It used to be that everybody at our weekly meetings got the same
lunch. Sandwich, chips, and soda or tea (first come first serve).
And maybe a cookie if we were lucky.

Then our organizer had to start accommodating a few people's special
requests. This was my order for Monday's meeting:

> I'll take the alternate low-carb, kosher, vegan, gluten and lactose free,
> saturated and trans-fat free, low-salt, certified organic, 100%
> hypoallergenic meal with feng shui-compatible silverware. And a
> chocolate malt made with whole milk free of RBGH growth hormones with
> a straw made from 100% post-consumer recycled material.
>
> Or I could just have the Salad du Jour and iced tea.

-sw

"Sqwertz" > wrote in message
...
> It used to be that everybody at our weekly meetings got the same
> lunch. Sandwich, chips, and soda or tea (first come first serve).
> And maybe a cookie if we were lucky.
>
> Then our organizer had to start accommodating a few people's special
> requests. This was my order for Monday's meeting:
>
>> I'll take the alternate low-carb, kosher, vegan, gluten and lactose free,
>> saturated and trans-fat free, low-salt, certified organic, 100%
>> hypoallergenic meal with feng shui-compatible silverware. And a
>> chocolate malt made with whole milk free of RBGH growth hormones with
>> a straw made from 100% post-consumer recycled material.
>>
>> Or I could just have the Salad du Jour and iced tea.
>
Why don't you show us the memo the organizer sent back; STARVE, dwarf! LOL

On Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:24:37 GMT, brooklyn1 wrote:

> "Sqwertz" > wrote in message
> ...
>> It used to be that everybody at our weekly meetings got the same
>> lunch. Sandwich, chips, and soda or tea (first come first serve).
>> And maybe a cookie if we were lucky.
>>
>> Then our organizer had to start accommodating a few people's special
>> requests. This was my order for Monday's meeting:
>>
>>> I'll take the alternate low-carb, kosher, vegan, gluten and lactose free,
>>> saturated and trans-fat free, low-salt, certified organic, 100%
>>> hypoallergenic meal with feng shui-compatible silverware. And a
>>> chocolate malt made with whole milk free of RBGH growth hormones with
>>> a straw made from 100% post-consumer recycled material.
>>>
>>> Or I could just have the Salad du Jour and iced tea.
>>
> Why don't you show us the memo the organizer sent back; STARVE, dwarf! LOL

From: "Emily M....." >
To: "'Steve Wertz'" >
Subject: Sales Meeting Monday @ Noon
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:35:41 -0500

;p
Of course, smartass.

You have a good weekend, too--tell your mom hello.


[See? I'm known in real life as a smartass, too I'm not one of
those fake posers here on Usenet. Just like you.]

-sw

Sqwertz wrote:
>
> It used to be that everybody at our weekly meetings got the same
> lunch. Sandwich, chips, and soda or tea (first come first serve).
> And maybe a cookie if we were lucky.
>
> Then our organizer had to start accommodating a few people's special
> requests. This was my order for Monday's meeting:
>
> > I'll take the alternate low-carb, kosher, vegan, gluten and lactose free,
> > saturated and trans-fat free, low-salt, certified organic, 100%
> > hypoallergenic meal with feng shui-compatible silverware. And a
> > chocolate malt made with whole milk free of RBGH growth hormones with
> > a straw made from 100% post-consumer recycled material.

What? You're not a locavore?

"Sqwertz" > wrote in message
...
> It used to be that everybody at our weekly meetings got the same
> lunch. Sandwich, chips, and soda or tea (first come first serve).
> And maybe a cookie if we were lucky.
>
> Then our organizer had to start accommodating a few people's special
> requests. This was my order for Monday's meeting:
>
>> I'll take the alternate low-carb, kosher, vegan, gluten and lactose free,
>> saturated and trans-fat free, low-salt, certified organic, 100%
>> hypoallergenic meal with feng shui-compatible silverware. And a
>> chocolate malt made with whole milk free of RBGH growth hormones with
>> a straw made from 100% post-consumer recycled material.
>>
>> Or I could just have the Salad du Jour and iced tea.
>

The company I work for just eliminated this kind of spending. No "win"
parties, no moral boosters, no spending that isn't approved by finance.
That means no spot awards, none of the little things that keep people happy
when they have to work 80 hour weeks to meet deliverables. What kind of
outcome do you think that's going to bring?

