h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

is currently working, his last day in his current place.

So far there is nothing on the horizon, but... well, we have everything crossed.

The Gruesomes are practically bouncing off the walls at this stage. Today was the last day at school.

I had my Personal Evaluation today - at least my boss acknowledged some things:
a) I do all of the work for my customer, which is our biggest and most important Key Account (including what he is supposed to do
b) Promotion isn't going to happen. I'm the wrong gender and I am the wrong nationality (and he has no influence in that aspect of things)
c) one of the managers with whom I have a lot to do (unfortunately) has spent a lot of the year trying to have me fired. Going so far as to get a lawyer to tell them how much it would cost in a pay off. (and as I mentioned to my boss:I was very very close to getting in my own lawyer because I was being victimised by this guy*)
d) he (my boss) is leaving asap. Many of us are searching (some harder than others) for new jobs. I knew he was too, and before he goes he has agreed to give me a (glowing) interim reference (which I need, my last one is 10 years old due to maternity leave and the length of time I've been working where am now)
e) things are (probably) going to get (a lot) worse next year

*I'm not the only one. It seems that over the last 12 months just about every person at assistant level (hmmmmmmmm all bar one are women) has been so verbally attacked by this guy in one way or another that we(including me, more than once) have ended up crying in the ladies (and yes, I am aware that this is more of a female trait,the male assistant just went for a jog around the building)

and my sewing machine is broken
and I'm not really ready for Christmas
and I have a sore throat and ear ache...

ho hum...

It's not good being unhappy at work - and I hope things do resolve for you very soon.
How nice of your immediate boss to offer you that reference. I hope he'll do it asap for you so that, while you're waiting to attach a copy to your next job application, you can keep reading it and bask in its glowing-ness of all your excellent qualities.

I wish you and and The Grues a Merry Christmas and lots of good things in 2007.
Dammmit - it's your turn to get some of the good stuff.

If your direct boss told you that you won't be promoted because of the contents of your pants then *surely* there are some discrimination laws to protect you? ~hug~

I agree with Teuchter - definitely your turn for something nice to happen.

My day was pretty rubbishy too. I'm feeling Grinch-like because I cannot afford to buy any presents for friends and family. Nor do I have time to make any by hand.

The drawback of getting a job or promotion after winning it by means of a law suit on discrimination may be that this will be held against you once you're in.

Not only by the management but all the other girls who are in the same position as you were "then".

So, in Sho's case, for peace of mind, the best option is a change of employer rather than trying to sue yourself into a promotion.

Go for it Sho - don't forget this is Germany. As much as I need to get out of my job for my own sanity, there is a serious danger that no one will take me on at 53, which is what I am now. Change while you still can (Those years between 40 and 53 go very fast - especially when you're a working mum)

Morning Ellen (or whatever time of day it is your end!).

In the little religious section (Word on Sunday sort of mini-sermon thing) on the radio a couple of days ago, the lady priest who was talking suggested that presents are only a poor substitute for coming yourself.

So: either visiting your friends and family more often than the norm, and perhaps bringing a board game to spend time with them, or a promise of a meal out may seem a bit mean and improvised at the time, but they may well be more appreciated once the promises have been redeemed.

It has to be a meal out, mind, not a visit to the cinema. If you go and see a film together you don't get to talk to each other.

An activity like going to the skating rink, or the funfair is also very suitable. If it's slightly out of the ordinary, or a special treat, then all the better. It needn't be expensive. For example, if you can't afford to take someone out for a meal, invite them to your home for coffee and home-made cakes. Spend time just with them.

If it's kids you want to make happy, take them out to the park with a ball to kick or throw about. The only effort you need to make is thinking up some interesting versions of games to play. You'll do the mother a favour, too!

I don't know if any of that is practicable for you, but you don't have to go shopping, you can make out your own little vouchers (you can do that by hand and illustrate them yourself - the little pictures might be valuable one day!) You have paper and paint there, so there are no obstacles. Hope this helps solve at least a couple of your present problems.

2:45am here

Quite amazing that he admitted some of those things. With a bit of luck, that reference might help you find something better elsewhere next year.

Well what I'd do is change job and sue for constructive dismissal. If nobody ever challenges a company that thinks it is ok to discriminate in this way then they'll never stop will they? Not that Sho (who has enough on her plate) should have to be that person of course

Before you can try to sue for constructive dismissal you have to raise a greivance and take it all the way, else the Tribunal will through it out. At least over here.

German employment law may well be different. (in fact I would be surprised if it wasn't).

I'm going to reply to this because I landed in on the conversation.
All I will say is this:

If you have been treated badly, whoever you are or wherever you are, you have the right to be listened to.

Hope you all have a good Christmas.

Take care

Sho, if the metal waste bins in your office haven't been replaced by plastic ones, go and kick the bin across the office. It'll make a lot of noise and will make you feel better, provided you're careful not to hurt your toes. It's better than yelling at someone or crying and makes people and leave you alone.

Also, the next time the colleague who is the cause of your discomfort is giving you grief, imagine he is sitting on the loo and taking a poo - I bet he'll wonder what you're at.

Might I also suggest that you be prepared to tape his bullying on our mobile the next occasion as potential evidence in the event of an industrial tribunal.

Alternatively and in the words of the great Patsy from Ab Fab, just have another vodka and walk away!

Whoops! Not our mobile! Your mobile!

thanks all!

I've decided to keep my head down and just get on with it,and hope that I get something better/closer to home next year.

And (after today) I will NOT work when I'm sick.

I'm now ready for christmas, somehow (due to baking with the Gruesomes yesterday) so I'm just going to take it easy for a few days.

As for the company - I'm thinkig that if I can get away, I might call the Berufsgenossenschaft (TC, i need help with translating that. For everyone else, they are a Government agency who look after workers (they have been very helpful to me in the past) at month-end and recommend they swing by and check out the clocking in and out system...

Sho, I wish you, and the Gruesomes a better New Year, and suggest you get out there, get the biggest Dremel you can, and imagine holding it to his temple and saying something like "And don't you think there should be an extra zero there?"

Best wishes.

MMF