The New Job

While the new job's a cut in pay (kicking myself in the ass for not asking for more when I had the chance), it's loads better than the old one. And this is even still when I have no clue what it is that I'm to do. Due to unforseen problems (such as a time issue thanks to the new daylight savings time and the birth of a child to the guy that was supposed to train me weeks ago), my training got pushed out a few times. Today I got my first taste of the software and processes I'll be working with in order to schedule the lives of 10 technicians covering over 150 km of service area, and more than likely the subcontractors who work outside of it. Do I have any more of an idea as to what it is that I'll be doing from 9 to 5? Barely. But still, even with as little information as I have, this is loads better than the old job.

The money thing is a thorn in my backside though... Should have asked for more. Oh well.

However, its not like it would have taken a lot to improve on the old job, thanks to how badly the department deteriorated in the 2.5 years I was with the old company. For anyone coming across this without any previous knowledge on who I am (or was), I used to work as a Senior Trainer for an international computer company. Sounds like a pretty sweet gig, don't it? Yeah... It was for the first year. But that was when I helped shape the Edmonton site to what it is today and was recruited by the head office to lead any new project, line of business, or phone queue brought in because they knew that out of the group of trainer we had, I was the one who could do it all. When I left, the technicians in the Edmonton office were sad to see me go. So were the higher ups in the head office. The managers in Edmonton? Not so much. Why? Cause I stepped on a lot of toes in order to get things running smoothly for the people who mattered to the company - the technicians. And I didn't kiss any asses to get it done. Didn't sit well with the big wigs that I got by on performance and not politics.

But as things changed in the Edmonton site, and the Training department's merger with the Operations department (which got headed by a woman who was for all intents and purposes an Operations manager and had no fucking clue what Training did), things went downhill. My license to create and modify curriculum as necessary? That was something the head office did, not me, even if it was a part of my job description and a qualification needed to get hired. Then there was the expansion of the whole Operations department, and the subsequent hiring of the Training manager... And then it went to hell in a handbasket.

2 and a half years of finding out what you're doing on Monday come Friday evening was getting to be right fucking annoying. I could never schedule anything, cause the next week I could be working 6 to 3, 3 to midnight, 8 to 5, who knows? I was getting sick of constant delivery... My poor legs and back couldn't take much more of the standing for 8 hours a day while delivering curriculum in an energetic and entertaining enough manner as to keep people awake long enough to grasp the boring and convoluted processes that they needed to learn. I was getting absolutely pissed off with being a part of a department who got blamed for everything (Agents not keeping their call times low? Training's fault. This person doesn't know how to use one obscure tool? Must not have taught it to that one individual, even though the other 30 people in his/her class know how to use it. Etc.) And I was getting really sick of the bitch running the Training department. Never have I met a more self centered heartless twat, and they gave her the power to oversee 20+ people? Yeah, flipping burgers at McDicks would have been a step up.

So yeah, I still don't have much of an idea as to what I'm to be doing, aside from what I've known from the start. I'll be handling the scheduling of just about every service call that comes into the Edmonton office. These guys handle contracts from piddly little Ma and Pa self owned businesses to major government contracts. So far everyone seems to be quite pleased with my presence and willingness to help. Plus, my sick and twisted sense of humor makes me a perfect fit (what did they expect from a woman who's worked in the tech industry for a number of years, and who grew up in a mining town... I doubt a single thing any of them could say would curl my hair). And I'm loving the laid back nature of the place. We play World of Warcraft on our breaks. I've watched a few movies during work (and some TV shows, such as Robot Chicken). Everyone uses their own personal MSN account at the office, so I can keep in touch with family as well as coworkers. I've done a few service calls with some of the techs, even if the one I've gone with the most has been Gunther (yeah, he works there too). Even resolved a few calls myself. Tore apart a Toshiba portable (something I said I would never do again if I could avoid it, but they've got somewhat better over the years). Nearly knitted an entire poncho. Made fun of the team lead to his face and had him laugh... All of this is good if you ask me.

Sure, there are some issues... The company I'm working for is not known for paying their employees well... That's something I've known since working for them 9 years ago (did contract work for them when I was still living in Sudbury). And since Gunther has worked there for the past 6 years, it's not like I'm not aware of that issue either. But as much as the entire group can bitch about that, they're still an amazing bunch. Right there, it's worth it. Sure, these people have their quirks. I think what's making things easier for me is that I've known the grand majority of them since moving out here nearly 3 years ago. So it's not like I have to get to know them all, I already do. Greatly reduces the whole "forming/storming/norming" phase to any team building.

Do they know I'm pregnant yet? That, no, they don't. Good thing I'm chubby enough to hide it. If I was a beanpole, it would probably be slightly noticable at this point, but between being a computer technician (read=not a very active career) and the job Gunther Jr. did on my midsection over 3 years ago, the bun's well hidden until at least May. And at that point, people will probably just think that I've spent too much time on my ass at the new job that things are starting to settle around my waist. And who's going to ask a woman if she's getting fat, particularly when they have to face her husband in the same office? :)

Will they care? I don't think so... The topic has already been brought up that considering I don't need to go on site at any time, that when things get settled and the roll gets more stable, that there would be very few issues with the idea of me working from home if/when necessary. And since there's no way in heck I can afford to live on the Maternity Leave pay for any length of time, I don't forsee myself taking the year off Canadian women are entitled to. Unless someone would like to pay my mortgage for me.

So, it's off to bed to get ready for another day at the office. Hopefully I can level my character up in WoW, providing I don't have to fight anyone else off the system :)

Oh, and learn more about my job. Yeah... That too.