I hate my Job

As a working mother, I have always considered myself successful. I began working at age sixteen and had my first full time job while still in highschool. I dropped out of college after a semester to enter the work world full time thinking that money held far more appeal than further education possibly could. Nineteen years ago I began working for my present employer as an Executive Secretary. I barely typed 40 wpm, but I was a fast learner, hard worker, and incredibly dedicated. Seven years ago I was promoted to Billing Manager. A huge feat since this company is a maritime company and has for over fifty years been a veritable boy's club when it came to management positions. I was the first female manager in the fifty year history. I should have been elated, but I was only promoted to prevent a law suit. They were planning on promoting a male employee with similar education, and less experience and someone apparently foresaw the discrimination case looming in their future and thought it best to promote both of us. So, this knowledge has always left me a bit deflated by their efforts to appreciate my talents and skills for what they really have contributed to the betterment of the company.

Well, recent developments created major stress related situations in our office due to utter stupidity in the upper hierarchy of the executive offices. Placement of employees in the department who created serious personnel problems, hiring of employees with salary discrepancies in relation to existing employees, giving employees with political connections promotions and huge raises while employees with more experience and more deserving were left in the dust. I weathered all these storms for the past year and eventually decided that it was time to request a raise. I have had my position for seven years. I have made major changes within the department in the past year and a half that have resulted in better use of time, more efficiency, more accuracy and faster revenue results. I have written and organized an accounting manual that outlines all of the departments various daily, monthly, and annual procedures. I created procedures for enhanced security within the company that have yet to be realized due to lack of cooperation from other departments including one who has worked their less time and makes more money. My frustration led me to putting this letter together to my boss and the CEO requesting a pay increase. I was very professional in my request. I delineated my contributions over the past year and reminded them of my years of service, dedication and vast working knowledge of the company due to my varied experiences while working there. I mentioned that I have been continuing my education in hopes of attaining my degree in Human Resource Management, an area that our company desperately needs filled. I politely requested a raise.

Well, over a month passed and neither my boss nor the CEO contacted me regarding my request. Not a call, a note, and e-mail. Nothing. Crickets chirping --- resounding silence. I questioned my boss about the rather rude lack of response, he answered sarcastically and offered to mention it again to the CEO. Okey dokey. Why don't you do that? Several months later, still nothing. So, I again ask, my boss if he has heard anything. Again, he says no. So, I politely said "Oh, okay fine." and hung up. I was seething. And so, the search has begun in earnest. It is time for me to leave. I'd love to stay and take that early retirement in six years or so and tell them where they can stick that raise, but I doubt I could survive another six years with this complacent attitude. It has physically made me ill this time. I'm done with being polite. I politely assured my boss also, that when I find a new job and give my resignation, that will not be the time to make me an offer. I will refuse. Additionally, I reminded him that in every job that I have held within the company, they have had to hire three people to do all the work I as one person had done previously. This meant they would pay three salaries rather than compensate me for the same amount. Three salaries also meant three people collecting health insurance. These people must truly be either idiots or insane. It's a fine line and I wouldn't want to hedge a bet. It could go either way.

Wish me luck, 19 years experience is great, but I could really use that damned degree right about now. Oh well, in my next life I'll listen better to my parents.