Decision to Stay at a Temp Job

[sapphowolf]

I've been working as a temp for 2 months.  The arrangement I agreed to was to work for 3 months as a temp and then if we both decide to make me an employee at the client company I work for, the decision will be made at that time.



My delema is that there are already some issues that disturb me.  I work in a small office with the one person I report to.  This person seemed nice at first, said a few strange things in the interview (i.e. I am a good Christian) that really didn't apply to working for him professionally.  The first day I was here, the girl that was leaving this position after having been it for 6 years said nothing positive at all about the person I report to.  I decided to say nothing and see for myself what I was getting into.  The things that I have personally experienced that have bothered me is that he calls women "chicks", men "dudes".  He sends faxes on a machine attached to my computer (which interupts the use of my computer), digs through the desk I work at without asking, sits down at my workstation without asking, gets upset about finding a staple imbedded in the carpet while there is a $6,000 past due invoice he hasn't processed because of all the paperwork involved. Once time an African American came in and asked politely if she could get a jump start for her car, my boss just looked at her and continued on his conversation with his dad about personal stuff.  This man has me doing things that the corporate office says are not necessary for us to do (i.e. keeping a filing system here when the one in corporate is sufficient, typing reports when I've been asked by corporate to just write the info in because they will just retype it anyway).



The agency I work for doesn't seem like a good agency...I think they just want their money and haven't helped me personally gain any feedback on my performance thus far.  I'm not allowed to approach him for feedback (my agency's policy, nor am I allowed to ask about permanent employment).  This agency charges $797.60 per week for my services and my net paycheck is $378.04 per week.  I'm really getting a bad taste in my mouth from both the agency as well as my boss.



Granted I was warned by the girl that was here before, some of the tennants, his cleaning company person, as well as corporate.



I'm kind of stuck, what should I do?



Any feedback will really help.



Thank you,

sapphowolf



P.S.  Oh yes, I am a Jewish Lesbian and I feel like if he ever found out, he would find a way to get rid of me without stating the real reason).

[Katie G]

Because I have a bad taste too just from reading your post!  First and foremost, he sounds like a real creep.  And you haven't had any feedback in two months?!?  There's quite a few things here that just don't "smell right."  You aren't being treated with the most basic level of respect and your agency doesn't even seem to care?  If it were me, I'd cut my losses, "fire" my agency and polish up that resume.  Hey, you gave it a chance and you were very professional in not listening to everybody else's say-so, but I think you have a clear picture of the situation and it sounds like your gut feelings are telling you something.  



Let us know how it turns out...



Did  

[kitchenwitch]

   In my opinion, the faster you find a better position where you will be treated with respect, the better off you will be. This guy sounds really fishy, and is exactly the type that will be all over you about your lifestyle, religion, or anything else he can harass you for given half the opportunity.

   It's interesting to me that such a creep would advertise himself as a "good Christian".  He sounds like a sexist, racist jerk to me.

   Best of luck to you, and DO let us know what happens!

Trish  

[ozbound]

Eww! If I were you I take my heels off, put on sneakers and run as fast as I could the other way! Especially if this is the same job you were posting about with all the nosy background  checks--granted, there are positions where those are called for, but for this one it doesn't seem worth telling them your middle name!



Hang in there, you'll find a job where they'll treat you right!  

[whitesatin]

Greetings Sapphowolf!!



All I have to say is please re-read your own post because your answer is there. I think in your heart of hearts you already know what you have to do. Now do it. Luckily, you haven't invested much time at this place with this JERK.  Get out and get a better job. There are jobs out there, you just have to be willing to step out of your "comfort zone".  And believe me, your "comfort zone" does not sound very comfortable.    



Believe in yourself, trust your gut, polish up that resume, put on that big "I can do ANYTHING" admin smile and go out there and show us all how it's done and done right!



Best wishes. Let us know what you decide and what happens.



WhiteSatin

[lioness70]

If you're having misgivings about this so early on, you've been warned about this guy by MANY people, and his long-time employee didn't have one positive word to say, you should hit the road and find something better.



Not all agencies, but a lot of agencies fill positions that are impossible to fill-i.e. the boss is a complete fool, like this one is, and no one who knows better will take the job.



Drop this agency and this company and get yourself a better deal.  You owe it to yourself before this so called "good Christian" fires you for your beliefs (if he ever finds out)!

