BlogOnTheJob

Top Five Companies?

2008-04-02T09:38:00.002-04:00

Interestingly, there was a headline in the news regarding the top 5 companies, but it wasn't about the best 5 companies a person can work for. It was the 'best performing' companies. It had nothing to do with the employees, but with as with all companies and corporations, it comes down to: money. Best sales growth, revenue, capital and who is making money. These companies are: Coach, Gilead Sciences, Allegheny Technologies, Verizon Communications and Questar.

There was another link from CNN listing the top 100 companies to work for. Now this is something that should be of interest to us. See the link below:

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2008/full_list/

Take notice of the job growth and the numbers of US employees and you can also click on the other categories above such as benefits, turnover, size.

The End?

2008-03-31T18:08:00.006-04:00

Company B sending over their representatives to get introduced to their new job; my old job, email requests for information that should have been thought of weeks ago, non-stop conference calls discussing last minute details and that's just it. Everything is thought of - at the last minute, everything is asked about - at the last minute. Requests are made - at the last minute.

Company B wants to come in and completely take over without considering the implications. They have no idea of what's in store for them and not to be mean, but they deserve it. No prior research, meetings or questions asked - until today, the last day, literally up until the last hour at work today, this is what took place.

My feelings were bittersweet up until three days ago but after seeing how both Company A and Company B communicate and how they expect things to be done, my feelings are now of great relief. Relief that I can now take charge of my professional life when I was unsure of how to do so.

We all need to come to a realization of this. Each one of us should be in charge of our lives, in every aspect: spiritual, mental, emotional, phyiscal and - professional. Don't leave it up to someone else to have the say, say yourself in the best way that you can. As the expression goes, "Do you"

One of the managers said to me that he hoped that I would be ok and that I find another opportunity. I looked at him and smiled with a nod and said 'Of course I am ok and I don't think I'll have any problems finding another opportunity'. Interesting, in times of downsizing, outsourcing and lay offs, the normal reaction is be upset or concerned. But we can't take it personally, although these companies make you feel like you should.

Being laid off right now was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. It's not the end by any means, in fact, it's the beginning and I'm just getting started.

Training Someone Else To Do YOUR Job?

2008-03-28T17:34:00.003-04:00

The desk that I used to sit at is clean and clear of all my books, software and other IT material which is now sitting in three boxes stacked in my den. What's left behind already is memories of the past 5 1/2 years which I learned my craft, established a network of clients and colleagues; many of them I will never forget while there were some that I'd rather forget-:)

I learned today that someone from Company B will be at the work location on Monday expecting for the job duties to be 'handed off' to them. Handed off could be another expression for 'training someone else to do my job' which I have a big problem with. Not that I want to leave on a bad note, but at the same time, it would be very unfair to expect me to train someone else to do my job.

And although, I made the decision not to stay in this position, it's an equally bad decision for management to make and it's also one that I will NOT support.

Day #2 Reality Check

2008-03-27T18:15:00.002-04:00

I decided to go to work early today to get a head-start on my packing. I actually ended up working on a few more computers and shipping them out to leave my desk totally empty. Tomorrow will be the official packing day and the last working day for me.

Several people have already asked me if I was ready to leave while others would walk by and ask me if I was alright. I assured them that I was totally fine, while thinking to myself that I am just bidding my time until I walk out of the building for good.

Realizing that your job is coming to an end can be difficult, especially when it is out of your control and not your choice. Your emotions and thinking can be on 'a high'. The slightest comment can set you off or make you laugh.

Accepting the change is the start of dealing with it. Reality is slowing settling in and it really isn't a bad place to be.

Day #3 Time to Start Packing

2008-03-26T17:55:00.002-04:00

After looking at my desk, inside and out, I didn't realize until today that I have accumulated a lot in the past 5 1/2 years as an IT manager and I do mean a lot.

With the tons of technology books, reference materials, and out-dated software that I have, I realize that a lot has changed in the IT industry since I started. Everything seems to be leaning towards helping clients remotely with the telephone being used as the only point of contact instead of a live person. Automation has truly redefined and redirected this business.

