The first thing you need to understand is that I work in temp jobs. Last year I worked at the same one for 6 months. I didn't renew my contract because the Crazy Lady came back after extended medical leave and made me too crazy to work. Crazy and controlling are a really bad mix especially when the same person PATS YOU ON THE HEAD to tell you what a good job you are doing. So a few weeks back, they talked me into coming back into the department because she was retiring at the end of February. Only she is more crazy and more controlling than ever. The second day I was at the job, she called me into her office to tell that I had to quit acting like I knew what I was doing and I had to act like I knew nothing so she could train me in this job (I trained her when she came back in September!!) And so I immediately started looking for another temp assignment. (remember, I did use the wrong hand to open envelopes, wasn't mean to the work study kids and many other crimes against the Crazy Lady policy of workplace misery)
So this is how my LAST week went, I know you are dying to find out!!
On Monday
Me: I am giving my 2 weeks notice
Crazy Lady: Why bother, leave now
Human Resources: You have to work out your notice, the other department isn't expecting you for 2 weeks
Me: I have to work out the notice
CL: Fine, you need to write a complete training manual before you can go, for the whole department (that I had been in for 5 days at this point and told I was too arrogant and my expertise didn't serve me well and now I was writing the training manual? Crazy, crazy!!)
Me: Okey dokey
Tuesday AM
CL: Is the manual done? I'd like for you to move on now
Me: Just started it will try to have a first draft on your desk my close of business
CL: Just get it done
Tuesday PM
CL Stop what you are doing, you need to train my replacement today and tomorrow
Me: Okey dokey, would you like to see the work I've done so far on the training manual
CL: What are you working on?
Me: Training manual?
CL: For what?
5 more calls made to HR Help me! help me! I need to leave early. Calls to new department, can I come now? Pleeeeeease!!!!!!
Wednesday
Trained her replacement all day, she asked me why I was leaving and couldn't I just last until she took over
Me: I don't mean to be rude but hell no
Replacement: This training manual is very helpful. Thank you for doing this.
Thursday AM
CL: Can I see the finished training manual?
Me: I have the first draft, here it is.
CL: Why isn't it finished?
Me: I trained your replacement yesterday and will be doing so this morning as well
CL: Why? I want that training manual before you go and it is time for you to move on.
Thursday PM
Meeting with the head of the department and the replacement
What can we do to get you to stay?
Me: Absolutely nothing will make me stay
Them: we are so sorry to loose you
Friday:
Replacement training completed, training manual completed and checked by those who do the job and found to be accurate. Crazy lady checks it out and her parting comment to me was "They are going to think you are so smart."
My parting comment to CL: I AM smart.
So now my lovelies, I am free to make the change. I love changes. I love the freedom to enjoy the change and I am going to enjoy the new department to the fullest because now matter what it will be better than one more minute in the company of the Crazy Lady. Thank you for listening and we will now return to the regularly scheduled programing.
9 comments:
Miss Leau ... thanks so much for this reminder of why I've always chosen the Crazy Roller Coaster of Self Employment. I'm crazy. I know it. I can't handle any OTHER CrazyLadys!!
JJjjjadiumut
oh my, if this didn't remind me so much of bad temp (and permanent) job experiences from my past it would be funny. i don't have the stomach for crazy ladies like that and would have left in tears sometime around 10am monday. i admire the way you handled this and hope the next job and department appreciates you (and is crazy lady-less!)
wow. Crazy Lady is an understatement. And the HR should be glad you did the manual at all.
I've never understood the mentality of 2 weeks notice under such circumstances....there ALWAYS seem to be cl's, but I had a crazy employee situation once that made my life HELL those last 2 weeks.
happy that you are away from cl!!
x..x
Oh, for heaven's sake. This is CRAZY making! I used to work with someone like this!! I'm SO glad you are getting out of these insanity. Happy happy!
OMG! CL got crazier far more than I could've imagined! I am so, so glad I left. BUT she isn't the only CL there! I can think of at least TWO more!
For all of you out there reading this, I know this CL and worked with her for 10 years. Leau is not exaggerating in the least!
Looking forward to hearing about the new adventures and change!
I can't believe this. I mean, I can believe it because you said it (even without the verification in the other comment). But this woman is clearly a sociopath. I worked with someone like her a few years ago. Two months after I got a raise, I was called in and told, "You don't like us enough." Stupid me replied, "We don't have to like each other. We just have to be professional." Two weeks later I got fired ... which couldn't have worked out better. The company was moving to the suburbs, and I wasn't about to commute. Poor me had to collect unemployment.
Anyway, IMO you owe it to your agency to offer a succinct but accurate description of this unbalanced woman. Keep it unemotional, and back each point up with short examples. Even if they don't listen, at least when she finally sends someone over the edge (or goes postal herself), they will look back and realize you tried. I know it's easy to not care once you've left, but think of all the unsuspecting workers who will come after you. Besides, it's great closure.
So happy you're outta there.
From MS. The crazy lady has been crazy for a very long time. What she had done to the people in that department is terrable. However it starts at the top. Why anyone would put her in charge, or allow her to be in charge is also crazy. Crazy from the top down is the UNM motto.
What a relief to be away from that INSANE woman! xoxox
Post a Comment