~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Are you ready for another BADD post? Ha! That's what Friday Wrap-Ups are all about!
For the first time in my working life, I went to HR to report an issue with racism. I have a co-worker who, when she found out I didn't vote for Obama, started sending me anti-Obama emails - through the work email system.
Most of these emails are those idiotic "Where's his birth certificate" urban legend type emails. I usually delete them before even opening them - disagreeing with policy is one thing, but these emails are just plain silly and unfounded.
This coworker sent an email on Monday that I did open. The subject line eluded to local road closure information, I thought it might be legit. I will not reprint the email here, but I will tell you it was anti-Obama with clear RACIST tones. I sat - dumbfounded - for about 5 minutes before deciding I wouldn't just hit delete. I printed the email and walked into HR.
HR and I decided the best course of action was for me (because I was comfortable doing so) to "gently" confront the coworker - to tell her how the email made me feel - to request she stop sending me anything other than business emails through the work email system. HR now has a copy of the email and will address the issue formally if it happens again.
Sometimes you just have to wonder what - if anything - people are thinking.
Are you ready for another BADD post? Ha! That's what Friday Wrap-Ups are all about!For the first time in my working life, I went to HR to report an issue with racism. I have a co-worker who, when she found out I didn't vote for Obama, started sending me anti-Obama emails - through the work email system.
Most of these emails are those idiotic "Where's his birth certificate" urban legend type emails. I usually delete them before even opening them - disagreeing with policy is one thing, but these emails are just plain silly and unfounded.
This coworker sent an email on Monday that I did open. The subject line eluded to local road closure information, I thought it might be legit. I will not reprint the email here, but I will tell you it was anti-Obama with clear RACIST tones. I sat - dumbfounded - for about 5 minutes before deciding I wouldn't just hit delete. I printed the email and walked into HR.
HR and I decided the best course of action was for me (because I was comfortable doing so) to "gently" confront the coworker - to tell her how the email made me feel - to request she stop sending me anything other than business emails through the work email system. HR now has a copy of the email and will address the issue formally if it happens again.
Sometimes you just have to wonder what - if anything - people are thinking.
~*~*~*~*~
I'll be making a stop at the office of the President of my company this morning. He has an open door policy and I'm going to find out just how "open" his door really is.
Like many employers, mine made some significant changes this year under the guise of the "bad economy" - annual raises were "postponed" - the cost of insurance benefits went up while coverage went down - and they've implemented a hiring freeze. Because I do the financials, I know where we stand financially, and I can tell you that these changes are preventive. Our profits are flat - no change from last year - but we are not seeing a decline in business or sales.
Every year, we have a company picnic. There are about 100 employees at my corporate location, the majority of whom really look forward to this time of great food and great company. It's one of the few perks any of us get in this family owned business.
I'm guessing you can see where this is going. No one had heard anything about the picnic (usually scheduled for the end of August) and rather than ask, they started gossiping about it. I decided to ask and received confirmation that there was NOT going to be a picnic. No explanation was given, and when I asked if they planned on making an announcement was told, "If we don't say anything people will just forget."
You know, I understand fiscal responsibility in these uncertain times. I get that. But in the last year, as employees, we've seen the cost of living go up, the cost of basic benefits go up and a wage freeze. We are working harder (because vacancies are not being filled) for a lot less money. And now you're going to take away our picnic? And insult us further by not having the gonads to even attempt to excuse the piss-poor management decision?
I'll be attending the coffee summit this morning - bringing my own because I have to pay $0.60 for crappy vending machine coffee if I don't. I'll let y'all know how it goes.
Like many employers, mine made some significant changes this year under the guise of the "bad economy" - annual raises were "postponed" - the cost of insurance benefits went up while coverage went down - and they've implemented a hiring freeze. Because I do the financials, I know where we stand financially, and I can tell you that these changes are preventive. Our profits are flat - no change from last year - but we are not seeing a decline in business or sales.
Every year, we have a company picnic. There are about 100 employees at my corporate location, the majority of whom really look forward to this time of great food and great company. It's one of the few perks any of us get in this family owned business.
