Stranger in a strange world....advice? encouragement?

[hester_prynne]

So, today I got a notice from my "superiors" at work. A meeting tommorrow regarding my work performance that "could result in disciplinary action".
Other people have gotten these where I work, but i've never gotten one in all my years of working.
It's unsettling.
It pisses me off. Why do I have to be the "bad guy" at a job I hate?
From what I can gather and have been told, I need to point out to them their cliquey ways, point out to them that some get help while others just get told they suck, blah blah blah........
Fact is, I do sorta suck at my job. I mean the doctors and psychologists tell me my work is great, of much higher caliber than many. But my supervisors tell me I am not processing the cases fast enough, not keeping up with the numbers. 15 cases in a week, 15 out minimum. I'm lucky to do 10 in a week. Heh. And how do the really good adjudicators get their cases out? They set them up for failure to comply. They say they called the claimant for forms and write it down, when they really didn't call. They say, the "claimant is usually a loser anyway" I say, no their not, they're just people like you and me but they are disabled and or have no money! They deserve a fair shake! They just reapply if they are FTC'd! Which eats up more social security funds! And there are really good adjudicators who have been there for years and really have the desk management skill stuff down. My desk management skills really aren't very good, sure i'll cop to that. Sigh.
Oh me. I dread going in there and listening to them tell me how bad my stats are, how i'm not cutting it. It makes me feel bad...er I let it make me feel bad.
How does one not let this kind of thing make you feel bad, not let it take you to that dark place of self loathing. Ive spent enough time there, dammit!
H

[Doreen Peri]

Sounds like a standard type performance review which they give to everyone. Sure, they have to keep stats to create a standard of achievement. That makes sense in that business, I suppose.

But everybody works at a different pace. We all have different styles of working.

It's really too bad you hate your job. That's a huge part of this. When you hate your job, you don't feel inspired and one of the reasons you hate it, is because the system isn't fair to people. You're a fair and caring person. You took the job because you wanted to give to people who needed help but you're being told to disallow cases which you think are valid. Am I right? And the people you work with don't seem to have the heart you have and it bothers you a lot. Am I right about that?

Here's my advice about tomorrow... when you go in there, have a positive attitude about your job and yes, admit that you haven't kept up with their quotas. At the same time, when asked why, answer that you feel you want to be more thorough and sometimes thoroughness takes time. Bring the human element into it. The people on the other end of the phone are people... they need compassion and support and you are that person with compassion and support. Speak to that. Also bring up the fact that the doctors and psychologists praise your work and tell you it's high caliber work. Make sure you mention this praise and also the fact that you take pride in doing high caliber work. You might say that you feel the quotas are somewhat unrealistic because every case is different and some cases take longer than others. Key word is "somewhat"... if you say "unrealistic" instead of "somewhat unrealistic" they may think you're making excuses.

"What's more important? The number of cases reviewed or the caliber of the work done for the people involved?" Just an idea of something to say to them.

I also would NOT hesitate to mention that you are sure that some of the other adjudicators cut corners and don't really make the calls they claim they made. You might tell them that you are not going to name any names because that's not right for you to do so but that you know this for a fact and that you suspect they do this for the sole purpose of meeting the somewhat unrealistic quotas... not because they're bad people or cheaters or anything like that but because the quotas are set unreasonably high.

Be aware that speaking out positions you two ways:

1) They may not at all like the way you are questioning the system and you may get whatever disciplinary action they deem appropriate. I can't imagine what that could be, though. Docking your pay? A probationary period to get your quota up?

BUT ... it also puts you in this position...

2) They HOPEFULLY will respect you more for speaking to the issues involved in the system they have set up. And if that happens, they may even ask you for ideas about how you think the system can be improved. This would a huge step in positioning yourself for recognition and maybe even a promotion. Depends on their personalities but oftentimes, speaking out and speaking out knowledgeably, but NOT defensively... (try not to be defensive, just try to be PROUD of the caliber of work you do).... is a very effective tactic when dealing with those who supervise you. Make THAT the most important thing... how proud you are of your quality work. Sometimes this type of speaking out can do wonders for the amount of respect you get. And you might go in there prepared with one or two ideas about how to improve the system. Just an idea.

I don't know whether I even came close to evaluating your situation based on the brief post you made. But I did my best. I hope this helps.

If I'm fulla crap, just tell me. LOL

all the best, Theda!

[hester_prynne]

Thank you Doreen. Your words are encouraging and yes, I will go in and promote the caliber of my work. I like that idea and approach.
These people are sort of like aliens to me and I really don't know how to conduct myself very well, what they want does not come naturally to me. they actually kind of scare me.
I appreciate your response and will keep you posted as to what happens.
Thank you...
H

[stilltrucking]

You know me Theda, the jack of nightmares. When you took the job I knew it was going to be a bitch. I posted something about that but deleted it because I did not want to discourage you.

