There have been a lot of things happening to me very unexpectedly lately. It's rather unnerving. Much like having to go in to tell my bosses the bad news today. One of the biggest problems was that they don't work at the same time until 1pm and I wasn't about to wait until then to suddenly go, "Oh, by the way..."
I was really hoping for the one in particular to be working this morning. I'll call her Blue since she has the prettiest blue eyes. She has been the easiest for me to talk to of the two, and with her having a family, I figured that she would be more understanding.
Instead, it was Elle (which is also not her real name - must protect the innocent and all that). I went right up to her as soon as I got there and told her that I needed to talk to her about something as soon as she got a chance.
She came right back to my office. I immediately gave her the chocolate and she then knew that it was very serious. I explained the circumstances of the job offer and that SSBs unemployment would be running out in a month. I said that I needed the job for the benefits, too. I explained that I intended to continue to work at the pharmacy, but that it would mean that we would have to make some decisions as to what was the most important things for me to get done - insurance calls or banking.
At that moment I saw a look of great concern and concentration on her face. I realized that I had been a bit presumptuous about my position at the pharmacy, so I added, "I mean, that is if you would like me to continue to work here."
She without hesitation said, "What do we need to do to keep you? What are they offering? We'd like to try and match."
I was taken back, but started with, "Well, the reason that I am considering this job is because I will need the extra money. They will have me full time and will pay me $10 an hr to start."
"We can do that."
I added quickly, "But mostly it is the insurance. I have a family. We have lived without insurance before and it is too worrisome."
Then she said something that I had not even thought would be possible, "That shouldn't be a problem. We will get you insurance." She said it so easily that I wasn't sure that she had understood what I was saying. But before I could reinterate, she continued, "You are a great asset to our business. You are very bright. You have picked up on things so fast. You dig and dig and find problems and solve them. I never have to worry about finding you work. I just don't have to worry about the insurance or billing at all. It is wonderful! We really don't want to lose you. We will figure out a way to get you what you need."
I was stunned. This was not how I had imagined this going at all. WOW! I can keep a job I love and get the benefits that I need? That was just too good to be true.
When Blue came in a couple of hours later, she said very seriously, "Let me save you the trouble of the awkward explanation, Elle already called me. I just want to say that you really need to think about what you need and where you would really be most happy working."
I said, "Are you kidding me? I LOVE working here!"
She smiled, looking so relieved "GOOD! I mean you don't want to assume, and you try to put your emotions aside in these situations -- I was hoping that you would feel that way! You have just done so much for us. We really don't want to lose you. We have to get together tonight to go over our offical offer to you, but I am 95% sure that we can match or at least come close to what they are offering."
I said, "Oh, I have chocolate for you."
She gets a huge smile. "OK, I'm
99% sure that we can match."
I called the HR person at the other job to explain what was going on. I asked if there was any way that they could wait until Wednesday for me to give my answer. She sounded a little defeated, but agreed easily to this request. I feel bad because they seem like such great people and a great place to work, too. But a bird in the hand and all that. If the pharmacy ends up coming through and I have to decline the other offer, I will send them a card and some chocolate to thank them for considering me and being so kind to me in this process.
12 comments:
And hey, if you do get audited, you have your Little Penguin White Shiraz excuse in the bank.
DrMax, I'm sure they'd understand.
With all of your blog vistors, you should consider AdSense. = )
I don't feel so bad that i was late sending in my taxes now.at least you have it all done now.
http://pinklady.typepad.com/
AG, I saw your post and the money sounds great. Hmmmm.....
PinkLady, see, now that's why I openly admit my faults (or being a bit of a tard - that one's for AG ;), to make other people feel better about themselves!
I usually owe (I do private contract work and taxes aren't taken out), so I hafta do mine on time.
Too bad you can't charge the gov't interest.
Congrats on 14,000, baby!!! At the rate I'm going, I should hopefully be celebrating my 14,000 sometime in 2010.
I'm always late on my taxes too, although last year was my first year to file as a contractor. I hadn't been paying my quarterlies, so I had to cough up the whole chunk at once. Which is why I've decided I don't want to be a contractor anymore. I just don't have the discipline or the sense of responsibility.
Shannon, I KNOW!!! that would be sweet. Especially if I could do it Haliburton style.
Irb, it's important to know your limitations.
14,000!! That's awesome. Congrats! I'm sooo jealous! :-)
The mental image of big tough contractor scurrying for cover as you came down on him cracked me up.
Heather, it's weird. It just doesn't feel as special as my first thousand.
Shamus, don't ever get on my bad side.
but how many of those visitors were you?
Derek, ONLY 12,000! Geesh!
14000! How long have you been going on the blogging thing. Ya, you should have paid the poor contractor.Poor guy. You big bully!
Wendy A, I've had this counter up since Feb 2005 and have been posting to this blog since Dec 2004.
As for the contractor, "Don't rip off the trim" should be easy enough instructions for even a contractor to follow.
I haven't finished my taxes yet. I felt so guilty and now I'm glad not to be alone. Phew!