horrible... hor-i-ble day at work. i work at a small software company here in atlanta dealing with the headstart program. for two and a half years i've been here and for two and a half years i've trained classes with people from alaska to new york, i've done quality assurance work, and solved program bugs with these people. i'm sure most of you have heard of the headstart program and that the federal government is trying to put it into the states hands and blah, blah, blah. job security seems to be a non-issue at the moment. i was worried at first because the new version of our software is coming out with all of this garbage going on. we were using foxpro 2.6 (pretty bad, eh?), but now were at c sharp. again, i've been at my current position for two and a half years. i've already had someone come in half a year later than me a take a position in the company higher than mine although he joined six months later than me, but at the same position. very embarrassing moment. today, one of my coworkers comes out of my boss' office and tells me that the boss would like to speak with me. apparently the new software has created a new position and i was a candidate for it. yay! i'll interrupt this part of the story to tell you about the coworker who came out of my bosses office first. my coworker is a pretty good guy. usually at work on time, more than does his part of the job, and is sometimes a good friend. he made the mistake of purchasing a townhome with his girlfriend a while back, but they've broken up recently. he's been scared as heck on what to do about the newly purchased home. he also bought a new car before they had broken up. he often complained about money and a couple of weekends ago he took up a second job. he's also trying to finish off school. with all of what he's going through he's only revealed to me out of everyone else in the office that he's going to a psychiatrist. he's been gaining a ton of weight with all of his troubles although he used to work out (he doesn't anymore). i've been at the company six months longer than he has although that's not much seniority. he's 30 and i'm 24. okay... back to the boss' office scene. when he tells me that i'm a strong candidate for the position, there is a silence for about five seconds. what did i say? "it sounds like a good position for me, but i think john (my coworker) is equally capable of getting the job done. not that i don't want the position... because i really do, but i really think he needs it more than i need it." i put extra emphasis into the need part of the sentence and left it at that. i didn't want to blurt out the guy's business although i hinted at some of the things. my boss seemed kinda surprised, but thankful and amazed that i would do that for somebody while not thinking about the pay increase, the higher status in the office, and the better signature to put at the bottom of my emails. my boss went on about how much of a good worker i am and how much of an asset i am to the company. question: am i stupid? as i stated before, my coworker is a good guy. other than "***" popping out of his mouth every once in a while (i'm only "out" to a select few at work), all other characteristics are genuine. again... am i stupid? when i told the boss to take me out of the running for the position, i had tears in my eyes. i don't know why though. it was my doing. i figured if they really wanted me for the position, they would have asked me and only me. i have my own issues going on too.... and there's plenty of them. so many that it seems unbearable most of the time. i know that someone's watching over me... i hope. i've always been told that i'm "too nice for my own good". is good karma coming my way?
At first glance, the greedy f'er in me would say yes..you are. That is a helluva nice thing to do for someone, especially with all other factors considered. As long as there is still a possibility for advancement for you at a later date...it makes you look real good in the boss's eyes..and therefore, increases your possibilities for advancement at the next opportunity. but on the other hand...with the job market being how it is...it is a risky move on your part. I doubt most of this make sense, but what it comes down to..you are one hell of a nice guy...
Sounds like you did the right thing. I am very impressed. Just make sure that you do not expect anything from the guy you helped or there is a high probability that you might be disappointed. Do not expect him to be grateful. I am sure that if your boss thinks so highly of you, you will be rewarded sooner or later. Don't regret it. You have a reason to feel good about yourself and you are so young that there will be plenty of opportunities. Oh, and yes, you are stupid .
Yes Omega, in the real world, it wouldnt have made him any better off if he had the better job, because he is still has to get over that break up.....do you really think he can handle more responsibilities at this time?......new positions at work wont help you get over this...only the person himself can I know you were trying to do good, but maybe being the 'good guy' this time, will make you think about this bad decision next time.
OS, I always skip all the mammoth posts around here but I always read yours. In you're situation, I'm not sure I would have done the same thing. If the boss said the other guy was a good candidate, I would have politely agreed, but I'm not sure I would have suggested it. Hopefully, selflessness is a characteristic your management team looks for when promoting from within. If so, you're set! If not now, then I would think it would be very soon. Also, make sure your bosses are VERY clear on WHY you took yourself out of the running. Make sure they don't think you're "content" with your current position and have no desire to move up.
Ok, now that I've read it... I think you're a nice guy, but... if there are layoffs... The other side of the coin is, if I'm your boss I'm wondering if you're just content where you are and don't want to move up. Are you just afraid of challenges? Are you afraid of more responsibility? I dunno... you know your boss more than I do. On the surface, that was nice and you deserve a pat on the back and all that hooha, but I don't know if it was such a great move career-wise, especially with IT in the condition it's in right now... Ultimately only you can say if it was the right thing to do or not. The fact you're questioning it means either you're doubting yourself now or you just want to be thought of as a good Transformer on the bbs. Anyway, you're gay? Cool... never would've guessed. Your typing didn't really give it away.
If he doesn't get the promotion, then it was all for nothing. I'm sure your coworker could find his way out of his problems, and if he's having trouble, you should be there for him. The thing is, who is more qualified and deserving of that promotion, you or him? If it's you, I really think you should have taken it.
I think that's a helluva thing to do for the guy. One concern: he may not want it! <b>In retrospect</b>, maybe you should have interviewed like hell for the job and followed up with a letter stating your generous sentiments. Hindsight is great, however what you did is remarkable....
dude, your crossover typing moves show some pretty cunning & lingual bbs skills, that surely crossover well to lesbian typing.
I'll never offer you another position again! Oh...sorry. This gave me an idea. I'm going to ask my co-workers if they will give me their raises because...well I've fallen on hard times.
No, you are not stupid... There are more important things in life than money... & you being a wonderful person I think will value a lot more in the eyes of your boss's when it comes to his future decisions... I'm sure it won't be long before you get another opportunity!
