The last few years I have hardly used any of my vacation. I am scared to ask my manager for the time off and afraid that I will be laid off if I don't continue to work without. I am stressed out and need a break--any suggestions what I should do?
18 replies (most recent on top)
Response to take your time
Yes I too was left go after 24 yeas of faithful service, working weekends, being on call.
I found out all my valuable skills I had were carefully crafted to be of value to SST only
My shock as I sent out resumes and get few responses , or the few calls I got I found out I was
a relic.
So beware saying you worked for SST no longer holds the appeal it did 20+++++ years ago
Take your holiday time! Also, start planning your exit by updating and sending out your resume and mentally prepare for your move. Sharpen your personal marketing skills! The clipper ship is not what it use to be and it will continue to get worse, especially for those in their 40s and above. I reccomend that you do your job to the bare minimum, make sure you get out time each day and enjoy your personal life. The worst thing that could happen to you is that you DONT get the axe and spend the rest of your career working each day under State Stress wondering when you will get the bullet in the back of your head. When you will retire you will look back and regret that you spent so much of your concentration worrrying about State Stress and most likely have neglected your health and that of your family. Nowadays at the Clippership, it is like a Vietnamese POW camp where even your fellow co-workers end up becoming your enemies through lying and deceipt while trying to survive! Not exactly what your doctor would reccomend. I was escorted out the door from the clipper ship a year ago after 16 years of service with quite a high performing valuation record. Since then I found out that there is so much out there, so many people to meet, and so much more to learn. At State Street you are in a fictitious bubble that offers personal growth to only a selected few and most of the skills sets offered are very State Street specific with minimal value in 'the real world'.
Right on. Take care of yourself first. State Street won't do it. Take your vacation. Take days off. And send out that resume. Great jobs exist outside of the sinking clipper ship. Start now. Don't be treated as the company door mat any longer.
It isn't armchair criticism, the people that are staying and living in fear....why? The company treats it's employees like garbage. Stand up for yourself and find something better. The company has made their stance pretty clear and don't really show any signs of wavering, why stick around until they lay you off, is it for those amazing raises they give out or great benefit options?
Typical response from an employee at State Street. An employee opens up and expresses their fears/concerns which are the result of the terrible working environment and what do they get. Nothing but critisism.
Many people are truly scared. In this environment it is perfectly reasonable to come to the conclusion that the only thing you can do is to work harder and not take any vacation or days off. For all your armchair critics--your day will come--and when you least expect it or can afford it.
This thread is so sad. Have some dignity people and realize this place is at best a stepping stone. Riding the boat to the bottom, getting kicked in the junk the whole way down, is no way to live. Take a sick day or vacation day and get that resume updated and apply to at least one new job per day. You will eventually get the bite and walking away will feel great.
Dude take your vacation time or Lose it . The company doesn't give a rat's a-- how long and hard you work. Working 60++ hours a week and not taking your vacation and working weekends is not going to impress them.
The Ceo's of the last 16 years are the cause for the slow death of State Street
Called in sick today. No problem. Manager was cool with it.
From this series of posts it seems clear that a lot of games being played. Some admit to playing the games, others have staff that do so and still others are upset. Bottom line-- many believe that the rewards the company offers are not sufficient to justify the hard work and effort that is needed. Game playing is simply a reaction to the environment the company's management has created.
1st the average worker was only allowed 5 sick days a year . Unless your a higher up nobody gets
more than 5 sick days
- If people are constantly taking a sick day on a Friday or Monday it shows how useless the Boss is.
I worked for 3 companies and anyone who played the always sick on a Friday or Monday would
be called in the office and giving verbal than written warning
- For the people afraid to take vacation time, remember you either take it or lose it . As for not
taking it, your Boss isn't going to be impressed by this.
Really, they changed the policy to 5 days per year? I also recall having staff call out ALWAYS on a Monday or Friday to legnthen the weekend, and yes it was ALWAYS about once a month in order to take full advantage of the system. The 5 days per year will certainly put a dent into that scheme.
I am glad they shortened the sick time policy from 12 to 5 days. Have had a guy under me for 6 years ( a career associate 2) who always took 12 days a year and always took them on Monday or Friday. After they announced the change I pulled him into a room and told him about it. I thought he was going to cry. it totally neutered him. Thus far 3 sick days in 8 months.
Haha, the person with the "play the game" post is just being honest. I've had staff that would use sick days as soon as HR policy allowed, like once every 6 weeks or something. I forget exactly, but you get a certain amount per year, but cannot take more than 2 in a row I think without a doctor's note. Lots of staff would take their limit and play it right, wait exactly "X" amount of days in between sick days.
Let's face it though no one enjoys working for this evil beast of a company. Your best bet at personal happiness is to leave.
WEASIL!
For the last persons comment - the answer is dignity - if anyone follows your recommendation then how can the feel valued. Get out and work somewhere where you don't have to play this game. Or stay and become the WEASIL you have become and recommend others to follow.
I used to do the same thing--not take my vacation than someone within the company that I trust told me how to "play the game". I have never looked back.
How do I play the game--i call in " sick" every so often. I "work" from home whenever I can. I also use all the other time off that I am allowed--dental and doctors appointment for myself and my kids, assistance for my aging parents and off-site charitable work. I come in as late as I can and leave as quickly as I can at the end of the day. In addition----and this is key--you kiss your managers a--. Become the favorite.
These are just some of the things I do. This approach is common place at State street. Don't believe me--just take a look around. Watch how the most successful staff at the company behave. You don't need to work the hardest or the longest hours. You just need to be the smartest and learn how to play the State Street game. Try it--what do you have to lose? You are misaberable now-iwhat do you have to lose?
Grow a pair and take the time you've earned and are entitled to take. Jeez, what kind of sheep work for this company.
Maybe use a day or two to go on an interview in another department or company.
Yup. Look for another job if it's that bad.
Suggestion: Quit
Stop being a slave and get another job.
Honestly, there are other opportunities out there. You just need to break the chains and get out of that "State-Street-is-the-only-place-I-can-work" mindset. I did it and it may just be the best thing I've ever done.