I'm guessing you can see where this is going. No one had heard anything about the picnic (usually scheduled for the end of August) and rather than ask, they started gossiping about it. I decided to ask and received confirmation that there was NOT going to be a picnic. No explanation was given, and when I asked if they planned on making an announcement was told, "If we don't say anything people will just forget."
You know, I understand fiscal responsibility in these uncertain times. I get that. But in the last year, as employees, we've seen the cost of living go up, the cost of basic benefits go up and a wage freeze. We are working harder (because vacancies are not being filled) for a lot less money. And now you're going to take away our picnic? And insult us further by not having the gonads to even attempt to excuse the piss-poor management decision?
I'll be attending the coffee summit this morning - bringing my own because I have to pay $0.60 for crappy vending machine coffee if I don't. I'll let y'all know how it goes.
~*~*~*~*~
One last thing ...
Like many of you, I have a handful of commenters who are more comfortable emailing their comments than posting them to the blog. Sujomi - who has a Project 365 blog (you need to go visit her - daily. Her photography is AMAZING and she always includes a great little story behind the photo) - sent me an email yesterday that said, in part:
I shared my story with her and decided it was funny enough to be blog worthy.
Yep! Always a funny story behind the HNT.
One last thing ...Like many of you, I have a handful of commenters who are more comfortable emailing their comments than posting them to the blog. Sujomi - who has a Project 365 blog (you need to go visit her - daily. Her photography is AMAZING and she always includes a great little story behind the photo) - sent me an email yesterday that said, in part:
I'm trying to imagine the logistics of you taking this HNT. You pulling over to the side of the road, with your tripod and camera, quickly stripping and taking the shot, hoping you are back far enough in the rows and that the farmer won't catch you in his field! ;) LOL
I shared my story with her and decided it was funny enough to be blog worthy.
There is always more of a story behind attempting to get a shot than there is in the actual shot!
Husband stayed home sick yesterday. This puts a HUGE cramp in my HNT routine, but I had pretty much decided on the corn field theme, so figured I could probably pull that off.
I had to drop Cam off at football practice, which gave me the opportunity to steal a few minutes away from home without husband questioning it. Of course, I also had to sneak my camera and tripod out, which were in a bag sitting just 5' from where husband was sitting. Finding a corn field isn't an issue (*EDIT* Rage, I live about 60 miles outside of Chicago, but it might as well be 600 miles away as it is as much country as Chicago is city) - finding one where I could park the car and not raise suspicion? Well, different story.
It just so happens there is a small corn field just blocks away from the middle school where Cam practices. It borders the community baseball field and since baseball season is over, I thought it would be perfect.
However, I forgot this weekend was our local summer festival. They set up the carnival and all of the booths on the community baseball field.
So here I am, parking the car, and hoping no one drives by wondering what I'm doing, yet formulating a story just in case. I'm wearing yoga pants (thank goodness my legs were covered - corn is SCRATCHY) and a strappy tank (sans bra).
I was thinking I'd have little aisles between the rows of corn. You know, like in the movies? NOT! They plant those stalks so close together it isn't even funny. So I'm traipsing through the corn jungle, trying to get far enough in that no one sees me, yet not wanting to battle the stalks.
Just as I pull my top down to take the first nekkid shot, someone pulls on to the gravel road that leads to the baseball field - they are no more than 20' from where I'm standing. I have a moment of panic that subsides when they continue to drive by. Thinking I'm safe, I continue taking pics.
Then what happens? The guy TURNS AROUND and comes back - this time slowing down as he passes my car. CRAP! I hold really still and hope the corn is tall enough that he can't see my head - or my FUCHSIA top around my waist.
He either didn't see me, or didn't want to know what the hell I was doing on the edge of a cornfield with my top around my waist - I'm not sure which.
Yep! Always a funny story behind the HNT.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
16 comments:
Let me get this straight...The Human Resources Dept wanted you to be the human resource that dealt with a problem that involved another human resource. I guess the HR Dept is the only part of your company that isn't working harder.
