Posted on 10/18/2005 by CuriousCat
Viewed: 623 times
Do you think it is strange to be hired for a job, and 5 months into employement you haven't been assigned a single task? I have honestly been surfing the internet for 8 hours a day! I don't have a boss, its kind of strange because the boss on paperwork is actaully in another city across the nation. On status calls he just keeps telling me to take orders from Joe and Don, but Joe and Don never even stop by to say hi. Other than getting my desk setup, they haven't spoken to me since...my official title is junior web programmer. There are 1,500 employees here, I'm starting to think I got lost in the shuffle. Yesterday while at the coffee machine I saw a meeting starting in a nearby room, so I joined this meeting of about 20 people...and nobody even realized I wasn't invited..nobody even asked who I was. I took notes, and even asked a question...
POST A COMMENTcorporateSlave(10/18/2005)
Hilarious! You could write a book about the man who "got lost in the shuffle" and all your experiences of just doing things to entertain yourself. In all seriousness though, you should be really concerned about your job. 1) You're not adding anything of value and they'll probably eliminate your position and 2) you're not learning anything! Especially in IT where you need to keep learning and growing, 6 months being stagnant is not a good thing. I'd say use your internet time to look for a new gig. If you like it there though, you're gonna have to take the bull by the horns and call attention to your situation. Good luck, Cat.
megamania(10/18/2005)
Extremely strange. I think you're right...you did slip through the cracks! How come you don't tell anybody you don't have a task? Can you call your "paper boss" and explain or send him an e-mail explaining the situation? It sucks to be bored at work. Some people may love it, bt like CS said, you're not doing yourself any favors by sitting around and not learning. Plus, some people might think it strange that you waited 5 months to ask for work.
Walk the Planks(10/19/2005)
Simply go to Don or Joe and ask if there is anything that you can help them with -- you don't have to tell them that you've been sitting around doing nothing every day. Another thing is: Are you sure that this company is on the up-and-up and not a front for something illegal, possibly? Be aware that this could be the case, and be weary of anything that you could possibly get sucked into. Maybe, corporate is just studying you at this point -- if the place is monitored. Maybe, there is some kind of ulterior motive as to why you've just been sitting there. Anyway, I would look for another job. It's too strange.
john locke(10/19/2005)
monitoring? ulterior motive? huh? No, this is actually fairly common...a company hires someone that they thought they had a need for and have since realized the work just isn't there. Or, someone insisted they needed to add to staff and then that person left the company or moved around and the new person is left to fend for themselves? CuriousCat, how did they sell the job to you? What did they tell you that you were going to be working on?
LovetoRun!(10/19/2005)
Hey, this exact same thing happened to me a few years ago. I sat there for 8 mos doing nothing. I begged them to fire me. They wanted me to give them more time. For what? They knew I was there however. In your case, I don't think they are aware. I can guarantee tho, if you keep up what you're doing, the minute they catch on, you'll be history and they will feel that they have been taken advantage of. I agree with the others. There seems to be no future in that place for you. Consider it paid time off and get out of there quietly. Either that or go to them at once and ask for a clarification of your job description. Tell them you have something worthwhile to contribute. But as tempting as it may be to surf the internet all day, thats has to stop. Heck, I wonder what would happen if you just stayed at home. Would you still collect that paycheck? Good luck Cat!
TreeQS(10/21/2005)
It sounds like a seinfeld episode
CuriousCat(10/21/2005)
Guys... I've contacted my paper manager. He said to contact the two reporting managers in the building. When I visit them in their office, they tell me to sit tight because a project is coming to me next week. I do this visit/email every other week. The two dudes in the offices are starting to get annoyed with me. They almost think I'm weird for not enjoying 'my freetime', as one refered to it as. I was hired a junior programming for in-house applications. None of which I have seen. I can't quit, cause I won't get unemployment... I actually didn't show up to work yesterday and nobody has said anything. I feel like I'm in the twilight zone.
Spencer(10/21/2005)
Wow. You ARE in the Twilight Zone! Well...I say use your "free time" to look for something else. Or like corporateSlave said, start taking notes about your experience and write a book! It does sound like a Seinfeld episode. LOL
What????(10/23/2005)
If you're majorly ambitious, spend the time to find out all you can about the company, and how you can deliver added value and/or solve any major problems they have. Then email your paper boss and say you'd like to meet and deliver a proposal. If you're minorly ambitious, treat your days as paid learning time. Use them to pick up any techno-skills that you feel you lack, but want. There are gazillions of folks who would love to be paid for their study time! At least this way you're strengthening your resume, in case you do get the boot. Good luck!
none(10/26/2005)
I had the same thing happen at my last job. Fom May-Ocotber, when I quit I did nothing but surf the web. If it weren't for the hellish 1 hour each way commute, I wouldn;t have minded so much getting paid to do nothing!
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