Clients still need that communication with a real person. Nothing should take the place of that. I came across a Windows 98 boot diskette which is still gold and worth keeping - at least to me-:) I'm not throwing it away. Some useful things to keep for the next job:

software, documentation, user manuals
performance appraisals
letters of commendation from clients, co-workers, management, etc.
list of telephone numbers & email addresses of previous clients/co-workers, management to use as references, more is definitely better - it shows you have history with others
any type of tools or materials you use to perform your job

I'm making my list and checking it twice, leaving nothing behind.

Accepting the Pink Slip - Day #3

2008-03-25T18:47:00.005-04:00

We received more email updates of what's going to take place on March 31, but the conference calls have ended. Everyone is quiet and continuing to finish up their job assignments. We've all accepted our pink slips graciously.

We had a luncheon at my office today and it was very, very nice to have everyone sharing in eating some 'home-cooked' food. Interestingly, it wasn't from management, we decided to do it ourselves and for ourselves. Not that we were looking for someone to say thank you, but it would have been nice if someone had said that to us. And that's just it, we have to make our happiness, we can't look for it from someone else.

That's when it seems that people come together; when they're sharing a meal-:) A way to a person's heart could be through their tummy. Worth a try, right? Any other time, it could be an annoying coworker or a manager who is getting on your last nerve; keeping you from leaving work on time -we can't take it. We quickly distance ourselves from that negative person or situation.

Why does it take something like a meal to bring folks together? One of the techs in the group (whose job is not affected) said after he ate his plate of food, that this is one of the reasons why we will be missed. It's by doing things like preparing food and sharing it with others that seem to break the ice and everyone forgets about the petty gripes they had against each other. I guess if it works, keep doing it.

Acceptance is finally settling in and it feels very good!

Wait No More - I Received The Pink Slip Today!

2008-03-24T17:16:00.007-04:00

It's interesting how one second you feel one way and then that feeling can quickly change. While my other co-workers received their news before noon, my group gets the bad news later in the day. Not that it's a big deal, but it still would have been nice if everyone received the news - at the same time.

We receive the 'official' email and then it's followed up with a conference call to see if anyone has any questions. We're told to make sure we read through all the paperwork and to make sure we make the time to clean out our desks. And they still want us to work until the end.

I knew this day was coming and although seeing the 'official' letter made me feel a little numb at first, as the day went on, the numbness actually starting wearing off. It has come to this, a piece of paper letting me know that there is indeed life beyond Company A. I'm free, free from worrying if my position that I held for the past 5 1/2 years can be saved or will I have to start over.

When I leave on March 31, the work is then outsourced to Company B which starts on April 1. At that point, it will be over for Company A but it's not over for me. Yes, attitude is EVERYthing.

My Day #4 ends in the words of a beautiful song by Jill Scott called 'I Keep' - the chorus is the best part of the song and what I need to remind myself as I hang on to see this ride slowly coming to an end.

"I keep
Moving forward, pressing onward, striving further
I keep
Keep on laughing, keep on living, keep on loving yeah
I keep
Keep on dreaming keep on achieving, keep on believing
I keep
I keep smiling when I come thru and I cry when I need to".

Staff Meeting Blues

2008-03-19T22:47:00.003-04:00

When I got to work this morning, I found out from a co-worker that yesterday's staff meeting/conference call lasted another hour. So, instead of 4:00-5:00, it went on until 6:00 pm. I ended up hanging up the phone around 5:10, after the 8th person made the same exact complaint that the previous 7 employees before him made. Valid complaints yes, but still the same complaint and management supplies the same answer every time, "we understand your frustration" - and it's equally frustrating to hear this same phrase repeated over and over again.

If we really think about it, companies are just not into employee morale and job-loss therapy, there really is no such thing. And yesterday's staff meeting was a good indication of it. Bottom line and I've said this many times in my other posts and I'm going to say in this one as well as future ones too, but we have to remember that 'we cannot depend on these companies to keep us employed'. At any given time, no advance notice, we get that pink slip in the form of an email, staff meeting announcement, however they feel to do it, they'll get the word out.

