Would you find another job if...?

Question

I've been in my current position for about 3 months now, but I've been with same company for a year in late November. I've been having a lot of issues with people in the office lately & some issues with my working environment. Here's a list of some issues:

-I've been having to take extra vitamins at home to ensure that I don't get sick from work because the boss keeps it extremely cold in the office because she's old & is always hot. Several times I've felt as though I was starting to come down with a cold. Luckily, I haven't gotten very sick probably because of the extra vitamins.

-I'm not allowed to access the internet anymore. I used to go to our local news stations' websites to check the news & sometimes yahoo or MSN. Apparently those sites are bad???

-I'm not allowed to send personal e-mails anymore. My husband & I would e-mail each other as our way of communicating throughout the day while at work.

-I used to like doing those little CryptoQuip puzzles in the newspaper until someone complained to my boss about it & also about my personal e-mails. Why they waste their time complaining about me when I don't even work with them & they don't even have the same boss, I don't have a freaking clue. Ridiculous.

-I run lots of errands for people in the office. Lately I haven't been buying my lunch, I've just been bringing it from home because I'm short on money for now. They order out & ask me to go get it. One time is fine, but then they ask me to do it another. My boss has had me run to the store to buy plates, napkins, a toaster & more plates twice in two days. They don't pay me for the gas that I'm using. If I can't afford to eat out, then I can't afford to keep putting gas in my car so that THEY can eat out.

I do know of another job for a different company which would be more of what I want to do in the future, but I haven't been at my current job that long. What would you do?

I DO work. I'm given tasks when they need to be done & when I finish them I have nothing else to do. I do what they ask & I do it right. I don't do any "personal" things unless I have no work to do. While I'm not working on anything, puzzles are something that I like to do to keep my occupied until my boss presents me with my next task.

The e-mailing was not part of the home office's doing. Much like the puzzles, someone was complaining about it.

I wear a sweater everyday to work & turn my mini heater under my desk on everyday. Nothing seems to help. That's how cold it is in there.

The internet thing, okay that's fine. Not that I frequently use it throughout the day or for anything innapropriate, but whatever. The other things are because of other people in the office being idiots like I'm just supposed to sit there & stare at the walls.

Also, the company policy for e-mails states that we CAN use it for personal usage, but all of our e-mails are read by the home office. Basically, we just get no privacy. But like I said, the e-mailing part was not because of the home office.

ANYWAY, my question was would you find another job? What about the other things that were not "my wrongdoings"? What would you do?

Answer 1

I was somewhat in your shoes with my job. But I found this article online that helped me cope with my job. I'm not saying this article is going to be effective for everyone, but it's a nice thing to read over.

Answer 2

Accessing the Internet and personal e-mails at work? You are not getting paid to do those things. Checking the news on Yahoo or MSN is not bad, it's just not appropriate on company time! Do them on your own time. Write your husband a note and put it in his lunch bag or briefcase. When he opens it, he will see a little love note from you and brighten his day.

I'm not surprised that your boss is "old" and is cold! Elderly people have thinner skin and blood. They tend to have more circulation problems and, thus, are colder. Just dressing more warmly is about all you can do. The Federal Government requires that thermostats in public buildings are set between 68 and 72 degrees.

As for fetching lunch and such, just say it's not part of your job description. You may want to make an exception if the plates, etc. are for a special company event. If you do an errand for the company, then you are in your rights to track your mileage and present your boss with it. You should be reimbursed, I think 25 cents a mile. As for lunch trips do like our former first lady used to say "Just Say NO!"

Answer 3

You need to stop being a wimp and stand up for yourself. Patiently explain to these people, including your boss, that you are not a delivery person and they must make other arrangements or compensate you for the gas you are burning up on their behalf..

As for the personal emails and puzzles and surfing the 'net, they are not "bad", but that is not a part of your job, so don't do it.

Wear a sweater if it is cold in the office, and keep taking the vitamins, especially Vitamin C.

If you really want to change jobs, apply for the other one and tell the potential employer you want to learn new things so you can advance yourself. but don't badmouth the present employer.

Answer 4

No matter what the reasons are, I would never stay at a job that I didn't like. And I don't think you should either!

I spent years being miserable b/c I thought I had to hold onto a job for security but there is always something else out there that you can do.

Start looking around, there are plenty of places you can find a job that will be more flexible about personal freedoms. And I hate it when offices are cold! BRRRR....

Answer 5

Find another job? It depends on how bad you need to work and where or what else you go to. Unfortunately, that is the trend nowadays. Companies are regulating internet use, blocking internet sites and taping/voiceprinting ALL calls. I just started a job that does this and we can't even use our cell phones on the floor...not even to text. We have to go downstairs, outside or in the lunchroom.

It is the company's right to expect when you are at your desk to WORK the entire time and to use the phone on your personal time. The use of the internet is 1) to keep you on task 2) to prevent spam and viruses.

So, while I agree it sucks...it's beginning to be the trend and I think we will see it more and more!. So, find another job? Up to you if you can find out w/o these restrictions.

Answer 6

Let me be frank with you. You have no leg to stand on here.

1. You can dress more warmly to compensate for the cold office. I believe standard is 72.

2 and 3. You are at work, as such you are not to use office equipment or network to access private websites or keep in touch with your husband. Don't even mention these points to your employer, it can be held against you. You are there to WORK. Surf the web on your own time.

Also, be aware that even if you are not blocked from sites or personal e-mail, you employer can monitor your activity and again hold it against you.

Answer 7

As to the temperature in the office - keep a sweater at your desk and wear it when you need to.

For the internet and email, you're supposed to be working, not spending your time on personal use of the internet. That's a rule in many workplaces.