The Axeman Cometh
I arrived at work the other day to find additional cars in the parking lot. It turns out that, after a mere few months, HR received and processed enough complaints to *almost* do something. The results are not final yet, but the potential for change is on the horizon.
The entire morning was surreal. It featured various and sundry players filing into and out of conference rooms. Hang dog expressions and barely repressed grins abounded, depending on which end of the office you happened to walk through.
The morning ended with MY HR Advocate walking towards me. I was greeted with a quiet "Renn, do you have a minute?" A minute? Ma'am, you can have as much time as you'd like. Seriously.
That 'minute', according to my co-workers, was actually closer to an hour. I spent the entire time answering increasingly bizarre questions, wondering what on earth my involvement was in the matter. As we stood to leave the meeting, my HR Advocate stated the following:
"Renn, I knew when I met you [years ago] that YOU were the strongest advocate HR would have in the office. You are honest, fair, and I appreciate your desire to help others. I realize that your involvement in the current situation is awkward. However, I knew that if I asked YOU these questions, we could take your answers to the bank. If you ever need ANYTHING, you call me. We can go to lunch, go for a walk, whatever you want. Even if it's off the record venting. You just say the word, okay? I am so glad that you chose to stay, even after everything that happened."
Granted, it wasn't a promotion to my previous position, nor was it additional pay. It was so much more. Those brief sentences, in and of themselves, spoke volumes to me in what has been an incredibly difficult year.
I matter. I have worth. People trust me.
No amount of money in the world could ever top that.
The entire morning was surreal. It featured various and sundry players filing into and out of conference rooms. Hang dog expressions and barely repressed grins abounded, depending on which end of the office you happened to walk through.
The morning ended with MY HR Advocate walking towards me. I was greeted with a quiet "Renn, do you have a minute?" A minute? Ma'am, you can have as much time as you'd like. Seriously.
That 'minute', according to my co-workers, was actually closer to an hour. I spent the entire time answering increasingly bizarre questions, wondering what on earth my involvement was in the matter. As we stood to leave the meeting, my HR Advocate stated the following:
"Renn, I knew when I met you [years ago] that YOU were the strongest advocate HR would have in the office. You are honest, fair, and I appreciate your desire to help others. I realize that your involvement in the current situation is awkward. However, I knew that if I asked YOU these questions, we could take your answers to the bank. If you ever need ANYTHING, you call me. We can go to lunch, go for a walk, whatever you want. Even if it's off the record venting. You just say the word, okay? I am so glad that you chose to stay, even after everything that happened."
Granted, it wasn't a promotion to my previous position, nor was it additional pay. It was so much more. Those brief sentences, in and of themselves, spoke volumes to me in what has been an incredibly difficult year.
I matter. I have worth. People trust me.
No amount of money in the world could ever top that.
posted by rennratt at 7:45 AM
10 Comments:
But the money wouldn't hurt.
Still I get what you're saying. You've been vindicated. Or validated. Or one of those "V" words. Vich everyone knows you should be, but how often does it work that way?
I'm glad it did. Sounds like the best Christmas bonus ever.
PS: You have always had worth, always mattered. No matter what HR said or didn't. But I get that it's nice to have it on the record.
What about an AWFUL LOT of money? Being worthwhile and acknowledged is cool, being rich enough that nobody will tell you you're wrong is cool, too.
I am not one bit surprised! But, it should come with a big raise!
Anyone from the corporate world knows exactly how important that was. Congratulations!
Yay! Perhaps this is the stepping stone to getting the raise you deserve. :-)
Oh. Awesome.
I'd have killed to have heard that once in my brief period at the "previous position".
Good on ya!
Nice to get recognition and hopefully some actions will be taken. Then you can get your big raise!
Way to go! Isn't it great to feel vindicated? Of course, a new car would feel pretty good too. Or a bonus like Erin Brockovich got.
Hooray!!!
Always great to get validation. But it should be accompanied by a spiffy new title in leiu of monet.
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