I would be very careful theda. Doreen is right but I would still be careful what you say to those people. I mean your supervisors. I don't think you are going to get any traction with pointing out what is wrong with the system. Their job is to crack the whip.

I get threats of discinplinary action at work frequently. It scares me too. I think that is what they want me to be, scared
So I try not to get pissed off and just act scared. Scared. Fortunately acting scared comes naturally to me so I don't have act much.

I think the threats are a formality. My advice is to make them happy act scared and then go back and keep on doing what you are doing. And that is doing your best for those people.

My advice is also to pay no attention to my advice. Doreen makes more sense than I do I think

good luck please keep me posted, please. I will be worried till I hear from you again.


You think you hate your job
How about this. Emphasis mine.

This is how I live: The alarm clock starts me. I have a hangover. I am nauseated all morning. The toothpaste frequently makes me heave. I can't keep down the orange juice, toast, and tea. I chew gum and go to my car dressed in a suit and tie. I fight idiots who don't know how to drive on a highway where thousands of cars go too fast and all the signs, street lights and policemen are confused and wrong. My car is old and unresponsive. Dies frequently and whistles in its generator. At the office I do the urgent, not the important. A friend describes it as "pissing on small fires." The meetings are not to be believed. If a tape recorder were put in the room everyone would think that someone like Perelman or Bememans was trying to be funny. It can't be burlesqued. It can't be told. All day long I am humiliated by inferior people who insist that I must do something in less time than it takes, and when I do they change it, making it only different, not better, so that I have to do it all over again in even less time. It never should have been done in the first place, anyway. Then I come home. The same idiots that can't drive are now as furious as I am. We try to kill each other for 30 minutes. Then I am home.---From Genesis Angels The Saga of Lew Welch and The Beat Generation

[stilltrucking]

Just One more thing (doing my best Columbo voice)
In the teamsters there was a ninety day probationary period when the company could fire you for just parting your hair the wrong way. The guys on probation used to say after the ninety days they are going to see a personality change. Meaning it was hard as hell to fire you once you got on the payroll permanent. You had the union grievance committee behind you then.

I don't know if you are on the payroll so to speak or still on probation. I mean tenured or what ever you call it when a civil service is a regular employee. I always thought it was hard to fire a civil servant?

not sure if this relates.

[SadLuckDame]

Dear Hester,

I think that you're on the right track. I've not much experience in the 'work' atmosphere. But, at home it is about picking your battles, choosing what it is that is most important. You said, " They say, the "claimant is usually a loser anyway" I say, no their not, they're just people like you and me but they are disabled and or have no money! They deserve a fair shake!"

I've been nervous that being out amongst the everyday people will eventually make me adapt to their ways, ideals and lack of care in lou of more efficient or something rather unimportant to me. People freak me out. Anyway, do your thing and do it to the best of your ability. It'll turn out for the better eventually. Be strong in you.

sld

[the mingo]

Sex 'em, Doll. Right down the line. Board hammer & nail. You have the ways & means & a killer voice. Let them know right up front that you're taking no prisoners. That by the time you are done with them they will be begging to eat out of your hands and will be loving every blessed minute of it. Let every one of your words target the crotch in the middle of their hearts & give them the blues they are all longing so desperately for. Don't matter if they are male or female. You are Queen of the Blues and you are the Power. Make it WARM for them. Sex 'em, Doll. Down the hole is down the hole. Ya might as well have some fun on the way.

[Arcadia]

well, hester for the time of the day, I guess I´m late for the advices...! mm..so they want speed!, buy them a can later! Now talking seriously and listening to you, doreen & s-t and through my own 13 year experience in a kind of public service as basic education is I noticed that the fear factor is a big fuel in the system (and if we as individuals or work-group are not enough aware also in ourselves) and that is more or less intensified according to the social atmosphere and the politics-in-turn. As doreen said, try to not take it so personally and at the same time have some heartfelt arguments somewhere to share. Yeah, to not be a completely sobreadapted is kind of edgy sometimes... Good luck, amiga!. Ahh... and don´t forget to listen to them!

[Arcadia]

try mingo´s way also!

[stilltrucking]

________________________________________________

I think those people know the score. You can't tell them anything they don't already know. My advice is keep a low profile. Say as little as possible.

