# New and Unimproved Workplace Rants **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 14, 2015, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638 "2015-10-14T15:44:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 129
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2021, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2562 "2021-01-07T03:56:22Z")
I know you didn’t ask, but my roommate, a restaurant server, lost her job because of Covid. Two months ago she started working from home for [bugaboo.com](http://bugaboo.com) (automotive related customer service chat specialist). She’s been happy with it, decent training, supervisors seem fair, no complaints about scoring. Scheduling has been smooth, there are better than average benefits and to her the money seems good. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2021, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2563 "2021-01-07T03:58:32Z")
I’d be delighted with work-at-home, but have little to no clue about cars. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2021, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2564 "2021-01-07T04:04:55Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > I’m at a point where retail cashiering or overnight stock sounds a lot better than this. This reminded me of a toxic workplace, where we were putting in 60+ hrs/wk, working into the wee hours, and one night I asked the VP what his dream job would be. “After high school, I was an overnight stocker in a grocery store, and lately I dream of those days. No one looking over my shoulder, no crazed customers, just silence and clear, basic tasks.” ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2021, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2565 "2021-01-07T04:08:31Z")
That does sound quite nice, actually. I used to like people. This job has me so misanthropic that Plague Inc is good stress relief. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2021, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2566 "2021-01-07T04:11:58Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > but have little to no clue about cars. She doesn’t either (doesn’t have a drivers license yet at 31 and until today didn’t own a car). Not needed at all-they taught her what she needed to know. You already are experienced at customer service and that would stand you in very good stead. She’s shy and an introvert, but their training was very solid and she is finding it pleasant work compared to other jobs she has had such as fast food and warehouse/stocking. The company doesn’t let customers give you shit-the supervisors step right in and the chats are distributed very evenly among the workers. It’s more money than she has ever made and overtime is offered if she wants it. Plus flexible hours-she works 9-5:30p but she can request different hours. She only on-line chats in a chat box with customers. She occasionally Zoom calls with team members or supervisors but even then she doesn’t have to change out of her pj bottoms. She likes that. They will subsidize your internet bill. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2021, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2567 "2021-01-07T04:19:13Z")
Please PM me more details. Your link led me someplace that didn’t seem relevant. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2021, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2568 "2021-01-07T04:35:34Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > Your link led me someplace that didn’t seem relevant. I PMed you a link I _think_ will work. My auto-correct inserted its own idea of what I meant to type. Bugaboo is a fancy-smanzy baby stroller. Gubagoo is the employer of from home, on-line customer service specialists. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2569 "2021-01-13T16:29:43Z")
Even in the midst of COVID the job must go on. So I’m sitting out two weeks in quarantine at a hotel with iffy wi-fi and still expected to put in a full day’s remote work and attend zoom meetings. At least I can get a container of blackberry yogurt every morning. ---
**Author:** ![Bonum\_Legatum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bonum_legatum/32/6183_2.png) [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2570 "2021-01-19T12:34:12Z")
Annual Performance Review Time: My supervisor’s supervisor announced that we were to stop listing tasks that are considered part of our normal work, and only list those additional tasks we took on during the year. (Tell me, is there some secret supervisor’s magazine where someone comes up with these “bright ideas”?) I have three big problems with the new policy: - My “normal work” takes longer than when my predecessors had the job, the expectations are now higher. - This year’s “additional tasks” become next year’s “normal work”. - And, worst of all, people WILL do the work they are rewarded for. So normal work - the kind of work that keeps the company going - is going to get short shrift. ---
**Author:** ![Bonum\_Legatum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bonum_legatum/32/6183_2.png) [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2571 "2021-01-19T12:38:31Z")
\*\*Seanette: \*\*Sorry to hear your management is so screwed up. You might get a laugh out of one person’s response to a similar situation. See [chronicalsofgeorge.com](http://chronicalsofgeorge.com), and click on the “Tickets” link. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2572 "2021-01-19T18:17:52Z")
Typo, should be: > **[The Chronicles of George](https://www.chroniclesofgeorge.com/)** > > Help desk tickets from the worst tech support rep ever. ---
**Author:** ![Bonum\_Legatum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bonum_legatum/32/6183_2.png) [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2573 "2021-01-19T19:15:44Z")
Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2574 "2021-01-19T19:28:10Z")
Thank you for the best laughs I’ve had in days. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2021, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2575 "2021-01-20T01:06:13Z")
> [@Bonum\_Legatum](#): > > Annual Performance Review Time: My supervisor’s supervisor announced that we were to stop listing tasks that are considered part of our normal work, and only list those additional tasks we took on during the year… > > - My “normal work” takes longer than when my predecessors had the job, the expectations are now higher… So… wouldn’t those “new” expectations be “additional tasks you took on during the year”? You could try it… ---
**Author:** ![Bonum\_Legatum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bonum_legatum/32/6183_2.png) [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2021, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2576 "2021-01-20T13:47:55Z")
Thank you for the suggestion. I will have to remember that. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2577 "2021-01-21T17:21:06Z")
I actually have something of an anti-rant. Our training department is looking for a technical writer to help them with presentations and creating training documents and the like. The head of the department had actually asked my boss if there was any chance to get time on my calendar and was told ‘no’, so they’re looking for someone else, and she asked me for recommendations. I asked her if someone had suggested bringing my ex-coworker back for this. Logical, right? He already knows the products and he’s still available. She told them ‘no’. This made me happy, because the thought of having to deal with his idiosyncrasies again almost made my heart stop. She is of the same opinion as I am of his abilities as a writer, though, and while she likes him as a person does not want to have to work with him again, particularly if its a question of getting things done in a timely fashion for her department. A lot of the people who worked with him have expressed their happiness that I am now writing their documents, instead. Gives me the warm fuzzies, I tell ya. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2578 "2021-01-22T07:14:11Z")
86 powerpoint side commercialisation playbook and 8 tabs 2368 rows x 96 columns per tab worksheet business case evaluation tool just sent out from corporate functions who are streamlining the product development evaluation process and providing new tools with ease of use in mind. These are new and unusual useages of the the words streamlining, tools , ease , and use. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2021, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2579 "2021-01-22T20:19:28Z")
Holy Christ, this year’s annual IT security awareness training is _way_ dumber than usual! ---
**Author:** ![InsomniaMama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ad7895/32.png) [@InsomniaMama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InsomniaMama)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2021, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2580 "2021-01-24T01:38:09Z")
I’m new to Adobe Indesign, but have been doing technical writing for online use for ages. Please, to explain. Is there a reason every document created in Indesign is uniquely stupid? Why are there so many ways to make them ridiculous? ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2021, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638/2581 "2021-01-24T02:40:59Z")
I don’t use Indesign, but there are plenty of people on the Adobe forums who are experts and are happy to help you get things straightened out. I help out there in the FrameMaker forum as well as doing minor moderating.(And I’ve recommended this before, as Discourse so helpfully reminds me.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638.md?page=128) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-unimproved-workplace-rants/734638.md?page=130)