My husband came home with a little story from work about what happened at the monthly staff meeting of 4,000 people. It made me realize that recent college graduates and people returning to the workplace after being gone for ten or more years may be in for a shock when they realize what it means to “work a job at a company.”
Here is the tale…
The CEO of the technology company that my husband works for has a monthly staff meeting with all the employees. During this staff meeting, a new employee, one who has worked roughly around two weeks decided to take the microphone as she had an important matter to discuss with her.
She voiced to the CEO that soy milk is not being provided for free at the company. The CEO said that she should address the issue with her managers. She said that she did and they were not responsive to her request so she is “escalating the issue” (a popular catch phrase at the company). As a perk, the company offers free white milk and chocolate milk for the employees. The newbie felt that since she had a dairy allergy, she was entitled to free soy milk because that is fair.
Soy milk is not an issue. Issues have to do with the profitability of the company. Soy milk should not be discussed at an all staff meeting. It does not need to be “escalated”. The company does not need to provide you with anything. Like all “perks” from a company, some employees will enjoy them while others will not.
You are at the company because your function contributes to the bottom line either directly or indirectly. Your personal needs and preferences are not of interest to the company. The company does attempt to attract and retain employees by offering incentives quality insurance, vacation time, and for this particular company free milk. If the company’s amenities are not of interest to you, then seek employment elsewhere.
The blunder of this new employee made is that she is equating “perks” as part of her employment agreement. No company is going to promise you milk or other “perks” for your service. They will promise you your salary and your vacation time.
LET’S LOOK AT MORE BLUNDERS BY NEW EMPLOYEES SHALL WE?
Working Overtime
Scenario 1 – Constant Overtime
“Doesn’t your boss know you have a family?” I heard one wife say to her husband regarding his constant overtime. Yes, your boss probably knows you have a family. However, your boss did not hire you because you have a family. Your boss hired you for the sole purpose of completing given tasks. It is your job to ensure that those tasks are completed. Your family situation is irrelevant to your employer. Either you can do your job or you cannot. If you cannot, then he will find someone who can complete the tasks. It is a wise idea to inquire about overtime when you receive an offer letter if this is going to pose a problem to your family. Ask questions regarding the frequency of overtime.
Scenario 2 – Exceptionally Late Overtime
I had a boss who thought nothing of staying until 10pm to finish work. She naturally expected that her employees would stay until 10pm as well. She informed them when she interviewed them that there would be much overtime in the beginning of the job because she was revamping the department. One husband called his wife and told her she had to come home when it was 10pm and she was still at work. Her husband was not familiar with the standards of marketing and advertising jobs where overtime can even go all night long if something needs to be prepared for the client. Once again, what might seem “outrageous” to you regarding overtime might be commonplace in a given field.
Scenario 2 – Weekend Overtime
Not everyone associates overtime with working weekends. Some people make the assumption that overtime can be limited to during the week or specific days. Not so. Tax accountants work at least one day during the weekend in tax season. That is standard for the profession. Exceptions are not made. Thus, if your best friend is getting married during tax season and you are a new tax accountant, make sure you tell her that you will not be attending the wedding.
Travel Policies
In matters pertaining to travel, have a keen understanding of what “may” be required pertaining to travel. After receiving an offer letter ask if air travel may be a possibility or if you will be required to use your own vehicle for business travel. If you have difficulty driving in rain or snow or on the highway, you must be aware that this too may be required in your job. Your company does not have to continue your employment because you are afraid to get on a plane. Thus, do not assume that your boss will “understand” or it will be “okay” if you have phobia of flying or cannot drive on highways.
Dress Code:
All workplaces have a uniform of sorts. There are acceptable clothes to wear to work and outfits that are not appropriate. Most companies outline the appropriate attire for the work environment. These mandates apply to you. They apply to you regardless of the weather, if you are expecting a child, not seeing clients, or if you have gained/lost weight. The exception is usually if you are working on the weekend at the office. If you are still unsure, look at your boss as the standard and opt for something similar. Jewelry and makeup (and nail polish) should be kept to a minimum. Generally tattoos should be covered.
