Christ, I feel like shit. Somebody talk to me.

[Droopy]

This might be a little long and complicated, but I'd appreciate it if you would hang with me here for a minute.

I got hired on as a permanent employee at my current job about a month and a half ago. Before that I was a temp for 7 1/2 months. That's the way they hire people there. I'm a trucker and I had my own route with them until a week after I got hired. They then re-arranged all of the routes, combined a few and ended up having one fewer route than they had before. Since I was the low guy on the totem pole I didn't get a route and they ended up putting me in the yard moving trailers in and out of dock doors. I had to take a $150 a week pay cut which is not small change to a trucker.

But after I started working in the yard I found that I liked it. I went around telling some of the other drivers that I thought I would just stick with the yard job and pass up a route if one came open. The money was enough to cover my bills even though I wasn't saving like I would have liked to.

So, guess what happens? A route comes open. Some guy got all pissy and said if they didn't give him something else to do he would quit so they accommodated him. I got to thinking about it. It paid $250 more a week than I'm making now which was enough money to tempt me. I talked to the boss and told him I wanted it. Everybody else is satisfied with their routes so I don't think anybody with more seniority is going to jump in front of me.

This is where the feel like shit part comes in. There is a temp who is a swing driver. He fills in for people when they want the night off. He was assuming that I would not take the route because I had told him before that I was satisfied with the yard work. He thought he would get the route and was already making plans with his wife about what they were going to do. He thought he had gotten a break.

So the guy calls me up tonight after he finds out that I'm probably getting the route. That was one nasty phone call. He said he can't do my yard position because it's second shift and he'd never see his kids except for the weekend. Now he wants to quit just 1 month shy of becoming a permanent employee. I'm more depressed now than I've been in a long time. I feel very, very bad for the guy and I wish I'd never told anyone that I was happy with the yard position.

But this ain't no socialist democracy. I have to look after myself, there isn't anyone who is going to do it for me. Doesn't change the fact that I still feel like shit, though. Thanks for listening.

[SeattleGirl]

1. You are a permanent employee now. Take the route.

You may feel bad about the other guy, but I get the feeling that the feeling wouldn't be the same on his part if your situations were reversed.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear Droopy!

Oh, wow, am I ever glad I'm still up!

You are not responsible for the other guy's life. Period.

Stuff happens. You have to take care of yourself!

Take the route. Be happy. Something will open up for the other guy, or he'll leave and find something better!

Oh boy, I sure do understand though...

Hang in there, sweetie....

:hug:

[Baclava]

3. It's no crime to have a heart and compassion.

But it don't put food on the table or keep a roof over your head.

It's not being selfish to survive. Thank him for his concern, but take the job.

[Lasher]

4. The temp is an asshole for dumping on you like that.

You earned the seniority you have. He can earn his. Or not.

Don't be depressed over this. There are lots better things to spend you emotions on.

[billyskank]

5. Dude, you're not responsible for him. Take the job.

[Contrary1]

6. Sounds like the same situation my friend just went through...

She had been out of work for 9 months. She had quit a job last year making $72,000 a year, due to ethical issues. I quit the same company for this very reason. Finally, she was offered a job with the state government through a temp agency.

A permanent job was posted that she was more than qualified for. Even her boss wanted her to go for it. She felt guilty applying for the position as the other 2 temps were "needing it more", in her words. Don't see that as possible, as her home has been foreclosed on, and she had filed for bankruptcy. At 54, starting over can't be easy.

Anyway, a full time job was outside the temp agency was offered to her. Starting salary is $29,900., but she went ahead and took it because it was a sure thing.

So, I guess my advice to you is to go with the job that best fits your situation. You already know the answer, whichever one it is.

[some guy]

7. A key word is "probably."

Based on your post, you haven't "definitely" got the route (though I hope you do, and enjoy it.)

It really doesn't make any difference, as far as I can tell, if he "can't do your yard position" - he already has a position, and he can stick with that one, and let the company hire some one else for the yard position.

You're not responsible for either good or bad things happening in that guy's life, he is. There is no valid reason for him to be angry at you. You're just a convenient target for his disappointment. I'm sure there have been times in your life where you thought something good was coming your way, and it veered off before it actually occurred. Same thing. You're not the one making the decision on who to put on the route, so his disappointment is mis-directed.

:hug:

:hi:

[Droopy]

8. Thanks for your thoughts, everyone.

I am taking the route. I'm not going to crucify myself.

Just to clarify a little. The guy who left the route open was offered the temp's swing position when he came back. As far as I can tell, the temp's only choices are to work my yard position or quit.

I'm glad there's no alcohol in the house because I'd be slamming them down right now if there was. I will know more tomorrow about what happens to the guy. I am friendly with him which is what makes this even tougher. I'm heading to bed. Good night.

[necso]

9. Things change.

Feelings change. Doors open.

And responding to this is what perceiving, sentient beings do.

That said, it's often a good idea to keep your thinking to yourself... 'cause things change. ...

And it can be hard to publicly go back on what one has said, however innocuously meant. (Although in many cases, this change of course is entirely reasonable, natural -- and doesn't amount to backing down from principle.)

My guess is you have a reputation for being a nice guy -- and he thought he could beat you down.

Screw him, you have to look out for your own interests.

[nadine_mn]

10. as someone who is also

in a shitty position at work, here are my 2 cents... do what you need to do and try not to feel guilty. Its not your problem, the guy who is the temp knows that temp work can be iffy and that seniority rules.

The guy is a jerk for calling you and dumping on you, you liked the yard position but hey most people like money more.

Sorry that this is happening to you
hugs

[ThomCat]

11. That's a bad sitiuation all around.

But don't blame yourself for it. The company is the one that created the routes and schedules that way.

It seems like there will be serious downsides no matter what you do. I'm sorry. :(

[raccoon]

12. Yes, you do have to look after yourself. Take the route.

This guy is just trying to lay a guilt trip on you.

[applegrove]

13. He still has the fill in shifts. Surely they are not taking that job away from

him. Tell him to hang in there and perhaps a new route will open up soon.

[redqueen]

14. That's the spirit.

:)

[Breeze54]

15. Take the route! - It's not up to him anyway,

it's up to the management, it seems from what your'e saying. Why in hell would this guy be calling
you about it anyway? You're both temps and by definition, in direct competition for a permanent full
time opening. Sounds like he did that on purpose to make you feel like shit! Don't let him! There will
be other openings and maybe he should've thought about that before he accepted the 'fill in' position.
I mean, before you got there, how come he didn't take the job you had? Companies all over America are
using the 'temp' stance to not pay benefits and to pay lower wages. My sons were hired about three
months ago at a large company and guess what? They're both temps for TWO years before they can go
permanent and that's the way the temp companies set it up, so they can make money off the employee's.
If the company really wants to hire them permanent before the contract is up, then the company has to
buy the employee out of the contract and most companies don't want to do that because it's to
expensive.

Good Luck and I hope you get the job! Put your family first! ;)