Saturday, February 14, 2015

Resource reduction

- Have you heard they have announced a new wave of firing (at) people? Dave said with a concerned look. More than ten thousands this time, ugly ... How is a resource supposed to work with a gun to its head and a clock ticking on his desk?
I said nothing for a while, I have heard this news many time, they usually let go people every year trying to cut costs. The way of the Corporation.

- What do I do if I get a kick in the arse? continued Dave, what can I do? Where to go?
- Bad thing is we've become bonded to the Corporation as slaves to a cotton plantation. Cut our chains we will back to get some more whipping 'cuz we can't do anything else.

Gabe was approaching so Dave became quiet, he knew Gabe had the habit of praising the Corporation and tell us how us ungrateful bastards do not deserve these wonderful well-paid jobs we had.
- Hi guys, he said, you know what? An ungrateful bastard in my team just quit today. He said he was sick of his work, going nowhere with that so he left to his hometown to relax and try to open a business there. Damn fool! He thinks he can make it on his own...
- Well you have to admit that's courageous I said.
- This is madness! Gabe said.
- This is the Corporation! I replied sarcastically.
Dave left in a hurry, he had some paperwork to prepare before his next meeting.

Monday, February 2, 2015

Resource evaluation


- Step right in Seb said the big manager with a grin on her face, how are you?
- Good, good, thank you!
- Why I assume you're used to this by now, I tell you how you ranked through the year, give you an evaluation sheet and set some big challenging goals for next year.
She handed me a paper with the grading, nothing small, nothing big, all average rankings for a standard resource. I read it quickly then put it down.
- Any questions? she asked.
- No
- Well you certainly reached the standards this year but with no effort of going further. So I can't give you any big raise or anything, not to mention a promotion...
"Like you ever give big raises or promotions I thought"
- However I do feel you receive a small incentive there, maybe a couple of extra bucks for the Holiday, buy something nice for the kids. Do you have kids?
- No...
- Well you should, there is a good reason to strive to suceed when working for your kids. That's why you never go above average, there is no enough motivation to give it all to the Corporation so you can receive more for your kids. That's really sad.
I sat there looking bored while she continued.
- I guess you don't really need the extra bucks but I want to encourage you a bit anyway so here, sign here for the raise.
I took a short look, it was a insignifiant raise to a small salary, we always joked among us resources that all raises are enough to get an extra pizza and coke.
I signed, thanked her and was about to leave.
Before I closed the door I could hear her saying:
- And put more work and effort next year, we're all fighting on the same front for the success of  the Corporation.
I needed a beer. Or two.