Ever not know where you stand at your job?

Usually, I've always had a pretty good idea of where I stood with my superiors in whatever organization I've worked for.

At this current job though (been here since November), I've never been sure where I stood... I've been busting my butt, but it's been a real trial by fire, and learning completely new skill sets, with no instruction, has been difficult to say the least.

Always feel like "the new guy", and struggling to keep clients that have been dissatisfied with some things (which is why the company needed to add people, to increase response time, attention, etc.).

One day, I was wondering even if my job was in jeopardy (I've got way too many clients for one person, and I've communicated this, but in a professional way).

Then, I got a pat on the back and a merit raise!

Don't get me wrong, that's cool and all, but how weird is it that one minute I'm thinking I'll be in the unemployment line, and the next, I get a raise?

Stressful not knowing where you stand though.....but certainly appreciative to get recognition, especially in this economy, where most don't see even their annual raise anymore...

Anybody else work in an environment like that, where they aren't sure where they stand in the order of things?

reply to post by Gazrok

It's the uncertainty that keeps you on your toes.

When i get comfortable i get bored and unproductive - thats when i fear for my job!

Yes. At this job in fact. On two different levels though. I have a tyrant and a bully for a supervisor. When my review was coming up, I prepared to balk it with meeting with human resources, joining the union, and awaited the bad review. I think I am the only person to get a good review from this supervisor. But I knew better then to let my gaurd down. Six more months pass and I am now in the crosshairs. Actually I have been working harder and smarter then ever, which puts you in the light for a bully.

I also had difficulty socially. I have been at my job a year now. And have now only been accepted by some of my coworkers. As 95% of the people who work there are minorities. I even had a close coworker tell me she was pissed they hired white girls. (my other coworker who started when I did)
I am constantly on the outside socially. I am given a hard time. And even get plenty of glares.

But I have started winning people over. Some.

And the girl who said she was annoyed that was I was hired because of my race. We are good friends now, and even talk on the phone.

What I am also getting used to is working with a bunch of women. I usually work with a majority of men all my adult life. Because I was either doing field work or science related stuff. My last job was mostly young bachelors. So it was tricky navigating a field of women. lol

I get you there, but in my case, it's age. I'm only in my upper 30's, but I'm still one of the oldest guys in my office/company (The owner/whiz kid is like 26, and others range from a little younger, to just a little older, with a couple older than me that work more remotely).

We've even got two interns that just recently graduated (High School, not college)...programmers...

I always kind of feel like an outsider from the core group of the four that founded the company, but I guess there isn't much I can do about it, except try to fit in. At least I like a lot of the same things, being a fellow geek, so that helps....

It's just completely the reverse for me, where usually, I was the young, new guy...

I work as a volunteer for 2 days a week for a local charity.

The boss and some others who are associates with the chairman appreciate my work and include me in office meetings where we discuss how to put more efficient systems in place and I work by myself a lot, devising better ways to record and present information.

Recently, the boss has been off for over a month, having had an operation, and the office manager is now off sick too,

This leaves me with someone who I just find difficult to work with. He has an objection to being 'dragged into' the sort of work I do to the point that, even when he has information that would help me do my job, he won't share it. Recently he was at a meeting that was held when I wasn't there and wouldn't impart any information about it.

If I ask a question, sometimes he tells me point blank that he won't help me.

On the rare occasion when we have discussed things, it's been very helpful. A lot of what I do is for his benefit and should make his working life easier. But, psychic as I am, there are some things that I'd need to be Nostrodamus to fathom out

I'm not a 'people person' and I don't know how to deal with this. Even though I am appreciated by people further up in the hierarchy, I cannot work like this. I will be falling on my sword next week.

I know I could complain about him and probably something would be done about it, but i don't know how I'd face him or deal with him afterwards.

I know I will not be able to confront him, so my confidence is taking a knock. Yet another situation that I will walk away from rather than confront someone.

I worked for a very difficult boss for a long time, but she was paying me to put up with her. It makes a difference.

At the moment, I'm coming home feeling like rubbish after sacrificing time that I could have spent at home with my dog.

I don't know if this is quite on topic as I know where I stand with some people. And I know that I stand entirely somewhere else with this particular individual.

I think I just needed to write it all down. After all, if I say I will be giving them my notice next week, then I'll have to do it

This isn't a joke, but I know how you feel. I'm a parent, and believe it or not those same rules apply, except the decisions you make, if right or wrong you don't find out for years. No pay, no vacation, no appreciation, and rarely ever any recognition of your work.

As far as your environment I would say, do the best that you can, but as soon as you work with fear, its like management can smell it, you think your not showing it, but they can see it, thats what managers get paid to do.

Just believe in yourself and the job your doing, and I wish you the best. BTW, its always a good idea to keep another option available at all times. When you know that you have something waiting, you can feel less pressured.


Peace to you...