Working at that "Secret" place has definitely thought me some valuable lessons and will forever shape my behavior at future workplaces of similar structure, which I hope will never happen again! Below, are few of the lessons I have learned:
#1: NEVER do any favors because "it's a small company and it's OK to do certain favors". NO! Keep it strictly business. Go by the book. For example, DO NOT use your own car, your own gas to run errands for the company, unless you are properly compensated for it or your salary is big enough to do it for free. That so-called "Small Company" is only looking out for its bank account, not yours. At the end of the day, when you need gas, it will come out of your paycheck.
#2: They can't pay you overtime to do THEIR work because they are "tight on funds"? Then, the work can wait until the next day when you are on the clock. DO NOT punch out, and come back to do the company's work that is incomplete due to no fault of yours, because you are trying to "save them money and be a model employee" and because "it's such a small company, you should do some compromises." That same "Small Company" will not look at all of these "compromises" when it's time for them to get rid of you for financial reasons or whatever other reasons it may be. It can be ANY reason. To them, it all about business. Unlike what they usually say "you are an asset for the company", you are nothing but but something that can be replaced when they are "back on their feet".
#3: ALWAYS REMEMBER that your boss is just YOUR BOSS, no matter how "cool" or "friendly" he/she is with you. DO NOT do major sacrifices for him/her, unless you absolutely can or if it won't inconvenience you. To your boss, it's strictly business. It's all about "protecting the asset of the company he/she is responsible for". He/she is not there to protect you. Despite whatever favors you do for him/her or the company, he/she will look at you in the eyes at 4:30PM and tells you "today was your last day. You will be compensated..." and gives you 30 minutes to pack up! No hint, no warning that your job is at risk (they would not decide that one morning, your position is cut. All knew, except you). Maybe that's how it goes in the "professional world" but I would have the decency to tell my employee, if we have such a close professional relationship.
Again, this is a note to self. I will not let this experience tarnish my loyalty to future workplaces. But I will know what to do and what NOT to do. Maybe I will post some more "Lessons" soon. Or maybe I will post some positive things that happened also, although it won't be much. For now, I will leave it at that.
"Every experience is a learning experience. Every time we try something--win or lose--we learn, we grow, we attain more confidence and competence for the next time."
#1: NEVER do any favors because "it's a small company and it's OK to do certain favors". NO! Keep it strictly business. Go by the book. For example, DO NOT use your own car, your own gas to run errands for the company, unless you are properly compensated for it or your salary is big enough to do it for free. That so-called "Small Company" is only looking out for its bank account, not yours. At the end of the day, when you need gas, it will come out of your paycheck.
#2: They can't pay you overtime to do THEIR work because they are "tight on funds"? Then, the work can wait until the next day when you are on the clock. DO NOT punch out, and come back to do the company's work that is incomplete due to no fault of yours, because you are trying to "save them money and be a model employee" and because "it's such a small company, you should do some compromises." That same "Small Company" will not look at all of these "compromises" when it's time for them to get rid of you for financial reasons or whatever other reasons it may be. It can be ANY reason. To them, it all about business. Unlike what they usually say "you are an asset for the company", you are nothing but but something that can be replaced when they are "back on their feet".
#3: ALWAYS REMEMBER that your boss is just YOUR BOSS, no matter how "cool" or "friendly" he/she is with you. DO NOT do major sacrifices for him/her, unless you absolutely can or if it won't inconvenience you. To your boss, it's strictly business. It's all about "protecting the asset of the company he/she is responsible for". He/she is not there to protect you. Despite whatever favors you do for him/her or the company, he/she will look at you in the eyes at 4:30PM and tells you "today was your last day. You will be compensated..." and gives you 30 minutes to pack up! No hint, no warning that your job is at risk (they would not decide that one morning, your position is cut. All knew, except you). Maybe that's how it goes in the "professional world" but I would have the decency to tell my employee, if we have such a close professional relationship.
Again, this is a note to self. I will not let this experience tarnish my loyalty to future workplaces. But I will know what to do and what NOT to do. Maybe I will post some more "Lessons" soon. Or maybe I will post some positive things that happened also, although it won't be much. For now, I will leave it at that.
"Every experience is a learning experience. Every time we try something--win or lose--we learn, we grow, we attain more confidence and competence for the next time."
No comments:
Post a Comment