November 13, 2017 –
Another week has passed. It was a bit of a busy week – board meeting and my boss had a high-profile meeting. I was at the former (part of the job) and also assumed I’d be at the latter. My boss said “Oh. You don’t need to be there. We don’t need notes.” Ummmm. That’s not all I do. But okay. To her point, she didn’t need me there.
My boss is very self-sufficient – I wonder why I was hired. When I interviewed for the job my boss said there were a lot of internal controls and processes that were lacking. I thought I’d be using all of my knowledge and experience to help make improvements. Turns out the only improvements I get to make are finding a better quality of handsoap for the washroom. My ideas are heard and I admit that not every idea is a gem. But, after a while, you get tired of hearing “That is X’s responsibility and not yours.” After an offhanded comment about being the “EA of junk”, I was told we could sit down and review my job description so that we could discuss what I thought I should be doing. Yep. Normally, I’d be excited – a chance to shape my role. But the tone of voice and the look on my boss’s face were indicators that it wouldn’t bode well for me. I shared this story with a colleague and was told that, perhaps, I was misinterpreting my boss’s comments and that, perhaps, I should view it as a positive opportunity. Nah, I don’t think so. My boss has brought it up a few times since and, each time, I come up with an excuse. My job description is very clear. However, the split between meaningful work and tasks is about 20/80. I thought it would be the reverse.
So as I settle into yet another cold Alberta winter, I hesitate to rock the boat. I have an easy job and a super easy commute. I have some flexibility in my schedule. Overtime is hardly ever required. I can’t remember the last job I had where I only had to work the required/posted hours. The expectations of me are low. I occasionally get to do things that are “fun” – like updating our website (a skill that came in handy when I started this blog). So why stir up trouble with the possibility of ending up on EI (again). So, I find other things to keep me occupied and to pass the time. I help out where and when I can and have resigned myself to the fact that my boss only wants proactivity on her terms (20/80).
Diary of a DOW 