12 days of thankfulness – Day 3: New horizons
Day 3: New Horizons
On the third day of thankfulness…
I had been working with the same employer for 18 months, earning a wage I last received back in 2003. A 10 hour day was not an unusual occurrence for me, combined with massive expectations that far exceeded my (unseen) job description. But, immediately prior to this employment I had been unemployed for a good nine months (due to moving to regional Australia). So for being employed, I was thankful.
In around April of 2011, I decided to put my foot down regarding my working conditions, having remained silent for 18 months, and copping my workload on the chin. The CEO made a special trip (though I suspect this was more an excuse for him to confirm with the taxman that his newly acquired motor home was in fact for ‘work purposes’) to speak to me about my concerns. I said that I didn’t believe 13 hours days was a reasonable expectation of my role. His response was ‘You’re lucky we pay overtime [NB: Overtime was paid at the ordinary hourly rate. No time and a half, no double time]. Many companies don’t’. I said that this was combined with travelling over 200kms on a single day for work at an external office. The CEO’s response was ‘I do those distances all the time’. I said I was on a wage last received by me for a very junior Admin role 8 years ago. The CEO’s response was ‘You are actually receiving a decent wage based on your job description’. My response was that I didn’t have a job description.
I copped abuse from a co-worker for standing up for myself and appearing to undermine management, I encountered a physically threatening meeting from my line manager. And still I smiled, continued my hard work and upheld the standards of the company. Then I was offered a job elsewhere (more details to follow in a later post). Suddenly, new horizons opened to me. I was reminded of my worth and to be appropriately rewarded for it.
I am thankful that a new horizon opened to me. I am thankful that I had to go through the bad to find the good. If there is one thing that stands out for me from this, it’s a reminder to all that we shouldn’t get bogged down in the day to day trials and tribulations for reward is often right around the corner. Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. I give thanks for new horizons, new opportunities, new beginnings.
So, so true !!! very much enjoying your 12 days of thankfulness …