[yankeestarbuck]

I will sing along!  First *big hugs for putting up with a jerk*!!!  Second, I call people "chicks" and "dudes"....with my friends, not in a professional setting. I've sat at my boss' chair to "drive" the computer for him, at his request.  This guy seems like a nutty nut.  And ANYONE who mentions anything religious in an interview is actually breaking the law, since religion is confidential, unless you have a cross or a star on.  But to be afraid for your job because of your life is rediculous.  Let no man, or woman for that matter, put fear in your heart for living the way you feel comfortable, PERIOD.  And those that would hold your personal life against you in the office deserves to have to retrain someone.  Run like the dickens and do not look back.  You are a wolf, you can survive in the wilderness, n'est ce pas?  This is a temporary set back and you will get on your way.  Blessings to you and you search!

[goldenearring]

. . . to the nearest exit.  If it don't look good, feel good, smell good, taste good, it bad.  The only person I know who calls himself "a good Christian," on purpose, in case we forget, is meaner than a junkyard dog.  This is not bashing Christianity, by a long shot.  Remember that song, "They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love.  And they'll know we are Christians by our love."  Girrrrrrl, is there any of this agape love in the situation you've described above?  Methinks the lady answered her own question in her posting, just like the others thought.  Nighty night!

[craftygirl]

Just a little more to add. . .



As far as the agency billing rates, they don't seem out of line with any other agency I'm familiar with.  However, any temp or placement agency who didn't look out for me would not be my temp agency any more.  Run don't walk is about right!



Lack of professionalism on his part, lack of respect, inefficient procedures--not too hard to figure that out.



Let us know what happens?



(BTW When I worked as a legal assistant, I was paid $22.50/hr, the agency billed $38.50, and the law firm billed me as a paralegal at $75!  Talk about fees....................)



Shannon

[andrea843]

Dear Sappho,



First a welcome to the Admin Authority.  I read your post a couple of days ago and wanted to take some time to chew on it a bit before I answered.  You see there are multiple issues here and the crusader in me thinks you should teach this guy a lesson he'll not soon forget.



It was not illegal for the employer to tell you he was a "good Christian" during the interview.  A moronic attempt to bait you into revealing YOUR religious preferences yes,  yes, but not illegal.  Illegality occurs when he asks YOU,, by the way are YOU a good Christian. But I digress,  from the sound of it this guy is a class A, member of the good old boys club, complete with VIP membership to the Jerk Lounge.



First let's address the issues with your agency.  Yes, some agencies ARE out for the placement, in fact they all are in one form or another.  That's why they exist, to create placements, generate income, however some agencies go about it the wrong way, and refuse to advocate for their employees.  If you're not getting the response you think you should from the person handling your position within the agency, make an appointment with the franchise owner.



State your reservations about this position, ask for feedback on your performance (and get specifics, to make sure they arent telling you what they think you want to hear). AND bring up the issues of discrinimation just as you've outlined them here.  In the mean time shop your resume with other agencies, quietly. Cause like any other position the squeaky wheel often gets greased..right out the door that is. Leverage your battle position with a new temp agency more willing to advocate for you AND make money at the same time.  When will they learn that they make MORE money when they treat temps like people and not chattel?  :growl!:



Now the ugly jerk employer.  Wanna do this the Andrea FUN Way?! consider this.  Take the job when it's offered. WAIT until you're clearly past any probation period and are a regular employee. Then lie in wait for bossie. Make sure you get LOTS of documentation about your excellent job performance, get a copy of your 90 day review.  Suck up like mad. bite your tongue until it bleeds to get you past the 90 days.



Now once you're a regular employee, First chance you get, say something like,,, "Well you know I agree about the Hendricks project, as a Gay, Jewish Person,,,yadda yadda yadda.  Smile at bossie when he turns different colors.  And when he fires you? Sue his proverbial arse off.



There are laws to protect you from being discriminated against. There are laws that make it illegal for bossie to terminate you based on issues of your sexual identity OR your religion. Frankly it shouldnt matter if you're pink with purple polka dots and sleep with a cow named Murray, none of it has an impact on how you do your job.  and you my new friend, should not live in fear of a boob like this one. If you give him the power to influence how you present yourself, your performance and your lifestyle, what do you have left? He wins.  He has all the power and you are left feeling used and mal treated.  Jerks like this dont need power, they CRAVE it but in reality dont have any which is why try to foster the illusion with others that power exists, taking over your space for instance,,it's a way to say, "Im in charge here.  Not you." you will never work WITH this guy, you will always work FOR him.  Run girl,, Run like the wolf!



