Friday, August 6, 2010

Questions for my readers

If anybody understands social theory, I have a question for you:

What is the average length of time that a normal person should be expected to perform an unpleasant job function, without receiving any positive feedback or additional monetary motivation upon successful completion of the taskings?

If the job that a person is doing provides no personal satisfaction from successful completion, nor is there financial incentive for continuing through the unpleasant times without hope for advancement, should that person remain?

This question boils down to personal motivation. When "thank you" is expected, but not received; and, "Job well done" is beyond the vocabulary of your superiors; and, bonuses are out of the question, what then?

Newbius

7 comments:

Bob S. said...

Newbius,

I don't claim to understand social theory but just understand what I've seen in my time as employee and supervisor.

People come into a company for the money and stay for the leadership.

When that leadership, that personal loyalty isn't there -- then it is time to leave.

This assumes that a person finds a job before quitting and isn't just seeing the issues from one side.

I remember a person I supervised and one day he asked why I never told him "good job". It was rough telling him I was still waiting to do just that.

All the coaching, all the advice, all the 'shape up or ship out' was totally over his head. He quit and bitched to all the others - I was pleased to hear them laughing about his view -- they agreed with mine.
(not saying you are like that, but it doesn't hurt to check)

Make sure you are doing well in your work, make sure you line everything up and then make the effort to manage up.

Tell your bosses your expectations, let them know the issues you have, remind them of your successes.

Might not work but then you can be assured you've done all you can. Leave with no regrets.

wizardpc said...

Well Newbius I've had a recent, similar experience.

After taking on additional responsibilities and a 30% pay CUT in the last 2 years, I was dismayed to learn that one of my direct reports was making 10% more than I am.

I'm the guy's supervisor, and he makes more than me. What. The. Hell.

I talked to my manager in February when I found this out, and she told me that I'd be given a promotion and a raise after the review process in April.

Now, I work for a company that has 120,000 employees worldwide and only 8,000 stateside. My manager can make suggestions, but really has no say in matters of compensation.

So I decided to wait. Last Friday I got the promotion, and the raise.

Twelve. Dollars. A week.

To me, that's like leaving a nickel tip on a hundred dollar tab. It's not that you're a jerk that doesn't tip. No, that's an intentional "screw you."

I have an interview with a competitor TODAY.

Nancy R. said...

Does what you're doing suck less than the alternative(s)? If no, stay. If yes, leave.

Send me your resume. I've got an "in" with one of our recruiters. It may require me to send him the cheescake pictures of me on the C-60, but what are friends for? *grin*

Newbius said...

Nancy,

Right now the choices are:

Suck it up and quit whining -or-
Be unemployed and looking for work in a down market.

Sucking it up for now...but I am not happy about it.

Nancy R. said...

Seriously - send me your resume. We do have an office in your neck of the woods (if I'm remembering your neck correctly), but how far are you willing to commute? I seem to remember our respective employers do some of the same stuff.

TJP said...

After 10 years at my current job--where I'm regarded as some sort of evil wizard, yet they keep giving me more power--the best I can offer is that while thanks are good, it's even better if people just stay the hell out of the way so I can do my job.

Dixie said...

I put up with a similar situation (I was the Chief Engineer, but all of the department made 5-10% more and had less responsibility) for about a year of my three years with my last employer.

I miss the check, but not the employer.