so

The hammer came down at work.
Everyone kept asking me if I was "OK" and I really wasn't. I was afraid of the worst, which might still happen.
The VP delivered the blow(s). I swear he enjoyed it. I like him to a point, and if I didn't like him at all I'd call him a weasel. I totally understand where he's coming from, I do. But I think he goes about it all wrong. And he was thisclose to getting a smack, when he told me my minion didn't do shit. I said "Look, I understand she needed a reprimand, but say that again and I'm walking." he got pissy with me, but I made it clear that I Understood the WHY, and the HOW, I just didn't understand his attitude, when it was wrong. Perhaps she needs more to do, but that doesn't say she's doing NOTHING

then he tells me they're all being sent home without pay for today and tomorrow. HELLO. you can't do that I need my minion! Nope, no sale.

My minion comes out of the meeting and is VERY calm. Pulls me into my office for a quick "Do you know what's going on, OK here's what I need to do for the next couple of days" Now she's moving tomorrow, so he did her a favor, and they ALL gave me that look of "You're kidding!" She wasn't going to take it off, and now she has it. Albeit without pay, but she's the kind that it didn't affect.

What bothered me most was when she called me later, as I'd asked. That's when she started crying. See, she'd been made to feel like some sort of rotten criminal in the meeting. This is the same minion who is rewarded for her hard work; now she's told she does nothing and she sucks. She's going to have a meeting with the big boss about her actions, and the VP's speech. She's, as I feared, ready to quit. She likes ME, but is very distressed at the way she's being treated by some of the rest of the staff, especially people like the VP. She said she'd been coming home depressed, and not wanting to go to work, and now there's THIS. The sad thing is, it's a nice company to work for. She's bored and it shows.

I apologized to her for letting her get into it this deep. I told her I agreed with management's decision, and that I know this will be the only warning she'll need on the subject. I told her I can't say if the VP handled things badly, but since she was so upset obviously something wasn't right. I also said I was sorry she was upset, and offered to back her however she needed. I think once she speaks to the big boss, she'll feel better, because HE knew the VP was having overblown issues with her, and wants to make sure she's not upset. When he hears she was crying, he's not going to like it. He also agrees I'm not exactly management material, as I'm very close to my minion, and it's not good. I SO wanted to badmouth AND yell at the VP, but I stopped myself. I MIGHT be able to do it, yet. Just not now. I like my minion too much.

So I get to go back tomorrow, without my minion, and get a whole bunch of work done, and set everything up for my two week absence. NOT going to be pretty. I'm tired already, and can't force myself into bed yet. *sighs*

I just have to get through til Tuesday. I can sit on the plane and relax, knowing the closer I get to England, the further away I get from work. And the closer I might get to some steam release. *cracks knuckles* I haven't ripped someone a new one in a LONG time. I should practice on CB before I leave.

Thanks to a very accommodating client, I get to have some quality time with Lou on Sunday. I think he's finally taking me to diner, but I'm not holding my breath. I saw him for lunch on Wednesday and it was nice, even though, again, he's running off to something I consider unnecessary. He doesn't need to RUN. I'm wondering when some parties are going to understand that. he shouldn't HAVE to choose. I'm far more accommodating of his schedule than people who claim to love him more. Considering MY schedule is HELL right now, this is a big deal. *sigh* I have a bad feeling about this.

So, I have to talk to one person, then I get to do a countdown/packing list/duty list. I can't believe I leave in less than a week. My billings are through the roof. I might be able to pay ALL my bills, the dentist, AND Have an obscene amount of money to spend in London. That's so sick. *grins* Mommy's getting stompy boots in Camden. Dammit.

Meep - Paging oscuridad I've been meaning to email - what's your schedule look like next week. I don't have any firm plans, and need to wait til I get there to speak to [Unknown site tag] on plans I might not know about. Can you email me your contact info, and I'd LOVE to hook up and take you to lunch, or dessert, or booze? My name at livejournal dot com. If I don't hear from you, I'll have to poke you...... *grins*

OK, I need to go to bed. At least my ATM card arrived, along with the first check. AND, as I TMI the audience, so did the Red Death, which makes me happy, as the timing is PERFECT, for no plane ride dealing with oog. Now, just to find myself a naughty British boy to play "Divide and Conquer" or "The Redcoat Versus the American Rebel" with *EVIL GRIN* Can you tell my imagination is on overdrive?