Saturday, September 25, 2004

Falling Flat on My Face

  

Yesterday was probably the worst day ever in the history of my work experience. I think a close second would be the day I found out that my previous employer was attempting to rip-off our customers. He's a previous employer for that very reason. I resigned when I found out what he was doing. Days like yesterday have a way of putting so much into perspective.

I am an Accounts Receivable (A/R) Senior Accountant and Office Manager. It sounds pretty boring. It could be except I have diverse responsibilities that make it challenging and rewarding for me. I have two assistants, one is an Office Assistant who helps me in the administrative aspect of my job, the other is an A/R Administrator who is responsible for the rote A/R related tasks. You would think that I have it easy, but it just doesn't seem to ever be that way. I am constantly overloaded. The Accounting Manager asked me last week what I needed to get on top of things. I told him some people who I could rely on and stayed.

Initially, I was only the Office Manager. It was rewarding but my long-term goals are in Corporate Financial Management. So, when the previous A/R Senior Accountant quit, the company offered the position to me but still wanted me to maintain my responsibilities as the Office Manager. I felt fine about that because they created the Office Assistant position to aid me in the tasks I was responsible for in that area. The A/R Administrator was fully trained so I figured it would be no problem. I had a booger of a time finding an Office Assistant who was capable. I'm on my fifth person. However, two don't really count. One lasted for two days and another only two weeks. I think this one is a keeper but still needs a lot of training. During this time, another person in the department left, I recommended my A/R Administrator for the position because I felt she was capable and it would mean a promotion for her. The person we got to replace her was amazing. She outperformed the previous person. I was excited. Finally, I would be able to get things organized and some projects off of my desk.

Another position opened up in the department, and the Accounting Manager approached me regarding using her for the position. Again, it meant a promotion so how could I be selfish and hold her back. I got in another person, the person I had to let go two days before my vacation earlier this month. She lied on her job application about some very important and serious things. Since then, I have been juggling doing her work, my work, and continuing the training of my Office Assistant. It's been a tiring month. I finally got a person in on Monday to fill the position. In the past, the people who are in the department that have performed in that position have handled the training. But, after seeing the mess that the previous person had created, I decided it was best that I train the new person for this position, that way I could keep a closer watch on his work product. That has left me very little time to take care of my other responsibilities. No problem. I was managing to juggle all the balls and nothing urgent was on my plate.

Yesterday, one of those balls dropped. A MAJOR ball. A ball that could cost our company serious bucks if I don't get it rectified quickly. A ball that I thought had been put away months ago. I still don't quite understand how it was overlooked. I think there was some miscommunication that occurred with outside sources but ultimately I am responsible. The buck stops with me. After I gathered all of the information, I called the Vice President and told her what had occurred and how I was working to rectify it. I learned early on in the business world that you should never just be someone who points out problems but you should offer up solutions as well. In this case, I definitely needed to have some solutions.

She could have fired me on the spot. I was really upset. Yup, tears and all. I apologized for being unprofessional. I hate that about being a woman. When I am overly stressed or angered, my emotions take over. She amazed me. She said that she understood because I was also a friend. She said not to be so hard on myself because it's not like I sit around eating Bon-Bons all day, that I have too much on my plate and that's why we need to get me some help. Gulp! Not what I expected at all.

So, now that my face is mushed into the carpet, I think I'll get up and begin cleaning up the mess. Yes, I'll be working this weekend. Nothing like falling on your face to give you a new perspective of things. Have I said lately how much I fricken LOVE the company I work for? I do, I'm not complaining about my job or the people that I work for. I love it and them. I just wish there were more people out in the job market who were honest and took their responsibilities seriously. I know I would breath a little easier.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

You must have rolled over to get this shot hahaha Hugs Lanny

Anonymous said...

Um....okay.  I don't get it...  Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

OMG, thank you for that fabulous Brush Dance link!  I just spent way too much time (but not yet any money...) browsing.  What's the deal with falling on face here?  It's Saturday.  Celebrate.
~~mumsy

Anonymous said...

Here's to better days ahead for you and hugs.
It's good that you did catch it and that you had a solution for it. I hope that all goes well for you.

Love the pics :)

Anonymous said...

Here's to being accountable! I like that in a person. But don't be too hard on yourself.

Anonymous said...

    Robbie, I guess we've all had days like that, crying and all. It's a girl thing and really it's what makes us who we are. If being professional means not being able to express our own human emotions from time to time, who needs it?
    Heres hoping for better day's ahead for you:-)
                                   *** Coy ***
http://journals.aol.com/coy1234787/Dancingintherain
 

Anonymous said...

Yes, don't be so hard on yourself. :)  I am sure your work speaks for itself, so when the ball sometimes (or ever) rolls away from you, there are GOOD reasons for it.  You are human ya know. Not a robot.  which means you can make a mistake!   It does sound like a great company that you work for, your very lucky!  But, then again....your a great employee...so who's the lucky one? :D

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear about your problem, but it looks like you handled things well and I know that you'll find a good solution for the company.  At least you were honest and immediately reported what had happened and didn't shift the blame to someone else.  Let us know how things work out!

