Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Worst. Christmas Gift. EVER.

Normally, I don't talk about my work here, on line, where I could potentially be Dooced for it, but it bears explaining. And by "explaining" I mean "ranting about". I'm okay with doing it here simply because I've already said basically the same things (though likely with fewer swear words then you're about to read) to my boss.

Some of you know that I am an accountant. I work for a small finger of a very large company. My finger manufactures custom vehicles. An industry that is not surprisingly being adversely effected by the current economy. As a result we've had to lay off a substantial number of employees, we've cut our hours and we've got a few departments soliciting outside work to supplement cash flow. It's simply not bringing home the bacon.

Yesterday, my boss announced that we would be closing for the next two weeks and no one would be getting paid for it.

What the fuck? It's a week before Christmas and he gives twenty people three days notice that they're losing a half month's pay? That's pretty fucked up.

Yes, I get that we're in a pretty dire economic state, I do the books, believe me, I've been freaking out for months now. And if we're being honest, I was expecting hours to be cut further. I was expecting notice though. I would have expected the boss to have been the one to break the news. I would have expected to have answers to things like "will the doors even reopen?" and "what about my health insurance deductions?" and "how the fuck am I supposed to pay my mortgage?". But I have answers to none of those things and despite my tiny black heart, I feel like an absolute asshole telling someone I know is living paycheck to paycheck that they should trust me, things will be okay.

So I'm not. I'm telling them to get their resumes' out there. I'm telling them to hedge their bets. I'm telling them Merry Fucking Christmas, love The Boss.

14 little kittens say Meow:

kristin said...

:-( Wow, that's crap.

Maybe you should come East.

:-)

Bj in Dallas said...

I can FDEX you some large dog poop to wrap in a red and green package and then put on his porch and light on fire.....

the whole office could act like they were caroling and then leave the flaming package....

man I want to do that to someone..

btw- that sucks

Logical Libby said...

So, my question is, when all these companies start doing better, turning a profit again, are they going to give bonuses? They really should...

Anonymous said...

Poor you! I'm not sure which sucks more - having it done, or doing it. In this case, I'm thinking it's the doing it. (mind outta the gutter, Thystle. not that kind of doing it)

Big Christmas hugs are being sent your way...and big raspberry is being blown at the boss who made you do this.

Racie Lover said...

I don't know your wretched, cowardly boss, Thys, but I can just imagine, having one similar to yours. Maybe it is some compensation to tell you that you may hate having to be the one to tell them, and it is just awful that your pathetic boss is making you do it, but I would bet your compassion and honestly will make it easier for them to hear than hearing it from Scrooge. Your boss would probably just hand them their pink slip along with the Christmas cookies and say get lost. You, on the other hand, will help them hang on to their hope by how you present it to them. Maybe not hope for their present job, but hope that there are better people and better places out there to work. I think you will be a damn site better at it then he would be, as terrible a job as it is. What a poophead.

Miss Thystle said...

I am trying very hard to believe that it's because he feels bad that he couldn't do it. He's basically a good kid, if a bit inexperienced. And if *i* could have foisted it off, I probably would have too.

Racie Lover said...

No you wouldn't have foisted it off on anyone else.

I know, repackage those mismatched socks and give them to your boss for Christmas.

Miss Thystle said...

Ooh! Good idea.

kristin said...

WAIT!!!!

This could be THE OPPORTUNITY that launches your illustrious book-writing and speaking tour career!!!!!!!

They say that everyone needs some catastrophic event to catapult them to the next level - this could be yours!

Promise me you won't forget us when you're rich and famous and that your book tour will come to Rochester, NY and that you will buy us all scotch when you're one of THEM.

Beverly said...

Oh wow.. I know someone out west who got put in that same position. She is only slightly hurting for money - as opposed to largely hurting - and has decided to eat a lot of Ramen and to do some volunteer work. >_<

Racie Lover said...

yes, Thystle, write during your hiatus. We need to get the book finished so we can all quite our jobs and spend our time being rich and famous.

Baylee and Blair's page said...

That's a bunch of crap! I cannot believe they gave you NO NOTICE hardly! I'm mean... WTF is right!

Hopefully after the 2 weeks you guys will be good to go again. If not, I guess you can do unemployment for a while.

Hugs -Tiff

Mr. Crabgrass said...

You already know how I feel about this debacle.

Lorrie Veasey said...

yeah-what Grace said!!