Little things that make you smile - the anti-peeve thread.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Little things that make you smile - the anti-peeve thread.

[Firewind]

Re: Little things that make you smile - the anti-peeve thread.

[cidbahamut]

Re: Little things that make you smile - the anti-peeve thread.

Today at work, the team lead was making Star Wars analogies while training me and the other new hire. It came to light that the other new employee hadn't seen Star Wars. The entire team then proceeded to express their amazement, while the other team lead said they'd have to make sure to add that to the list of interview questions for future applicants. This place is pretty alright.

[Yygdrasil]

Re: Little things that make you smile - the anti-peeve thread.

Update time!

So as of right now I'm sitting at my desk at the airport... because lo-and-behold! For some reason they refuse to fire me. Gee-wiz, that seems awfully strange considering how gung-ho these guys were about giving me the heave-ho. Maybe it has something to do with my totally justifiable case for wrongful termination that I have oh-so gladly hovered over their heads for the past 2 weeks. Or maybe it's just that they had a change of heart and love me so goddamn much. Who knows? All I know is that I've been using this job to catch up on sleep and earn some extra scratch on the weekends and it's working out pretty well for me so far.

In other news, I discovered what it feels like to be appreciated for your work... and it feels pretty good, man.

Yesterday I got a phone call from the General Foreman of the company I've been working for. He apologized about how abruptly the job I was on ended... but followed suit by telling me that he had 3 more sites that were due to start in the next week. One of which started today, another this upcoming Monday and a 3rd and final one starting Wednesday. After we chatted about the jobs of past, present and future he told me:

"These jobs coming up. I want you to be the first apprentice on them all. You work hard, learn fast and never quit. I like that about you. Stick with me and I'll keep you working."

I'll spare the details of how difficult it is to find apprentice work in the BOSTON area and suffice to say that even some of the business agents and members of the E-Board have kids in my class who haven't successfully gone to work yet. To be told that I'm valuable and that a company wants to keep me as "their apprentice" is pretty awesome... and one hell of a compliment, especially in Rebar.

As an added bonus, he also threw in "I'm going to need another apprentice as well. I'll take whatever suggestion you give me. Just tell me who to call."

The power to decide the fate of one of my classmates? Oh-ho! This is too good.

Now I have to make a tough choice to make. Do I recommend a friend and help them out? Or do I recommend the person I think would be the best for the job, regardless how friendly I am with them... because it would look good on me to have selected the best possible guy for the work? Choices.

On the one hand, picking the best guy for the job would make me look good... but if he works harder than I can, I might be out-shined and replaced. On the other hand, if I suggest a friend who doesn't work as hard as me, I might look bad for picking a shitty worker.

Thoughts?

[Truece]

Re: Little things that make you smile - the anti-peeve thread.

Suggest the best guy for the job. If they work as hard as you (or do better work) then you're only making the team better. Demonstrate that you can recognize talent and you'll be a foreman before you know it!

Keep in mind that I have no clue how things work in the skilled trades.

[DakAttack]

Re: Little things that make you smile - the anti-peeve thread.

Suggest the hotty. Even if they don't work as hard as you, then you're only making the team more diverse. Demonstrate that you can recognize diversity and you'll be a foreman before you know it!

Keep in mind that I'm simply playing the devil's advocate, here.

[Mezlo]

Re: Little things that make you smile - the anti-peeve thread.

I'd pick your friend. I'd also point out to your friend that you are recommending him in hopes that he can improve his speed, quality, or work ethic, whatever is lacking. You'll have more fun at work with your friend there plus you will feel better for helping him out. If by chance he falls short of what you were hoping, it's not your fault, and the foreman will know that. You can't control what other people do or how they behave, all you can do is give them a chance to succeed. I'd ssay you owe your friend that chance, unless you know he's a fuck up, and in that case pick the other guy.

[Yygdrasil]

Re: Little things that make you smile - the anti-peeve thread.

Decisions, decisions.

[cidbahamut]

Re: Little things that make you smile - the anti-peeve thread.

It sounds like a trap. You're fucked no matter who you recommend.

[Mezlo]

Re: Little things that make you smile - the anti-peeve thread.

It sounds like a trap.

Cid recommends you hide behind a tree and wait for this whole situation to blow over.

[Aksannyi]

Re: Little things that make you smile - the anti-peeve thread.

My ... well I guess nowadays you'd call him my boyfriend ... just informed me that he purchased me (and himself, of course) a one-year pass to Universal. We already had planned to go to Halloween Horror Nights next weekend but out of the blue he decided to buy the annual pass. The implication being that he wants to spend more time with me in the future.

I am beside myself, like seriously, and I can not remember a time when a guy has ever so blatantly planned for the future with me.




(And if I sound like a teenage girl, well, I feel like one.)

[Feba]

Re: Little things that make you smile - the anti-peeve thread.

[Armando]

Re: Little things that make you smile - the anti-peeve thread.

On the one hand, picking the best guy for the job would make me look good... but if he works harder than I can, I might be out-shined and replaced. On the other hand, if I suggest a friend who doesn't work as hard as me, I might look bad for picking a shitty worker.

Pick someone you know has work ethic. I know people I'm on friendly terms with but that I wouldn't recommend or really want to work with as a programmer. They're not bad, and we get along, but they don't seem to care about improving themselves or picking up new skills. If you work as hard as the boss says, I doubt someone would outshine you by such a large margin that it'd become an issue.

am beside myself, like seriously, and I can not remember a time when a guy has ever so blatantly planned for the future with me.

Congrats, that's pretty great!

[Aksannyi]

Re: Little things that make you smile - the anti-peeve thread.

My grandfather's 90th birthday celebration is next weekend and I'm about to buy a plane ticket to go up there and surprise the shit out of my family (haven't seen them in 5 years) for the weekend.

[cidbahamut]

Re: Little things that make you smile - the anti-peeve thread.

I love NPR.