Its a freaking pen, damn it

Rocketdork · Post by **Rocketdork** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 2:07 pm

I have a moral quandary. I participated in a project that took 6 months out of my life and the life of my family. It was so poorly run that I hated it and considered walking away from it, the only thing that kept me participating is that it would have been a â€œcareer limiting moveâ€ to walk away.

So the project proper is over now, but because of some bad decision making (not my decisions) I still am working in Europe WAY more than I want to beâ€¦

So the problem is that today they gave me an engraved pen as a reward for my participation on the core team. I feel like they are trying to buy my good will. Itâ€™s such a de-motivator that I am considering throwing it away. It makes me sick. Work on a fucked up project that fails dismally and you get this nice reward? WTF?

I have talked with a couple of people about it; they all think I am crazy. The pen is just a token of appreciation for all the hard work I didâ€¦but I just canâ€™t see it that way.

Is it just me, or are they right? Should I just take the pen and be happy?

Moxie · Post by **Moxie** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 2:42 pm

It's just a pen. It doesn't mean anything except the company you work for buys into the whole motivation crap. Simple. But if you're unhappy with your work situation, you should definitely consider a change.

Rocketdork · Post by **Rocketdork** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 2:48 pm

Moxie wrote:But if you're unhappy with your work situation, you should definitely consider a change.

Because of the stuff I have been doing in Europe I haven't been able to do the job they pay me to do. I don't even know if I like the job I am supposed to be doing. I just want the project they have me on to end.

To add another layer of complexity to the whole thing, I don't feel like I can leave. They pay me way more than I think I can make someplace else...so I can either give up my lifestyle...or give up my sanity...

I am choosing lifestyle, for now.

Moxie · Post by **Moxie** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 3:11 pm

It's defintely a tough decision. I had the best job ever a while ago when i lived in San francisco, working as a receptionist at an investment bank. They paid me MAD bank to answer the phone and surf the web. But I gave it up because I didn't feel right living there. So we moved home to Alaska, and olthough we have a smaller income now, we're happier. I guess what you really do need to do is decide whats important to you. After all, it IS just money and it really CAN'T buy you happiness. Follow your heart, not your wallet

baldy · Post by **baldy** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 3:18 pm

dad always said
' money cant buy happiness... but it makes being miserable a lot more fun '

Moxie · Post by **Moxie** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:11 pm

I very much agree with that. but if you're unhappy anyway...

mmeowgrl · Post by **mmeowgrl** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:59 pm

Are you at least able to go out and enjoy some of your time in Europe?

Rocketdork · Post by **Rocketdork** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 7:13 pm

mmeowgrl wrote:Are you at least able to go out and enjoy some of your time in Europe?

Not usually, but there have been times that I have. Usually it involves a multi-week stay and I don't have work stuff to do on the weekend.

I've been to Paris twice, way cool, if the French people weren't there...Spent a month in England, lots of weekends to do things...so it isn't all bad.

The part that bothers me about the whole thing is the reason I am going. There was a bad decision made, and now I have to fix it. The guy that made the decision is sitting home comfy in his living room while I sit on a plane for 14 hours. It sux.

Post by **miftah** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 9:22 pm

Note to future employers:

If you're going to give a token gift of appreciation to employees you do not appreciate, do not give a gift that is the perfect size and shape to be shoved up your ass. You're just daring us to do it.

Either that or you're sending us a subliminal phallic hint that you are aware you are fucking us over and now we must appreciate it when you let us play with your phallus.

Rocketdork · Post by **Rocketdork** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 9:51 pm

ROFL

Post by **eddiecanuck** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 8:56 am

The situation does suck. I was in a similar one a few years back here as well. Although mine didn't involve international travel, it did involve visiting a customer who was none too happy with us. I was basically held there for "ransom" (close to a month). Once they got what they wanted I could go home. My time there involved litterally sitting around all day watching them work. Nothing else I could do.
A lot has to do with the your immediate supervisors as well. Other than a couple incidents I've been pretty happy in our dept. You might consider just switching departments. You could stay in the company, but hopefully find a boss that will appreciate your efforts more. Just another option.

mmeowgrl · Post by **mmeowgrl** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 9:51 am

I work for the Army. I know all about stupid employers making bad decisions.