When I graduated college, with a 3.9 GPA and a degree in Psychology, I had big dreams of going on to grad school and possibly even getting my doctorate and becoming a therapist. Financially at the time that wasn't possible so I got my first job out of college working for an investment company in a customer service position during the economic downfall. I'd take call after call of people screaming at me about their dwindling investments. I hated that job and moved on to a restaurant management company working for a famous chef as an office manager. That was a great job, but six months in I was dating my hubby and he was transferred to a job in New York and I decided to move with him and take a job at a University in the Registrar's office. Also a great job, but it paid nearly minimum wage. After we got married and I got pregnant we moved back to Massachusetts. Matt bounced around to a few different jobs and this year he finally found a job at a great company that he loves and there is a lot of room for advancement.
When Addie was six months old and I was pretty bored sitting home with her I started working with Matt for Matt's old boss as an office assistant. Matt has since moved on from this company, but I have stayed. I've been there over two years now and have been promoted to an office manager position. The job is completely draining. I work part time, but between my boss texting and calling me a hundred times a day, and obsessively checking my work emails, it is really a 40+ hour a week job. I also don't get any vacation time and have not taken more than two days off in a row in over a year. I work weekends and take Wednesdays and Fridays off. But because I've recently taken over some more financial stuff I find myself working from home on Fridays. While my boss was in Italy for two weeks he would text me between 1-3am due to the time difference and I would wake up and respond. When I took off two days last week (my first days off in 21 days) my boss was texting me asking me where stamps were. I can never leave work at work. I can never check out. I am constantly attached to my phone or computer.
This all wouldn't be a problem if I liked the job I did, or felt like I was working for a great company. Or respected my boss. But I don't. Recently, my boss mentioned to me that he is planning on getting rid of the accounting company he uses and using me solely for his accounting. I don't like the way he does business and I know he wants to use me because he can fudge his financial reporting much more easily.
I just feel completely stuck. I have no energy and I can't be happy because I'm constantly stressed. I never want to see my horse because I am always overwhelmed. All I want to do is sleep. I would love to be able to go back to school, but I just can't unless we are both working. We need both incomes. I am exhausted and more than ready for a change. Living in Massachusetts is tough. Everything is expensive and jobs are hard to come by. If my husband didn't love his job so much I'd be looking for work elsewhere. But for now, here we are.
I've applied for a few jobs and hoping to hear back from one I'm very interested in. While it is full-time the benefits and quality of life would be more than worth it. Between holiday, vacation, and sick time, I'd have over a month off every year which is a heck of a lot more than I've had in the past 2+ years. I'm in desperate, desperate need of a change.
Anyways... here's some Avalon pics from the other night!
She looks like she has a little bit of a belly? :)
ReplyDeleteNo... You think?! She looks like a moose! ;)
DeleteShe is growing!! I hear you about the job thing. . .my undergrad degree is in psychology and there is not much you can do with it unless you get an advanced degree. I finally went back, but it wasn't easy. Fingers crossed for the job you want!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteDude, I'm so glad you're looking elsewhere. My initial response was going to be, "Brush up the resume and GTFO." Beyond the questionable tweaking of GAAP, he's violating FLSA by not compensating you for the time that you're answering emails and texts and calls. You aren't salary; you're hourly. Every minute that you work, you should be compensated for. I lecture about this ad naseum when our supervisors pester our employees during their lunch breaks.
ReplyDeleteHope the best for you!
(Ps. I was a psych major for a semester until a professor sent me crying from his classroom. Then I switched to biz, but mi madre has a master's in psychology, so I'm immersed by proxy.)
I work for a really backwards small business and a lot of what is done is completely illegal. My husband was actually fired (no warnings/ no reason) other than he wasn't the right fit for the job. I ended up staying even after he was fired....and I'm constantly regretting it.
DeleteYour statements "all I want to do is sleep," and "I don't even want to see my horse" rang a bell. I was in a similar position and realized that I was suffering from depression. I went on an antidepressant and immediately felt like I had the energy to deal with the problems I was facing. You may want to talk to your doctor. I agree with the last commenter who said that your (horrible) boss is violating employment rules. You DO NOT want to be responsible for his financials if he is doing anything even slightly questionable. As for a different job, what do you really love doing? Are there any opportunities in the local school system so that you will be on the same vacation schedule as your child? Universities are also a great place to work because of schedule flexibility. Your psychology degree could be useful for jobs in human resources (though some of those positions can be stressful). Good luck with your job search and I hope the one you really want comes through.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I have a lot of symptoms of depression and anxiety. Sometimes I feel great, other times not so much. I do have a dr appt coming up and plan on mentioning it.
DeleteRegarding my boss he's doing things that are way more than slightly questionable. :(
I know that it is time to get out. Ideally I'm looking at schools and universities.
Thank you so much for your comments!!
Good for you for working on getting out of there! It's difficult to leave jobs like that, especially if it's a small company or if your boss is a nut. Before I quit my job at the therapeutic riding center, I was constantly stressed, I wasn't happy, and I had zero motivation to go hang out with my own horses. Most of this was caused by my boss doing stuff similar to yours: calls and texts constantly, piled on responsibility, etc. I was very nervous and anxious about leaving because I thought she would somehow ruin my life when I left. I have never been happier. Money is tighter and sometimes I get down because I don't feel like I'm doing anything useful, but I am much better off. You will be too! :)
ReplyDeleteYou could always look into therapeutic riding or equine assisted therapy as a career! I absolutely loved instructing- it was my boss that ruined the job for me. It isn't terribly difficult to get certified, though it does cost some money and time. PATH International is the certifying organization for therapeutic riding instructors, while EAGALA is an organization that certifies people to do Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning.
Anyway, best of luck!
Thank you. This is how I feel now. That if I leave my boss (or his wife) will try to ruin my life and still harass me. I constantly feel harassed but like if I didn't respond (to stupid requests) he'll be upset with me. It is just such a backwards small business. I am actually going to look into PATH certification, I think that's something I would love. Thank you :)
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