Talk with the Boss

Over the last few weeks my boss has had a poor attitude directed towards me.  Through email and during telephone calls my boss has spoken to me sharply, was curt and utilized a negative tone.   As with any employee, I had become increasingly frustrated, upset and worried about my employment.  I waited and waited for him to come into the office so that I could speak to him in person about the problem.  As noted in my previous post, he did not come into the office for 3 weeks.  I finally got to the point where I could no longer deal with the frustration.  I was lashing out at him as harshly as he was lashing out at me and, of course, it left me feeling even more miserable.  Finally, I sent him an email and I told him that I needed to talk to him and to call me when he had some free time.  The next day he did.  I asked him if he was having a problem with me and he denied it.  I expressed to him that he had been very negative towards me and I did not appreciate the behavior, he denied any knowledge of any negativity.  He did not ask for any examples or specific incidents.  The conversation left me feeling frustrated.  I did not get to speak with him about everything because he expressed total shock and awe that he was being rude, diminishing my morale and intimating that I wasn't doing my job well.  He stated that I was doing excellent work and performing extraordinarily.  He stated that his sister and his friend had recently told him about his behavior as well and he was equally shocked at their comments.  He is in his 60s and I have no doubt that people have told him about his behavior and attitude many times over the years.  In fact, I know for certain that several people have (many of the staff in the other office have been around for over 10 years).  I feel miserable, angry, used and abused.  All of this recent frustration is dredging up other incidents where I felt I was treated unfairly.  A few months ago the firm billable hour report came out, I was the second highest biller (just under the partner in the south Florida office).  I also often cover hearings, depositions, etc. for the partner and 2 associates in the south Florida office.  At this point I am doing all of the appellate work for the firm for both offices.  No one has ever covered anything for me because I plan my schedule accordingly.  I don't enjoy any special benefits for producing more than any other associate or taking on extra work.  It's starting to rub me the wrong way because I'm doing more, but everyone is receiving the same benefits, i.e., we all get a Christmas bonus.  When I got a raise all of the other employees received the same 10% raise.  I have no incentive to continue performing at a high level because I am learning that people who are doing the bare minimum are getting the same as or more than me.  I think I've made up my mind that it's time for me to leave. 

Travel Fund

Today I cashed out my cash back rewards on my Capital One Quicksilver, well only $100 worth.  I decided to do this so I could get the emergency fund in my checking account up to an even $10,000.  The remainder of the cash will fund the initial amount needed to start a travel fund.  The travel fund will be used to cash flow my travel for work without cutting into my monthly budget.  For example, I have to travel at the beginning of August to a town about 2.5 hours away by car I will use the cash from travel fund for the cost of gas back and forth.  It will cost me about $70 out of pocket for the travel.  Once I get the travel voucher reimbursed, probably not until October or November, I will deposit it into the travel account for the next trip.  I think I will try to keep the travel fund around $500, any reimbursed money over that amount I will add to savings or pay down on my student loan. 

By way of an aside, I have to rant about the travel voucher reimbursement at my firm.  It takes about 2.5 to 3 months for the firm to reimburse for travel expenses.  It's ridiculous, really.  There are only 5 attorneys at the firm.  The partners (2) have firm credit cards that get paid off every month by the firm.  I would like to talk to my boss about a 30 day turn around, but he never comes into work. Seriously, he did not come into the office for 3 weeks. He then came in for like 2 hours and left again.  I'm really frustrated with the situation.  (I spoke to him briefly about his attitude (on the phone because he won't come into work), I'll blog about that later in separate post.)

Angry at myself

I lost $20 yesterday.  I am such an idiot and I am so irritated, I can't stand myself.  Yesterday morning my sister asked me to stop by the store and pick up a few things and she handed me a $20 bill.  I have no real recollection of the $20 bill after that.  I think I put it in my purse, but I'm not really sure.  At any rate, I can't find it now.  I don't typically carry cash on me and I guess this is good reason not to.  I have looked in my car and in my purse, but can't find it anywhere.  It probably fell out somewhere at the store.  I just wanted to share my frustration with the world. 

Oh, as an aside, does anyone else read blogging away debt?  Today it was announced on the website that blogger, Jim, would no longer be writing for the site.  I never liked Jim as a blogger, but this week I was really happy to see his post on eating from the pantry.  I thought the post was was pretty well written for Jim and was excited to think he actually got on the BAD bandwagon.  I should have known better, the rumor is that the post was plagiarized.  According to the comments on the blog, that may have been the third post that was plagiarized.  I think it was time for him to go and I'm glad that the owners of the website finally decided to cut him.

Health Insurance Rebate

Hooray!  On Friday we received a little over $100 a piece for our Obamacare health insurance rebate.  The firm waived it's portion as did the partners so all employees who participate in the firm insurance plan received a small check.  I'm really feeling the money crunch right now (I need to blog about the dental fiasco I have been experiencing) so I was so excited to receive this unexpected windfall.  It will go straight into my emergency fund.  I really want to get the emergency fund up to $10,000 and leave it there.  Right now it's around $9600 dollars.  I can't recall the exact amount as I sit here and type, it may be on my debt page.  Anyways, just wanted to share the good news!

Work

I'm still quite confused about what to do about my employment situation. Things at work are pretty much the same. My boss continues to not come into work and his assistant does the same.  It has created a morale problem for me. I'm miserable and apathetic and I hate it.  It appears that my boss' assistant takes off at least 1 day every two weeks.  She also has taken off several weeks of sick time this year alone.  Additionally, she has already taken her 2 weeks of vacation time.  She will be taking more vacation time this year, I have no doubt.  I can't say anything to my boss. Believe me anything I say to him will get repeated back to his assistant!  She also monitors his email so there's no relief there.

The other problem is his assistant is continually failing at her job.  I guess because she's not in the office often enough to ensure that things are being done properly. My boss complains about her (sometimes), but quite honestly, he complains about everyone. I do not trust her anymore so I do not give her work to do.  I think I have to start calling her out when my boss complains about her.  Nothing, but the truth, no waffling on the facts anymore. 

The good thing is, other people are starting to take notice and she is starting to try and hide her absences.  I hate when people take advantage of things and situations.  I am beginning to no longer feel the obligation to give him the opportunity to fix things.  I think me leaving is becoming a reality, this firm is not meeting my needs. It is no longer a good fit. I could use a raise anyways because all this dental work is getting so expensive. 

End of June Pay Day

Here are the numbers:

$1,447 mortgage
$300 student loan
$70 cat insurance
$70 groceries
$227 spending
$100 gas
$200 savings