Work

Work. What is your first thought? Was it about your best employer or worst? Have you worked for the same organization your entire career?

When people who talk about their best experience, many would say it’s the people who were there that made it special. But, I believe that it’s more than that such as well defined roles and expectations in writing that creates the work environment. I have worked in such environments and it was a joy.

My current situation is the opposite of undefined roles and responsibilities which nothing is written down that ultimately causes confusion and has lead to litigation in court. It’s a small local family owned business with less than one hundred employees that grew from one location and a few people. Technology is a constant problem too of documents not printing well. Plus, turnaround time is longer compared to our competitors who are bigger and faster plus sometimes better.

The lack of defined rules have caused problems in relationships between people who become romantically involved and also in the scope of workplace harassment. The focus seems more on first more than the latter unless owners fear that they could be sued. Yes, I have been targeted and I have journaled my experiences in case it warrants further action.

Realistically at my age, finding a job with the hours and the pay would be difficult. I have chosen not to socialize much with colleagues and I have chosen to remain quiet outside of work discussions. When I first started, I did speak truth about the process and procedures which I got put in my place from it. Afterwards, I chose to keep my opinions to myself and to not discuss my personal life with of anything of value.

Thankful for my life outside of work where I have a few trusted friends and my fur babies plus an online closet and writing. It balances the good and the bad.

If you work in a toxic environment, how do you cope? Do you have a side hustle to fulfill your dreams?

Thank you again for your time.

Leslie Elizabeth David.