On Aug 21, 7:59*pm, "Cheryl" > wrote:
> "Sqwertz" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> > It used to be that everybody at our weekly meetings got the same
> > lunch. *Sandwich, chips, and soda or tea (first come first serve).
> > And maybe a cookie if we were lucky.
>
> > Then our organizer had to start accommodating a few people's special
> > requests. *This was my order for Monday's meeting:
>
> >> I'll take the alternate low-carb, kosher, vegan, gluten and lactose free,
> >> saturated and trans-fat free, low-salt, certified organic, 100%
> >> hypoallergenic meal with feng shui-compatible silverware. *And a
> >> chocolate malt made with whole milk free of RBGH growth hormones with
> >> a straw made from 100% post-consumer recycled material.
>
> >> Or I could just have the Salad du Jour and iced tea.
>
> The company I work for just eliminated this kind of spending. *No "win"
> parties, no moral boosters, no spending that isn't approved by finance.
> That means no spot awards, none of the little things that keep people happy
> when they have to work 80 hour weeks to meet deliverables. *What kind of
> outcome do you think that's going to bring?

Better to cut stuff like that than wages/salaries or medical
insurance, or matching contributions to retirement funds. Those
"little things" like crappy sandwiches don't make me as happy as the
money the company pays for them. I don't want anyone choosing my food
but me.

--Bryan

On Aug 21, 7:59*pm, "Cheryl" > wrote:
> "Sqwertz" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> > It used to be that everybody at our weekly meetings got the same
> > lunch. *Sandwich, chips, and soda or tea (first come first serve).
> > And maybe a cookie if we were lucky.
>
> > Then our organizer had to start accommodating a few people's special
> > requests. *This was my order for Monday's meeting:
>
> >> I'll take the alternate low-carb, kosher, vegan, gluten and lactose free,
> >> saturated and trans-fat free, low-salt, certified organic, 100%
> >> hypoallergenic meal with feng shui-compatible silverware. *And a
> >> chocolate malt made with whole milk free of RBGH growth hormones with
> >> a straw made from 100% post-consumer recycled material.
>
> >> Or I could just have the Salad du Jour and iced tea.
>
> The company I work for just eliminated this kind of spending. *No "win"
> parties, no moral boosters, no spending that isn't approved by finance.
> That means no spot awards, none of the little things that keep people happy
> when they have to work 80 hour weeks to meet deliverables. *What kind of
> outcome do you think that's going to bring?

It's going to bring the grinding existence that a lot of people have
been living for a long time, fatass. Sorry you lost your
*benefits*....heeeheeeee

Cheryl wrote:
>
> "Sqwertz" > wrote in message
> ...
>> It used to be that everybody at our weekly meetings got the same
>> lunch. Sandwich, chips, and soda or tea (first come first serve).
>> And maybe a cookie if we were lucky.
>>
>> Then our organizer had to start accommodating a few people's special
>> requests. This was my order for Monday's meeting:
>>
>>> I'll take the alternate low-carb, kosher, vegan, gluten and lactose
>>> free,
>>> saturated and trans-fat free, low-salt, certified organic, 100%
>>> hypoallergenic meal with feng shui-compatible silverware. And a
>>> chocolate malt made with whole milk free of RBGH growth hormones with
>>> a straw made from 100% post-consumer recycled material.
>>>
>>> Or I could just have the Salad du Jour and iced tea.
>>
>
> The company I work for just eliminated this kind of spending. No "win"
> parties, no moral boosters, no spending that isn't approved by finance.
> That means no spot awards, none of the little things that keep people
> happy when they have to work 80 hour weeks to meet deliverables. What
> kind of outcome do you think that's going to bring?

A 5% decrease in personnel, and a 15% across the board salary cuts,
except for the contracted sales team next month?

Bob

"Bob Muncie" > wrote in message
...
> Cheryl wrote:
>>
>> "Sqwertz" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> It used to be that everybody at our weekly meetings got the same
>>> lunch. Sandwich, chips, and soda or tea (first come first serve).
>>> And maybe a cookie if we were lucky.
>>>
>>> Then our organizer had to start accommodating a few people's special
>>> requests. This was my order for Monday's meeting:
>>>
>>>> I'll take the alternate low-carb, kosher, vegan, gluten and lactose
>>>> free,
>>>> saturated and trans-fat free, low-salt, certified organic, 100%
>>>> hypoallergenic meal with feng shui-compatible silverware. And a
>>>> chocolate malt made with whole milk free of RBGH growth hormones with
>>>> a straw made from 100% post-consumer recycled material.
>>>>
>>>> Or I could just have the Salad du Jour and iced tea.
>>>
>>
>> The company I work for just eliminated this kind of spending. No "win"
>> parties, no moral boosters, no spending that isn't approved by finance.
>> That means no spot awards, none of the little things that keep people
>> happy when they have to work 80 hour weeks to meet deliverables. What
>> kind of outcome do you think that's going to bring?
>
> A 5% decrease in personnel, and a 15% across the board salary cuts, except
> for the contracted sales team next month?
>
> Bob

When the order first came out, I thought, good! They spend too much on
bullshit. But for real, that bullshit is to make those who work nearly
around the clock happy to keep doing it. On salary, without extra pay. I
was there last year working until 3am and up for 9am meetings and just to do
the crazy hours all over again. I got a nice bonus. It looks like they're
cutting those out. Who will work those hours on salary without a bonus? No
one. At least those who've been around a while. AHA. Maybe that's the
strategy to offer severance pay for voluntary quitting.

On Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:30:56 -0400, "Cheryl" >
wrote:

>Who will work those hours on salary without a bonus? No
>one. At least those who've been around a while. AHA. Maybe that's the
>strategy to offer severance pay for voluntary quitting.

You can bet serious money on it.

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

sf wrote:
> On Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:30:56 -0400, "Cheryl" >
> wrote:
>
>> Who will work those hours on salary without a bonus? No
>> one. At least those who've been around a while. AHA. Maybe that's the
>> strategy to offer severance pay for voluntary quitting.
>
> You can bet serious money on it.
>

It really doesn't matter what we the personnel think anymore. That's not
the business model these days. Since there exists cheaper (in the short
term) countries to send the work to, fiscal targets are no longer
balanced between the personnel (assets), Company (greedy upper
management and board holders), and the customers (some no longer
employed, or as business units, do not have enough business from the
unemployed, or concerned people or other business units that are worried
about tomorrow's dinner).

Example. The company I worked (not past tense) for the last 18.5 years,
has done the following in the last 8 years:

Shrunk US employment from 85K to 25K. Involuntary cuts, or being made
redundant by moving workload to 3rd world countries. In the last two
years, all fiscal targets were either being met, are exceeded. But due
to greed, golden parachutes, and good ol'boy professional board members
for life, the cuts continue.

The long term planning / strategy for company improvements is no longer
part of the model. That would cost money. Process improvement, training,
and employee satisfaction improvements do that. The senior personnel
with the skills required to plan and execute long term improvements,
cost too much. Much easier to hire short term profit makers straight out
of college, at the rate of 3/1 for senior replacement.

Bottom line? The rich get richer, the poor get poorer, the middle class
takes it in the butt.

This has normally been the case. But the middle class use to wield more
power as jobs couldn't be off shored, unions didn't put up with the
greed or personnel abuse, having a less educated general populace pool
to pick from for more technical jobs for greedy management to pick from,
etc.

Now it's all gloves are off.

I honestly don't want to see the economy in ten years.

Bob

On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 07:03:54 -0400, Bob Muncie >
wrote:

>Bottom line? The rich get richer, the poor get poorer, the middle class
>takes it in the butt.

You're right. It's a shrinking middle class and our society will soon
revert back to the conditions our forefathers fled from unless this
insanity is controlled. The last administration stabbed the country
in the back just to line their friend's pockets. Creeps are slowly
coming out of the woodwork and admitting their complicity just to
promote book deals.



--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

"Cheryl" > wrote in message

> When the order first came out, I thought, good! They spend too much on
> bullshit. But for real, that bullshit is to make those who work nearly
> around the clock happy to keep doing it. On salary, without extra pay. I
> was there last year working until 3am and up for 9am meetings and just to
> do the crazy hours all over again. I got a nice bonus. It looks like
> they're cutting those out. Who will work those hours on salary without a
> bonus? No one. At least those who've been around a while. AHA. Maybe
> that's the strategy to offer severance pay for voluntary quitting.
>
>

Sounds like job hunting time. How common are the 80 hour weeks?

sf wrote:
> On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 07:03:54 -0400, Bob Muncie >
> wrote:
>
>> Bottom line? The rich get richer, the poor get poorer, the middle class
>> takes it in the butt.
>
> You're right. It's a shrinking middle class and our society will soon
> revert back to the conditions our forefathers fled from unless this
> insanity is controlled. The last administration stabbed the country
> in the back just to line their friend's pockets. Creeps are slowly
> coming out of the woodwork and admitting their complicity just to
> promote book deals.
>
>
>
So where is the "change" we keep hearing about? Obamas chief of staff
was appointed to the BOD of Freddie MAC by the Clintons and according to
everything I have read the cooking of their books occurred not long
after. You may have heard of the two corrupt organizations Fannie and
Freddie and how they played a major part in the economic collapse we
just experienced? Or how about Geitner. He is the tax cheat who Obama
appointed as head of Treasury. Previously he was president of the New
York Fed while all of the very creative fraud and deceit occurred in the
financial markets on his watch. And of course he was a big advocate of
bailing out all his friends. Government has been a tool of the special
interests for a long long time. How about Kennedy and later Johnson
escalating the "war" in Vietnam for no apparent reason except to enrich
their owners who had huge contracts to supply stuff for the "war"?

