A New Low... But My Head is Held HIgh!

So I'll be brief for once since the subject pisses me off and I think I am going out for some fun showtunes soon.

I found out today that even though I was supposed to have my annual review at the end of JULY (which never happened b/c my boss "never got around to it") would never happen, including the salary increase component.

While I know that A) I was not entitled or guaranteed an increase and B) b/c he never filed any paperwork (if he had this might be a different story - who knows!?) that he can do whatever he wants and not give me the customary increase of 3%. Again - I know that NOTHING is guaranteed or that it is a right BUT the practice and understanding was in my office (and in many) that an employee in good standing would usually get SOMETHING. But is not the money or the increase itself. It is that my boss didn't do his job of giving me my annual review in a timely fashion (irony is in management staff meetings he would make a big deal for other managers to get employees reviewed on time; hell when they re-org'd and an HR presentation was given, one of the bullet points was that management had to ensure reviews in a timely fashion aka not over a month late!). Because my boss didn't hold up his end of the bargain he is allowed to SCREW me b/c he is pissed that I am leaving him in a bad position.

Nobody has quibbled about me leaving. I was legally entitled to (per my "at-will" employment status AND the employee agreement I signed) terminate my employment "at any time, without notice and without cause" and they were free to do the same to me. I also did them the courtesy (again no requirement) of staying on 4 days to help close things out etc. My new job starts this week and I had agreed to working there at off hours just accomodate my old job. Again not a requirement, but I did it out of professionalism and to show that I was dignified. BIG MISTAKE.

I won't go into specifics but it is definitely clear that this was not a mistake and that it was intentional. You have to trust me on that. So I did what any person with self-respect would do. I packed up my things (what little was there) and quietly left. I notified the proper people and will return my keycard and my home router tomorrow (and you know I will get a receipt!).

I refuse to sit there any longer, giving them the respect of nicely closing out business when my boss would not give me A) the respect of providing an on-time review (which most likely would have had an increase, but even if not, respect to at least tell me to my face) and B) honoring the fact that he didn't act accordingly (see A) and providing my 1 month's retro increase. Being professional is one thing - being a professional doormat is another!

I have endured a miserable time there. Nobody denies me that. When people are apologizing left and right for your boss' behavior that is a problem and a warning sign. I was right to try to work things out NUMEROUS times and through the channels outlined in the policy manual. But when it didn't work I was right to tough it out and find new employment (and also a better life situation!). But I will NOT take the blatant ABUSE and disrespect that has been accorded to me CONTINUOUSLY.

This was the last straw. I am now free. My head is high and my path is clear. I am not done with him, I am exploring my options - whatever they may be. Some days I wish there was a way to prove to people this wasn't my fault. Ultimately I've become so tired, depressed and often a raving loudmouth all b/c of this job and I have to feel like I need to defend my reputation as a professional and a person. I hope my friends and former colleagues realize and I mean really do realize that I have been so hardworking, honest, professional and tried every option before exercising this very rightful option. It feels good to be out, but boy is there a sour taste in my mouth.

Regardless, my new life started at 4PM today and I am excited. I thank each and every one of you bloggers, my dear friends, my family and my patient, supportive and wonderful boyfriend for being there for me (whether you were sick of listening or not, you all still listened). It is much appreciated now be ready to see a happier, less stressed me.

And for the record, I rock! And no matter how nasty that Napolean of a boss could be, I'm much taller! :-)