# Workplace griping, anyone? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 12, 2010, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401 "2010-11-12T06:39:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 229
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4562 "2012-12-04T17:08:17Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > My temp assignment is due to wind up on December 21st - my gripe this time is that I don’t want this one to end. ☹ Nice people, okay duties, good hours, good pay - waah. I could keep going back there as a temp indefinitely. Cat Whisperer, isn’t that one of the WORST things about temp jobs? I would LOVE to be hired permanently on the one I’m on now but there’s a hiring freeze. And it always seems like the temp jobs I TRULY HATE are the ones that they keep renewing the contract on. ---
**Author:** ![Brewah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/53a042/32.png) [@Brewah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brewah)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4563 "2012-12-04T22:55:14Z")
Spazcat - I had the same error message with hyperlinks in Outlook last week. IT didn’t tell me what was wrong, just forwarded me a link which resolved my issues. You can also find it by going to the Microsoft Support website and searching “hyperlinks are not working in [insert MS Office product]” [http://support.microsoft.com/kb/823301](http://support.microsoft.com/kb/823301) then click the Fix It button. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4564 "2012-12-05T01:24:02Z")
Hmm… maybe I should look into temp assignments. Can you just bail if you totally hate it, or are you stuck in a contract? So here’s the latest from the innermost circle of hell: The service dispatcher took the Rattletrap Death Truck out for an errand today. He comes back and says to me, “Hey, did you know the brake warning light is on?” Me: “Um, yeah. Been on for a week or so.” Him: “Has anyone looked at it?” Me: “I’ve been told in no uncertain terms that there’s nothing wrong with it.” Him: “Those lights don’t come on for no reason!” Me: “Thank you! I know, but I lack the required equipment to accurately assess what’s wrong with the truck.” Him: 😕 Me: “I’m not a guy. Lack of penis means I don’t know jack about cars.” Him: “Gotcha. You want me to say something about the warning light?” Dispatcher knows boss is an asshole to anyone with matching chromosomes. We’ll see if the truck gets fixed now that a guy has reported the problem. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4565 "2012-12-05T01:28:43Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > Much as I support your rant against inane limitations to your computing abilities I don’t think you can blame it on outsourcing. They tend to do the minimum the contract requires in order to maintain profitability so it’s likely that the culprit is someone adding a new requirement to their contract. In my experience new requirements like this are added due to scenarios like: > > Dumb exec clicks on a link in an email and infects half the network > DE: This shouldn’t have happened, make it so it can’t happen again. > Outsourcer: Well since killing all the dumb execs is bad business, we’ll just disable the links. Since when is killing dumb execs “bad business?” ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4566 "2012-12-05T01:30:36Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > My temp assignment is due to wind up on December 21st - my gripe this time is that I don’t want this one to end. ☹ Nice people, okay duties, good hours, good pay - waah. I could keep going back there as a temp indefinitely. That’s actually quite efficient of them, to end the assignment on the very day the universe ceases to exist. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4567 "2012-12-05T02:37:42Z")
> [@Missy2U](#): > > Cat Whisperer, isn’t that one of the WORST things about temp jobs? I would LOVE to be hired permanently on the one I’m on now but there’s a hiring freeze. And it always seems like the temp jobs I TRULY HATE are the ones that they keep renewing the contract on. Yup - the only ones that want to keep me are the ones where I hate working there. The ones where I have a great time - sorry, assignment is over - see you again never! > [@Dr.Girlfriend](#): > > Hmm… maybe I should look into temp assignments. Can you just bail if you totally hate it, or are you stuck in a contract? \ You can bail any time you want. Of course, they can always kick you out for no reason, too. I think you should look into it - I have had very few temp assignments that were worse than your current job. The vast majority were much, much better. 🙂 You get to try on a company before you sign on, too - that is invaluable. Last year I had an assignment at a company where I wouldn’t even consider taking a permanent job - I couldn’t have known that from just an interview. > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > That’s actually quite efficient of them, to end the assignment on the very day the universe ceases to exist. Hmm, I hadn’t thought of that. I thought it would be nice to have the Christmas season off, but since the universe is ending, so much for that plan! ---
**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:** [December 5, 2012, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4568 "2012-12-05T03:00:53Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Since when is killing dumb execs “bad business?” It’s bad for the outsourcer. They won’t get paid. ---
**Author:** ![MHaye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bbe5ce/32.png) [@MHaye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MHaye)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4569 "2012-12-05T12:16:14Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Since when is killing dumb execs “bad business?” Who do you think decides to hire that outsourcing company? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4570 "2012-12-05T13:41:39Z")
> [@Dr.Girlfriend](#): > > Hmm… maybe I should look into temp assignments. Can you just bail if you totally hate it, or are you stuck in a contract? > > So here’s the latest from the innermost circle of hell: > > The service dispatcher took the Rattletrap Death Truck out for an errand today. He comes back and says to me, “Hey, did you know the brake warning light is on?” > > Me: “Um, yeah. Been on for a week or so.” > > Him: “Has anyone looked at it?” > > Me: “I’ve been told in no uncertain terms that there’s nothing wrong with it.” > > Him: “Those lights don’t come on for no reason!” > > Me: “Thank you! I know, but I lack the required equipment to accurately assess what’s wrong with the truck.” > > Him: 😕 > > Me: “I’m not a guy. Lack of penis means I don’t know jack about cars.” > > Him: “Gotcha. You want me to say something about the warning light?” > > Dispatcher knows boss is an asshole to anyone with matching chromosomes. We’ll see if the truck gets fixed now that a guy has reported the problem. :rolleyes: Out of nominal curiosity, how often does your state inspect vehicles? Seems like that would be something to get a fail sticker for. Just saying… ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4571 "2012-12-05T14:12:59Z")
You can even find temp services in places you wouldn’t expect. For instance, the (large, Chicago) hospital/medical center I work for has an internal clerical temp pool. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4572 "2012-12-05T14:33:04Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Since when is killing dumb execs “bad business?” They’re the ones who set up outsourcing contracts. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4573 "2012-12-05T14:41:41Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > You can even find temp services in places you wouldn’t expect. For instance, the (large, Chicago) hospital/medical center I work for has an internal clerical temp pool. I think our local city hall does, too, as well as the local university. ETA: The great thing about temping is it can get you in the door in places where you normally wouldn’t have a chance at getting hired through normal channels. Once they know you and know your work, a lot of places will just make your hiring happen. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4574 "2012-12-05T15:02:31Z")
I’ve kinda known this for a while, but now there is no more doubt. I am absolutely 100% certain that the entire problem I have with the concept of working is that; _ **I fucking HATE getting up to an alarm clock, doubly so in the morning.** _ I’m not naturally a morning person. After a while it gets really really old, and right now I’m feeling like it’s really really old. Back in the good/bad old days when I had tons of money but hated my life, I would quit every 3-5 years and take a couple of months off. Been working over 4 years straight this time and am really feeling like some time off, but I don’t have the money or career for those kinds of extended vacations anymore. I think the combination of length of time since last extended break, perpetual darkness (dark when I get on the bus in the morning, dark when I get on it at night), the holidays and the thinness of our workload are what are adding up to me feeling like I need that break right now. But I won’t get one. Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![eulalia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eulalia/32/457_2.png) [@eulalia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eulalia)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4575 "2012-12-05T20:21:10Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > I’ve kinda known this for a while, but now there is no more doubt. I am absolutely 100% certain that the entire problem I have with the concept of working is that; > > _ **I fucking HATE getting up to an alarm clock, doubly so in the morning.** _ This is why I’ve worked the late shift for most of the past twenty years. BONUS: management is gone for most of my shift. Is there any second shift work in your bailiwick? ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4576 "2012-12-05T20:48:24Z")
> [@The\_Vorlon](#): > > Out of nominal curiosity, how often does your state inspect vehicles? Seems like that would be something to get a fail sticker for. Just saying… I don’t know about her state, but the answer for my state would be never. They stopped requiring vehicle inspections quite some time ago. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4577 "2012-12-05T20:59:05Z")
Here’s my workplace gripe. It’s the perfect place to bury this story which is really frustrating me. Follow along now, children, cause it gets complicated. 1. Volunteer comes to my boss at an event. She says she is quitting the volunteer work she does for our organization because among other things, she was told by a staff member (she wouldn’t say the name) that she (volunteer) wasn’t performing up to par. Ok, she _wasn’t_ performing up to par, and we had discussed that in the office, along with ways to encourage her to do more without being mean. It’s the kind of discussion we have all the time! Do we really need to tell each and every staff member that what is said in the office needs to stay in the office? 2. We have a very small office. We knew instantly who said it. 3. Boss confronts the culprit who said it, privately. Culprit immediately goes into whining sniveling accusations about how everyone _else_ is negative. Boss is too nice and doesn’t come down hard enough. 4. Culprit leaves the office and immediately calls the husband of the original volunteer to cry and moan about her treatment. 5. Volunteer’s husband calls volunteer. Volunteer calls us, furious. Gets on the phone with boss and grandboss. 6…Nothing is resolved. I mean, we calmed the volunteer down but the staff member is not even getting written up. What she did was blatantly unprofessional and untrustworthy. Now we all know we can’t trust staff member with anything. I don’t even want to talk to her. Aargh. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4578 "2012-12-05T22:00:49Z")
Why would Culprit call Volunteer’s husband? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4579 "2012-12-05T22:17:04Z")
Yeah really. Something fishy going on there. “I badmouthed your wife and got yelled at over it! I called you looking for sympathy!” - doesn’t sound very plausible unless there are um, ‘extentuating circumstances’ involved. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4580 "2012-12-05T22:27:05Z")
An affair? ( 😃 ) > [@Kimballkid](#): > > I don’t know about her state, but the answer for my state would be never. They stopped requiring vehicle inspections quite some time ago. SERIOUSLY?!? For_ **realls** _? I thought all states required at least a cursory once-over glance. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401/4581 "2012-12-05T23:07:19Z")
Dunno about commercial vehicles, but for personal vehicles, I know Illinois only requires sporadic emissions testing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401.md?page=228) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-griping-anyone/560401.md?page=230)