On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 08:20:49 -0400, George > wrote:

-->sf wrote:
-->> On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 07:03:54 -0400, Bob Muncie >
-->> wrote:
-->>
-->>> Bottom line? The rich get richer, the poor get poorer, the middle class
-->>> takes it in the butt.
-->>
-->> You're right. It's a shrinking middle class and our society will soon
-->> revert back to the conditions our forefathers fled from unless this
-->> insanity is controlled. The last administration stabbed the country
-->> in the back just to line their friend's pockets. Creeps are slowly
-->> coming out of the woodwork and admitting their complicity just to
-->> promote book deals.
-->>
-->>
-->>
-->So where is the "change" we keep hearing about? Obamas chief of staff
-->was appointed to the BOD of Freddie MAC by the Clintons and according to
-->everything I have read the cooking of their books occurred not long
-->after. You may have heard of the two corrupt organizations Fannie and
-->Freddie and how they played a major part in the economic collapse we
-->just experienced? Or how about Geitner. He is the tax cheat who Obama
-->appointed as head of Treasury. Previously he was president of the New
-->York Fed while all of the very creative fraud and deceit occurred in the
-->financial markets on his watch. And of course he was a big advocate of
-->bailing out all his friends.


I don't think you can blame Obama for the greed these guys had, at best he was
a bad judge of character.

"ffu" > wrote in message
>
> I don't think you can blame Obama for the greed these guys had, at best he
> was
> a bad judge of character.

The real blame goes to the electorate that keeps the crooks of both parties
in their jobs. While we can point to particular instances for every
administration, the money grab goes on every day in both houses.

On 2009-08-22, Cheryl > wrote:

> cutting those out. Who will work those hours on salary without a bonus? No
> one.

Nonsense. Someone who wants a job, will.

I worked in Silicon Valley in its heyday. Bonuses, parties, bennies,
perks. Money by the train load! Last time I was down there, about 4
yrs ago, it was a ghost town, and I mean that literally. Miles of
huge corporate campuses dark and empty. Thousands of support
business, shuttered and gone. Expressways that were once stop and go,
now deserted. It was beyond spooky. It was like one of those old
science fiction movies where the last 2-3 people wander the empty
wind-blown streets in search of others.

Were I live, now, is mostly a tourist based economy. Snow sports in
the winter and fishing and white water river sports in the summer.
The seasons and nature remain constant. Shops and businesses are
STILL closing for lack of business.

Be glad you have a good job and do whatever it takes to keep it. No
matter how bad a job gets, it's better than no job at all.

nb

notbob wrote:
> On 2009-08-22, Cheryl > wrote:
>
>> cutting those out. Who will work those hours on salary without a bonus? No
>> one.
>
> Nonsense. Someone who wants a job, will.
>
> I worked in Silicon Valley in its heyday. Bonuses, parties, bennies,
> perks. Money by the train load! Last time I was down there, about 4
> yrs ago, it was a ghost town, and I mean that literally. Miles of
> huge corporate campuses dark and empty. Thousands of support
> business, shuttered and gone. Expressways that were once stop and go,
> now deserted. It was beyond spooky. It was like one of those old
> science fiction movies where the last 2-3 people wander the empty
> wind-blown streets in search of others.
>
> Were I live, now, is mostly a tourist based economy. Snow sports in
> the winter and fishing and white water river sports in the summer.
> The seasons and nature remain constant. Shops and businesses are
> STILL closing for lack of business.
>
> Be glad you have a good job and do whatever it takes to keep it. No
> matter how bad a job gets, it's better than no job at all.
>
> nb
>

I'd say amen, but I'm an agnostic. And I was another working those hours
as needed, and 7/24 on-call when not on vacation (every few years).

Bob

"George" ha scritto nel messaggio
> sf wrote:

> So where is the "change" we keep hearing about? Obamas chief of staff >
> was appointed to the BOD of Freddie MAC by the Clintons and according to
> everything I have read the cooking of their books occurred not long >
> after.

You better come up with some facts to support that wildassed accusation.
The entire Obama government hasn't been in power long enough to create all
the corruption and lying involved in this crisis. I think you are either
naive or twisted to try to blame the Democrats for the wreck of this economy
entirely in the Dems.

Republicans have lately proved themselves very creative, what with the kill
granny initiative and let's give all the healthcare bucks to illegal aliens.
Seems impossible that there would be anyone dumb enough to buy it.