Understanding your job (or not):
There may aspects of your job that you do not enjoy. Perhaps in college you were able to obtain an “alternate” assignment if you did not like the original one. This does not translate into the business arena. Your job is what you are asked to do by your boss. This could include learning new software or assuming duties that not part of your original job description. While this can be frustrating, it is not uncommon. What can be frustrating is that you are now evaluated on new skills which you may not be your strength. If you realize that you are not able to handle the new demands of the company including new skill sets but also perhaps mandatory overtime or required business travel, update your resume and seek employment elsewhere. Thus, it is possible to go from a position that requires no travel to one that requires travel. I had a position that required travel about once a year to one that required travel every week for six months. I had a new boss who changed the scope of the job. Could I report my boss to human resources? Of course not, I had a choice to make, either obtain new employment or stay with the company and travel every week.
Vacation policies:
Having vacation time and taking vacation are two different scenarios. A company may give you vacation time, but you may only be able to use it at certain times of the year or under certain circumstances. Once such example is that someone from a given department must be in the office at all times. Thus, if you are expecting to take time off around Christmas, you may be unable to take vacation because the vacation requests of more senior employees may be honored first.
A company may insist that you take a week at a time, and not individual days too. A company could prevent you from taking two weeks off in a row. Some companies require advanced notice, such as four weeks to approve vacation days. Ask specific questions about the vacation policy after you receive your acceptance letter so that you will not be surprised later.
Understanding raises:
You may feel that you have gone above and beyond at your job during the past 12 months. You may feel entitled to a 10% raise. You may have deserved a 10% raise. You may only get a 4% raise. Many companies have internal policies that apply to everyone. If the greatest raise that a company is giving in a given year is 4% then you will be subject to the 4% raise cap too. Additionally, some companies only have a raise period once per year, if you have not worked at the company for 12 months by this point in time, you may be ineligible for a raise. Yes, this is not fair. I will agree. Some companies do not guarantee raise every year.
This is not your boss’ fault. He does not design the company policies. He implements them. I would suggest not lessening your job performance since you do not know what the raise will be like the following year and you want to receive the maximum raise possible. Moreover, you are not forced to work at this company. The company does not “owe” you. You can always take your skill set elsewhere and market yourself in hopes of landing a job that pays better.
Too much information:
Americans tend to offer way too much personal information. Business conversations at work or with clients should not engage in such “insightful” conversation. Discussing the Super Bowl is one thing. Stating how much alcohol you consumed and how intoxicated you were is not appealing. It might make some managers question your judgment.
Since sexual harassment is a hotly discussed topic in business and many companies not only have sexual harassment training sessions but also stringent policies. It is best to guard your comments especially in mixed company. Moreover, not everyone has the same sense of humor. I once received roses at work from the guy I was dating at the time. I had not mentioned to my coworkers at my workplace that I was seeing anyone. My female colleague saw the roses and inquired whom they were from and then said “the sex must have been great last night”. I was so embarrassed by her comment; I think I turned the color of the roses. If a guy has said the same comment I would have been even more uncomfortable.
Many people do meet their future mates at the workplace. However, flirting and glancing are best saved for outside the work environment. Many women do feel uncomfortable when leered at or when men make comments regarding the physical appearance of other women.
As a new hire, if you focus more on what you can do for the company than what the company can do for you, you will be off to a great start. Take your cues from managers you respect and do not hesitate to ask more senior coworkers questions regarding what is considered “appropriate” at your workplace. If you do find out that your company does not offer soy milk either for free or in the cafeteria, purchase an insulated lunch bag and a cold pack. You can bring individual serving sizes to work. If you local grocery store does not carry individual servings of soy milk, than you can “escalate the issue” to the manager of the grocery store.