Bad news always sells and bad news always travels fast. It's how we react to it that will determine if it's really bad news. It may be the best news we've ever received because possibly for the first time in our careers and professional lives, WE can take control. We are no longer under someone else's yoke, we can carry our own because we can do a better job of it. We just have to keeping reminding ourselves of it.

Pink Slip Confirmation - Day #6

2008-03-18T18:09:00.005-04:00

We had our staff meeting today and the majority of my colleagues on the conference call were complaining about how our present company, Company A is not assisting with finding them all internal jobs. Most complaints were based on not getting interviews or a phone call from any of the hiring managers. One person even came out and asked if Company A really had any clout with the hiring managers.

People are frustrated, everyone is not happy about this takeover and yes, that's exactly what it is. It's a takeover by Company B who doing whatever they can to try and get ANYone to sign up with them, pay them pennies to do OUR jobs and offer them NO benefits. This includes vacation, sick time, health insurance, nothing at all. It's sad, very, very sad.

I don't know who I feel sorry for the most, my follow colleagues or Company B because they don't realize what a huge mistake this is going to be. Naw....I feel for my colleagues because they're the ones who's going to need the support but also, they need to know that Plan B must happen now and they can't rely on Company A to make it happen. They have to do it themselves. Continuing to rely on these companies will continue to lead to disappointment and resentment.

So next Monday, will be the day (Day #5) we'll get the official pink. I'm taking off tomorrow and Friday so next Monday will be my Day #5 and I'm mentally and emotionally ready for it - I know it's coming so all I need to do is hold out my hand and take it.

Blogging as a Real Job?

2008-03-17T19:12:00.006-04:00

Sure, there is money that can be made. It takes time and patience but it can be worth it.

Blogging on the Internet, creating web sites, Internet advertising, etc. is popular. Come on, we know it's also big business, if handled in the right way. There are many individuals that misuse and abuse it and then there's folks like us-:)

There was a write up in Yahoo about how the internet has changed journalism. I think most of us would agree that it has, but when you read this article, I think it downplays blogging and web-site creation. You be the judge, maybe I'm a little sensitive.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080317/ap_on_re_us/state_of_journalism

Honestly, I think we're proving the naysayers wrong. Blogging and web site creation is the present and the future and we are helping to streamline it. It's not hard, anyone can do it. If there is something that you like talking about, something that you love, your favorite past-time, hobby, anything, whatever it is, you can blog about it and/or create a website about it. Here are some links that have helped me create and maintain my blogs/websites. They're worth looking into. And these websites are legit, they are not scam artists.

I currently have 3 blogs under the Blogger.com via Google and one website that I am in the process of getting from from Site Sell. They are definitely worth looking into.

Blogging

http://www.blogger.com/

You will need a Google email account to log on and if you don't have one, create one. Another one worth looking into:

http://www.wordpress.com/

Website Creation

http://www.sitesell.com/handleyourbusiness.html

This is the best web hosting around and they have a spring special going on. I've already signed up with them. This is the forum that I am a member of. Here you can get tips and information on website creation and blogging.

http://wwwwebsitebabble.com/

Another really informative site: - http://wwwproblogger.net/

Whether it's blogging or creating a website, it can lead to something part-time or full-time. A nice pie can everyone can have a slice of.

Bracing For the Pink Slip - Day #7

2008-03-17T17:23:00.003-04:00

Nothing too much today, just in anticipation of tomorrow's big meeting. I'm expecting nothing but the same, old bad news. I did get word today that our workload will be increasing over the next few days but am I worried? Not at all. I can only do what I can and nothing more. Metrics and numbers have to be met and upper management seems to be only concerned with that and not us.

I've decided to jot down email addresses of previous clients and colleagues to let them know that I won't be around after the end of the month. Keeping in contact with those folks that you have helped in the past, is a good idea. You will definitely be remembered if another opportunity comes up. It's good to build a network, you never know what it could lead in the future.

