Supervision

I have been questioning higher ups in administration. I think it is the classic worker versus authority issue so many have. Alright, I have. Years ago I was corporate treasurer for a production company in Hollywood. I realized at that point there were two ways to motivate my workers, treat them with kindness, as if they were children needing molding, or motivate them with discipline. Obviously I am not very good at being a bad parent so I learned praise, having them point out what needed improvements, and spent times on coming up with a plan of action together. Twenty years later many of my workers still gather for Karaoke singing and celebratory parties to commemorate that great times!

Having this supervisory background, recent events at my placement have felt demeaning. It is as if the police is write something down on the permanent record first, then discuss it later. Which to yours truly doesn't really fly.

I remember twenty five years ago when I was cleaning swimming pools. Yes, you should have seen me in my shorts, my tan, and my Greek Godlike body. You know what, this really hasn't changed. Anyway, at this time I learned that pools that I couldn't stand eventually were lost - they were usually leafy, moldy, and having insufficient equipment in which the owners refused to replace. This may be happening at my current placement.

I have had a good run at this job. For eight long years I have had numerous supervisors, some good, some poor. One thing dominates - I have never ever had a single note written in my personell file. Pretty interesting, wouldn't you think. In seeing roughly eight hundred people a year for eight years and not a single write up, it shows the direction this firm has gone into hiring a disciplinarian. And now the pool has suddenly become moldy, filled with leaves, and the equipment is running poor. As a result I am frustrated, but it doesn't hold a candle to many of my coworkers sentiments.

Too bad. What we do for Los Angeles county and beyond is miraculous! Where do people go to when they are in a crisis and they have no insurance or Medical? To us is where they go! We have recently seen our 16,000th new person! That is a lot of crisis.

I have taken a cut in pay to work at this firm for a reason. I felt it was noble work. In fact I am sure of this fact. Now with a family I may change directions and move to the money grabbing game instead. Eight long, very fulfilling years that are now fading into the background due to a faulty filtration system.

When my last supervisor quit, due to acute anxiety attacks, I pondered taking the position. The salary increase was enticing, however I love to work in the trenches. Still I sat down with the regional manager, threw around some ideas I had about the position, but didn't pursue it at all. My coworkers sure wanted me at the helm and now I can see why.

So I slowly see the crossroads ahead of me. Let's see which path I decide to take.