Choices
I was reminded while writing yesterday of something a boss once
told me long ago. When I was 17, I worked for a trucking company
in their billing department. I was interested in computers, so I
started learning the midrange system they used, an AS/400. A few
months down the road, we were bought out by another company, and
the head computer guy was let go. The new technology people were
4 hours away in Dallas, but since I had learned a lot about the
system, they realized they could save a buck or two and let me
handle the daily stuff. Now, I didn't get a raise for this, but
I was thrilled because I really enjoyed working with the
computer. A couple of months later, we were informed our
location was shutting down, and all corporate services were
moving to Dallas. The first few people to go were the Controller
and Senior Vice President. I remember talking with them on their
last day and we were discussing what they planned to do. I was
single and young, so I wasn't worried. These guys were
executives making big bucks with families. I was surprised at
our conversation because they didn't talk about their problems.
They talked about my work for them. They told me they had met
with the new management staff in Dallas and had highly
recommended that I be kept on board. Of course, I was surprised
because I figured I was off the radar. The reason they said was
because of the many times I had volunteered to work over, or
take on a special project that nobody else wanted. I was also
informed that some of the little "billing error" projects I had
worked on had actually saved the company much more than my
annual salary. I was told specifically "Jamie, It doesn't matter
where you go or how much you are paid; they will save more than
they pay you. We told them to make you a hell of an offer and
they would not be disappointed". I was indeed offered a nice job
in Dallas along with moving expenses as needed. I even went
looking at apartments and met with numerous people up there. One
of them was a guy named Keith who had worked at the same
location I did but was transferred to Dallas after the merger.
The story could end here with me going to Dallas, but as it
happens I did not take the job. Here is why:
Keith picked me up from the Airport and showed me around the
Dallas Corporate offices. During the day I met with the
management as well as IT staff. I was going to take the job. On
the flight back home I was already thinking of how different it
would be living in Dallas and making pretty good money. The next
morning I went to work and decided to call Keith first to let
him know I was going to be taking the job and would see more of
him. I wanted him to know first since he was the only one I knew
up there. Well, I called his number and after no answer got the
receptionist instead of the usual voice mail. I was then
informed that Keith no longer worked there. Whoa! I had just
seen him at 6pm the night before when he dropped me off at the
airport. I called the VP in Dallas and asked him what the deal
was. I was told that things had not worked out with Keith, but
they sure were hoping I would take the job. They even told me
they waited to let Keith go until after I had made my trip.
Well, I had heard enough to know I was no longer interested. I
explained that I disagreed with how Keith were treated (He had
no idea until he returned to the office after dropping me off at
the airport) and I would not work for people I did not trust.
So, they blew it. I never had any doubts about my decision to
not take that job, and looking back I was glad I didn't. You
see, respect is not a one way street. I have always taken pride
in my work, and I think my past employers would agree with that.
However, I also have to have respect for the company I am
working for. I just could not respect the company after that.
See more at http://www.jamieratliff.com