RECOMMENDATION
Negotiate A Severance Package: Don’t quit your job, get laid off and negotiate a severance package instead. Negotiating a severance enabled me to receive six years worth of living expenses from a company I dedicated 11 years of my life to. If I had quit, I wouldn’t get any severance, deferred compensation, medical benefits, job assistance training or unemployment benefits and neither will you. I believe so strongly in the message of never quitting that I spent a couple years writing this 100-page book entitled, “How To Engineer Your Layoff: Make A Small Fortune By Saying Goodbye.” I’m absolutely certain this book will help you recognize your rights as an employee and break free from the corporate grind to do something you truly want to do.
Updated for 2015
In principle, I agree with most of this though it does make me a little sad. I remember hearing about days when companies did see employees as human beings, as mothers and fathers, as husbands and wives, and they would look out for those who had others to look out for. Most people spend more time at work than they do with their families. To then hear that employees should essentially expect nothing has to be a tough pill to swallow and can be frustrating. The opening example, you’re right, was something that should have never been brought up (and I’m hoping that girl soon disappeared from the workscape) but to expect raises or such when the company is seeing raises due to increased profitability, I can’t disagree that employees shouldn’t feel slighted when that doesn’t happen. But, I guess when employees are seen as numbers who sit in chairs and not humans, that’s the way it goes.
I am with MoneyBeagle, it’s a little sad what we’ve become but it largely depends on the company that you work for: I’ve worked for LARGE corporate companies and I’ve been the 1st “employee” ever at a company.
If you work for small companies it’s more likely that the boss/manager will see you as a human. I have a wonderful relationship with my boss and I can pretty much do whatever I choose, however if there is work to be done then I’m expected to do my job. I work a lot of nights and that’s just a part of the gig.
The reality of our jobs is that you’re entitled to nothing and nothing is simply given to you. I think the scenario of the new employee you mentioned is more of a societal expectancy these days. Some how the younger generations think they can things “their” way when in reality it’s all about business at the end of the day. Companies have a bottom line to protect and you’re a part of that equation. Do your job well and get paid. Or…go start your own business and do things the way you want.
I have to agree with Money Beagle as well – if this is the “new” corporate, it stinks. I understand companies are out to make a profit, but at what expense? Burning out their employees every few years? So the soy milk issue at the start of your story was ridiculous and illogical to bring up at a company meeting, the rest of the “norm” in corporate is pitiful.
Best post ever! I can’t believe how many employees think they are entitled to so much. I’m younger, but I fully realize that I am there to work for my employer, and they don’t really care about me personally. Now, they always want to incentivize and give perks to motivate me to perform, but that is only so I can make more money for them.
Sure, if you don’t fit in with the company, find a new job. It’s a free country. Yeap, the corporate culture stinks and if you can handle it, good for you. The bottom line and short term financial numbers mean everything today. Just recognize that your hard work is going to enrich the CEO and other VPs of the cut throat corporation.
From day one, I’ve always been grateful for any job I’ve had. I totally get that having a job is a gift and that my responsibility is to give it my all, no matter what. I was raised with the attitude “nobody owes me a living.”
This post makes me so, so happy to work in a tiny tiny office.
Ah, yes. Sometimes you just have to learn how to shut up – to put it bluntly. You may feel entitled coming out of college, but that will quickly go away if you enter at the bottom and be exposed to some of the hardships of working for a large company or corporation.
Like a few people already said I think that there is a lot of merit and good recommendations/things to consider here. I’ve seen lot’s of my friends who went to work as CPA’s, PR prof’s, and analysts for big box companies fall into some of these concepts. But, and a big BUT, some of those companies are being more and more sensitive to people, expectations, relationships, and working conditions – with a primary focus on the bottom line. Granted in low employment environments employees are at the mercy and discretion of the employers for fear of being without – but happy and healthy employees mean more productive ones. I’m calling it now, you will see a paradigm shift to employment environments moving back towards the tech bubble type stereotypes. Maybe not as many bean bag chairs but definitely more break out spaces and amenities.
I just wrote a piece similar to this one describing how a group at company-sponsored happy hour really racked up the bill with high-priced drinks. It didn’t work out so well for them.
Looking at it differently,for the shares you own, don’t you want them to be always profitable so that your money grows? We all want to be rich and accumulate wealth. We cry foul only when we need to work hard to make someone else richer.
