Choices

I was reminded while writing yesterday of something a boss oncetold me long ago. When I was 17, I worked for a trucking companyin their billing department. I was interested in computers, so Istarted learning the midrange system they used, an AS/400. A fewmonths down the road, we were bought out by another company, andthe head computer guy was let go. The new technology people were4 hours away in Dallas, but since I had learned a lot about thesystem, they realized they could save a buck or two and let mehandle the daily stuff. Now, I didn't get a raise for this, butI was thrilled because I really enjoyed working with thecomputer. A couple of months later, we were informed ourlocation was shutting down, and all corporate services weremoving to Dallas. The first few people to go were the Controllerand Senior Vice President. I remember talking with them on theirlast day and we were discussing what they planned to do. I wassingle and young, so I wasn't worried. These guys wereexecutives making big bucks with families. I was surprised atour conversation because they didn't talk about their problems.They talked about my work for them. They told me they had metwith the new management staff in Dallas and had highlyrecommended that I be kept on board. Of course, I...

... was surprisedbecause I figured I was off the radar. The reason they said wasbecause of the many times I had volunteered to work over, ortake on a special project that nobody else wanted. I was alsoinformed that some of the little "billing error" projects I hadworked on had actually saved the company much more than myannual salary. I was told specifically "Jamie, It doesn't matterwhere you go or how much you are paid; they will save more thanthey pay you. We told them to make you a hell of an offer andthey would not be disappointed". I was indeed offered a nice jobin Dallas along with moving expenses as needed. I even wentlooking at apartments and met with numerous people up there. Oneof them was a guy named Keith who had worked at the samelocation I did but was transferred to Dallas after the merger.The story could end here with me going to Dallas, but as ithappens I did not take the job. Here is why: Keith picked me up from the Airport and showed me around theDallas Corporate offices. During the day I met with themanagement as well as IT staff. I was going to take the job. Onthe flight back home I was already thinking of how different itwould be living in Dallas and making pretty good money. The nextmorning I went to work and decided to call Keith firs...

... to lethim know I was going to be taking the job and would see more ofhim. I wanted him to know first since he was the only one I knewup there. Well, I called his number and after no answer got thereceptionist instead of the usual voice mail. I was theninformed that Keith no longer worked there. Whoa! I had justseen him at 6pm the night before when he dropped me off at theairport. I called the VP in Dallas and asked him what the dealwas. I was told that things had not worked out with Keith, butthey sure were hoping I would take the job. They even told methey waited to let Keith go until after I had made my trip.Well, I had heard enough to know I was no longer interested. Iexplained that I disagreed with how Keith were treated (He hadno idea until he returned to the office after dropping me off atthe airport) and I would not work for people I did not trust.So, they blew it. I never had any doubts about my decision tonot take that job, and looking back I was glad I didn't. Yousee, respect is not a one way street. I have always taken pridein my work, and I think my past employers would agree with that.However, I also have to have respect for the company I amworking for. I just could not respect the company after that. See more at http://www.jamieratliff.com