Written warning for being "Negative"

Never thought I would seen the day, but where I work I have been officially reprimanded for being... "negative".

With the move to the new office, the quadrupling of my work load and getting paid the equivalent of McDonalds employee wages ( despite being a senior IT tech ), I have been rather down of late, on top of my usual depression. In all the chaos I sort of ranted and raved about giving the company 7 years of my life, only to be stuck of a crappy bench for a desk, where as managers of half my tenure and no where near my skill are getting plush offices and expensive furniture.

Of course one of the "happy, happy, joy, joy, be positive to the point of stupidity" sales manages overheard me ranting, and in an attempt to stop me "poisoning" the sales staff from their Amway sales fever, reported me to my IT manager. Of course, feeling the pressure from the rest of the company decided to use me as a scapegoat for all the problems we are experiencing and then reported me to senior management. Thus I get a written warning for being negative.

As you can guess I told them about my depression, my family history of MDD and my suicidal tendencies of late... but do you thing they care??? Noooo, if course not. There are sales deadlines to meet and computers to get running... my mental health is just an impediment to that, so here is a warning, put up and shut up and get back to work.

Well, I think what your work did was a HUGE load of Crap. I can't believe they had the nerve to write you up. Do they think that it is fair what they are doing w/ the offices and stuff?? I would've been upset and ranting too. If i were you, I would look for a new job that appriciates you, and makes you feel good. It seems like you are being taken advantage of. Hang in there! ((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))

Grrrrr... What a bunch of idiots! I'm so sorry you're working with those arseholes.

Can you write them an official reprimand for being ignoramuses???

You told them about your depression problem and they still reprimanded you? That's like reprimanding a blind person for "lack of vision." I just have no tolerance for stupidity and unfairness. It infuriates me.

How dare you be negative in a stupid, negative environment? I hope you have your eyes open for other jobs. That sounds like a very unpleasant place to work. I hope you find a job where you're appreciated and working with sensitive, intelligent people. Working in a place like that is only going to exacerbate your depression.

Good luck. I'm sorry you're in this situation. I'm not a violent person, but I think your colleagues need a boot upside the head.

((((((Ripperjack))))

I don't have any advise for you RipperJack but hugs anyway. I really (really!!) know how this situation sucks because the same thing happened to me a few years back. I got nailed for being 'negative' and in the same letter, they listed out all of what they perceived as my personality faults. It was a really sucky time in my life! But actually good things did come of it, in that it gave me the kick I needed to really start looking for something else that is a better fit for me.

Anyway, know you're not alone {{{{{{{{{{Ripper}}}}}}}}}} and keep us posted.

Well its a few months on and despite me trying to keep things together I got yet another written warning. The situation has not been helped by our company being bought out by a bigger one, and out IT department now working under 10 times the initial work load trying to support all these new staff members.

Anyway, this is my final warning, so I guess with the current track record of how I am not fairing too well, not to mention others in the IT department spying on me, since at this latest meeting a large amount of "evidence" was presented some of which were emails I sent to other select staff members about my issues in confidence, I'm about to get fired over my mental issues.

I am not sure if this is legal, but under the new Australian IR laws, you can pretty much be dumped on the street with any old excuse.

Do you have some Employee Assistance Program that you might talk to to get support for your situation.

I am sorry but I would never share my mental health concerns but I know that cat is way out of the bag. See if the EAP can assist you with self advocating and keeping your job.

Meanwhile... are you looking around for other employment? I would not let them talk to your current employer and would not share your mental health issues. They do not appreciate those issues as they are only concerned with the mighty dollar.

Take care of you....

I am very sorry to hear of your situation.

I'm so sorry that you've been treated this way. It stinks. It also sounds like you need someone to talk with who is safe. I work at a mental health agency and keep my issues to myself for fear of repercussions. Do you have a therapist, friend or someone you can trust to talk with? It sounds like your coworkers aren't safe for you.
Hope things go better.

Thanks for the advice all, but when it comes for supporting white middle aged males 18 to 40, Australia has next to no support services. Ironically if I was a woman or black ( Australian aboriginal or Tortes Straight Islander ), there would be government departments tripping over themselves to provide mental help services to me.

Basically it has come down to the fact that I've worn out my welcome with my current employer, and its time to move on.

Also, lesson for today... Trust no-one, espeically co-workers! Providing others with ammunition only serves to get yourself shot!

That's crap ... good luck to you ...

So sorry you are going through this Ripper.

Your comment about it's time to move on is not necessarily a bad thing. I know it's cliche, but, when one door closes, and other one opens. As long as we go with open minds and eyes, we will see the other door.

I wish you much success!

Hugssss
J

Come to America. Youthful white males rule, and I and the aging women lose countless jobs to you boys.

Get your resume in order and start actively searching...

Avoid trying to "get them back" - will only hurt you in the long run.

In the meantime "pretend" if necessary to be completely fine with everything and hop on the "bandwagon" of things they supposedly gave you the final warning for...

As a side note: The grass isn't always greener on the other side - but it is worth looking at - seeing what other employers expect and what they pay in your area.

The idiots! The move to new space is known to cause emotional and other disruption in people. More people quit than usual, just because of the "change" and newness.

Have you a hobby or interest outside IT/work, a project of some sort or another? A little dream you could work on for awhile? I'd take a course or hook up with a volunteer job somewhere that could potentially lead to meeting someone who could help you to a job with more congenial people around. Having people you enjoy working with can be almost as important as the actual job itself for satisfaction, I feel. Figure out how to meet people who would appreciate what you could do for them. After seven years with an organization, getting a genuine written notice is an asinine way to interact with you!

Most workplaces are assinine these days. Cold heartless places.

Oh, RJ! Nothing sent through the company "pipeline" is EVER confidential!!!

A good rule of thumb to work from is this: "If you must tell, tell only those whom you must," such as Human Resources Department, where this information MUST be kept in strict confidence. And even then, it is always available to your superiors at any time and for any reason.

As much as we all like to think we have confidantes and solid friendships within our workplaces, it is usually not the case when push comes to shove - as noted by the "evidence" collected about you. Worse yet, is the fact that you e-mailed your private conversations / concerns on company time and company equipment to which they have every right to monitor.

Although I do not know the legalities that govern the workplace in Australia, I don't imagine it is that much different than here in Canada (we both use Common Law). One cannot be fired simply for having a mental illness, but they certainly can get rid of you for disrupting the workplace atmosphere. They may not fire you directly, but they can (and will) make life so miserable for you that it forces you to leave. Happens more often than one might think.

Like another member said, if you have access to a Human Resource Department, use it. It is the safest way to ensure, at least, compensation for disability benefits or for compensation should you be asked to leave.

Sorry this is not a very upbeat post, but I have seen this happen many times, and have experienced the same thing myself.

The almighty dollar ALWAYS reigns! People are ALWAYS dispensible. Never forget that....

Altered State