Giusi wrote:
> "George" ha scritto nel messaggio
>> sf wrote:
>
>> So where is the "change" we keep hearing about? Obamas chief of staff >
>> was appointed to the BOD of Freddie MAC by the Clintons and according to
>> everything I have read the cooking of their books occurred not long >
>> after.
>
> You better come up with some facts to support that wildassed accusation.
> The entire Obama government hasn't been in power long enough to create all
> the corruption and lying involved in this crisis. I think you are either
> naive or twisted to try to blame the Democrats for the wreck of this economy
> entirely in the Dems.

Who said that? Why be so touchy that you don't even read for content?
You do know that we don't have a king right? And that we are allowed to
comment on anything we like right?


Freddie Mac Securities Fraud
Washington, DC: (Sep-27-07) The US Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) brought a lawsuit against Freddie Mac, following an investigation
related to the restatement of financial results. The SEC charged
McLean-based Freddie Mac with securities fraud in connection with
improper earnings management beginning as early as 1998 and lasting into
2002. The SEC alleged that Freddie Mac engaged in a fraudulent scheme
that deceived investors about its true performance, profitability and
growth trends; and that the company misreported its net income in 2000
by 30.5%, in 2001 by 23.9% and 2002 by 42.9%, according to the SEC.

As part of a settlement reached, Freddie Mac agreed to pay a $50 million
penalty to resolve allegations. Money from the $50 million penalty is
expected to be distributed to injured investors through a fund, the SEC
said in a statement. Four former Freddie Mac executives who were charged
with negligent conduct agreed to settle the case without admitting or
denying the allegations. In 2006, the company agreed to pay $410 million
to settle securities class action and shareholder lawsuits. [WASHINGTON
BUSINESS JOURNAL: FREDDIE MAC FRAUD]


Rahm Emanuel - Freddie Mac Board Member 2000 to 2002.

http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com...ies-fraud.html





>
> Republicans have lately proved themselves very creative, what with the kill
> granny initiative and let's give all the healthcare bucks to illegal aliens.
> Seems impossible that there would be anyone dumb enough to buy it.
>
>

"Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Cheryl" > wrote in message
>
>> When the order first came out, I thought, good! They spend too much on
>> bullshit. But for real, that bullshit is to make those who work nearly
>> around the clock happy to keep doing it. On salary, without extra pay.
>> I was there last year working until 3am and up for 9am meetings and just
>> to do the crazy hours all over again. I got a nice bonus. It looks like
>> they're cutting those out. Who will work those hours on salary without a
>> bonus? No one. At least those who've been around a while. AHA. Maybe
>> that's the strategy to offer severance pay for voluntary quitting.
>>
>>
>
> Sounds like job hunting time. How common are the 80 hour weeks?
>

I don't know about where Cheryl works but I was expected to be available by
pager and company cell phone on holidays and weekends. They did have the
good grace to close up shop at 7PM. I was on salary, didn't get any bonuses
for the extra time I put in. There was talk before I stopped working there
about the help desk going 24/7. Um, no. I didn't sign up to work at
midnight. Maybe you can get a 20-something year old to work third shift but
not me. If I was at work at midnight what time would I cook lunch? <G>

Jill

On Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:59:43 -0400, Cheryl wrote:

> "Sqwertz" > wrote in message
> ...
>> It used to be that everybody at our weekly meetings got the same
>> lunch. Sandwich, chips, and soda or tea (first come first serve).
>> And maybe a cookie if we were lucky.
>>
>> Then our organizer had to start accommodating a few people's special
>> requests. This was my order for Monday's meeting:
>>
>>> I'll take the alternate low-carb, kosher, vegan, gluten and lactose free,
>>> saturated and trans-fat free, low-salt, certified organic, 100%
>>> hypoallergenic meal with feng shui-compatible silverware. And a
>>> chocolate malt made with whole milk free of RBGH growth hormones with
>>> a straw made from 100% post-consumer recycled material.
>>>
>>> Or I could just have the Salad du Jour and iced tea.
>>
>
> The company I work for just eliminated this kind of spending.

They don't eat lunch?

(It sure didn't take long for this inert post to go waaaay OT)

-sw

jmcquown wrote:
> "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Cheryl" > wrote in message
>>
>>> When the order first came out, I thought, good! They spend too much
>>> on bullshit. But for real, that bullshit is to make those who work
>>> nearly around the clock happy to keep doing it. On salary, without
>>> extra pay. I was there last year working until 3am and up for 9am
>>> meetings and just to do the crazy hours all over again. I got a nice
>>> bonus. It looks like they're cutting those out. Who will work those
>>> hours on salary without a bonus? No one. At least those who've been
>>> around a while. AHA. Maybe that's the strategy to offer severance
>>> pay for voluntary quitting.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Sounds like job hunting time. How common are the 80 hour weeks?
>>
>
> I don't know about where Cheryl works but I was expected to be available
> by pager and company cell phone on holidays and weekends. They did have
> the good grace to close up shop at 7PM. I was on salary, didn't get any
> bonuses for the extra time I put in. There was talk before I stopped
> working there about the help desk going 24/7. Um, no. I didn't sign up
> to work at midnight. Maybe you can get a 20-something year old to work
> third shift but not me. If I was at work at midnight what time would I
> cook lunch? <G>
>
> Jill

Bullshit.

