A Good Day At Work

I'll have a little time to blog at home for a couple of days. The kids in their excessive use of the laptop have broken off the back where the charger plugs in. What's frustrating is that we JUST had this fixed while under warranty, and - of course - it is no longer covered under warranty which means --- we now have to pay to have it fixed. We are now a one-computer family until I get the cash to bring the laptop to have the thing fixed.

Sigh.......

BUT

That brings me to my really GREAT NEWS. :o)

So.... I am really good at what I do at work. I don't mean to brag - but recognizing my own strengths and weaknesses is a strength of mine. I learned a lot about that through Sweet Adeline's in my leadership training courses over the years.

I have very strong leadership skills as well as strong administrative skills. I can multi-task like nobody you've ever seen before. When I started my job, the girl I replaced was a MESS. Papers everywhere... filing very behind... checks would come in and not be posted for a month or more... jobs would be completed for months before being entered into the computer, if ever entered at all. It was a nightmare for me and I knew I HAD to change when I took over. She explained to me that this was 'the way it was in the business'. Yeah, "not when I take over" is all I kept thinking in my head.

As it is now, my boss can call at any time and know exactly what he has going on. Every check is in the bank the day it's received. It's posted within 30 minutes of being opened. Every order is placed within 30 minutes of being called in or faxed, as is every quotation. There just isn't a time when someone has to wait for something in our office, unless it's for a good reason (such as the factory hasn't listed pricing yet or we have to call to get a lead-time). Even then, I don't rest until it's completed. My boss knows right now how much money he is expecting in commissions next month. Because the last girl was so far behind, he NEVER really knew what he could expect. We are completely, 100% caught up and efficient. It's how I live and work.

He kept telling me that he would get around to giving me a review, but was really busy. He wanted me to think about some things in the meantime though... He told me that he hired me at a really high rate of pay for a person in my position and that he really wasn't comfortable giving me a pay raise. However, if I really felt I needed a 'cost of living' increase, say 2 or 3 % (yes, I nearly had to pick myself up off the floor on that one) then perhaps he could re-think it. He told me I shouldn't really worry about it though because he was going to make sure I was taken care of financially. He had given me a mid-year bonus, and that I would be getting a 'really big end of the year bonus' as well. He asked that I think about it and at my 'review' tell him what I'd like to do.... have a cost of living raise, or have the end of year bonus.

So, my review was due in late August. But we finally get around to it in October. As fate would have it, he decided to give me a quick yearly review on bosses day.

Of course, I gave him a card for bosses day - it read: Front - "I may not be the best employee in the world..." Inside - "Oh.... wait... YES I AM!" I was just PERFECT.

So, I sit down for my review. I love my boss... he's a good man, a good Christian, and very fair. Oh, and he really loves what I do. He tells me that I do everything well. I keep the place clean, I file well, I have learned everything I was to learn - and then some. I go above and beyond all the time. I am quick, professional, and excel at everything I do. I ROCK! Yes, yes, I know! LOL

"So", he says, "did you think about what you want to do on your bonus vs cost of living increase?"

"Yes", I respond. "I'd like both actually."

You see, I know that I help him make a lot of money. I don't want a piece of the pie. I don't want a boat. I don't want a bigger house. I don't want a big-olé credit card or a fancy car. I just want to be able to pay my bills and get the kids what they need. That's it. I tell him, everything is going up... electricity, water, heck - a gallon of milk at the store next door cost me almost $5 the other day. $5!!! Can you BELIEVE that??? So.... yeah. I'm worth it I think. And I thought - I need to ask for it if I really want it. How else would he know? Right??

So -- yesterday I get this letter.

Dear Tina:

Congratulations! Due to your dedication and outstanding performance at PERO Engineering and Sales Company, we are pleased to advise you that your annual salary has been increased by 10% per year. Depending on the financial success of the company, a year-end bonus may be awarded as well! We look forward to a long a mutually beneficial relationship with our company.

I love my job.