Get what you give

I have a sick child at home with the flu. My husband graciously stayed home from work today, but it will probably be my turn tomorrow. Then, I'll probably catch what my son has and be down for the count for a few days.

When I came in to the office today I found out that the latest temp decided she was above being a "receptionist" and would not be returning after lasting a whopping day and a half. Are you kidding me?! She made twelve dollars an hour to do practically nothing, and the work was beneath her? Can't say I'm really sorry to see that one go. Maybe the manager who has been making these crappy hiring decisions will finally take my advice and find someone younger and more motivated and with actual skills (this last temp really overstated her administrative abilities, from what I could see in the incredibly brief time she was here). Also, because the manager was dumb and gave the woman a key, we now have to get our locks changed. This is why I told her we generally don't assign keys to contract workers and temp staff for security reasons. Isn't that a pretty basic concept? Will people never listen?

Recently I was told there's some agreement that might be made to move me to the accounting oversight area, and I've been getting broad hints directed to me to make sure all of the department's issues are well in order before the start of the new business year, but I wish someone would talk to me about this. And I'd be able to get all this junk completed and the records in order if I was doing just my job. I really don't deal well with "what if" scenarios running through my head while I'm trying to focus on my all-over-the-place workload. This month marks my fourth year with my current employer. My review has been due since December. I sent my boss a reminder last month (hello - why do I have to remind my supervisor to evaluate me?), which has gone wholly unacknowledged. My boss and I rarely interact, and I get a sense that he is more interested in investing himself in ensuring the success of others rather than me. My husband thinks I should address this with my boss, but I'm unsure of how to do that diplomatically. I'm afraid of getting aggravated and saying something like "Look...I know I'm not young and 'hot', and I'm not a sycophant doting on your every word and deed...but I work my ass off sometimes doing everything that is asked of me, and because of being short-staffed I'm supporting half of the units within this department in some capacity. Is it too much to ask for a commendation letter for my employee file? Or even just a meeting once a week to discuss issues and to reassure myself that my boss values my input, appreciates what I bring to the department, and the work I do for the organization?". Then I'd probably burst into tears and flail my arms like a little girl. And considering the nature of my last review under our interim boss, maybe I'm better off not knowing the ways in which this boss finds me lacking. I swear, if the term "team player" even enters into it...I may not be accountable for my actions, okay?

Well, it's the afternoon and former co-worker Barbie just had a two hour meeting with the boss that was only scheduled for a half-hour. Meanwhile, if I take ten minutes to explain a problem I feel like I'm monopolizing his precious time. What could they possibly have to discuss for two freaking hours? I mean, he has made offhand comments about how he's been checking on her progress in the position she was pretty much handed, and yet I'm still waiting for some kind of appraisal to see if I'm living up to whatever in the hell his expectations are. Okay, am I suffering from justified indignation or paranoid professional jealousy? Someone help me out here, because I need to know if I'm being petty and reading into something when I shouldn't be.

On a positive note, I ate carrot cake for breakfast. Because I'm an adult and I will give myself over to the inevitable onset of diabetes if I damn well please!