Bullshit season has ended
Posted on March 6th, 2010 –
Wow. I have to be honest, dear reader, I wasn’t expecting the continuing vitriol that I received on Friday when I handed over my resignation. I wasn’t expecting anyone to be happy, but not that. I offered to come back as a contractor in the nicest way I could muster and was told, side-mouth, as jerkwad was walking away from me that “no, that won’t be happening”. I’m absolutely certain that that wasn’t a rational reaction, I think he’d already invested his whole heart into me becoming his personal, absolutely free, work-till-you-drop lap dog. I must’ve really hurt his feelings. :(
I guess you know the story by now, crazy project, crazy hours, and at the end they basically gave me the middle finger for even suggesting that I take some time off. I was “expected” to keep that up for another two months, minimum. After my probationary period, then, maybe, a few days off. What about the time off that the law allows for workers to rest so, you know, we don’t die and stuff? Those came off my vacation days. And again, wasn’t I lucky that they granted me such privileges – what an asshole I was for fucking them over like this. Overtime pay or lieu time?! HOW DARE I?!
When I think about it, I suppose thinking that they’d at least try to consider our plight was optimistic, but I’d hoped that by reminding them of their obligations as employers, under the law, they’d at least pacify me and send me on my way. But no, jerky to the very bitter end.
So I’m filing a complaint with the Ministry of Labour. It’s just not cool to treat people that way, legally or otherwise.
That’s me and a gentleman I met at the Human Rights complaints office. Turned out this wasn’t the office I wanted, they deal mostly with discrimination and everyone at my former employer is treated equally shabbily. I guess my complaint is common enough that the government now conducts most of its business online, so my trip was entirely unnecessary. But it was a nice day and I’d just quit the sweatshop (really, dictionary definition), so why the heck not?
The gentleman accompanying me had a compelling case – former manager in a well-known company, been there for a while, forced out by a higher-up who later turned out to be a bit of a scoundrel. The details certainly seemed to fit and sounded honest, and he claimed to have documented every step of the story. I don’t know if he’ll get the damages he’s asking for, but some of the lower sums he was tossing out (and that the lawyers had been suggesting), seem more likely. But I only know as much about the law as I need to, so that’s that analysis for you.
After our chat we strolled to nearby Nathan Phillips Square where the Paralympic torch relay was being held:
No idea what the point of this was supposed to be but I found it kind of funny that, apparently, you’re allowed to subdivide the flame – there was definitely more than one torch running the track:
I’m thinking that, should my funds start running low, maybe I’ll get into the Olympic flame racket. “No, honest, it came off the Olympic torch. You can even use it to start campfires – Olympic campfires! Think of how good those marshmallows’ll taste.”
In the meantime, though, I’m really averse to being an employee again. I mean, sometimes managers are just boobs, but sometimes they’re absolute tyrants. Either way, I have a really hard time buying what they’re selling. So, here I am on my first free Saturday since early February, jobless, nothing lined up and no feelers out (and no richer off for the experience, let me tell you!). I can honestly say I’ve never been in this position before. Bit scary. Also a bit exhilarating – I do pretty good work under pressure, implying I’ve got about month of layabout time before things start to get serious. But I tend to get antsy after about three days, so I don’t expect I’ll be pushing that envelope very much. Besides, my last fortune cookie said, “You will become an accomplished writer” (undoubtedly referring to TCL) – how can you argue with that?
... with pictures
... with sounds
... with videos
... with opinions
... that's shorter
... that's longer
March 6th, 2010 6:02 pm
Not funny at all, this company should go under magnifying glass of Ministry of Labour and pertinent Government
Ministry. Where they think they live? In medieval time, where such a slavery was considered normal and nobody bothered? As much as I can see they are sort of criminals having their own law and because so far nobody had the courage to point finger on them they feel safe and will feel at ease to continue in their dirty practise. For sure somebody should report and stop those jerks.
March 7th, 2010 6:44 am
Thanks, Stanya. I happen to agree with you too.
March 6th, 2010 6:07 pm
And something else, I personaly whish you your fortune cookie is right. I keep my fingers crossed for you. Keep your head up and go ahead. You will make it.
March 7th, 2010 10:44 am
Hey Patrick, it's Alex. Heard about what went down. Would love to chat with you more about this whole situation. Friend me on Facebook, and we can swap numbers. May have some advice for you should you choose to go the contractor route.
March 8th, 2010 4:53 am
Hey, Alex. Good to hear from you! (to TCL readers, this is a gentleman I worked with at my last "job") Yup, definitely going the contractor route; seems like being an employee is the path to an early death. At least in this industry. But, I have my business number/GST number, etc. (I've done freelance before), so I feel pretty prepared. Right now it's all about finding the contracts!
March 8th, 2010 2:30 pm
Awesome. I am so so proud of you for standing up for yourself.
Use your time to rest man, you deserve it!
March 9th, 2010 10:47 am
Thanks, Kato. Actually, I really didn't have much choice but to leave. Another week or two of that and I'd be dead!
March 8th, 2010 7:34 pm
I agree with the fortune cookie. :) yummy news!
March 9th, 2010 10:47 am
Another one told me to take some time off for myself and enjoy. Damn those Chinese people are smart!