don't think I can take much more

[WannaBrie]

Ok, so this is what is going on...some of you may know that I was hired (thru a temp service) to be the inhouse designer for a small division of a large corp. I was led to believe that if they liked me, they would hire me permanently in 3 months. Well, after 3 months, they were thrilled with me and i took the urine test and filled out the necessary paperwork. A couple weeks later (this was in October) i was told that it was the end of the budget year, and my direct hire couldn't be approved until january. Meantime, I was loaded with work. So, jump forward to january and nothing happens. I inquire as to my status and am given several excuses, but am assured that it will happen shortly. Jump to yesterday when one of my coworkers at a remote location informs me that he has given his 2 week notice. He states one of the reasons as that the big corp. has put a "hiring freeze" on again, and he was unable to hire an assistant for over a yr. No one has informed me of this, I feel betrayed. I feel like they have dangled this carrot in front of me for so long becuz they knew I wouldn't stay if I knew the truth. In fact, I would never have taken this job at all if I'd known this.

So, needless to say, I'm looking for another job, but in the meantime, what would you all do/say? Should I just keep my head down and go in every day knowing that as soon as I find something I'm out the door or should I give them some kind of warning, like "if you don't hire me permanent, I'm out"?

[urstwile]

Do you like the place otherwise? I mean is it worth it to you to try to put up a fight to become permanent? That's the only reason I'd go the latter route, I guess. Although ultimatums rarely work, in my experience.

I'd say they treated you pretty shoddily by not being upfront about their intentions. I don't think I'd want to stay.

[MD]

Why tip your hand? Go out and find another job on the DL. Try to avoid the temp agencies they take at least 20% of your check.

[WannaBrie]

I don't really like the place otherwise, urst...the work is not that creative and some of my coworkers are complete morons. The reasons I thought I would stay all revolve around being permanent. (i.e. full benefits, 401k, profit sharing, paid sick days, paid floater and vacation time, renegotiation of original pay) which are only available for permanent employees. MD, that's what I've been doing for the last couple of weeks, I just feel so cheated. If I'd known this, I would've started looking long ago...I'm afraid that they will just decide to let me go before I find something new. And in this case, I don't think I could collect unemployment should they decide this as I'm technically a "contract employee". It just sucks all around. I'm so angry every day when i go to work, they keep giving me loads of work, but nothing changes, it has driven me to drink! I'm so depressed every day and so tired when I come home every night.

[The_Black_Knight]

And in this case, I don't think I could collect unemployment should they decide this as I'm technically a "contract employee".Yes, you can collect unemployment, even if you're a contract employee and you can't get work. You pay a certain portion of every paycheck toward unemployment, which means that the benefit is available to you when you need it. As long as the severance (whether you're permanent or contract) is involuntary on your part, then you can collect unemployment.

And believe me, I know exactly how you feel.

[Drazan]

keep your head low and start thinking "pretty soon I don't have to deal with this crap" and go to a happy place.

As far as work there goes - don't go above and beyond your duties. Don't let them expect you to just do it no matter how much work load you have. I'm not saying slack off. I know that personal pride of doing the best job all the time on any crap job can way stress a person out.

I can read from this post that you obviously need a change and to go forward.

((hugs))

[WannaBrie]

TBK, thanks, I didn't know that. I just assumed that since I was working for a temp service, that there was no unemployment insurance, hence, no unemployment pay for me. Glad to know that if they terminate before I get another gig, I have an option.

Drazan, I am trying to do that. It's just so hard. It sucks that they keep loading all this work on me, but have absolutely nothing to say about the perm. issue. I would never slack (although, I've thought about just that) sometimes its hard to make everything perfect especially when it means I have to take extra time to make it right. You are right, I am ready to move on. What really sucks is I've been here less that a year. I am still unsure as to how to explain this in an interview. do i say that I just wasn't creatively challenged at this position (which is true) or do I say that they didn't fulfill their promise (which is also true)? I know I have to put the positive spin on this, so what should I say?

[MD]

The unemployment claim goes against from the temp agency - not the employer you are working for. When you file for unemployment they will ask you if you have turned down work, I am guessing the temp agency would like to keep you employed so I am pretty sure there would be offers and the temp agency would fight you unemployment claim.

[WannaBrie]

so, does that mean they could deny my claim for unemplyment? I mean, i don't have any desire to work as a temp. If this job ends before I have another gig, I don't intend to start another temp assignment. I have a child to support, a mortgage to pay, temp work just doesn't fit in as far as I can see, being that it can end at any time.

[morea]

man, I hate how companies do things like this. There's something better out there for you, don't get discouraged!

Check out your state's unemployment website for details. Maybe this is it?
http://www2.myflorida.com/les/

the one for NY is http://www.labor.state.ny.us/ but substituting "fl" for "ny" doesn't seem to work. (go figure)

[WannaBrie]

thanks morea! it does suck that there is no loyalty out there on the part of employers anymore. Although the employee is expected to have complete loyalty and all that...We will never live as well as our parents. My parents had 5 kids. My Dad was the sole breadwinner. My mom the homemaker. I have the same amount of education as my dad. (BS degree) I have one kid and no homemaker to support yet I can barely make ends meet. Go figure!

[Danger_Mouse]

I so hear you.

[morea]

my parents had 4 kids, and my dad was the sole breadwinner... and yet somehow I couldn't afford to support myself with the same education as my dad. I totally hear you!

And as for employers, I think that the problem really became obvious when we ceased being "employees" and became "human resources". I mean, what do we do with resources? We use them up and get more.

Disturbing.

[budafist]

Rawr @ Morea.

That red dress really does the trick ;)

[morea]

tee hee hee, thanks Buda! it's for tomorrow (http://tinyurl.com/272jjv). :D

[WannaBrie]

ah yea, morea, red is sooo your color! Alas, I am a redhead and don't have anything red in my closet (my grandmother said redheads should never wear red!) But I have a red scarf, so maybe I should wear that! As far as the employers thing, i agree, but it still sucks...why is it that we are "resources"? that's so impersonal...I know its true, but honestly, I am not a resource...i am a person. A resource is an object. but I guess in this day and age that's what we are. We have ceased to be individuals, corporate society has ceased to view us as persons, now we are just objects. I often wonder about those "suits" or those in charge...I guess they sleep well at night and don't think about the people under them who help them to acheive their goals....

[budafist]

Well, I could wear red tomorrow during the day, but my sister is having an all white party for her birthday. I think it is hideous having everyone wear white. What kind of man owns white pants? I do have a white skirt (kinda a hippy one) and a few white singlets to wear.

Oh wait, it's Friday here, does that mean Wear Red Day was today?

[morea]

Yup, it's February 2nd. ;)

[WannaBrie]

against my nanny's convention, tommorrow I wear red!!

"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistant one"
Albert Einstein

[CamarotaDesign]

I hear you Brie, good luck. Definately start looking for other work now, start getting freelancing together and when you've got some good leads and some freelance projects going give the ultimatum. You'll have that much more confidence knowing that it doesnt matter if they let you go. Besides, who wants to work with morons?

[urstwile]

I wouldn't even bother with the ultimatum, just focus on the job hunt. If you don't even like it there much anyway, what's the point of fighting for it?

[CamarotaDesign]

good point.