Well said! As a manager, I often have to remind my coworkers (including myself sometimes) that your company doesn’t owe you anything. We’re there to work. It may have been different 50 years ago, but the rules have changed and that’s just the way it is. And so all you can do is make the best of your options!
There is a definite caste system between the “I was so drunk last night” crowd and the more professional-acting employees. Can you guess which ones get paid better? :)
That is basically the problem with many fresh graduates nowadays. They lack the understanding that they WORK FOR THE COMPANY and that THE COMPANY DOES NOT WORK FOR THEM. They need to understand that they have yet to prove their skills and qualifications so they should not ask for so much perks and benefits. When I was a young professional, I just accept what the company offers me. I know I cannot demand anything yet, until I have proven my leadership and management skills.
I think a lot of recent college graduates are fed a lot of b.s. at school. A good friend of mine has a daughter that is graduating from Ohio State this year with an accounting degree and is already planning what to do with that huge signing bonus she’s going to get. I tried to gently deflate that bubble just a little bit, so she won’t feel like the entire four years of college were wasted:(
Things have changed dramatically, but I think the schools continue selling the kids on what a great value they are right up through graduation these days.
The company hired me because I can provide value-add by some factor greater than my cost. I’m not paid to stay – the company pays me so I don’t leave. High employee churn is expensive (in both opportunity cost and resource cost to find replacements). Attempting to maximize productivity from humans is a finicky task. People are generally in tune with what makes them more or less productive and your best source of feedback.
Ignoring feedback is a great way to setup a turkey farm of minimum acceptable productivity. Both your bottom line and revenue generated per employee will be low. Shutting down the feedback loop means there’s no opportunity for optimization. You can always leave – but if you add value to the company, it’s not in the company’s best interest that you do (and it would be a shame to lose that over some milk).
Early in my career, I worked for a Fortune 100 high tech company and worked unbelievable hours. I worked a few whole weekends. One in fact when my first born came home from the hospital. I was trilled to work there. I learned so many financial skills that I still use today. They produced a 100 page booklet of benefits every year to retain their employees. I was treated royally and I reciprocated.
The woman who spoke at the meeting has just shortened her career there. The 4,000 people all noticed her blunder and probably will stay clear.
I too worked for a Fortune 100 Company out of college. Casual overtime of 5 hours per week was expected and if you were interested in promotion you worked more. I was chosen to be on a team to put together a proposal for a major project and we worked 6-7 days a week well into the night for several weeks. We worked those hours because we knew there would be a payoff at the end if the project was successful. It is naive for a new hire to feel entitled to anything prior to proving your value as an employee. It is also naive for a Manager to expect employees to sacrifice for the company when executive compensation is often based in part on reducing employee costs. I could not disagree more with the comment “be happy you have a job”. Over the past decade many companies have eliminated traditional pensions and benefits, outsourced jobs oversees, and increased the workload for employees. Employees that feel valued and appreciated are more productive. The woman who chose to embarrass her boss at an all-employee meeting will regret her comment for sure, however any manager who ignores the reasonable needs of his employees will also regret the productivity lost.
Working a job like this sounds like it sucks. Horribly. I guess you have to be prepared (and have your spouse/family prepared) if this is the kind of company you want to work for. I’m sure it would pay a lot, but I’d rather go for quality of life over quantity of money. Although some things like TMI in the workplace and sexual harassment (anywhere) should be universally understood.
The best is when I had a 22 year old roll up to work in his $60,000 SUV his parents bought him. He told everybody about it, which led to other interesting things. He didn’t last very long..
Don’t you just love it when entitlement kind of masks how the real world works. I hate to say it but it was probably hilarious and sad to watch that employee unravel as the real world caught up with him
Wow I can’t believe that employee “escalated” her problem. She is ridiculous and wasted everyone’s time, and looked like an idiot most likely.
I used to work in retail management (so there were lots of youngins), they thought they deserved everything and it was annoying.
