STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Don't do anything right now.  You don't want to regret the decision or create bad blood between you and your boss.  I would suggest waiting for your review - hopefully you will get a little extra money out of it, which could help you in turn get a higher starting wage at a new job.  Once the review is over, put out feelers for a new position.

IIRC, you're the head chef at a catering company, right?  What about seeing if there's a head chef position you could go for at a restaurant?  Or the head chef at a golf/country club so you could do weddings/events?  Or a catering/restaurant consultant?

If the right thing comes along, I think you'll know.  And it might even make your current job feel a bit more bearable if you know you're working toward something better.

Have you talked with your boss about your concerns at all, or would that not be a good idea?

Dizzy wrote:

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There are a couple things you could do. But this is a tough one, because it's all about your personal satisfaction.

1) The mentally-challenged employee. There are two ways to go with this: a) just accept that you're doing her job too and try not to stress about it. Seriously, if you just stop covering for her, it might be more of a priority for your boss. By solving the problem, you're keeping it from being on her radar as a problem. Or b) keep a log of her behavior, as well as any consequences (angry clients, lost product, overtime pay for you to do her job too) and present it to your boss. This one is tricky though because, well, it does look ungenerous. But your boss is asking a lot of you here - and it's not an appropriate request of an employee.

Because I am staff supervisor, it is my job to "motivate" her. My boss knows everything, we keep a log of all of her screw-ups and have discussed the problems with her "Resource Worker" (a social worker who checks up on her) who promises us over and over that it will never happen again.  I believe that my boss keeps her on for purely selfish reasons- not because she does a good job (she doesn't) or because she is a nice person (she isn't, she's actually kind of a jerk) but because she makes my boss feels good about herself by helping someone less fortunate. And by dumping her on me, my boss doesn't have to deal with her day to day trials and tribulations.

I know I should just let it go, but I have trouble with people who won't give 100%. I have always been this way; even though I know I shouldn't let what other people do bother me- it does. I can't help myself.

 2) I honestly believe that job satisfaction isn't about what you do or what it means or your, gag, "passion." It's about the day to day, moment to moment reality. (this is a kinda complicated taoist principle that I won't go into). Judged that way, most of the time, most days of the week, you're doing things you do not enjoy. It sounds like you hate repeated mundane tasks. And this job doesn't have any payoffs that motivate you. This is a mind-numbing, soul-killing situation that can leave you feeling frozen and like you are not competent. It also doesn't offer you a chance to use your real talents. Or to really succeed day to day in a way that you are proud of (Oh, another two thousand cream puffs served. yippeee. If this is somethign that satisfies you, then it's cool, but it doesn't sound like that's the case...)

You're right, I hate mundane tasks. I do try to give my personal best in everything I do, though. I feel like I have a lot of untapped talent that is going to waste. So maybe it's time to move on and use some of it?

If you stay in this situation, there's a chance it will sneak up on you in the form of depression, hidden anger, or just plain ol' ennui that will keep you from being able to get out. The thing that seems to be holding you back with both problems is your boss. It sounds like you dont' want her to think poorly of you.

Bingo! How did you get so wise?

I aim to please, I would hate to have someone think badly of me, especially at work. I was brought up in a family that believes you always give more than 100% and never let it sweat you (My grandfather was a coal miner, working hard is practically part of my DNA) Being known as a hard worker and giving it your all is very important to me. I wouldn't want her (or anyone) to be disappointed with me. But on the other hand, no one else gives as much as I do and I get disappointed with them. This is a constant problem I have with staff, I can't stand the "its just a job, I don't care" attitude. I wish I could work with other people who actually give a crap about doing a job well.

That's a tough one. Is any of this ringing a bell, or am I off? Like I said, this one is so personal it's hard to call... For me, I would say to myself "I'm bored, my boss is great but making her happy isn't going to do anything for me, and this other employee is not my problem..." and start researching jobs that have a more enjoyable day to day reality. Because other people's approval doesn't pay the rent, and your boss might be asking more of you than either a boss or a friend should.

We have an odd relationship. She wants to be friends (she is only a few years older than me), go for beers, go skiing togeather but in all honesty it makes me a little awkward. I would rather keep our relationship more formal but after 3 years, it has gotten too casual.

But I am rather mean Good luck sweetie, and let me know if I'm off. This one is a really hard call...

At the moment I'm thinking of just sniffing around to see what else is out there right now. Fortunately I live in an area that has no shortage of jobs so finding something else won't be too difficult, I just want to find something "right". Then depending on what my annual reveiw says; that should give me some clarity on a decision.

Because other people's approval doesn't pay the rent,

You are so right, I have to put myself first. As much as I like this place, my pay isn't great and I get no benefits or perks. I owe it too myself to at least see what else could be availible.

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