About 6 months ago I left a job I had been with for almost 12 years. The job had been a big part of my life; I believed in what I was doing, felt I was making a difference. I met a lot of people, some of whom I thought were friends. The job had been going bad for some time. I was always a well rated employee, willing to help where I could. Things began going wrong in the company some time ago. We were once called teammates who believed in the mission of the company, and I could honestly say that it was really that way. I was happy to be part of that team. It was a wonderful environment that fostered a sense of working together to achieve a common goal.
Then the changes began. Management turned over again and again. And again. Gone were the company funded $1000 scholarships for school that you could apply for yearly. Mind you there were only 2 people who applied for and received them at our site. Gone the 401K's. Well, first they took them away, but they brought them back just not matching from the company. Nice right?
The atmosphere began to change among the people as well. Gone were the monthly luncheons in our department (we paid for), the celebrating birthdays (we paid for), all the other things we did that made us feel like people cared.
It became an atmosphere of walking on eggshells, a camp divided, an us against them situation. The tension so thick most days it really could be cut with a knife. And then the people really began to change.
Some members of management who no longer bothered to try and hide their blatant favoritism, granting special treatment for their favored ones. One even mentioned in a meeting that if anything should ever happen with the job; I at least had a "husband to support me." It was a sign of things to come.
Suddenly I was taking in extra work. Understand, I never minded helping out anyone. But suddenly I was doing the work because she had her favored ones in her office for hour upon hour, day after day. It really was ridiculous. Still, I stayed and said nothing.
Finally. I reached a breaking point. I finally decided to say something. I tried to speak to the management member involved. I went to her boss, then to her bosses' boss and so on. This happened over and over again with each change in management. No one did anything. I finally decided to file a formal complaint after a ridiculously low-balled review (mind you I was a high rated employee on the previous review).
Next thing you know, I get an e-mail telling me I have to go to a meeting. I mean I have to go, no choice, no preparation, no support. I either go or else (and YES I perceived this as a threat). Needless to say the meeting was a joke.
I left that day after the meeting and it was my breaking point. I never went back. It was my sanity at risk. while I have yet to find another job; I still know it was the right decision in the end.
The thing is, I left more than a job that day. I left behind some people who are amazing and I am grateful for having met them. I learned from a lot of wonderful people. I lost friends, well people who I thought were friends. I lost faith, faith in the company and the management team. I still, believe it or not, believe in the mission of that company. I have faith that the company will get back to what they once were. I have faith that the motto of late for the people who work there , "Do your eight and hit the gate" will go away. Faith that it will become a place where pride in your people, pride in your job, and pride in the company will once again be possible.