Now that the work day is over, now it's official - 6 more working days left!

Bracing For the Pink Slip

2008-03-10T10:04:00.003-04:00

Looking at the calender, I realize that I have 8 working days left and I couldn't be happier!!!!!

As I posted in a previous blog, my current IT job (Company A) is being outsourced to Company B. I wonder what would happened if I posted the actual name of the companies? I remember reading a few months ago about someone who blogged about her 'work activities' and she was fired for it.

I'm not sure if she was doing it on company time or what her motive was for doing it but losing her job over it was pretty sad. Since she lost her job, she should look into doing it more often. If I were here, I would go ahead and blog about everything that went on. It's called venting, sharing and if you want to get technical, freedom of speech - of course, provided as long as secret company information is not made public.

In my situation, Company B was expecting most of us in my IT group to jump at the chance to sign up with them but they were sadly mistaken. No one signed up with them. Why sign up with an agency who's offering you a major pay cut and no benefits? Since they received no interest from us, they decided to get two other agencies on the bandwagon - and they're plum crazy because their 'employment offer' is the same one as Company B! It's a big, fat joke.

I guess these agencies think we're all that desperate for a job with low pay and no benefits. There was also opportunities that were promised for us internally with Company A, but these came up blank. There was no interest from the hiring managers, nothing at all except empty lies and promises. And sadly, it's been like this Day One with this particular company and things are not going to get better, it's going to get worse.

It will be worse for them because they will have to train all new people who may or may not have relevant IT work experience. They want us to leave the end of the month and the new people will come in the next day on the first of April. All of our equipment, laptops, workstation servers, etc. will be leased to Company B. Mind you, the equipment is already four years old.

It also could get worse because they will not have company employees handling equipment and propriety information. You will have temporary workers and contractors and I don't mean any disrespect toward them, BUT there is an issue with confidentiality, that's all I'm saying. It's a big risk and if both Company A and Company B doesn't realize this, then it's all on them.

I will admit that part of me is concerned but that concern gets quickly thrown out of the window when I realize that Company A and B are not concerned about me at all. When it all comes down to it: money talks while people, the best experienced, hard-working people in my IT group (including me) gets told that we're being tossed out because they claim we make too much money. Excuse me, I haven't had a raise in 3 years, how am I making too much of it?

There will be no tears, no tissues, no looking back, just forward so I can begin my countdown! You can count down with me: 8 more working days! (I'm blogging Sunday night so no one can say I was doing this on company time if I'm ever founded out)

Your Resume - It's You on Paper

2008-03-09T21:32:00.003-04:00

Is your resume up-to-date? Is it free of typos and grammatical errors? Is it honest? We try to be honest individuals, right? When it comes to job searching, we need to be honest on our resumes also.

Several months ago, there was contractor who applying for a opening we had on our IT team and his resume listed experience in data recovery which caught my and my manager's attention. As we conducted the telephone interview, the individual was going on and on about how he had experience doing data recovery, speaking in very general terms but nothing specific. I didn't think anything of it.

We decided to hire him and on the first day, we discovered that he knew nothing about data back-up/recovery. In fact, he had no knowledge of what files or folders to look for. I had to spend more time training him while reminding him to take notes so that the steps we followed didn't have to be repeated. Guess how long he lasted on the job?

Interestingly, his resume listed years of experience with data recovery so why couldn't he 'catch on'? We came to conclusion that he lied about himself - on paper and in person. Whether it was him updating his resume or the agency that that sent him to us, keeping your resume up-to-date includes being honest about yourself.

If your resume states that you're familiar with, say for example, Dream Weaver, then that should be the case. Sure, you may not have a certificate in it or you didn't actually attend a software class for it, get the software, download it on your computer and become familiar with it so that when you state that you know it, you really do. If not, don't bother to list it on your resume.

