Burning Bridges (A Lesson for the Hotheaded)

[NWFlyer 2]

I've alluded to this in the last couple days ... but anyway, I'll come out and say it... I got laid off on Friday. Reality of life at a startup company. I took a risk, I loved the job, the job got eliminated, and it caught me off guard.

The job I had before this one wasn't right for me and I had a number of issues with the company, but I made sure that I left there on very good terms even though I could very easily have used my departure as a chance to air a lot of dirty laundry. When I left, I made it very clear that I was leaving for the new opportunity. "It's a chance I can't pass up," I said. I also pointed out that the reality of the job's lifestyle (70-80% travel) was starting to wear me down.

And you know what? Today, I'm really glad I did that, because I just got through talking to my boss at my old job about the possibility of doing some contract work for them on a short-term basis while I look for the next opportunity. If they want me to come back full time, the travel will be my reason for not coming back permanently, but I have maintained the professional and personal relationships to allow me to explore the possibility of working there again at any time.

Another story. Back in September of last year, a recruiter at a company I'd been courting hard before I took this last job got back in touch with me after dropping off the face of the earth. I was thinking "NOW you get in touch with me, when I'm happy in a job?" I almost didn't respond to her because I was so annoyed. But I did, I sent her an email and said "Hey, it's really great to hear from you. Here's what I'm doing and right now I'm really happily employed but let's stay in touch." And yesterday, I got back in touch with her. It's nice to have that relationship maintained.

You never, ever know when circumstances are going to change on you. If you ever feel like you're in a position to serve up a big dish of "fuck you" and burn a bridge behind you, think long and hard before you do it. And it's usually a really good idea to keep that bridge intact in case you need to walk back over it some day.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[Lindercles 0]

Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, you're cool, and fuck you, I'm out!


It just feels so good

[airtwardo 7]

If you ever feel like you're in a position to serve up a big dish of "fuck you" and burn a bridge behind you, think long and hard before you do it. And it's usually a really good idea to keep that bridge intact in case you need to walk back over it some day.

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Yup...it's the smart and professional move.

Wouldn't have expected any less from YOU!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[micduran 0]

I heard about your lay off. You always said how much you loved that job.
It sounds like you'll bounce right back probably with something better.
Good luck.

Be patient with the faults of others; they have to be patient with yours.

[CSpenceFLY 1]

If and when I feel like serving up a dish of "Fuck You" it's usually because I am through with someone and there is not a chance of me wanting to be around them in the future. I would not put myself back into a situation that I left because I was unhappy or surrounded by people I didn't respect.

[NWFlyer 2]

Nope, I agree with you there, but I've seen a lot of people do it just because they are frustrated, immature, angry, or too caught up in their own drama to realize that they're shooting themselves in the foot.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[billvon 3,119]

> If and when I feel like serving up a dish of "Fuck You" it's usually
>because I am through with someone and there is not a chance of me
>wanting to be around them in the future.

You never know. The person you insult could be a low level employee at the next company you apply to, and a manager could ask them "so what do you think of this guy?"

Part of being a professional is not taking opportunities to fuck other people over, verbally or otherwise. That sorta sets your reputation - and your reputation does precede you.

[Conundrum 1]

I seriously HATED my last job and most of my bitchy, backstabbing co-workers. BUT! when I finally decided to leave, I gave a proper 2 weeks notice, and politely walked out the door on my last day, although I wanted to scream FUCK YOU ALL! at the top of my lungs.

If I was ever desperate for a job, I could go back.

[CSpenceFLY 1]

Would I really want to work somewhere that a manager asks for advice from a low level employee?

[Thanatos340 1]

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Would I really want to work somewhere that a manager asks for advice from a low level employee?

I would. In fact it could be a sign of a pretty good enviroment. I cant stand managers that feel they know it all and will not listen to "Low Level Employees".

Krisanne, Sorry to hear this. I am sure you will find something soon.

[airtwardo 7]

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Would I really want to work somewhere that a manager asks for advice from a low level employee?

In some industries it's really done that way, does anybody know so&so...what do you think of them...

I know working in Aerospace in San Diego, your underling this week, very well could be your boss down the street next week.

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[eeneR 3]

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I seriously HATED my last job and most of my bitchy, backstabbing co-workers

Hey did you work where I am working now?

But seriously this is a very good thread with very important points. You just do not know who you will run into later in life. Unless they killed your dog or your kid there is 0 reason to tell people to FUCK OFF in the work place.