D 1 wrote:
> jmcquown wrote:
>> "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "Cheryl" > wrote in message
>>>
>>>> When the order first came out, I thought, good! They spend too much
>>>> on bullshit. But for real, that bullshit is to make those who work
>>>> nearly around the clock happy to keep doing it. On salary, without
>>>> extra pay. I was there last year working until 3am and up for 9am
>>>> meetings and just to do the crazy hours all over again. I got a
>>>> nice bonus. It looks like they're cutting those out. Who will work
>>>> those hours on salary without a bonus? No one. At least those
>>>> who've been around a while. AHA. Maybe that's the strategy to offer
>>>> severance pay for voluntary quitting.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> Sounds like job hunting time. How common are the 80 hour weeks?
>>>
>>
>> I don't know about where Cheryl works but I was expected to be
>> available by pager and company cell phone on holidays and weekends.
>> They did have the good grace to close up shop at 7PM. I was on
>> salary, didn't get any bonuses for the extra time I put in. There was
>> talk before I stopped working there about the help desk going 24/7.
>> Um, no. I didn't sign up to work at midnight. Maybe you can get a
>> 20-something year old to work third shift but not me. If I was at
>> work at midnight what time would I cook lunch? <G>
>>
>> Jill
>
> Bullshit.

Troll much?

On Sun, 23 Aug 2009 06:48:37 -0400, Bob Muncie >
wrote:

>Troll much?

There is one poster in particular who is nasty to Jill every time she
appears in rfc. He acts just like a spurned lover, so he probably had
a crush on her at one point.

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

On Sun, 23 Aug 2009 09:10:37 -0700, sf wrote:

> On Sun, 23 Aug 2009 06:48:37 -0400, Bob Muncie >
> wrote:
>
>>Troll much?
>
> There is one poster in particular who is nasty to Jill every time she
> appears in rfc. He acts just like a spurned lover, so he probably had
> a crush on her at one point.

It's because of the way Jill has treated some people over the years.
And I wholeheartedly agree. And no, it's not me. Or maybe it *is*
me? Yeah - that's it.

In her defense, I haven't seen her stab any of her friends in at
least 8 months. But I haven't read every thread. Did I miss
anything?

-sw

On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:15:25 GMT, notbob wrote:

> I worked in Silicon Valley in its heyday. Bonuses, parties, bennies,
> perks.

I mad it to two AMD Christmas parties in the 80's. The ones where
they rent half of San Francisco for 24 hours. They were probably
the most well known display of corporate extravagance at the time
(nowadays they call them "bailouts").

When I stoped working northern California in 1999 we'd be lucky if
we had a beer bash every other Friday.

(and I was always expected to be on call 24/7 - usually rotated
between 2 or 3 people for a week at a time. Jill was never the lone
person on call - we all know that's BS).

-sw

On Aug 21, 10:33*am, Sqwertz > wrote:
> On Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:24:37 GMT, brooklyn1 wrote:
> > "Sqwertz" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> It used to be that everybody at our weekly meetings got the same
> >> lunch. *Sandwich, chips, and soda or tea (first come first serve).
> >> And maybe a cookie if we were lucky.
>
> >> Then our organizer had to start accommodating a few people's special
> >> requests. *This was my order for Monday's meeting:
>
> >>> I'll take the alternate low-carb, kosher, vegan, gluten and lactose free,
> >>> saturated and trans-fat free, low-salt, certified organic, 100%
> >>> hypoallergenic meal with feng shui-compatible silverware. *And a
> >>> chocolate malt made with whole milk free of RBGH growth hormones with
> >>> a straw made from 100% post-consumer recycled material.
>
> >>> Or I could just have the Salad du Jour and iced tea.
>
> > Why don't you show us the memo the organizer sent back; STARVE, dwarf! LOL
>
> From: "Emily M....." >
> To: "'Steve Wertz'" >
> Subject: Sales Meeting Monday @ Noon
> Date: Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:35:41 -0500
>
> ;p
> Of course, smartass.
>
> You have a good weekend, too--tell your mom hello.
>
> [See? *I'm known in real life as a smartass, too *I'm not one of
> those fake posers here on Usenet. *Just like you.]

At least she knew you were joking. I've met a couple that would have
immediately forwarded such on to HR for review because the
overwhelming number of "personal requests" got to them.

