The Rabid Veterinarian, Chapter 2

This was absolutely the longest 6 months of my life even though I did enjoy what I was actually doing. So it was really disappointing when it didn't work out personality-wise.  Plus, the young techs who worked there were so inexperienced in the work arena that they didn't even think it was wrong to be talked to in such a way.  One woman who was older (in her 50's) did finally leave after 2 years of being verbally abused by the doctor.  She finally moved to Bakersfield to get as far away from that man as possible.  During the 2 years she was there he had blamed her for the death of some of the animals (he had to blame someone other than himself - even though no one was really to blame); promoted her, demoted her (punishment for omitting a job from of her resume that he had somehow found out about - is this legal?) and even yelled at her granddaughter one day when she came in to volunteer.  What is an employee supposed to do when they really need a job and can't find anything else, especially when the hours they work don't allow them any free time to look?
  
I shared an office with a man who would yell at me for not capping my pens and then started throwing them at me when he'd find one uncapped.  We also shared a private bathroom that was connected to our tiny office space.  Another area where I wasn't perfect enough.  I'll admit that I have a habit of leaving the toilet lid up when I complete nature's call.  That used to send him through the roof and I never did it on purpose or with the intention of making him crazy!!  So one day, as if attempting to train me like one of his dogs, he didn't lift the seat when he urinated: Tell me, was that less, equally or more disgusting than my not remembering to put down the lid?  My actions were never malicious or deliberate.  It wasn't a conspiracy to drive him over the edge. What about his actions: was this intentional or 'just' an oversight.....?  Could this be construed as an OSHA issue (I could have slipped off the seat and hit my head on the sink) or a medical one (what disease could I have caught if I had actually sat down)?  This was the epitome of DISGUSTING-ness!!

 I'm getting pissed off.  I'll have to continue this tomorrow.

The Rabid Veterinarian, Chapter 1

It seems as if I've gotten off track with my blog. My original plan was to share either humorous or horror stories (or humorous horror stories in some cases) about our previous jobs, bosses, supervisors and coworkers. So today I will begin with the rabid veterinarian I worked for a few years back.

I was so elated when I was hired as an Office Manager for a local veterinarian. I had always wanted to work around cats and dogs so thought this would be a fantastic gig. Even though I had my doubts when I initially arrived for the "group" interview where we were required to take a lengthy personality test: I was desperate for a real job so I stayed and mustered through all 50 or so pages. The doctor seemed to have a great sense of humor and the office had a good feel to it. Well, that fantasy was short lived.

Since it was a very small, one-man practice, we shared a tiny office (about 10'x10'), which also doubled as the caretakers living quarters at night, an old computer and a phone. Oh, and did I forget to mention that his boxer and pit bull also shared this space. Since the boxer wasn't well trained, he was kept on a leash tethered to a futon. Needless to say, I tripped on that leash almost daily and the Dr. put the blame on me for not being careful enough. (Didn't he ever hear of OSHA?) So you might say, well, you were the Office Manager, why didn't you complain to OSHA or Workman's Comp; I wanted to keep my job.

Eventually, it became like a bad marriage. He became verbally abusive and when I would defend myself it would get even worse.

If you can't work -Volunteer

I actually submitted my resume for a job yesterday. I'm over qualified for it and the pay is low and it was only part-time BUT I thought it was a place to start. My rationale was that my chances might be better hearing back on this one being that I have more than enough experience. Hmm, is it better to be over or under qualified? I guess I'll find out. It seems with the economy the way it is that all I can find are part-time positions posted. So perhaps my options at this time are 2 part-time jobs. At least it's more than unemployment and if I get laid off again it will prolong my benefits - which is a good thing. Thank God for Unemployment and the government subsidy to extend it. Though I'd rather have a job and make REAL money so I can pay for that landscaping and the endodontist's bill !!!

It is true what "they" say: "When you're unemployed - volunteer". Each time I've been unemployed I volunteered at various places. For over a year, I kept my voice in practice for my voice over career by recording for the blind and I loved it. It was a great way to get my voice on tape for agents to hear - if any agent wanted to hear it" (and I emphasize any). This time around I decided to volunteer at the Humane Society and I'm so glad I did. When you're down and out with no money, what makes you feel better than to go and play with a cat or dog, brush it, talk to it, spend time and compare the state of your lives. It makes me forget my own problems for a few hours. Volunteering is a great opportunity to get experience that you wouldn't normally get the chance to learn. It is also a great networking device if you choose. You just never know.

Anyway, if I don't clean this house it's going walk away on its own. That's the trouble with blogging, it's just another (good) excuse not to do your chores. After all, it is more enjoyable.

Life is a Root Canal

Well, another day without a job. I have to admit I'm not really looking that hard. One does get a bit complacent as long as their money hasn't run out. After today, however, I'm really going to need to set some goals. I had to get a root canal today and with no insurance that is costing me over $1200!! Then, I also needed to get my redwood deck demolished due to rotting and termites and that cost me $500!! So that means I'm going to need to get my deck replaced and I'm not even going to depress myself by putting the estimate for that in print. Luckily, though, I was able to obtain financing with 0% interest for a year. Now I'll definitely need to find real employment before the year is out - is that complacent or what ?!!

It just seems that whenever I am out of a job for a long period of time (or even a short time, for that matter) everything seems to go wrong. In 2000, when I was laid off for the first time in my life, I was diagnosed with a melanoma after my insurance ran out. Was that good timing or what? But if there's one thing I've learned since being unemployed is whenever you go to a doctor without insurance don't be afraid to let them know that you don't have insurance and more times than not they will offer a discount. That's happened to me twice and saved me about 50%. However, they usually require that you pay it off in one payment. I have found, though, that it doesn't usually work with dentists or endodontists. Luckily, my dentists have always let me pay it off with no interest but with endodontists - forget it! Pay me NOW or keep your rotten roots and forever stay in pain.

Anyway, that's my "unemployed venting for the day". Time to take that vicodin now that the novocaine is wearing off. I'll definitely scrounge up the money for that!

Let's Commiserate

After I saw the movie Julie & Julia last week I thought I would attempt a Blog. Not sure why - definitely not to become famous or write a book; perhaps out of agonizing boredom from not working since April with no interviews or job prospects of which to speak. My hope is that others who have been laid off either recently or over the years will be willing to share anecdotes, stories or just downright horrible experiences about your jobs and/or bosses or coworkers that will make us laugh and realize the absurdity of it all during these difficult economic times.

In 2000, I was laid off for the first time in my life after working for 17 years at the same organization. To my shock I was eligible for 7 months of severance and had tons of left over vacation time. It was fun while it lasted. This gave me an opportunity to research other career options so I decided to take a Voice Over class in the City. That was one of the best periods in my adult life. However, since 2001 I have had so many jobs that I need to look at my resume to recollect most of them. From 2001-2006 I was contracting and temping so was able to accrue quite a list of positions since I was either hired short term or the organization went out of business (try to explain that to a potential employer on an interview - they will cross their eyes in disbelief) - even some of the temporary agencies I worked through went out of business!! However, that did give me the opportunity to hone many on-the-job skills as well as get some voice over work.

This is starting to sound like a job interview so I think I'll stop. Now that I've written a brief synopsis of my work history, I will be able to start with my job experiences and anecdotes on another day. Excuse me while I refer to my resume.