October 26, 2004
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I just got off of a phone call from one of my good friends from work…we’ll call him “V”. It seems that my company is at it again. Overworking people to the point that it interferes with their personal lives. V’s a project manager and part of that job includes traveling to wherever the work is. However, he’d asked for some time off after his last job in order to spend some time with his girlfriend who was feeling (and rightfully so) neglected a bit. Also, his last job was so stressful that I can’t blame him for wanting some time off.
He was ordered to go onto another job straight away and his time off was denied. Well, it may have cost him the love of his life…”S”. She’s fed up with not being able to see him or even talk to him on a normal basis. Not that S doesn’t understand the nature of the business, because she’s worked for us before as well and she very much so understands how this industry works. She has two kids, a 10 year old and 2 year old who’ve become very attached to V and are now feeling the affect of not having him around. He hasn’t seen any of them in over 3 weeks…and is extremely upset…and understandably so.
He was on the verge of tears throughout our conversation stating that besides the fact that his personal life is falling apart, he was promised a raise months ago and has yet to receive anything of the sort (sound familiar?)…he’s having to use his personal vehicle for work because the company vehicle he had is so unreliable and has been in and out of the shop so much. Of course he was told that a new truck had been ordered for him last month…and is ”on it’s way”…but I just overheard the President tell V’s manager that the truck order was just NOW put in…as in today. Figures eh? He’s not making enough to because (besides not receiving his raise) the company is only allowing him to be paid for 45 hours a week even though he’s working close to 60. I told him that was bullshit and he could file a lawsuit against them for that alone. Most of his check goes towards child support…so he’s basically being left with nothing.
The company was supposed to be sending him workers for this job and he’s seen none as of yet and he’s been there for over a week. He’s had it…and I don’t blame him. Once again, this company is going to lose one of their best employees due to their negligence. I’ve seen this happen so many times it’s not even funny…myself included.
I feel helpless in this case though…because I can’t do anything to help him and I want to really bad. I feel horrible about what he’s going though…and the best I can do right now, is listen.
Comments (15)
Awww that sucks…
I hope it works out in the end for them.
Sometimes, just being an ear for someone makes them feel a little better. I’m glad you could be there for him. After reading your blog for so long, I know that I would like having you in my corner when I’m feeling down.
The poor guy.
What is up with that company anyway? I can see why you get so mad sometimes, I’d do the same!
-Lorie-
Being a ear to listen is a good thing. He is under more pressure then it takes to turn coal to a diamond (always wanted to say that). Probably he can’t afford to just walk away so it beating on him.
PRehaps he can take a medical leave of abscence. His doctor can say it stress related and this could help him if he ends up filing a law suit. Either way he should consider contacting an attorney and document every communication he has with his boses (not being paid for hours not worked, raise promised, company car, ect.)
very true words about now companies treat people
This entry brought me to tears. I wish the “executives” at the company would walk a few hundred miles in “V”‘s shoes and see how it feels to be him… overworked, underappreciated, underpaid, and suffering tremendously!
I send him huggz and sending you huggz too.
Tamm
No eProps? What the? Work continuously gets in the way of life. I say we do away with it entirely. Work, not life. Yeah.
listening is often better than any solution!
I know the economy isn’t great right now, but no job is worth the emotional stress that your friend is going through. I’d be looking for a different job instead of letting work destroy my relationships.
Just listed for now , am sure he needs that
You are already helping V by lending an ear and shoulder freely…oh my,…I really hope something can be done.
I’m sorry to hear about your friend and how overworked he is. My boyfriend/roommate/best friend is a Senor Project Manager, which requires him to travel from time to time, but usually for only a day or 2. However, the Hurricane crew that’s here (literally right now) – have been traveling for weeks upon weeks without being home at all. In fact, one of the Supervisors and I have been talking a lot, as they’ve been in my house all week – and he looks so tired. He has 2 young children at home and a wife who he misses very much. Their company also keeps them going on and on and on without going home. It’s awful, I really think it’s awful. I hope your friend gets to go home soon
Yano, it makes me so mad about these big companies that bleed their employees dry (mentally and physically) and pay them peanuts.. in the process the family falls about because they never see each other amidst the 60-70 hr weeks.. Do the companies care?? Heck, no! They even do their layoffs RIGHT BEFORE the holidays, so they can have higher 4th quarter profits!
I politely mentioned to my DH one day that if he arranged his schedule better, he could get home earlier and not DONATE 100′s more hours to his non caring employer.. He did it! Think about it: an extra 20 hrs a week X 4 wks a month is 80 hrs! 80 hrs X 12 months = 6 months worth of work for ZERO pay!!! No thanks!
Being a good listener is probably the best thing you can do for him right now.
Sometimes ppl just need to rant and we just need to be good listeners =)
~Keri
Well I know you’re an exceptional listener and friend. I do feel for him. I couldn’t handle his situation either.