The Ranger

Sqwertz wrote:
> On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:15:25 GMT, notbob wrote:
>
>> I worked in Silicon Valley in its heyday. Bonuses, parties, bennies,
>> perks.
>
> I mad it to two AMD Christmas parties in the 80's. The ones where
> they rent half of San Francisco for 24 hours. They were probably
> the most well known display of corporate extravagance at the time
> (nowadays they call them "bailouts").
>
> When I stoped working northern California in 1999 we'd be lucky if
> we had a beer bash every other Friday.
>
> (and I was always expected to be on call 24/7 - usually rotated
> between 2 or 3 people for a week at a time. Jill was never the lone
> person on call - we all know that's BS).

Just wanted to say that for a number of years, I was the tech leader for
a group of people, so I was on call 7/24 *every* day, unless on
vacation. And since we had in our leveraged group at one point, over 230
customers, there was always atleast one customer with and issue, if
not more.

Did I work the keyboard during those years? No. But I was responsible
for those that did.


>
> -sw

But that's why I spent a lot of time off office hours on the phone. It's
also why they paid me a salary rather than by the hour. I'd be rich now
if they had to pay me overtime.

Just wanted to point out that Jill might have been in a similar situation.

Bob

The Ranger wrote:
>
> At least she knew you were joking. I've met a couple that would have
> immediately forwarded such on to HR for review because the
> overwhelming number of "personal requests" got to them.

I worked at a company in which we were advised
by HR not to hold birthday parties for our
coworkers because they are exclusionary toward
Jehovah's Witnesses, who do not celebrate birthdays.
HR was smart enough not to enforce the policy,
but merely to make it clear that any such activities
were not sponsored or approved by the company.
It was a company of about 100 people, and I'm
pretty sure we did not have any JW's working
there.

"Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Cheryl" > wrote in message
>
>> When the order first came out, I thought, good! They spend too much on
>> bullshit. But for real, that bullshit is to make those who work nearly
>> around the clock happy to keep doing it. On salary, without extra pay.
>> I was there last year working until 3am and up for 9am meetings and just
>> to do the crazy hours all over again. I got a nice bonus. It looks like
>> they're cutting those out. Who will work those hours on salary without a
>> bonus? No one. At least those who've been around a while. AHA. Maybe
>> that's the strategy to offer severance pay for voluntary quitting.
>>
>>
>
> Sounds like job hunting time. How common are the 80 hour weeks?
Luckily for me, only when it's crunch time. Last time it lasted about 5
months like that. Others in my group are doing the long hours right now.
I'm in IT so it comes with the territory to be available pretty much at any
time. As for job hunting, I think the company is ok. Their stock has come
down, but only recently. Even during the harder times when Bush was still in
office the company was doing ok. Then again, it's a primarily DOD
contractor, so Bush in office was a good thing for them. lol I'm in school
so I'm committed for the tuition reimbursment. I hope the recent scare
doesn't last long.

"Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
> I worked at a company in which we were advised
> by HR not to hold birthday parties for our
> coworkers because they are exclusionary toward
> Jehovah's Witnesses, who do not celebrate birthdays.
> HR was smart enough not to enforce the policy,
> but merely to make it clear that any such activities
> were not sponsored or approved by the company.
> It was a company of about 100 people, and I'm
> pretty sure we did not have any JW's working
> there.

We are a much smaller company and had one JW. He just did not participate
if we had a cake for anyone. He did come to the Christmas party and took a
bonus check though.

Cheryl wrote:
>
> "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Cheryl" > wrote in message
>>
>>> When the order first came out, I thought, good! They spend too much
>>> on bullshit. But for real, that bullshit is to make those who work
>>> nearly around the clock happy to keep doing it. On salary, without
>>> extra pay. I was there last year working until 3am and up for 9am
>>> meetings and just to do the crazy hours all over again. I got a nice
>>> bonus. It looks like they're cutting those out. Who will work those
>>> hours on salary without a bonus? No one. At least those who've been
>>> around a while. AHA. Maybe that's the strategy to offer severance
>>> pay for voluntary quitting.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Sounds like job hunting time. How common are the 80 hour weeks?
> Luckily for me, only when it's crunch time. Last time it lasted about 5
> months like that. Others in my group are doing the long hours right
> now. I'm in IT so it comes with the territory to be available pretty
> much at any time. As for job hunting, I think the company is ok. Their
> stock has come down, but only recently. Even during the harder times
> when Bush was still in office the company was doing ok. Then again,
> it's a primarily DOD contractor, so Bush in office was a good thing for
> them. lol I'm in school so I'm committed for the tuition
> reimbursment. I hope the recent scare doesn't last long.

