Ok, something is really upsetting me about work. I want to get it off my chest, and see if anyone else understands it.

I am the only person in the hospital that has my job. I am a hybird of a receptionist and a tech aide. I do the work of two people, every time I work. I get no benefits. I have no intention to stay forever, so I put up with these conditions, because there are some things about the job I like.

Last week I was given a bonus. About two months ago I was given a bonus. About a month before that, I was given another bonus. All of them were small, but were pats on the back for doing a good job. I am certain I do a good job at what I do, and have never, once, been reprimanded for anything in the three years I've worked there.

On the weekend, I work 12 hour shifts. Two months ago, I was asked to start working 16 hour shifts on the weekend. I told my boss I could not do that, but would be flexible on where my shift starts/ends, or would even try working 14 hours to see if I could physically do it. She said not to bother. She would be looking for someone to work 8 hours, and I would be reduced to 8 hours. I said fine. She said in the mean time I would keep my hours.

For three years I have worked 12 hour shifts on the weekend, which means I've always gotten over-time. The exception is the month of January, when the higher ups panic that stats are down, and decide to cut O.T. and mine is cut for a few weeks, until they realize that they can't do it without me. Then I am asked to come back.

Now, two weeks ago my hours were upped to 14 hours. Last week, another receptionist broke the news to me that I would be working 8. My boss wouldn't face me, and when I pressed her, she said that "upstairs" demanded it because of the stats. Ok, fine. I don't like that, but dems da brakes, right?

Today I received an email from my other boss. It was sent out to every secretary in the Radiology department. It said that the the rest of my shift was up for grabs, and anyone willing to work it would get overtime, until the position was permenantly filled. :confused:

My direct boss found my print-out before I had a chance to talk to her about it (I was out of the dept. dealing with a difficult patient). When I came back, I saw that she removed the note from my desk. God knows where it went. I asked her about it, and she already formulated an answer.

"We need someone who can work until 11. We will only have one tech on Sunday nights now, and we need someone who can stay until the end of the shift. You can't work 16 hrs, and I understand that, so I had to hire someone else."

Again, I was saddened, but I could deal with that. I came to terms with the fact that it was not the paying of the overtime which was the problem, it was the fact that I really could not adequately cover two shifts all by myself. Fair.

Then I looked at the schedule. The next two months are done. There are two techs on every Sunday night. No one would be working alone after I left at night. And I could get everything done before I left, so the techs, although without a secretary or an aide, would not have much to do other than scanning the patients.

I asked my boss why she needed someone there until 11 if there were two techs. She said it was because she would one day be using just one tech, and they were searching for a new employee, so they could impliment the new plan. So in the mean time, any secretary could fill in, and be trained as a tech aide, until they got the new employee. I said since there is not yet one tech, and there is not yet a new employee, why couldn't I be the one filling in in my department. She wouldn't turn around or look at me. She said I could, but I could tell, she was upset.

I asked her if I should email the boss of the secretaries and let her know our plan, or if she would do it herself. She said she was sure she'd see the other boss at some point tomarrow. Now I know that there will be people after my position before she sees the other boss.

Why am I being dicked around? Do any of you see any reason? Everyone I work with was almost as upset as I was over this whole thing, so I don't think I am being unreasonable. Plus, no one complains about my work. I'm not being fired. I haven't got any demerit points for anything. So what gives? Do any of you understand?

Margaret, who is having a really shitty day.

Pure petty retribution. Pretty shitty is right. Based on the facts, especially the "we will pay overtime until the slot is filled" seems to have no basis in reason. I can think of one reason, but it is too convoluted to put into words, and is unlikely based on the response you have already gotten.

As they said on Star Trek IV:

The bureaucratic mentality is the one constant in the universe.

That's why my position at my old college couldn't be upgraded until after I left.

That's why the secretary there couldn't become full-time until after my secretary left.

That's why the dean's position couldn't be upgraded to chancellor until he left.

That's why the only way to get a decent raise is to actually change jobs/positions, not remain where you are.

That's why the job I have now I'm contemplating leaving, with the certainty they'll correct the minor problems I have there once I'm gone.



Sorry this is happening to you.

Margaret,
I work 2 twelve hour shifts every weekend and I get benefits. I think you need to look for another job. You're getting shafted.

Judy, this was originally my college job that was just a source of beer money Then I graduated last year and decided to give myself a year off before I went into my career, because I was a little afraid to grow up. I know there are better jobs out there, but mine was like second nature for me (I go into robot mode at times) and the pay was good, and I had no problems until recently. I will be getting my real job soon enough, this hospital job was supposed to tide me over until next school year when I want to be teaching. I am just trying to figure out why this is going on.

Mrisch, I am not sure I understand what you mean about "petty shit" and "retribution." The same boss who was handing me out bonuses is the same one who couldn't face me over the issue. I can't figure out the business motivation for all of this. I also can't see a personal reason either. I get along with my boss. My mother is good friends with my boss from long before I started working there, and my boss and my mother work together, and have no problems.

My boss has been making strange decisions lately, ever since she got the call from upstairs that the stats were down. Also, the "stats" don't add up if you look at the numbers. She did really get the call, and she had to fight to get people who had already worked overtime that week to be paid overtime that week.

Father Kurt has it right I think. Maybe it's just because its a burocracy. But... my boss has a lot of direct control over my schedule and my job. And when it is a burocratic decision, she will usually tell me so, and time and time again I have shown her that I don't think it's right, but I will follow the silly rules. This time, she said it was a decision from upstairs (to cut overtime) then she said it was her decision (because she wanted a 3-11 person) and none of these explanations make sense. I DON'T GET IT!!! Sigh.