Same Old Shit

Anthony's stupid clip art from his 2/9 email.

I know it's been quite a while since my last post. And I've got bad news, this might be my last one ever. I'm no longer going to be working for idiots. I have resigned. But I did want to make sure you know that absolutely nothing has changed. Anthony is still a moron living in a fantasy world where he thinks people want to hear his messages of positivity while simultaneously putting up with his condescending assholishness. I guess no one ever explained to him what "actions speak louder than words" means. Maybe someone should make him a chart.

So here are a few messages from the last couple of months. It's not much but it still demonstrates so perfectly how hard these idiots constantly try to convince themselves and everyone else how great everything is.

*************

From: Anthony
Sent: Mon 2/9/2009 2:36 PM
To: All Staff
Subject: With all of our efforts together...

As we move forward, Make sure that you understand both the larger and the smaller picture.
To move further forward

. Propose alternatives!

- Every single person in the structure is contributing to the pulsations of [the agency].

- Every single role has an important impact in our clients' lives.

- Be clear, ask questions!

- Be creative, get involved!

- Be responsible, do your part!

- Be brave, speak up!

- Be proactive, don't wait until the last minute!

- Be constructive, not destructive.

Anthony

-----Original Message-----
From: Anthony
Sent: Thu 2/19/2009 10:36 AM
To: All Staff
Subject: volunteer actors wanted

Hello Staff!

Happy Thursday!

Do you find it exciting, intriguing, appealing, to be in front of a camera?

Do you have hidden acting talents that you want to explore, share, express?

Ok, here's the deal:

We have a video production team (interns), who is working with us in putting together several video products (mostly for promoting [the agency]). One of these videos is a quick project (nothing fancy) to help staff visualize the new process for providing services (what to do with referrals, documentation, filing, etc).

The shooting will happen this Sunday, here at [the agency].

The tentative schedule is 9-4.. we won't be going after 4, but the starting time is still tentative.

For this video, we need three actors. (the characters: one will be a counselor ending service, the other one will be a counselor beginning service, and the third person will be a client).

If you are hourly-paid, we would have to pay you to come in on Sunday, and -as you know- these are tight financial times, so we cannot ask you to come this Sunday.

But if you are NOT hourly-paid (exempt), you are SO welcome to volunteer.

Who said 'I'?

We need 3 actors.

Anthony

[I also just find this one funny because there is a video being made. Wish I could get my hands on a copy]

********************
From: Lorraine
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 1:43 PM
To: All Staff
Subject: Mandatory Training
Importance: High

Hey Staff:

[Blah blah blah - bunch of shit you don't care about here. I will include the last paragraph though because I want you to know that Lorraine's grammar and writing style is still atrocious. ]


Apologies for the last minute...but we have "no” choice.........Program Managers are expected to attend both days......so plan accordingly.......this is the "Last Hurrah" so to speak...It has been a two year process and everyone is focused on the finish line. We have to make sure that [the agency] crosses the finish line in tact...Is my message clear?

Lorraine

1st response to her email:

From: Yvonne
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 1:48 PM
Subject: RE: Mandatory Training

GOOOOOOOOO TEAM!!!!

Y

2nd response to her email:

From: Anthony
Sent: Fri 2/27/2009 2:59 PM
Subject: RE: Mandatory Training

SI SE PUEDE!

- Anthony

**************

From: Anthony
Sent: Sun 3/1/2009 2:26 PM
To: All Staff
Subject: Empowerment Services

Hello Staff,

Exciting times !

Isn't it interesting how the only constant usually is change? Hopefully change tends to be for better, right?

[I felt just that line was enough....]

****************

From: Anthony
Sent: Tue 3/17/2009 1:21 PM
To: All Staff
Subject: if you have 10 min off today

If you are able to take a 10 min brake [sic] today, I would strongly encourage you to take a quick walk around the block.

The weather is really nice: not too hot, not too cold. And it's refreshing.

Just thought I'd share my experience on going out to get lunch today.

It's also a reminder of the importance of pacing your work throughout the day and taking mental breaks to prevent burn out.


Happy Tuesday!

*******

I have worked pretty hard to not reveal my identity in this here blog, but at this point I just don't really care that much about transparency. I announced my resignation via email to all staff. I received several responses from the coworkers I like. Not one word from Lorraine or Anthony. I sure do appreciate that they will continue to disregard me, an employee of several years, until the very bitter end. They are consistent if nothing else.



Q.M.

