I am in a much better assignment. People leave me alone, generally. I have discovered a new tactic I haven't tried before in temping that seems to be paying off. I'm dressing more office-y. I'm finding this helps me give the perception that I care more than I do. So I can be generally lazy, but if someone comes over and I look all corporate, I MUST be doing something efficient! I am also using a more commanding, serious voice with my bosses. A voice that says "I am incredibly attentive and perky!" Inside I am just pretending I am on Mad Men.
...this could change tomorrow on my whim. I am not sure how long I can keep up the dressing up thing. It's a pain, but a fun experiment!
26 August 2009
21 August 2009
Dumped
Well, it has to happen to every temp sometime, and it is happening to me. I have been "re-assigned." No one has said anything, but I'm guessing it's because I HATE THIS CURRENT ASSIGNMENT and have done a gloriously crappy job of even being present. I am working in a promotions department that is so utterly busy and insane that I just can't keep up with it. And no one is helping me keep up with it. (Always try to avoid promotions departments wherever possible)
Here's the hard thing about being a temp: if you have a doctor's appointment or an act of God that keeps you from being at work, no one is on your side to back you up. My case this week: my flight home was cancelled so I had to miss a day of work, then got back and was very ill and needed immediate doctor's care, then had an audition the next day, then had another doctor's appt., then I had to leave early due to a pre-arranged half-day. These things HAPPEN. But when you're a temp, people do NOT appreciate it.
It is very hard to walk up to a perfect stranger you've just started working for and say, "I am in physical therapy and need to be at a doctor's appointment twice a week during lunch." You never know what you're going to get. A good majority of people will be kind and considerate and have no problem. And then you'll get an office like this, where it is a MAJOR inconvenience. But DO NOT sacrifice your health or real career (in my case acting) for these people! If you need to go to a doctor, GO TO THE FREAKIN' DOCTOR. The office is not going to burn down in your absence. The calls will be taken care of. The reports will be filed.
It is never good if you are on a job where you have to report to someone if you are leaving your desk to go to the bathroom. RED FLASHING LIGHT, fellow temps! Do what you can to get out of jobs with this kind of setup. This means that every minute is monitored. This means that you are beholden to someone else when it comes to your lunch hour so that "all the phones can be answered on the first ring!" No, no, no. This will not do. My tactic in this situation has been to just go to the damn bathroom, and if someone calls you on it, look at them with horror and say, "are you serious?" This just might change their mindset or help them see their current pathetic existences in a new light.
...or it might get you transferred out. Which, come on, as much as my pride is hurt, I am glad to be out of here. This place blows. I hate feeling like a failure but the great thing about temping is, THEY WILL FORGET, and NO ONE CARES. I already have a new assignment for Monday. OUT!
Here's the hard thing about being a temp: if you have a doctor's appointment or an act of God that keeps you from being at work, no one is on your side to back you up. My case this week: my flight home was cancelled so I had to miss a day of work, then got back and was very ill and needed immediate doctor's care, then had an audition the next day, then had another doctor's appt., then I had to leave early due to a pre-arranged half-day. These things HAPPEN. But when you're a temp, people do NOT appreciate it.
It is very hard to walk up to a perfect stranger you've just started working for and say, "I am in physical therapy and need to be at a doctor's appointment twice a week during lunch." You never know what you're going to get. A good majority of people will be kind and considerate and have no problem. And then you'll get an office like this, where it is a MAJOR inconvenience. But DO NOT sacrifice your health or real career (in my case acting) for these people! If you need to go to a doctor, GO TO THE FREAKIN' DOCTOR. The office is not going to burn down in your absence. The calls will be taken care of. The reports will be filed.
It is never good if you are on a job where you have to report to someone if you are leaving your desk to go to the bathroom. RED FLASHING LIGHT, fellow temps! Do what you can to get out of jobs with this kind of setup. This means that every minute is monitored. This means that you are beholden to someone else when it comes to your lunch hour so that "all the phones can be answered on the first ring!" No, no, no. This will not do. My tactic in this situation has been to just go to the damn bathroom, and if someone calls you on it, look at them with horror and say, "are you serious?" This just might change their mindset or help them see their current pathetic existences in a new light.
...or it might get you transferred out. Which, come on, as much as my pride is hurt, I am glad to be out of here. This place blows. I hate feeling like a failure but the great thing about temping is, THEY WILL FORGET, and NO ONE CARES. I already have a new assignment for Monday. OUT!
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