I wish you good luck Cheryl. The one spot of IT goodness at the moment
is the segment that supports either state or federal government as they
do not for the large part allow out sourcing to other states, or other
countries.

Still... Keep your head down. I'll throw a little positive Karma your
way in hopes it will be a little protection :-)

Bob

Mark Thorson wrote:

> I worked at a company in which we were advised
> by HR not to hold birthday parties for our
> coworkers because they are exclusionary toward
> Jehovah's Witnesses, who do not celebrate birthdays.
> HR was smart enough not to enforce the policy,
> but merely to make it clear that any such activities
> were not sponsored or approved by the company.
> It was a company of about 100 people, and I'm
> pretty sure we did not have any JW's working
> there.

You can always invite them. They don't have to come. One of my bosses
was a JH. She hosted a Christmas party one year.

"Bob Muncie" > wrote in message
...
> Cheryl wrote:
>>
>> "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "Cheryl" > wrote in message
>>>
>>>> When the order first came out, I thought, good! They spend too much on
>>>> bullshit. But for real, that bullshit is to make those who work nearly
>>>> around the clock happy to keep doing it. On salary, without extra pay.
>>>> I was there last year working until 3am and up for 9am meetings and
>>>> just to do the crazy hours all over again. I got a nice bonus. It
>>>> looks like they're cutting those out. Who will work those hours on
>>>> salary without a bonus? No one. At least those who've been around a
>>>> while. AHA. Maybe that's the strategy to offer severance pay for
>>>> voluntary quitting.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> Sounds like job hunting time. How common are the 80 hour weeks?
>> Luckily for me, only when it's crunch time. Last time it lasted about 5
>> months like that. Others in my group are doing the long hours right now.
>> I'm in IT so it comes with the territory to be available pretty much at
>> any time. As for job hunting, I think the company is ok. Their stock has
>> come down, but only recently. Even during the harder times when Bush was
>> still in office the company was doing ok. Then again, it's a primarily
>> DOD contractor, so Bush in office was a good thing for them. lol I'm in
>> school so I'm committed for the tuition reimbursment. I hope the recent
>> scare doesn't last long.
>
> I wish you good luck Cheryl. The one spot of IT goodness at the moment is
> the segment that supports either state or federal government as they do
> not for the large part allow out sourcing to other states, or other
> countries.


So far. Here is a surprise for you..... all new US passports are
manufactured in Europe and Thailand.
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/10/23...-passport.html

That's right. That shiny new US passport you just received has a nice
little RFID chip in it.... and the gub'mint figured the best way to print
and assemble these was to ship the work overseas. They have been doing this
since 2006.

Millions of people out of work here, and we outsource production of our
passports.

Sheesh.

To bring it back on-topic, I am eating some Blue Bell Southern Hospitality
ice cream while typing this. Dee-lish.

George L

George L

Bob Muncie wrote:

>> Bullshit.
>
> Troll much?

**** off.

D

D 1 wrote:
> Bob Muncie wrote:
>
>>> Bullshit.
>>
>> Troll much?
>
> **** off.
>
> D

Nice.... Do you have an encore?

Bob

In article >,
"Cheryl" > wrote:

> The company I work for just eliminated this kind of spending. No "win"
> parties, no moral boosters, no spending that isn't approved by finance.
> That means no spot awards, none of the little things that keep people happy
> when they have to work 80 hour weeks to meet deliverables. What kind of
> outcome do you think that's going to bring?

Good work from competent employees who still have a job in a crappy
economy?
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.me.com/barbschaller - Yes, I Can! blog - check it out
And check this, too:
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=8279841&page=1

In article >,
"Cheryl" > wrote:
> cutting those out. Who will work those hours on salary without a bonus? No
> one. At least those who've been around a while. AHA. Maybe that's the
> strategy to offer severance pay for voluntary quitting.

If it is, your company's HR folks had better hope they don't get caught
at it. If you haven't started taking notes (incidents, times, dates,
who was there and what was said), you might consider starting a log book.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.me.com/barbschaller - Yes, I Can! blog - check it out
And check this, too:
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=8279841&page=1

Melba's Jammin' wrote:
> In article >,
> "Cheryl" > wrote:
>> cutting those out. Who will work those hours on salary without a
>> bonus? No one. At least those who've been around a while. AHA.
>> Maybe that's the strategy to offer severance pay for voluntary
>> quitting.
>
> If it is, your company's HR folks had better hope they don't get
> caught at it. If you haven't started taking notes (incidents, times,
> dates, who was there and what was said), you might consider starting
> a log book.

A lot of employees are exempt. There aren't laws to say you can't
work 20 hours a day without compensation. Been there, done that.

nancy