KenNitro Vs The Facility: I'm just Saying

So we had our 1^st(?)Facility appreciation bbq the other day, and I really don’t know what to think about it.  The phrase has always been, “Morale” and how it is down, up, gone, etc. So I do think that this was a genuine attempt by the folks that make more money that me to show me that they appreciate what I do on the daily(If you are new to my blog then read up on the facility series).

So the bosses got together and cooked up some flanders burgers and hotdogs.

Yep, hamburgers and hotdogs.

I mean,  it’s not that I(and probably my coworkers) aren’t appreciative, I mean we work every weekend, shorthanded, nights, snowstorms, and deal with the constant change while attempting to be consistent, maintain order, and control the island itself from the utter chaos that can ensue in the brief moment in which the above three tenants mentioned above are not followed. 

Hamburgers and Hotdogs

I mean, granted the people that probably thought about how awesome it would be if we had a cook-out for the people that work the most and arguably the hardest at the facility, had the best intentions at heart, and while I am sure they thought about doing this a while ago,  I just don’t think they thought too much into it after the birth of the idea.  Granted that while living outside of the busy metropolis which is carrollton, ga one can get lost with this question:

“What can I do to show those that I govern over my appreciation for all their hard work, and how can do this?”

Hamburgers and Hotdogs

I’m laughing cause I thought it was a good thought and true attempt at boosting the morale of all of those that hold the word, but low morale is always the result of several factors and is slow to fall and slow to rise. So I do applaud those in charge for their attempt, but I hope that they continue to attempt to continue these true efforts to show appreciation.

Hamburgers and Hotdogs

I guess you got to start somewhere.

If I was in charge I would have done something like go on the square and see which business can hold a group as large as we are, and then ask everyone to RSVP a week or so before because the schedules are out a month in advance, then I would see what kind of deal I could get because well,  can’t never could.  After that,  I would remind everyone to RSVP cause if you don’t sign up there will not be food for you, and you would be essentially seeing who all is actually excited about the event, because everyone can come up with reasons as to why they aren’t coming, but when folks see you making the effort, they tend to match it themselves…if they are in fact about something.

Hamburgers and Hotdogs

Case in point, I remember back when I worked at Airtran Airways, there was a snow storm that pretty much froze over Atlanta.  There were several chats sent out about the snowpacalypse and asked everyone to do what they can.  Matter of fact, airtran if I remember correctly has an attendance policy that is locked down real tight.  I mean , the short version of it, “It is what it is”. On the day after, people showed up late, way late, stayed later, didn’t show up at all, and it was all forgiven. Also, Vince, gave everyone a shot glass a couple of days later and thanked everyone personally for coming in.

A gesture that is so small but the magnitude is so great.

So we had a snow storm recently and while everyone was aware of what was coming that Sunday around 7pm there was a really awesome email sent out to everyone that basically said, “If you don’t come to work we can fire you”, and then it cited some portion of the handbook that said something about not showing up and how they could fire you, even though you could die on the way to work to save your job

This was done in a very passive fashion and while I saw the money to be made from the overtime, for people in leadership roles to even suggest that you could be fired for making a decision about your personal safety is at the very least unprofessional and at the most heartless.

Hamburgers and Hotdogs

Now some of you will say, that I should for one be happy that I have a damn job and the fact that you get a paycheck is appreciative enough, and if I am so un-happy then I should leave and let them hire someone that is ok with

Hamburgers and Hotdogs

And you are absolutely right, my bosses could in fact stand behind that cold hard truth, and there are some jobs where that is the only reality. Fortunately, I have faith that the folks in charge will become more proactive in their approach and less reactive as we move forward, cause at the end of the day

Hamburgers and Hotdogs…