Posting here for traffic!
I have been employed at a small firm for six years, it's been a roller coaster, to say the least!
Last year was particularly hard due to a severe shortage of staff, employing unsuitable but "cheap" staff. Together with a huge back office system implementation that I managed single handed.
By the end of the year, I was at breaking point, having worked 12 hour days, weekends, from home to try and keep things moving, even that was failing, I still couldn't keep up with demand.
The industry I work in has a massive issue with lack of qualified staff, my remuneration is good, on par with the sector "top paid" jobs. During my review I was awarded a substantial bonus 12.5% of my salary. I have just received this.
However, whilst the money is very nice, I did actually work the hours and many more to earn it, with no request or offer of remuneration. I was also given a very nice lunch for myself and husband as a thank you.
The problem is though, that the day to day treatment that I receive is erratic at best and unacceptable at worst.
When I approached the partners about the level of work/stress etc, I was greeted with "oh you're not going to whinge are you". I was working twelve hour days, weekends, from home etc. But that was swept under the carpet.
Some days all is good, other days I am spoken to like a second class citizen for any minor misdemeanour, so far no major incidents have happened with regard to the time I was working alone, but there may or may not be something in the background that hasn't come to light.
So thankfully we managed to employ a really great person, been there one month, all going well, so far so good. I can see light at the end of the tunnel, getting work backlog cleared, but as usual nothing I do is "right", if I do something one way, it should be done another, the partners do not fulfil their duties, impacts on me, but still my fault when things are not done to the required standard. I am deemed responsible and accountable for everything. It's not acceptable, tried countless times to discuss it.
I appreciate that the bonus proves that I am valued and is too retain me working there, but their attitude is not acceptable.
Yesterday was my birthday. Myself and new colleague called into partners, not even a good morning from either partner, then a tirade of "not good enough, blah, blah" for not catching up with the backlog quickly enough, this is months of working alone and cutting corners. When we came out of the office, my colleague said "why so much anger" over such a small issue, they always seem to be angry about little things?" She Pretty much summed it up.
Now this is just one incident, but I do feel after six years working there, I expect a. "Good morning", and a happy birthday.... One partner managed to grunt it at me during the course of the day, the other said nothing, then last night I get a text saying, didn't get a chance to say it today but happy birthday. Without doubt he knew it was my birthday, he had every opportunity to speak to me during the day. This is just an example, he blows hot and cold all the time. Obviously realised that he was out of order so text last night!
So, I had a light bulb moment, a recruitment agency who I keep in touch with sent me a spec saying I know you're not looking but this is really local, are you interested? I felt really pissed off that a simple pleasantry could not be given. So I suddenly thought "bollocks, I'm going for it.
I think it's time to move on, but feel massively guilty about the fact I've just received a bonus. But I am tired and stressed and not happy. I cannot get them to work as a team, things happen I blow up, they do it for a short while, then they revert back. They are sometimes really nice, but then really awful.
I am lucky that the industry will mean that I really should not have a problem with future employment.
AIBU, when I've received a bonus and I now have some decent help? I am shocked at the fact that this maybe simple thing has after all the stress made me feel really "fuck them" it maybe seems petty?