America. Look it up, read about it, learn our history.
TAKE ACTION TODAY; CALL, EMAIL OR WRITE CONGRESS!
We trust in our government to manage our money and provide for our security. When they don’t, we the people must assert our rights to demand proper service.
The proposal above is not perfect, nor complete. It’s an outline of what needs to be done, without putting the entire burden on the average American.
NO BUCS!
NO BAILOUT for UPPER CLASS SWINDLERS!
Please forward this email to all your friends!
30 September 2008 Thomas L. Segerson
Friday, September 19, 2008
01 Wage Slave
Welcome to the fun!
Everyone works at something, whether it's play or employment. Some are lucky enough that their employment is more play than work. Others, finding that they have obligations, allow themselves to be saddled and ridden into the ground. They never find that strength to bust loose and follow their star.
This blog is for all those who have become slaves to a wage. Working to keep things together, food on the table and heat in the house. It's difficult for all of us. Some of us have found a way out of this quagmire, too many will give up, allow themselves to sink into it.
Don't give up hope!
That's the key thing that I can tell you. In the darkest days of my life, I've always fought back, trying to build from whatever shred was left of my dream.
Look at the small things in the universe.
The power that comes from splitting an atom.
The life that is created from an egg and a sperm.
Each has their own, special energy to them.
Destructive and Creative.
What will you use your energy for?
No matter what place in society you occupy, you serve someone, some group or an ideal.
The leader of the most powerful nation on Earth serves his country and his people.
Determine that which is worth dying for because to live your life for nothing makes it a lost cause. Only you can determine what is of value.
Slaving for a wage, doing that which you hate, is no way to spend your life.
I've done it. I don't recommend it.
When you like your work, you enjoy your life.
It's a balancing act. Your own personal high wire routine.
You can't lose, even if you fall.
Because no matter what, you did it your way.
Everyone works at something, whether it's play or employment. Some are lucky enough that their employment is more play than work. Others, finding that they have obligations, allow themselves to be saddled and ridden into the ground. They never find that strength to bust loose and follow their star.
This blog is for all those who have become slaves to a wage. Working to keep things together, food on the table and heat in the house. It's difficult for all of us. Some of us have found a way out of this quagmire, too many will give up, allow themselves to sink into it.
Don't give up hope!
That's the key thing that I can tell you. In the darkest days of my life, I've always fought back, trying to build from whatever shred was left of my dream.
Look at the small things in the universe.
The power that comes from splitting an atom.
The life that is created from an egg and a sperm.
Each has their own, special energy to them.
Destructive and Creative.
What will you use your energy for?
No matter what place in society you occupy, you serve someone, some group or an ideal.
The leader of the most powerful nation on Earth serves his country and his people.
Determine that which is worth dying for because to live your life for nothing makes it a lost cause. Only you can determine what is of value.
Slaving for a wage, doing that which you hate, is no way to spend your life.
I've done it. I don't recommend it.
When you like your work, you enjoy your life.
It's a balancing act. Your own personal high wire routine.
You can't lose, even if you fall.
Because no matter what, you did it your way.
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