Your resume represents YOU - point blank. When prospective employers see that you have Dream Weaver listed, they may very ask you questions about it and if you can't answer their questions, you've ruined your chances in that interview and to be further considered for that job you applied for.

Why polish our resume with lies and misrepresentations? Instead of making ourselves look good on paper, we're actually making ourselves look bad in person. Which do you think is worse?

Outsourcing is the Answer - Says Who?

2008-03-07T17:16:00.002-05:00

Unemployment rate increased to 4.8% as of today, but job cuts still are making news and the numbers are staggering this month, more so than ever before.

Construction jobs: 39,000
Manufacturing jobs: 52,000
Retailers: 34,000
Hotel: 4,001
Temp Staffing firms: 28,000

So is 4.8% a good thing? Hardly, when we consider the number of individuals that are losing their jobs to outsourcing. Outsourcing is looked upon as saving cost for most but if we really think about it, it's means a major loss to many. It's also been thought that it's a help to the economy but in the end, all said and done, we know it actually it actually hurts.

Personally, I don't know anyone who has said that their job being outsourced has helped them. It's lessen their pay, slashed their benefits, giving them no job security or high morale while on the job. It's very sad how these companies say that their employees are important to them. By their decision to outsource, they show otherwise.

You're Going to Be Layed Off Too?

2008-03-06T18:08:00.001-05:00

It's no longer a strange question to hear, is it? With some many companies announcing down-sizing, outsourcing, cutting costs, it's just a matter of time before we find ourselves consoling the next victim of this event - ourselves.

It's been almost 6 weeks now that we received the news. One company is outsourced by another and notice I'm not mentioning any names. It's not important because I'm not important - well, to them. I'm a statistic, a cost that Company A doesn't want to have on their books so Company B says well we'll take her on board, provided she has to take a paycut and she can't have any benefits. That was their offer and my reply was for them to have a nice day.

It's sad that companies are doing this, but it has become the norm for large corporations to outsource certain services and functions for cheap labor. Oops, maybe I shouldn't have said that, but it's the truth. And you know what? They're going to get exactly what they pay for.

Ok, so you get the news that you're going to be laid off or your job is going to be outsourced and your current position is in jepordy so what do you do?

a. cry, scream and take it out on everyone around you
b. send a nasty email to upper management letting them know how unhappy you are
c. go out to a bar during your lunch break
d. come up with Plan B

Answer C could possibly be an ideal choice for the very immediate short-term (only kidding) but yes, you definitely want a Plan B. Before you phyiscally begin the actual plan, make sure that mentally and emotionally you have a Plan B. There's no need for us to take this announcement personal, although it can be hard to accept. Sadly, it's about business and the needs of the business dictates whether we stay or whether we go, but our attitude about it will affect what we will do about it. The situation is still in our hands and we still have control, we're not going to let it control us.

There is life beyond our current jobs. Now it's time to look forward. If we have our emotional and mental Plan B in place, now it's time to physically put Plan B into place.

Update your resume, make sure it's current
Check to see if there other internal job opportunities at the company you work
Place it on various job search websites (Monster.com, Dice.com, Hotjobs.coms)
Check into your township website and see if there are any job opportunities locally
Inform your close friends, relatives, neighbors that you are seeking employement opportunites; network with others, spread the word about your situation
Check the local newspapers on Wednesdays and Sundays
Consider training in a field that interests you and possibly change your career choice

My current job is over the end of this month. There will be new folks in place to do the exact, same job that I had perfected for over 5 years. Me and my fellow co-workers had a nice, flowing system (IT software group). We received numerous commendations from our internal clients. No one could do it like we could. And sadly, Company B, who made the decision to end it all will find out that literally, good help is indeed hard to find.

Office Drama - Get Out the Popcorn

2008-03-05T17:56:00.000-05:00

You have an early am appointment before you go to work. You call your co-worker to let him know that you'll be in the office. He knows you're coming in a little late. No problem. You get to work and as soon as you sit down, your phone rings. You just found out that another manager (who you don't report to) noticed that you weren't at your desk your normal time and they called your manager to find out where you were. All of this happening before 9:30 in the morning and I haven't had my first cup of French Vanilla coffee yet.