Lately I have had to use every ounce of self-control housed within my body. Twice today alone I wanted to walk into my bosses office and quit. The attitude around this place is just unbelievable. Our primary job function is to support customers equipment located here. I have several co-workers with incredibly poor work ethic, poor customer service skills and a generally negative attitude towards our clients. This breaks my heart, most of our clients are actually quite nice and easy to deal with. I love working with the customers and helping them. The politics and childish behavior of my colleagues however, I cant take anymore.

I have talked to my higher ups, they are aware but nothing is being done at this point. Frustrating as all get out. There is a lot more to this that I will not get into on the internet.

In any case self control to stop yourself from making snap decisions is very important

She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway."
eeneR
TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto

[NWFlyer 2]

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There is a lot more to this that I will not get into on the internet.

Another excellent rule.

I do NOT talk specifics on the internet.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[CSpenceFLY 1]

It's pretty clear with all of the things I've said on the internet I will never hold a high profile position. I will certianly never fulfil my dream to become president.

[skymama 37]

Sorry to hear that happened to you, but I know you'll land on your feet just fine.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[stitch 0]

Just think, now you're free to move to Idaho.

"No cookies for you"- GFD
"I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65
Don't be a "Racer Hater"

[airtwardo 7]

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It's pretty clear with all of the things I've said on the internet I will never hold a high profile position. I will certianly never fulfil my dream to become president.

Yeah me either...WAY too many stained blue dresses in my history!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[chaoskitty 0]

I don't work in HR, but I understand that when a former employer is called on for a reference, the only question they are legally allowed to answer that could be construed as negative, is "Would you re-hire or work with this person again?". But I dont know if thats the truth or not.

I'm now a client of my former employer. Thats useful for both parties.

[ACMESkydiver 0]

A very good thing to keep in mind everywhere in life. I have to keep my head when talking with the school district. (However, due to proper positioning over the past 8 years, they need to step very carefully with me, as well. )

-And I'm sure you'll find a new job...a better job...very quickly.

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[BillyVance 35]

I pretty much burned my bridge at my last job. My supervisor was a prick in every sense of the word. I liked the company, but hated my job because of him. That department had the highest turnover rate in the whole company, and that company had the lowest turnover rate in the industry nationwide. 9 out of 10 times you'll work 30 years there and retire. Not in my department.

The overall manager made a lateral move to another department and the new manager decided to evaluate everything. Everybody got interviewed. When it was my turn, I knew it would not be good. The prick was right there in the meeting with the manager. I refused to proceed with him there, so they swapped him out with another supervisor. I just had to air out my problems. Had been sitting on them for far too long, and too late as well (another lesson there on what not to do).

Well, I was fired, to say the least. Next morning I got 5 emails from co-workers at home asking what the hell happened. I told them. Evidently the rest of them must have gained the courage to tell their side of the story too because they all hated the prick. A week later he was demoted and yanked out of his corner office and put in a cubicle among the very people that hate him. There were a lot of smug employees for a while. Yeah, I probably needed to go, but I was not going to just let it go. I had to make sure the prick was held accountable too.

I still have a good relationship with the other co-workers and one of them is listed in my references. However, I do admit that when I have to answer the question on job applications on whether this supervisor can be contacted, I put down "NO". That can be detrimental in my job search.

Hell, I would rather have a bad day at home taking care of the little one than have a bad day at work. I just hope it's not too difficult finding a job when that time comes.

If I could just work from home, that would be a dream job.

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[PhreeZone 20]

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Would I really want to work somewhere that a manager asks for advice from a low level employee?

We interview our peers to get honest feedback to out mangement as to if we would want to work with the person or not. This is becoming more common in my experience.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[mfrese 0]

Sorry about the job, Krisanne...we heard about it from Monkeyboy on Saturday.

And I always liked this phrase: "Be careful in the workplace, as the toes you step on today may belong to the person whose ass you need to kiss tomorrow".

Doctor I ain't gonna die,
Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash

[NWFlyer 2]

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It's pretty clear with all of the things I've said on the internet I will never hold a high profile position. I will certianly never fulfil my dream to become president.

I just had an image of the Drudge report digging up old DZ.com posts from a candidate in the 2012 election.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[happythoughts 0]

I totally agree.

My last contract was with a company that is known for back-stabbing and politics. The place has it down to an art.

It is a place of last resort for most contractors. However, the money is good. The rate is generally $3 an hour higher than the surrounding sites.

Usually contractors are used as political pawns and you get abuse from 2 or 3 sides.

[eeneR 3]

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I totally agree.

My last contract was with a company that is known for back-stabbing and politics. The place has it down to an art.

It is a place of last resort for most contractors. However, the money is good. The rate is generally $3 an hour higher than the surrounding sites.

Usually contractors are used as political pawns and you get abuse from 2 or 3 sides.

YES YES YES....

She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway."
eeneR
TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto