OT: When it rains it pours

[ImADumbAss Mozart]

I just needed to unload and vent about the last week past that's been not too happy in the ImADumbAssMozart household.

 

[Long Rant]

 

First up: My day job ( I work for a company that produces a product)

 

The short version of the long story is that in a single day my 3 supervisor/boss types managed to:

 

Guy A - My immediate boss - Loses all my respect and credibility by lying to the entire management staff and owner. He also went behind everyone's back to pull a little stunt that really didn't need to be pulled, and the end result of his mistake is public embarrassment for the company when word gets out that we did "that" again.

 

Guy B - The guy above my boss - Defends Guy A by denying he was lied too, that what was said was really true and that there really is nothing wrong here. Respect, Faith and credibility lost. Oh wait... he did what? He forwarded my email where I filed a formal complaint, and called out the liar (Guy A) directly to him? Words can't even describe what I feel about you now. You sicken me and I can't bear to look you in the eye.

 

Guy C - The guy in charge of everything - Defended Guy A in it, even though he was one of the ones that was lied too and knows it, but chooses to do nothing because it is easier to turn a blind eye than have to deal with the matter. He also pulled my measly $350 budget that I needed for a project that was literally 3 hours from completion after a month of hard work. He suddenly wants me to quantify (with facts and figures) the impact this will have on our sales, or it won't go forward. It's a Marketing promotion, how do you quantify results of a marketing campaign to begin with, let alone before you even launch it? It's really difficult working for a VP of Sales and Marketing, when he doesn't believe in marketing, things sell themselves in his eyes. He actually stated that (yes this is his exact words) "No product has ever been sold in any industry as a direct result of any marketing or promotional campaign." Seriously? He's now lost all my faith in him as a leader and manager.

 

I need to find a new job and fast. Such is life.

 

*** *** ***

 

Next up: My Significant Other's day job.

 

She has worked there for 17 years and they recently sold to a real estate development firm who only cares about the bottom dollar to their investors. The layoffs have begun. And because they recently acquired the company, in their eyes all employees have only been there a month, no matter how long they actually were employed there.

 

As such, they feel they don't need to give any form of buyout or severance package to an employee of only a month. In fact, they don't even need to give warning. Friday afternoon she had to pack her desk and go home. No warning, no nothing, there's the door, here's your final paycheck.

 

Merry Christmas.

 

*** *** ***

 

Next: My Saturday visit to the next city to shop and visit friend

 

I took a train to visit a friend and do some shopping one city over. I had a pass already, so I stamped it in the machine and got on to ride. Once moving, they came by to check tickets, and mine seemingly was blurred out, must have gotten wet in the rain we had that day. I got slapped with a $110 fine.

 

They were going to let me off with a warning, but when I gave them my ID, they ran my name through the computer and it said I was busted twice in the past for fare fraud, so they have to give me a fine instead. What? I asked when that happened, because it is definitely a mistake, I have never frauded them ever. They gave me the years, and I told them I wasn't even living in this part of the country when that supposedly happened, so it is impossible. Further to that, they said that my drivers license is what flagged it, 8 years back when they claim this all happened. I only just got my license finally for the first time ever this last summer, so it is impossible yet again, and could prove it on the spot because of the type of license it is. They didn't care, I get my fine. So now I need to deal with taking a day off to fight this somehow, or just pay the fine. Guilty until proven innocent.

 

*** *** ***

 

Lastly: Our son who is under 10 years old.

 

He was sent home last week and is not allowed to return to school until we can show that he has visited a child psychologist first. He is a very normal, well behaved, respectful, polite, down to earth child, a blessing in so many ways, truly. He's a little mellowdramatic sometimes in the rare times he does get into trouble, and seems to have went a little emo at school. He got in trouble for talking too much during class and his way of expressing his dislike for that was to say

[hi.flyer]

( I work for a company that produces a product)

 

A likely story!

[ImADumbAss Mozart]

Oh, I almost forgot... I had my job threatened by Guy C for not being a team player as a result of it all. I guess calling your boss on a lie to the owner, and trying to prevent a small crime from occurring at the same time is "not being a team player."

[fingeringam]

...

[db.]

This is the modern American workplace. It's all about covering your own ass and working with unabashed liars. I have similar stories to tell, but I consider it so common in the workplace now, that I wouldn't worry about it, let alone post something about it.

 

These serious shenanigans bothered me for the longest time, until I realized there's nothing you can do about those back-stabbing, dishonest, overpaid evil bastages.

 

It is what it is. In any case, I wish you all the best.

[Sugarskull]

I hope you find a new job soon. Something with better benefits. That's too bad all this is happening right now.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your kid. "I just want to die" from a kid under 10 is a pretty big warning sign that there might be a chemical unbalance and it does need to get checked. It's nothing personal against your parenting. Seriously.

[ImADumbAss Mozart]

 

I'm sorry to hear about your kid. "I just want to die" from a kid under 10 is a pretty big warning sign that there might be a chemical unbalance and it does need to get checked. It's nothing personal against your parenting . Seriously.

 

 

It's possible for sure, though that thought doesn't exactly warm me inside either.

 

I don't see it as a slight against our parenting, but she sure does, and eyes me directly now as I am a little sterner than she is normally. So it's causing more grief at home than it otherwise would.

 

It's so odd though, because he is normally so, well, normal. And his outburst was apparently very brief. He got in trouble for talking in class, and just said that, simply, like it was no big deal. Like it was just an expression or something. There was no real drama behind it. Like he didn't fully grasp what he was saying in the literal sense, certainly not to the level it's been taken too.

 

But now we need to shell out thousands of dollars for couselling for it, and he is going to have this put in his school record. He will forever be lumped as a problem child with psychological behavioral issues, and it will affect all kinds of things as he progresses through school. Meanwhile, he's an A-B student.

[Sugarskull]

 

It's possible for sure, though that thought doesn't exactly warm me inside either. I don't see it as a slight against our parenting, but she sure does, and eyes me directly now as I am a little sterner than she is normally. So it's causing more grief at home than it otherwise would. It's so odd though, because he is normally so, well, normal. And his outburst was apparently very brief. He got in trouble for talking in class, and just said that, simply, like it was no big deal. Like it was just an expression or something. There was no real drama behind it. Like he didn't fully grasp what he was saying in the literal sense, certainly not to the level it's been taken too. But now we need to shell out thousands of dollars for couselling for it, and he is going to have this put in his school record. He will forever be lumped as a problem child with psychological behavioral issues, and it will affect all kinds of things as he progresses through school. Meanwhile, he's an A-B student.

 

 

I'm not sure where you live, but here we have some free services involving therapy and suicide prevention and children's help lines. You might want to look it up or ask your family doctor. I'm sure if you explain your current situation they'd be able to help you out. I wish I could be more help. I hope things turn around for you fast and you have a Happy Holiday after all.

[ezstep]

 

But now we need to shell out thousands of dollars for couselling for it, and he is going to have this put in his school record. He will forever be lumped as a problem child with psychological behavioral issues, and it will affect all kinds of things as he progresses through school. Meanwhile, he's an A-B student.

 

 

Your school should provide free counseling and a free psychologist. School systems are required to do that. (At least the public schools are required to do that.) Whatever they discuss will remain (by law) confidential. He cannot be labeled anything because no one (not even his teachers - current or future) will know what was discussed or what the problem was. They cannot disclose medical or psychological information.

 

Talk to the school principal.

[RIC N BACKER]

Sorry to hear about the bad week you guys had.

 

new week ahead maybe things will turn around.

 

As far as your Job>>>>> I used to speak up about things that were wrong at work but it doesnt seem to pay off in the ways we would like it. What I have noticed is if I keep it too myself long enough things have a way of working themselves out......it may not be worth it to point out the stupidity of others at work...

 

The school where your kid goes, especially public, needs to provide a counselor for your son to evaluate him and to give an opinion to the school....

[willsellout]

Yup, my life blows {censored}ing ass as well. I hope yours starts to look up for you!

[J.]

Those school folks need to suck a big horse cock. I said far worse things when I was in school. I was sent to the guidance counselor and all that stuff, but I turned out fine. Screw 'em. Those hyper-sensitive people are more concerned with doing stuff like that than actually teaching legitimate school subjects. Don't get me wrong - I'm a big believer in modern psychology and the benefits of therapy and medication, but so many people at schools are just busybodies... or at least the policies they follow make them so.

 

Check if your state has a healthcare plan. If you lived in Minnesota, I'd tell your significant other to apply for Minnesota Care ASAP. Since the two of you aren't married (they'd deny coverage if you were, since your job provides some sort of health insurance), she could get full coverage for herself and your son. MnCare charges monthly premiums on a sliding scale, but since your SO has health problems and no income, she'd get a sweet deal. At the low end of the scale, you pay four dollars a month and get everything covered. No copays for anything. All doctors visits, medications, and all such things are covered 100%.

[willsellout]

I'm honestly tired of hearing all the PC bull{censored} with schools. Kids need to get in fights, cuss out teachers, and {censored} up. That's what your childhood is for. America is irritating sometimes.

[t3ch]

Damn dude, that's quite a load.

 

I'm honestly tired of hearing all the PC bull{censored} with schools. Kids need to get in fights, cuss out teachers, and {censored} up. That's what your childhood is for. America is irritating sometimes.

 

{censored} you Will! *pushes Will into a teacher*

[Optimus Prime]

I'm honestly tired of hearing all the PC bull{censored} with schools. Kids need to get in fights, cuss out teachers, and {censored} up. That's what your childhood is for. America is irritating sometimes.

Truth.

[willsellout]

Damn dude, that's quite a load. {censored} you Will! *pushes Will into a teacher*

 

I'm gonna kick you in the nuts:mad:

And then cuss you out!

 

 

 

Dan

[basste]

strong days for you and your familly.. Wish all the best to change all this BS, especially your kid thing..

[Perfessor]

What they said about work. You have a place and they will lie, steal, cheat or whatever to stay in theirs....the guys ahead of me I affectionately call Col. Blake and Hawkeye, to give you an idea of who runs the show.

 

Go to work, keep your mouth shut and wait for them to blame you for the mistakes...welcome to America where no one takes responsiblity.

[BottomHeavyKate]

Dude that sucks....hope things turn around for you. Check out whatever resources are available to you. I know it's spendy but if you are in the U.S. - COBRA. Because if an emergency happens and you have no insurance...YIKES. And that keeps the insurance going for the psych stuff if that is covered by her insurance.

[Bogster]

Sorry to hear about the job situation, man. Especially for the SO. That's gotta be rough to handle for her. I dealt with a layoff earlier this year. Got back to my office from a three hour round trip to Georgia and was told I didn't have a job, as we just got bought out by a new company and they couldn't afford to keep me anymore. Here's your last paycheck. Sayonara. I hadn't felt more anger and betrayal in a long time. But again, like your SO's situation, the bottom line is, well, the bottom line. Doesn't matter how long you've been here, how good an employee you may be, or what you were previously told. New company. New rules. I feel her pain.

 

The kid thing is ridiculous. Kids say/do stupid things all the time. I'm glad my parents weren't judged or held accountable for some of the idiotic things I may have said as a kid. But shelling out hundreds or thousands of dollars because your kid said something that freaked out some school faculty seems a tad extreme to me. Just sayin'.

 

I hope it all pans out for you, man. I'm sure things will be fine eventually. Hard times come and go. Stay strong. This too will pass.

[txbass68]

Will if you don't like it leave. I am a teacher and you can not allow that kind of behavior. It is people like you that tie our hands in school and that is why the kids now have no respect for the teachers, principals, and even their parents.

[txbass68]

By the way, sorry to hear about your situation. The schools have psychologists and should have your child speak to one of them at no caost to you. At least here in Texas they do.

[ezstep]

That's what "ZERO TOLERANCE" is all about. When a teacher hears a kid say something about suicide, they are REQUIRED by law to report and, and we are REQUIRED by law to notify a psychologist and require "sessions" before returning to classes. Zero Tolerance. It's for the good of the children (I absolutely HATE hearing that phrase)!

 

School boards initiate Zero Tolerance and school officials must abide by them. And, in the worst case, should a kid actually commit suicide and the family learns that a teacher overheard something and did nothing about it, that leaves the teacher and the school partially liable and open to lawsuits. Just think of it as CYA...because that is why the school boards initiate Zero Tolerance. I must have every fighter arrested...Zero Tolerance. I must take expulsion (not suspension) proceedings against every kid with a knife (even the small pen-knifes)...Zero Tolerance. I could go on and on, but you get the point.

 

Bottom line - the school wants sessions with a psychologist...the school will provide it free of charge. (Public schools - don't know about private)

[J.]

 

Dude that sucks....hope things turn around for you. Check out whatever resources are available to you. I know it's spendy but if you are in the U.S. - COBRA. Because if an emergency happens and you have no insurance...YIKES. And that keeps the insurance going for the psych stuff if that is covered by her insurance.

 

 

COBRA is a good option, if you can afford it. Most people never take advantage of COBRA because they can't pay the premiums. You get to keep your coverage, but you pay the entire premium with absolutely no employer contribution whatsoever. If you've just lost your job, it becomes nigh impossible to do. For example, after I left Comcast I was offered COBRA coverage. When I was working, I contributed $30 every two weeks towards my health & dental benefits. If I took advantage of COBRA, I'd be paying over $500 a month just for the health portion (no dental). No way I could've afforded that at the time.

 

Oh, take up ezstep's advice. If the school thinks your kids needs to see a psychologist, then they are the ones that should pony up for it. I don't think schools have any business telling parents to take their kids to a psychologist and then to pay for it on top of it all. Schools should be free to make recommendations, but they shouldn't be able to require it if they don't supply it.

[db.]

I work in HR for a school district, and I know we have at least two full-time psychologists on the payroll. They provide services free of charge if needed.

 

It's my guess that your district (if public) should offer similar services, just get in touch with the district office and ask.

 

Good luck.