How should you react? Should you get mad or on the defense with this particular manager? How would have handled it? This happened to me a few weeks ago. My first thought was, 'Who does this person think he is, especially since I don't report to him'. After steaming for a few minutes, I got my thoughts together and I composed an email asking the manager what was his concern. My email was firm but professional. Just because I wasn't there my normal time didn't mean I wasn't coming in and I tactfully added that I was an adult and being treated otherwise was not acceptable.

His response? A long, drawn out email explaining that if I was in the same scenario, I would do the same thing. No buddy boy, I wouldn't have done that. I wouldn't have asked where he was. We're not in the same group, I would have just assumed he'd be in sooner or later. I wasn't my place to ask about his whereabouts just like it wasn't his place to ask about mine. Of course, he failed to see that. Sounds like a scene from some kiddie soap opera or from Romper Room which the workplace is neither. My coffee is getting cold now.

It's a sad but true fact, the workplace can be an area where you have to watch your back. We have to cover ourselves and be mindful that for whatever reason we will come across folks that want to start trouble - because of their own unhappiness. We're at our jobs 8-12 hours a day. Most of our 24 hours is spent, sadly, at the workplace. We have to rub shoulders with these people and often times, it's a rubbing of the wrong way. Some things to keep in mind in the workplace:

keep in close contact with your immediate co-workers and immediate supervisors of any changes in your schedule
watch your association in the workplace - question whether you'd want to spend time with this person outside the workplace, your answer will determine whether he/she needs your time and attention in the workplace
avoid gossiping in the workplace - it can turn back on you and if it does, it's never a pretty picture
do not share personal and/or confidential information about someone you know to someone else
always be professional and polite
keep your cool in tense situations, show your maturity while others reveal their immaturity
document any incidents that come up that may affect your job performance and inform your supervisor immediately (threats, altercations, etc)
whether we manage a team or are part of team it's beneficial to be neutral, do not single out others as your 'favorites' as everyone should be equal and treated equal. Doing otherwise can create tension and divisions and work relations can worsen
if you have a issue with a fellow co-worker/team member/supervisor, discuss the issue with that person, don't make it public

I've come to realize with the ongoing threat of layoffs, down-sizing, etc. folks are actually in fear of losing their jobs. That's a sad, but true fact. And that fear can be crippling, to the point that people will do anything, turn against another co-worker, start trouble, lie, whatever it takes to try and save themselves from losing their jobs, but we know better. So, since we know better, we're going to make that we watch our back and stay away from the drama. It's better to watch it on TV than to be a part of it at work.

Job Security - What is that?

2008-03-05T17:54:00.000-05:00

Within the past several years, job security has become something obsolete, no doubt it. Down-sizing, outsourcing, cost-cutting, layoff, no matter what you call it, it amounts to the same thing: unemployment. After being saved from four previous layoffs, I will now be a casualty and I have to admit, I am looking forward to it. It may sound strange to some, but I really am.

In the past, companies made you feel like you needed them and sure we need to earn a paycheck to pay our bills, but if we think about it long enough, it really is the other way around. That's how we need to view ourselves. We offer a need, a service, whether we're the best secretary, IT professional, painter, car salesman, janitor, garbage collector, whatever our occupation is, we're good at what we do and if our existing employer, for whatever reason cannot see our value, our worth, then it's their lose and someone else's gain. And we can't forget that we do have value.

Let's be honest with ourselves. We can take our skills and find another job. Yes, it may be harder than we think, but it doesn't have to be. Who says that job security has to last 15, 20 years? If we have the attitude that even if our job lasts one month (say, if we were a contractor/temp employee) then fine, we're secure in that particular job for that month and we're going to do the best we can while we're there.

Our occupations are physical, but it's also mental and emotional . It's how we think and view things and attitude plays a very big part in that. A job, any job, is what you make it. It doesn't make you.