super-grump figures it out

[jinian]

It's gradually becoming clear to me that the reason I'm feeling compressed and touchy is that there is now stress at work. Data entry isn't high-prestige, but the thing about it is that they give me a task, which usually takes less than a couple of hours, and I do it. Then I'm done. Then they give me another one. I can play games of doing them fast, doing them with maximal keyboard-shortcut use, whatever. No one gives me more than one high-priority thing at once, and I don't have to juggle tasks.

What's happening now is that I'm working on the highest-priority thing in the department. If someone sends me mail asking for this type of fix, I have to drop everything and do it. I'm good at it, and I've created an exhaustive procedure telling others how to do it, but this constitutes juggling. Probably juggling awkwardly-shaped things, really.

I like it, but this is not plain data entry. Eleven dollars an hour is not enough for this. And, to make things more awkward, I am definitely supposed to call my temp agency if anything like this happens... but I like the client company a lot better than I like the agency. I like me better yet, and my bank account pretty well too, but I don't want to piss off the client.

I'm thinking I'll figure out what's up with my UW classes today (please gods please), and then I'll know more about what to do when. I may just let it slide if the UW stress actually goes away and I decide not to work past June 17. (Yes, probably I shouldn't, but sometimes I'm a weenie.) Wish me luck slaying the bureaucracy.

Comments

[treacle-well.livejournal.com]

I'd say if the shift to "not just data entry" goes on for a good long time, then it's okay to mention it nicely to your temp agency (making sure they know you're not complaining, and that you're okay with not getting more money if that ends up being a problem for the client).

You certainly know you client better than I do, but when I've had this happen and gone to my agency explicitly with the intent of getting a higher pay rate, the client was very happy to pay the higher rate. (Granted in my case I didn't make the request for about a year, when the job had been inching up past "data entry" for quite a few months before that).

[rubricity.livejournal.com]

A bureaucracy slayer are you!

I am sending all my red tape negotiating fu your way.

Re: super-grump figures it out

[pir-anha.livejournal.com]

if this change doesn't feel like just a small, occasional thing, i think i'd bring this up nicely with the client first. people should really think about this themselves, but lots of times they don't; job responsibilities just sort of migrate to the capable person, and few bosses will jump on the opportunity to pay somebody more, unless spoken to about it. so, i'd mention it, and ask that they consider paying one in a manner more commensurate with what one's actually doing. and if that works, one can walk to the temp agency with that information already in hand.

yay for figuring things out!

Re: super-grump figures it out

[cheesepuppet.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I second this! When I worked at Lucy (also small-but-rapidly-growing internet company), we had some temps whose jobs grew larger than originally intended, and it took awhile for the higher-ups to notice. It wasn't intentional, they were just very busy with other things. It was definitely frustrating for the temps though. But I'm guessing if you let them know in a friendly way that you'd get a good response. Good luck!

Oh, and THANKS FOR THE COUPON! I got some Mary Janes coming to me next week. :)

[marzipan-pig.livejournal.com]

*sends some excess capys your way*

[angeyja.livejournal.com]

It does sound awkward. By like does that mean that you that you have people there that you would more generally feel comfortable asking less stressful questions of? If the pay issue were removed would you like doing more of this kind of work and the multitasking?

[jinian.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, liking the clients means not wanting to annoy them and feeling bad if I make things difficult for them. But, okay, I see what you're actually asking past my big "efface yourself to help the nice people" billboard, and yes, I guess I'm a lot more likely to be willing to talk to the clients in general.

Fortunately, my situation changed a lot today, because I actually did get to register at the university. My overall stress level is way down just because that's done, though I still don't know whether I want to work during summer quarter.

I do like the work I'm doing, and if it weren't for the pay issue I'd be okay with doing it until I start school again. The time-critical stuff isn't going to get along with working a couple of afternoons a week anyway, but I suppose they might have other interesting work that would.

I should definitely talk to them; even if it's only for three more weeks I want to be fairly compensated. Thanks for leading the blathering along. :)

[angeyja.livejournal.com]

Hi. I am just waking up and fretting about having given the wrong impression. And I think I friended you w/o intro.

So Hi. I am Angela, a forty something reader gardener, sometimes dancer, but only if no ones watching. In my non LJ life, I manage a small data processing member services department for a not-for-profit in the heath care end of things. I am vibrating a little high just now because I just signed up for my first class in grad school, after a long time of not being in school, and I am fluxuating between *bouncing* excitement and terror.

When I read your post last night, I wasn't advising or trying to lead. Those questions just popped into my head, and if there was thought behind it, it was more about trying to get a frame? Does that make sense?

For me personally? I have had both situations in the department in the last year, and I have variously created new jobs to better meet individuals work preferences at higher levels of pay, and then in at least one case shifted the assignments to keep the work load fair.

And I know from my own perspective, I am mainly concerned with creating a good place to work. So, I find it really helpful when someone is concerned and comes and tells me about it. I try to be watchful and considerate but theres always more work than people, so I may not see everything.

Work does tend to flow to the people that can do it. That is basically how I ended up in the position I am in. I don't ask much. I have very lucky there. I did once at the beginning of being given extra work, and based the request on the level of work. I was nervous about it; but it turned out they simply had not thought about it. But, even if I knew you really well, and your employers, I wouldn't try to tell you what to do.

--angela