My Last Conversation with Robert J
Me “Rob, I needed a weekly report from you yesterday. Can you put one together for me this morning?”
Rob “I’m not sure if I need to provide one as I am reporting to the big guys in the front office.”
Me “So you sent one to them yesterday? If that’s the case it’ll be easy to send me a copy for my report.”
A few minutes later…
Me “What’s this line about “reduction in force,” under risks?”
Rob “That means I’m gone in a week.”
Me “Oh back to MD, right…”
Poor guy hasn’t heard that the office out in MD has personally requested that we not send Rob back for follow up work.
Robert “Nope gone from the company.”
Me “Whao, wait a second. What’s going on?”
Rob “They’re apparently trying to cut costs. Oh well, good thing I had alternate plans.”
Me “Getting your master’s degree?”
Rob “Yep, thank God for that! Besides I can at least say I’m home in Washington and out of Minneapolis. There was no work in that town! There’s lots to do here… Just a rule to remember, if your time card starts getting signed off by someone else…Start asking questions
Me “What?”
Rob “Just before x-mas my timecard changed from being signed off by my manager to her manager. Then the RIFF. That means something was up.”
Me “That’s weird…” (I still have no idea who or what a RIFF is)
Hearing this was funny because all the managers have been talking about not wanting to be responsible for Rob anymore.
Rob “Oh well, as they say in Sales ‘PUNT!’”
Me “Damn, who knew sales were so heartless.”
Rob “That’s my Universe, Its calling me back. He he”
Me “Hey, gotta’ do what you love.”
Rob “Mo money mo money mo money!”
*Sigh*
Up until that point I was actually starting to feel sorry for the guy. But after that I just felt dirty… Oh well, he still lives at home with his mom, so he probably doesn’t have too many bills.
Me “…Look, Rob…”
Rob “Hey, I know, you don’t need to say it…”
Me “…I’ve always hated you.”
Rob “I know buddy, I know.”
Rob on the Run
Today Rob asked me if he could go home at 2:30. Today we also have to deliver all the work we’ve done over the last three months! There are tons of things to do before I can accomplish that. Plus Samantha Shrieker already skipped out on work. I can’t have both of them gone, there’s no way I’d be able to get all of the work done by myself (Though my head is still spinning trying to figure out how having Rob involved will be beneficial).
Rob “Dude, if there’s nothing more for me to do I’m just going to head off.”
Me “Rob, we’re nowhere near being done with our deliverable. I don’t have anything for you now, but there’s going to be tons of things coming up shortly.”
Rob “Well, I got in at 6:15 today. I’m not working more than eight hours. So I’m out of here at 2-ish.”
Me “Didn’t you get in at 7?”
Robert “Ok, 3pm!”
Me “Didn’t you take a half-hour lunch?”
Rob “I really think you missing the point. I’ll have put in either 44 or 45 hours by the end of the day. Which means a four day weekend either way next week.”
Me “Look, no offence, but considering that you wanted to leave at 2:00 & I had to remind you how many hours you’ve actually done today, I’m not really sure about the whole 44 or 45 hours thing. That being said though, I honestly don’t care what you do at this point. I’m not your manager & I don’t know why your manager wants you to check in with me about leaving early.”
Robert “The point is I have over forty hours in this week. I don’t mind staying if you need me but, really…”
Me “Rob, you’re asking me to Ok you leaving early & taking time off next week! I can’t do that, I’m not a manager, and I’ve never been one.”
On second thought, I it might be better to get him out of my face for the rest of the day…
