The Michael Swayne Story V: King of his Castle

I know the title may make you think that I am quitting this site, but trust me, I'm not.

I quit working for Aetna Building Integrations. After 3.5 months of working my butt off, I found out what kind of person the boss is, and decided that I couldn't do it any longer. I can't work for people who preach teamwork, but then when it comes down to it, is only thinking about themselves. I tried to stick it out and hope that it would change for the better, but it didn't and it wasn't going to. So, I got out before I was too far in and unable to get out without permanent damage to my professional self.

You see, with me working two full-time jobs, I was more tired than ever before. But my body was adjusting to it. I was put in charge of cleaning a building by myself. It was a large building, but I am not sure of the specific size. Anyway, I would do as much as I could in the eight hours I was given. But then someone complained that I wasn't doing a good job. So, I tried harder. Then someone complained I wasn't cleaning fast enough. So, I cleaned faster. Then it wasn't good enough. Then fast enough. And so on.

Then the main boss got angry, and my supervisor had to step in and start inspecting my building. But she didn't inspect it when I was finished with the building for the night. No, she would come by at random times, usually when I was nowhere near finished. She would mark the inspection forms as bad, because she said that she "has to find at least one thing wrong so she can send it in without the main people getting suspicious." Like, what? You have to make me look bad, so it makes you look like you are doing your job? Seriously?!

On top of that, she would also write notes to the boss, lying about why I wasn't getting my building done. I apparently told her flat-out that I wasn't going to do it (which was not true at all). I apparently told her that I was too tired to do it (which was true, because it was my first week, and my body was still adjusting to the extra work). And so, I was written for insubordination. I asked about this when I was filling out the forms saying I understood why I was being written up. I asked if it was still insubordination for not being able to finish due to the no overtime rule. I was told I should have cleaned faster.

I was told that I was a good worker. I was told that despite being a good worker, I could not be trusted to do a job alone. So, I was given a babysitter to make sure I did the work. Now, in my opinion, and maybe you can correct me on this, but if you can't trust someone to do a job, then that person is not a good worker. I mean, what will happen if that person's partner gets sick, or quits? So, no, if you can't be trusted alone, then you aren't a good worker. Right?

It was that trust thing that struck me the hardest. I know I wasn't doing a perfect job. I admit that. But I was doing the absolute best I could in the time I was given. But to say I couldn't be trusted to do the job hurt me more than anything I have ever felt pain for in my life, because it was hurting my character. I can be punched or beaten, and I will get right back up again. But a blow to my character, to who I am as person, is a line I don't allow people to cross.

I tried to stick it out, even after all of that. I managed to make to lunch break. And then in the lunch room...

I handed my supervisor my ID badge. I said, "I won't be needing this anymore. I quit." And then I walked out and didn't look back. I walked all the way to my Jeep (oh, by the way, I own a Jeep now), drove to the front gate, and signed myself out. The guard at the gate and I chatted a few moments, because he went and backed me up after I left the meeting. I told him I would be back in a few hours for first shift (because I only quit the cleaning crew, not GE Aviation as a whole), got back in my Jeep, and went home, where I sleep better than I had in months.

So, I am down to one job now. I have already been putting out feelers for more work. Two of the other subcontractor companies at GE are looking at me in case one of their workers quits, and now that I can drive and have my own vehicle, I can easily find something part-time to help as well. So, all is good.

In other news...

I have a puppy. His name is Luke, and he is one of the puppies Luca had before she died.

I have three goldfish. One of my cleaning crew coworkers wasn't able to care for them anymore, so I took them in. They are named Spooky (he's white), Zombie, and Ciel.

I have two vehicles in my name. Mom's Honda Civic (it doesn't run at the moment), and my Jeep that I bought for $900.

Well, that's about it for now. I hope to see you around the forums, and until then...

Later!

Michael