I hope I am wrong. I hope you can change the culture within your department. But have you had any luck changing it so far? Have you spoken up about it before.

don't try to be a hero Hester.
You will say what words come into your mouth to say. I hope you did not loose any sleep loose any sleep over what you are going to say. I just shoot for the truth. Chief Joseph said the truth does not require many words to speak. That is all I am saying.

__________________________________________

good luck
break a leg

___________________________________________________________

Doreen wrote:

They HOPEFULLY will respect you more for speaking to the issues involved in the system they have set up. And if that happens, they may even ask you for ideas about how you think the system can be improved.

I think they will hate her for rocking the boat. But I am a sick fuck.

[stilltrucking]

please pardon the multiple replies Theda
I am not saying knuckle under, I am just saying you got to do your best for those people no matter what your supervisors people tell you. But I don't know if you can confront them head on. Best to finesse them.

This puts me in mind of what is happening and been happening for years in Texas with our Child Protective Services. It sounds like the same culture you are facing.

Worried about you in texas
jt

[stilltrucking]

I know you did not say confront them doreen. Not what you said at all.

I need to start my own thread about this and stop rambling all over hesters.

[hester_prynne]

Your replies have helped me so very much.
I went in there today (wore my pink polo shirt), and they brought out papers to show me that my numbers were not where they should be, my work not up to par and that in the next thirty days some sort of "workplan" would be written up for me.
I really didn't know what to say, but I noticed this seemed very routine to them, so I just said, "you have to do this alot huh?". They both said yes. So then I said, "doesn't that say something to you?". They looked a little pissed at that, and I got a little scared, kept quiet. (Took your good advice Stilltruck, no heroics).
They showed me more numbers on a stat sheet and I noticed that there were several other names on the sheet with worse stats than mine!!!!!!!!!! I got a little less scared then, and asked them about that. I mean, what I said was, "hey, there's other people doing worse than me!" And I kinda laughed. I mean, I was shocked, and relieved sorta.
I asked if they were getting "reviewed" too, and exclaimed in disbelief, (heh), that some had been there a year or more longer than me! They didn't answer me. They just kept talking about the numbers, really trying, (and succeeding in), making me squirm.
Finally I just said, 'look, maybe i'm not able to get the amount of cases out weekly that you want but i'm trying, i'm diligent, I show up, and that is obvious and the doctors really like my quality as you know from their reports". They agreed to this! Then I said, and I can sing better than anyone in this entire office! (They laughed at that and from then on it seemed less tense). (Thanks Mingo!!!!!)
So then I just said that if I wasn't going to be able to satisfy their freaking numbers that the least they could do would be to find me another position where my strengths could be used better. I told them I was about quality and good spelling, and that I was about trying to make sure that claimants had a fair chance at getting their paperwork together. I also told them I couldn't in good conscious create failures to comply to make the numbers, that doing that just really bothered me. (Indeed Doreen, I stuck up for myself).
(Hell, i'd love to do something else, something easier, clerical support! correspondences!, reception! claiment contact!!!!!unstressful!, where I could wear my headphones and listen to jazz all day and leave my job at the office at 5, still getting good pay and benefits, not worrying about damn numbers for God's sakes.)
To my surprize they said this might just be possible! And I said well if it is, i'd be down with it.
(Wow.)
The meeting ended and everything went on as usual. My hope is that they'll assign me to a different job, I think they really might.
I can't thank you guys enough for your replies to this. They really helped me believe in myself and the moment, and gave me a perspective, which, living alone is not conducive to at times.
We'll see what happens.
Thanks to all of you, thanks for letting me bounce it off you!
I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts if any. Am I being naive? Are they jiving me about a different position? Is this really boring?
H

[sooZen]

Wow T, I think you handled that review really well (and all the advice garnered here seemed cogent.)

It is all about the numbers, isn't it? I guess that is one reasons numbers scare me so much, yuk.

(geez, I am so glad that I don't have to work in an office anymore and lucky and blessed. I feel for you girl and having to deal with those folks that make the bottom line the top one...)

I think everything happens for a reason (it seems to work out that way) and perhaps now you will get what you want and go where you need to in that job.

Adding humor to any stressful situation always helps and you made them laugh.

And, realizing (which you did) that this review is just standard procedure in the game put you way ahead of them that judge you.

Best of luck T! I do hope headphones are in your job future...

[Doreen Peri]

I knew you weren't the only one.... standard procedure, for sure!

Glad to hear it went so well! Ya done good, girl! That singing line was the best! Yay mingo!

keep us posted and let us know if they transfer you to another position.

Glad to hear you were acknowledged for your quality work.

Here's a Tony Bennet/ James Taylor duet for ya.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HEOmND0n-BY&hl ... ram><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HEOmND0n-BY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>