So as not to crayon over the mil sign off thread, here is one of my dits about doing exit stage left:
I’d worked for a well-known large chemical company for 9 years. I’d progressed from a process engineer to senior engineer and then to Subject Matter Expert [SME] after 6 years. I got on well with my two immediate line managers and I’ve got a great job which is reasonably well paid. Another 3 years and I'd probably have gotten a company motor and promotion to what was known as the "technical ladder".
At that point, 9 years in, the company falls apart and I’m transferred to a division which is being set up to be sold off. I’m dumped into a job which is not what I want, and certainly not appropriate to my SME role or capabilities. I have to stick it because DN Junior 1 is 12 months old and DN Junior 2 is on the way. I have a non-working wife and a mortgage to pay so I bite the bullet and decide to give it my best shot.
After 6 months I hate the place. I’m working for a dickhead who should be working for me. He doesn’t get what I do and doesn’t like how I do it. However, I bring in lots of money for the company and lots of other people come looking for my expertise. In revenge I am put on a job which is more suitable for someone 10 years my junior which means a 4 hour daily commute 3 times a week. I’m also told that as I’m being paid SME rate I can’t expect a pay rise for the next 3-4 years as this division doesn’t recognise technical specialists.
I’m given a target utilisation of 80% i.e. chargeable work for at least 4 days a week. Being office based and having to attend the compulsory B/S sessions it’s impossible to get to 100% but at best you can do 90-95%. I don’t drop below 90% (ever) and I could get 100% if it wasn’t for the periodic brainwashing sessions that we all have to attend.
I have a 6 monthly personal review with my idiot line manager. It doesn’t go well.
Him: You’re not working hard enough.
Me: That’s not what my timesheet says
I don’t think you’re working hard enough.
My utilisation for last months was 93%, 92% the month before.
That’s not what I meant.
Well what did you mean?
You drink too much coffee.
It’s free!
No, you spend too much time at the coffee machine.
It’s a designated meeting area and there’s no space at my rabbit hutch [think Dilbert pod] to meet anyone.
You’re just talking at the coffee machine
No, I’m working and doing my job helping people out with their technical problems. That’s why my utilisation is over 90% (you have to be authorised to book against a project number and project managers want my input so utilisation isn’t an issue).
And so it goes on.
Eventually, I have the Personal Review form shoved across the desk at me:
Sign this.
No.
What!!!
No, I’m not going to sign it.
You have to sign it.
No I don’t, it says “sign that you have discussed, accepted and agreed objectives for the next 6 months”. I don’t agree and you haven’t been fair or reasonable with me.
You have to sign!
No I don’t and I’m not going to.
You know what will happen now?
No, but do tell me.
This will go to the company senior engineer [implied threat]
That’s fine, I get on well with John. I’ll look forward to discussing my performance with him in detail.
Two weeks later I hand my notice in and leave my steady job for a partnership in a business where I have only the work that I go out and get for myself. In the first 12 months I almost doubled my salary and almost 20 years on I’m still doing the job.
I’d worked for a well-known large chemical company for 9 years. I’d progressed from a process engineer to senior engineer and then to Subject Matter Expert [SME] after 6 years. I got on well with my two immediate line managers and I’ve got a great job which is reasonably well paid. Another 3 years and I'd probably have gotten a company motor and promotion to what was known as the "technical ladder".
At that point, 9 years in, the company falls apart and I’m transferred to a division which is being set up to be sold off. I’m dumped into a job which is not what I want, and certainly not appropriate to my SME role or capabilities. I have to stick it because DN Junior 1 is 12 months old and DN Junior 2 is on the way. I have a non-working wife and a mortgage to pay so I bite the bullet and decide to give it my best shot.
After 6 months I hate the place. I’m working for a dickhead who should be working for me. He doesn’t get what I do and doesn’t like how I do it. However, I bring in lots of money for the company and lots of other people come looking for my expertise. In revenge I am put on a job which is more suitable for someone 10 years my junior which means a 4 hour daily commute 3 times a week. I’m also told that as I’m being paid SME rate I can’t expect a pay rise for the next 3-4 years as this division doesn’t recognise technical specialists.
I’m given a target utilisation of 80% i.e. chargeable work for at least 4 days a week. Being office based and having to attend the compulsory B/S sessions it’s impossible to get to 100% but at best you can do 90-95%. I don’t drop below 90% (ever) and I could get 100% if it wasn’t for the periodic brainwashing sessions that we all have to attend.
I have a 6 monthly personal review with my idiot line manager. It doesn’t go well.
Him: You’re not working hard enough.
Me: That’s not what my timesheet says
I don’t think you’re working hard enough.
My utilisation for last months was 93%, 92% the month before.
That’s not what I meant.
Well what did you mean?
You drink too much coffee.
It’s free!
No, you spend too much time at the coffee machine.
It’s a designated meeting area and there’s no space at my rabbit hutch [think Dilbert pod] to meet anyone.
You’re just talking at the coffee machine
No, I’m working and doing my job helping people out with their technical problems. That’s why my utilisation is over 90% (you have to be authorised to book against a project number and project managers want my input so utilisation isn’t an issue).
And so it goes on.
Eventually, I have the Personal Review form shoved across the desk at me:
Sign this.
No.
What!!!
No, I’m not going to sign it.
You have to sign it.
No I don’t, it says “sign that you have discussed, accepted and agreed objectives for the next 6 months”. I don’t agree and you haven’t been fair or reasonable with me.
You have to sign!
No I don’t and I’m not going to.
You know what will happen now?
No, but do tell me.
This will go to the company senior engineer [implied threat]
That’s fine, I get on well with John. I’ll look forward to discussing my performance with him in detail.
Two weeks later I hand my notice in and leave my steady job for a partnership in a business where I have only the work that I go out and get for myself. In the first 12 months I almost doubled my salary and almost 20 years on I’m still doing the job.