If you prefer not to use the patented Andrea Torture your  Employer Method (Coming soon to a store near you!), consider this approach.



Shop the resume, make sure you've got something lined up for income, Tell the existing Agency that you will not work in a discriminatory workplace and offer them the opportunity to address the issue.  IF they choose not to address it, then walk.  You're a temp, that's the beauty of being a temp and in 49 of the fifty states you're an at will employee and being "at will" works both ways.  Either party has the right to terminate the employment for any reason.  Invoke the "At will" employment clause formally and in writing, but make sure you copy the agencies home office and include some information about upholding discrimination in the workplace by inaction and inattention to employee complaints,making very sure to name the individual who handled your placement, and the individual with whom you made an appointment regarding agency policy.



But personally,,,, :laughs wickedly: I prefer the Teach them a lesson scenario,, it's just so darn satifying to make a point sometimes...and besides, if you don't make an attempt to stop this behavior how many others will be subjected to it? Remember Norma Rae the movie? if you havent seen it, rent it.  Get to that scene where Norma Rae is walking thru that factory with her fist in the air, in victory and battle and know that we all have a little of Norma Rae in us, the ability to stand up for what is right and good and just, some of us have to be pushed harder than others but it's there just waiting for the right battle, the right time, the right line to be crossed.  Ask yourself.....



is this MY line?



Let us know what you decide to do and once again, a warm Welcome to TAA!



Andrea



 

[goldenearring]

Andrea, you leave Murray, the Cow, out of this!  He grazes in his own pasture.  I must state with all confidence that I sincerely doubt that sleeping with a cow named anything would have a truly profound impact on one's professional life, not to mention many other aspects of one's existence.  For crying out loud, what WOULD the neighbors think?  How would one explain it to mom and dad?!  Let's not even talk about sharing the bathroom with Murray in the morning.  I sincerely believe it would entirely alter one's existence, and I dare go no farther with this!



sappho - you do what you're comfortable with.  I daresay, even though you have a great chance of bagging this guy, the duress of a lawsuit may not be worth it.



 

[goldenearring]

Once again, "Diane" would have a hey day with this letter.  God Bless her, wherever she works these days.  Restated boo-boo above:  I have NO DOUBT that sleeping with Murray would definitely affect ALL aspects of one's existence, or put another way:  I sincerely believe that sleeping with Murray would alter one's life severely.

 

[yankeestarbuck]

ask Murray how he feels?  Maybe he likes sleeping in the Martha Stewart striped sheets.  Maybe she makes him cocoa every night before he goes to bed.  And is Murray a boy?  Girls are cows, boys are bulls!





I need to switch to decaf!  Bestest morning to you ladies gentlemen and hey Murray, sleep where you want!



The preceding message was from the "Better Lives for Bovine in America" council. (LOL)

[nyguy]

I slept with Murray the Cow once, it was an udderly disappointing experience. Groan!



Seriously Sapphowolf, while the lawsuit sounds like a just revenge you may find that it takes more from you than it brings TO you.  



Guy, that's Guy, not Gay, All male All Admin in NYC (and Murray too)



PS Andrea,  you've got a wicked little mind I read your posts sometimes and think, she's kidding, I know she's kidding she IS kidding isn't she? Remind me never EVER to piss you off bad enough to get on the firing end of that laser rifle you have for a brain!

[yankeestarbuck]

This thread reminded me of a situation we encountered at my last company.  I working in uniformed security for high rise buildings, very upscale buildings.  All officers, male and female, wore the same uniform.  One young lady was hired to work in a VERY upscale building that had STRICT uniform requirements.  In New York State, it actually IS prohibited to mention anything about religion in the interviews (sorry Andrea) and we did not know that young lady would not remove her veil while working, since she was Muslim.  We thought that on the worksite, she would take it off.  But she matched it to the unform and the client didn't care, so we left it alone.  But we could only speculate about the veil in the hiring process, since neither interviewer nor background investigator were allowed to ask.



And stop with the male bovine = cow stuff!  He's a bull!  And Murray is having enough of an identity crisis will living with humans and all!  Poor dear is looking for wing tips to fit size 11 hooves.



 (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)