Should I be Annoyed?
The theatre does not pay well. That's been long established. And to accommodate the PM does allow us to largely set our own schedule. Ideally 5 days a week and roughly 40 hours. But honestly, as long as work gets done well and in a timely manner, and we attend rehearsals, meetings and tech as needed, he could care less whether we're plugging away in the shop, working from home, or relaxing on the beach.
I'm the first to admit I feel little loyalty to the theatre. This is a job. Granted it is for the most part a job I enjoy. However, as a job, I'm not going to stress over it. I'm not going to pour 110% into anything here, unless it tickles a particularly creative bone (as may be the case with Christmas Carol). But along the same vein, it is a job...one that I'm being paid for...so I'm sure as hell going to do it, and do it well. I will not slack. And I'm sure as hell not going to play the passive aggressive game my less content coworker is playing at the moment.
But should I really be annoyed?
Last season they threw her a curve ball...hiring her on at the same bi-weekly pay scale, but only for 6 months instead of the expected 9. It's a slap in the face. And the first any of us heard of this decision (administration included) was after she had the meeting with the PM and Artistic Director when it was reveled to her.
She recovered and moved on...deciding to spend her down time between last season and this by taking an intensive theatre program in Thailand...including puppetry, dance, and eastern theatre styles. She came back with a wealth of knowledge. And eager to share. And to her dismay the overall response from the theatre was "oh you spent five weeks in Thailand? What a nice vacation! pat pat pat..."
Yeah...I'd feel jaded too.
So now, jaded and frustrated she comes back with a job to do. And she's barley doing it. She works mostly from home. And in the three weeks since she's been back she's only just now emailing pictures of her sketches. She's kept me largely out of the loop. And becomes annoyed and irritated when the PM forwards her emails to myself and the rest of the artistic staff...taking it as a personal attack instead of the PM doing his job by making sure everyone is on the same page.
Jaded and frustrated she takes it upon herself to decide to take this week off to spend time with a friend...claiming she'll make up the time over the next two weekends. Not clearing the days off with anyone else...not checking to see what I needed done in the shop. Just deciding the time off is hers to take. It's bullshit! Especially considering the new policy instituted...comp time is to be taken AFTER the days of overtime are worked...you can't decide to take the days off and make up the time later...that's what our vacation days are for.
But should I be annoyed?
I spent all summer busting my ass to complete two shows so she'd be free to work solely on her first design when she returned. And now I don't even have the respect of being kept in the loop. I am technically her supervisor, but she certainly doesn't treat me as one.
I understand her frustration at feeling betrayed by the theatre, but at the same time...its still a job that needs to be done.
I'm annoyed. But should I be?
I'm the first to admit I feel little loyalty to the theatre. This is a job. Granted it is for the most part a job I enjoy. However, as a job, I'm not going to stress over it. I'm not going to pour 110% into anything here, unless it tickles a particularly creative bone (as may be the case with Christmas Carol). But along the same vein, it is a job...one that I'm being paid for...so I'm sure as hell going to do it, and do it well. I will not slack. And I'm sure as hell not going to play the passive aggressive game my less content coworker is playing at the moment.
But should I really be annoyed?
Last season they threw her a curve ball...hiring her on at the same bi-weekly pay scale, but only for 6 months instead of the expected 9. It's a slap in the face. And the first any of us heard of this decision (administration included) was after she had the meeting with the PM and Artistic Director when it was reveled to her.
She recovered and moved on...deciding to spend her down time between last season and this by taking an intensive theatre program in Thailand...including puppetry, dance, and eastern theatre styles. She came back with a wealth of knowledge. And eager to share. And to her dismay the overall response from the theatre was "oh you spent five weeks in Thailand? What a nice vacation! pat pat pat..."
Yeah...I'd feel jaded too.
So now, jaded and frustrated she comes back with a job to do. And she's barley doing it. She works mostly from home. And in the three weeks since she's been back she's only just now emailing pictures of her sketches. She's kept me largely out of the loop. And becomes annoyed and irritated when the PM forwards her emails to myself and the rest of the artistic staff...taking it as a personal attack instead of the PM doing his job by making sure everyone is on the same page.
Jaded and frustrated she takes it upon herself to decide to take this week off to spend time with a friend...claiming she'll make up the time over the next two weekends. Not clearing the days off with anyone else...not checking to see what I needed done in the shop. Just deciding the time off is hers to take. It's bullshit! Especially considering the new policy instituted...comp time is to be taken AFTER the days of overtime are worked...you can't decide to take the days off and make up the time later...that's what our vacation days are for.
But should I be annoyed?
I spent all summer busting my ass to complete two shows so she'd be free to work solely on her first design when she returned. And now I don't even have the respect of being kept in the loop. I am technically her supervisor, but she certainly doesn't treat me as one.
I understand her frustration at feeling betrayed by the theatre, but at the same time...its still a job that needs to be done.
I'm annoyed. But should I be?
posted by Unknown at
5:38 PM
2 Comments:
Wow. I'd be annoyed too. I am annoyed, as a matter of fact, on your behalf. I agree with you--even though I'm not always keen on my job, I'm being paid to do it, and I give my best. I think you ought to speak with your coworker and explain to her that she signed the contract, and she knew what she was getting into. And there's lot of opportunities for someone with her newfound experience--witness your own possibilities.
But yeah, I'm with you. You don't have to love your job, but if you're totally hating it and jaded, then get out and get another one.
Or join the militia.
pew pew pew.
I think you have every right to be annoyed and I would explain to her that whether or not she cares to be good at her job you are good at yours and tell her what you need from her to get your job done effectively. Be understanding about how she feels toward the theatre. Ask if there's anything she needs from you so she can do her job better, and then tell her what you need from her - to keep you in the loop, and not take time off without checking with the shop. Good luck!
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