My company does a lot of WTF things. Some are typical Office Space things. For example, my coworker received 8 emails about making a mistake in one client file. None of the emails said “Looks like you made a mistake!” They all said something about “I am confused why you did this, can you explain your reasoning” because it would be horrible to actually admit people make mistakes.
Some recent examples of WTF:
We’re going to be working with a new client group, some of them speak a rare language. We have interpreters for non-English speaking clients. Except we don’t have any interpreters for this language. We have to let the interpreters know in advance when we have a client that speaks a rare language so they can find someone. Our bosses send out an email about this, telling us to offer to call back clients. Great but how do I get a callback number? Explain that we don’t have anyone that speaks in clicks and whistles on staff currently? No answer to that yet even though their language barrier has been addressed by several bosses. “Make sure you show tolerance to cultural differences.” OK, I will be very tolerant as I repeat “Do you speak English?”
A coworker was recently fired and afterward an email was sent out telling the entire company this person was not allowed on site. People get disappeared from my workplace all the time but never have I seen an email like this. No one would offer further info. Was the coworker a safety threat? Trying to come inside? Stalking someone? And I’m sure it’s a coincidence but this coworker happened to be a odd, kind of a loner, Asian male. Right after the VA Tech shootings.
Some things I just have to accept as part of office life like annoying coworkers. I sit near a woman who is possibly the worst social worker ever. Daily I hear her yell “I don’t understand what you’re saying! I don’t understand what you’re looking for! I can’t help you if I don’t know what you want!”
Bitch, if you would stop yelling and start listening you would understand. I have spoken to the same clients and understood them just fine. They make speak slowly or not know the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist but they do know they need help. Shut up and listen. And stop yelling at domestic violence victims. They’re not going to have an epiphany during their short time with you and realize they need to pack up and leave now. It’s a process and usually one that is repeated. Stop telling them they’re not ready for treatment. I know one of our bosses can hear you and I wish she wasn’t such a pussy and would say something to you about it.
Coworker on the other side of me-I hate your laugh. You sound like a witch. Stop thinking everything is funny. I talk to the same people you do and they’re rarely funny.
Ok enough ranting, I applied to 2 awesome jobs this week!
Also,
27 isn’t that bad, M.
I *heart* your blog.
Social work is such a mixed bag. I’m glad to see someone I consider intelligent and awesome writing this stuff. Makes me feel less alone in the social work world. :)
Thank you!
Sometimes social work-land is very lonely, I understand.