More likely, they're just cowards and don't want the headache of dealing with this issue. Cheers!!
I agree with Matt. I found that kind of funny. Almost like HR was saying "Hey, if you're the one who has a problem with racist emails, YOU go talk to this person!"
So now that person takes you off the racist email list, but continues to send those emails to others?
You know, I've never driven by a corn field and wondered if there was a hot naked chick in there taking pictures of herself. I don't know why I haven't thought this though. I pretty much think any place is a great place for naked chicks! LOL
I agree with these two. You're taking on more work by doing THEIR work??
I love the ostrich-like way of management's approach to the non-picnic. If you ignore it, it'll go away. I need to use that more often.
And I KNEW there had to be a pretty good story with the corn! Did you take any home for dinner?
I agree with the guys. HR should have dealt with the issue. I bet it's not just in emails. Rarely can people reign that in.
I'll never pass another corn field without thinking of your story!
Matt-Man, in all fairness, HR *did* offer to talk to the coworker, but being that she works in my department, and sits just one cubicle away, it just seemed more "reasonable" to speak with her directly. I did remind her that any time she sends an email like this, a copy of it is kept on the company email server and she might want to reconsider how wise it is to share this type of email at work.
Jay, Maybe I didn't present that situation clearly, or do you feel he should have insisted that it be handled by HR?
My next challenge (and it was a formal one) is to manage an HNT at the [Willis Tower Ledge]
Osbasso, Like I told [Sujomi], there is usually a funny story behind the HNT's.
Your management is a bunch of douchebags. They'll forget. Nice. It's kind of like my Board deciding that no one should get a bonus last year (which is the past has been a significant part of our salary) and not making that decision until the last minute. When I asked how they were going to communication to staff (after the refused to give me any kind of reasoning for the decision) they told me they were sure I'd find the right thing to tell them. Nice.
I want to come and just photograph you setting up your HNT photos...now that would be fun....
Think you can do one at Graceland????
bwahahahahahaaaa
All I see is the corn, not the soft porn ;(
Yeah, what different companies are doing is a bunch of crap. They don't care about their employees anymore. Our company is also doing exactly as you described. I am hoping one day this will all turn around.
Real Live Lesbian, you never know when you might catch a garden nymph in the corn!
Vanessa, I've always taken bad news far better when people are up front about it rather than acting like I'm too stupid to figure it out.
Bond, Graceland?? EGADS! The bar keeps getting set higher and higher, doesn't it?
Lola, you must not be looking (or clicking) hard enough :)
Dragon, mine is just lucky that I don't share the information I know or there would likely be mutiny!
Thanks for the clarification on that shot and location of the shot darling (wink)...
Yeah. I'm loving the 'ostrich' approach to the picnic. WTF?! And really.....they can't offer a perk as simple as a freakin' picnic?!
That sucks. :(
The HNT story was funny. With as many animals as I have, I get some interesting photo out takes, lol.
Never overestimate, nor underestimate, the stupidity of anyone! HR was being decent, but not politically correct- and that is borderline refreshing to me. In Japan, where they have a sliver of the percentage of lawyers we do, face is saved in private- not bitching about a slight.
Double ha-ha on your moronic co-worker. In light of the information about the cancelled picnic, it looks like your company is just itchin' to lop off a few "dead limbs," and a perfect excuse is violation of company IT policies. My company (especially my supervisor) is so paranoid about that, I "dassn't" even look at CNN anymore. Fortunately, my cell-phone has an internet connection, albeit such a slow one, it gives "dialup" a new meaning. Still all I have to be doing is TOUCHING my cell phone when my supv walks over and I get a remark about how I'm always "playing" with my cell phone. No, she doesn't know about the internet connection. They haven't outlawed cell phones at my workplace. YET.
All this is by way of saying, you may not have to worry about the asinine e-mails for much longer.
Youa are strong for addressing the emails. Don't argue, you are strong I am not just stroking your ego D'.
HA I just assumed since you showed nippleage in the corn stacks that the corn was yours. Dag you are a dedicated HNT poster and it is my pleasure to view you photos :)
Post a Comment