New Policy

For real:

From: Yvonne
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 9:15 AM
To: All Staff
Subject: MOTIVATION MONDAY

All Staff,

If you remember, at the last All Staff meeting we decided that we are determined to create a positive and healthy working environment that will encourage life long learning. In line with this objective we created Motivating Mondays. A designated staff person will be responsible for a Motivational and/or Inspirational quote/thought/material, it can even be a life lesson learned in which to share with the rest of us here at [our agency]. This will help to get our creative juices flowing on Monday Mornings. Lorraine is designated for next Mondays quote, (well Tuesday due to the MLK Holiday).

A____ is kicking off our first Motivating Monday week. Here’s to a fabulous, positive, productive week!

Yvonne

Here's A____'s original email to Yvonne:

"If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee

That's my kick off quote, Bruce Lee is very cool.

-A____

Ratings

The following is taken from a new tool created by Lorraine's stellar management team. I'm guessing it is mainly Anthony's creation. Just a hunch....

The idea is that all supervisors will get this direct feedback from their employees and use it as a way to improve. It says that it is confidential and offers it to be anonymous, however the three people I know that have been forced to complete it were not allowed to be anonymous. In fact they had to sit down and go over their feedback point by point with their supervisors. It was not fun for any of them. The previous blog with Anthony's elaborate, yet repetitive table of responses was a result of this survey.

Anyway, enjoy. Hope this is a learning moment for all of you as you get to know these definitions that Anthony so carefully put together for us.

*****

This survey is a tool to evaluate your supervisor's performance as it relates to the supervisory role of his or her position. However, the most important aspect of this tool is for you to provide feedback to your supervisor. It really is feedback what gives people the opportunity to add perspective and growth. When answering this survey, please be as fair and specific as possible. The information that you provide is strictly confidential. A summary of the information collected will be provided to your supervisor. The last question on the survey will give you the option to submit your results anonymously. Thank you for participating.

Please rate your supervisor's POSITIVE THINKING. A supervisor is a positive thinker when he or she continuously displays thoughts, words, and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success. A supervisor who is a positive thinker conducts him or herself with an attitude that expects good and favorable results.

Please rate your supervisor's GENUINE INTEREST in your ideas and your work. A supervisor shows genuine interest in you and your work when he or she actively listens to your comments and suggestions; expresses and addresses concerns appropriately and in a timely manner; is able to follow up on open items that relate to you and your work.

Please rate your supervisor's INITIATIVE. A supervisor with initiative is constantly looking for better ways to do things. He or she does not wait for someone else to take action. For example, when a supervisor with initiative sees an unsafe condition, he or she takes action to correct it before an accident occurs.

Please rate your supervisor in terms of LOYALTY. A supervisor is loyal when he or she acts in the best interest of [our agency] and its mission statement. A loyal supervisor seeks the best interest of his or her team's interests as they support [our agency's] mission.

Please rate your supervisor's DECISIVENESS. A supervisor is decisive when he or she is able to make a definite and sound decision in a timely fashion. Many times a 'go ahead' is all it takes to communicate a sound decision. A decisive supervisor does not stall, puts off, evades, or re-fuses to communicate a decision.

Please rate your supervisor's FAIRNESS. A supervisor is fair when he or she is impartial. Fair decisions consider all sides of the story equally. A fair supervisor considers all interests involved in the matter and pursues win-win outcomes for those affected by the decision.

Please rate your supervisor's TACT AND COURTESY. A supervisor demonstrates tact when information is presented in a positive and appropriate manner. A supervisor is courteous when he or she is considerate, thoughtful, and mindful about other people.

Please rate your supervisor's SINCERITY AND INTEGRITY. A supervisor demonstrates sincerity when he or she is not afraid to face the facts and communicates them honestly and directly. Consistency and dependability are valuable assets of integrity. A supervisor shows integrity when he or she exhibits a consistent, firm, and positive attitude that makes you feel like you can count on him or her.

Please rate your supervisor's TEACHING ABILITY. Teaching ability is a crucial trait of a good supervisor. Giving and explaining instructions adequately; delegating tasks; on-the-job instruction; and the ability to address a group to successfully transfer knowledge are characteristics of a supervisor with good teaching ability.

Please rate your supervisor's SELF-CONFIDENCE. Supervisors who have a quiet inner confidence, which is expressed in their confident manner, actions, and words are a good example of self-confidence. Self-confidence should be based upon your supervisor's knowledge of the job and belief of his or her own abilities. A supervisor who is self-confident also inspires your self-confidence and makes your feel empowered to perform.

*****

The survey asks you to rate each area according to a scale of 1-4, 1 meaning the supervisor does not possess that quality at all, and 4 meaning they undoubtedly possess that quality.

Not that I was asked, and not that either Lorraine or Anthony are my supervisor (thank Christ), but I'd have to give them all ones. And not just to be a bitch. All ones and I would not only mean it from the bottom of my heart, but I'd be able to back it up with examples for each quality. So there.