Anonymous said...

I think that your employer is lucky to have you, juggling balls like crazy, and you are lucky to have your employer, understanding that good workers do make mistakes occasionally. Forgive yourself, and take care of yourself, too. Margo

Anonymous said...

God Bless you and keep you and let his light  shine upon you.  

Anonymous said...

Robbie, you are such an incredible woman.  I admire you so much, and I hope that straightening out this mess won't be terribly difficult.

Anonymous said...

Been reading your journal for a short time now, and I really enjoy it.  Its also nice to find someone out there who enjoys the company they work for.  And don't feel bad about crying.  Unfortunately its part of being a woman.  Just today, I got written up at work because someone else dropped the ball.  I was furious and that also meant tears.  However at least your boss acknowledged you were upset about the situation.  I've found mine avoids it.  Be thankful you work with and for such great people.

Anonymous said...

Robbie, I'm confident that you'll find a way to straighten out this situation.  I'm so glad that your boss was understanding.  Finding good people to work for you is hard.  Surely someone can be found to help you out.  I'll be thinking about you.

Anonymous said...

You poor thing. It's like everyone's worst nightmare.....Especially when you work so hard and try to do the right thing. You'll work it out. I just know it. Prayers you're way.
Angela

Anonymous said...

OK, so the sucky part is the major problem, but it sounds like you are able to fix it.  The good part is that you are a strong enough person to not only admit to the problem, but also to fix it.  And the GREAT part is that when calling the VP, you aren't fired, you are commended for doing what you do and they don't blame you.  Your horrible day sounds like it is going to turn out okay in the end.

Anonymous said...

Sounds serious!  But you've got it under control
it seems!  What a smart cookie you are!
Lovish!  Sorry you have to work this weekend!
:(
-Connie

Anonymous said...

Hey girly!  Wow! Our jobs are very similiar! I can SO understand the pressure..more than you'll ever know! Keep your head up though, I'm sure youll get everything worked out. =)  btw, there's a new post in my land...

Anonymous said...

Oh Robbie,
thinking of you and hope that all eases...... and that you get some well-deserved assistance. Sending you smiles and hugs......  judi

Anonymous said...

<I just wish there were more people out in the job market who were honest and took their responsibilities seriously. I know I would breath a little easier.>

We are (or WERE) out here, Robbie...we just never get hired.  Or we get treated like s**t when we DO get a job.  That's why we take ourselves OUT of the job market and start our own businesses!  LOL!
Much as this seems like it was a bad experience, it looks to an outsider like me to be a GOOD one.  You actually got what amounted to strokes from your boss, instead of getting reamed or fired.  You got the opportunity to reinforce in your mind WHY it is you like to work for this company, and they got the opportunity to show you how much confidence they have in you.  I wish I had had this kind of experience in my work life.  I might still be working!  Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

It's amazing how many people never learn how to be a GOOD worker. I started my career as a serious slacker. I never took anything seriously. But it's funny how the tune changes when you desperately NEED the money you are earning and you start taking some pride in the job you do. I became one of the most trust-worthy and dependable workers I know...and I was frequently frustrated by others who just didn't give a crap about the quality of their work. LOL I hope you find someone good to help you, soon!  -B

Anonymous said...

I have been reading your journal off and on ever since finding it a few weeks ago, and have really enjoyed it.  I am completely impressed by your logic (sometime i seem to be lacking...)  anyway, congrats on getting up, dusting off, and getting back to work, congrat son how well the call to boss went!  Thanks for your journal
Amy:)

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm sorry that major ball dropped and your emotions took over - how totally human of you!  I'm glad to hear you got support from the VP/friend.  Because, if SHE doesn't know how much you've been working your fingers to the bone, I know many AOL-Jers who would be willing to let her know!  Hopefully your company will see that you need help - good help.  Because you can't keep doing what you've been doing. It's draining...unhealthy.  And dammit, it takes away from your JOURNAL TIME!  :P  Beautiful pictures, by the way.

Anonymous said...

Boy can I relate...I "dropped the ball" once to the tune of $5,000.  Luckily, like you, my accomplishments outweighed the mistake but holy moly did I ever feel worthless.

http://journals.aol.com/st0rmwhispers/SWAOS/

P.S.  Thanks for the sound advice to my entry!

Anonymous said...

Hugs, Robbie.  So glad that you got the understanding that you needed.  I used to be a production mgr at an ad agency, and dealt with similar type issues with supervising others, budgets, etc.  Can't say I loved it.  It's obvious how much heart and soul you put into your work, which is so admirable. --Albert
http://journals.aol.com/lamove04/AlbertsWorldofArtsyFun/

Anonymous said...

Aw, Robbie. Everyone makes mistakes. (Even my workaholic, over-achiever hubby.) The good thing is that you CAUGHT the mistake, owned up to it AND had a solution at hand. ::pats Robbie's back::

And when it comes to stress, anger and frustation, I cry, too. Can't help it. I've tried, but it's just not how I'm wired. I'm a blubberuffagus. I cry when I see other people cry, even if I don't know what they're crying about.

Ah, such a pain!