This kind of reminds me of a story I heard about when Bob Fosse was in rehearsal and Ben Vereen was headlining. They had been rehearsing a portion of the show for hours on end. After coming back from lunch, Bob said “ok let’s go over the part of the show we were going over before.” In the back, a dancer said, “but we already practiced that part.” Bob turned around and said, “thank you so much for being a part of the cast but we no longer need you.”
I disagree with MoneyBeagle and WorkSaveLive (although I respect them and their opinions). You come to work…funnily enough…to work, not to make sure that you have all the perks. As Super Frugalette has stated: if you’re not happy about the perks (and you consider perks to be a big issue) then move elsewhere. But of course this would be a silly outcome. A perk is an added bonus, not a right…get back to work!
If an employer is smart than they will figure out how to use the benefits of any perks as incentives to make employees as efficient as possible. Happy and healthier workers are better ones.
Constantly think about how your work with enhance performance of your manager and co-workers. If you make that your #1 goal then you will do well anywhere.
I’ve noticed that the smaller the company I work for, the more personable the bosses are in realizing that there needs to be a work-life balance.
I do have to say that in order to not be surprised about a job, you need to ask a lot of questions while in the interview. This is why they open it up to questions. They want to make sure you feel like you are a good fit for them as well as them for you. They would rather spend their time finding the right employee, rather than finding an employee that is surprised by the job requirements and then quits.
Excellent article & suggestions. None of what Super Frugalette said is unreasonable. It’s a normal part of the working world, especially if you are expecting to be paid over $100K a year.
If I was the manager of that employee, we would be having a very serious conversation about whether she’s a good fit with the company. Very few CEOs of a company that size is willing to take the time and listen to their employees once a month.
In planning life/work conflicts, you have to consider your field. CPAs work 18 hrs a day during tax season. PR/Marketing people are on call 24 hrs. A PR crisis has to be handled immediately.
Just because a company is asking for basic professionalism does not mean that they’re heartless.
A company has to make money to stay in business. Think from the perspective of the business owner. We’re responsible for bringing in sales and making enough profits to support our employees and their families. This is on top of paying for expenses & random govt regulations. The last thing that you want is an employee with entitlement issues or resentment.
My client is facing a forced raise from $56K/year to $86K/year for his staff of 500 because he is now required to pay double & triple for sleep time. He will have to pass that to his clients. They may go out of business because the clients are going to the underground economy instead. If so, that’s 500+ people who are out of a job. This issue was caused by people complaining about “fairness” to DoL & an entire industry may disappear.
Would I be there to provide loans and support for an employee who is ill or have a sick family member? Absolutely. If an employee is judging me by “perks” that are not a priority, I have no problem suggesting that they find another employer who fits their vision.
Oh man that woman was an idiot for bringing up the soy milk issue like that. People cease to amaze me with their stupidity and their irrational sense of entitlement.
When I was interning I knew a fellow intern who scheduled a meeting with the Managing Parnter of a CPA firm because he heard the firm down the street was paying $5 an hr more to their interns and he thought that the memo the managing partner wrote about our pay being competitive wasn’t true. He wasn’t fired but no one schedule him on any work for the rest of the internship. Needless to say he didn’t get a full time offer…
A lot of great points, here. When you’re at the job, you should shut up, listen to those around you, and be respectful and look the part. No matter how much you think you may know (and believe me, the younger I was, the more I thought this way so I could be addressing this comment to my younger self ;)), you’ll benefit from listening to others and taking a proactive attitude!
I just try to be honest and do my work. I don’t like working overtime, which is okay it just means I shouldn’t expect as much of a raise as some guy who is working over time. I like to go home at night to be with my family, not stuck at some job site. But the honesty and just doing your work right is really really important for any new hire, I think. Don’t chit chat all the time, no one cares about how drunk you got, the great school you went to, your car.. just do your job.
It’s all about freedom of choice. I’ve known people who will do anything for a large paycheck and people, like myself, where the money is completely irrelevant, and the only thing that matters is the quality of life. The video game industry is notorious for massive overtime and being sued as a result. If you don’t like it, get a different job, go freelance or start your own company. The are too many choices to not be happy in whatever you chose to do.