I started my new job with the City last Monday, so I am officially a government hooker. Many of you who live closer to me know that this has been an unbelievably positive experience, but for those of you who are a little further afield, here's how it has worked out so far.
Let's leave aside the generous wage and benefits package, as well as the fact that I get a 50% discount for all the Parks and Recreation facilities and cheap passes for public transit.
Let's start with the fact that when I walked into the office last Monday morning, there was a sign up saying, "The City of Deadmonton Law Department welcomes (my name)". And then I was given a tour and a thorough orientation by one of the lawyers who hired me. I was given an office (with a door, no cubicle!) and invited to make myself at home. I was introduced to everyone, and welcomed quite warmly.
And then, last Friday, I received in the mail a postcard, welcoming me to the team, signed by the two lawyers who interviewed me for the position! Is this how things are normally done in the corporate world?!
(I am, by the way, working in a support position to eight different lawyers in the Expropriation segment of the City's Law Department. Essentially, if the City wants to do something, and your land is there, I help the lawyers get your property. A couple of the senior lawyers actually have to appear at Counsel meetings, and one of the perks of the job is that we're encouraged to watch over our computers. And, yes, I'm nerdy enough that I consider that a perk.)
I have been struggling a lot with my fibromyalgia lately, and last Thursday, I found that I simply could not move without grinding, terrible pain. I tried to complete my tasks, but all I could think about was lying down. This was noticed by the young woman training me, and she suggested I go home. I protested; after all, this was my first week on the job! She insisted, however, as did the office manager, who told me, "Go home and feel better. That's what's important. We'll see you tomorrow."
And when I went back the next day, refreshed and energized, everyone wanted to know if I felt better. I was rather touched, actually. It seems that I have found myself in an office full of intelligent, compassionate, professional people.
And here's the kicker: at no point in the last week and a half has anyone showed me their belly or bra, announced a bodily function, performed said bodily function in a noticeable way, or talked about their genitals. Nor has anyone discussed my sexuality or called me "File Monkey".
The difference between this position and my last is like night and day. I have always enjoyed legal work, but now that I am working with people who are professional and respectful adults, I rather look forward to going into work and facing a day of new challenges. A small part of me thinks that I've died and gone to heaven.
And I do enjoy the work. Right now, because my position has, in the past, been staffed by temps and those who were indifferent to the job, I am doing a lot of cleaning up; auditing and correcting files, filing, diarizing, etc. But I don't mind at all, because it gives me an opportunity to learn the filing system and the various matters we're dealing with. And it certainly goes a long way to satisfying my mild OCD tendencies, to have things put away in their places in proper chronological order.
Further, it's really kind of neat to drive around the city and see the various projects that we're working on in progress. "Oh," I thought to myself on Saturday as we descended the hill into the river valley, "I was filing on the Walterdale Bridge just this week!"
It's like playing SimCity, but with an actual city!
So I'm happy, and I kind of get the feeling that I'll stay happy. At least at work. God knows, there are plenty of douchebags shitting in the global punchbowl to inspire my ire, and therefore, more blog posts.
Let's leave aside the generous wage and benefits package, as well as the fact that I get a 50% discount for all the Parks and Recreation facilities and cheap passes for public transit.
Let's start with the fact that when I walked into the office last Monday morning, there was a sign up saying, "The City of Deadmonton Law Department welcomes (my name)". And then I was given a tour and a thorough orientation by one of the lawyers who hired me. I was given an office (with a door, no cubicle!) and invited to make myself at home. I was introduced to everyone, and welcomed quite warmly.
And then, last Friday, I received in the mail a postcard, welcoming me to the team, signed by the two lawyers who interviewed me for the position! Is this how things are normally done in the corporate world?!
(I am, by the way, working in a support position to eight different lawyers in the Expropriation segment of the City's Law Department. Essentially, if the City wants to do something, and your land is there, I help the lawyers get your property. A couple of the senior lawyers actually have to appear at Counsel meetings, and one of the perks of the job is that we're encouraged to watch over our computers. And, yes, I'm nerdy enough that I consider that a perk.)
I have been struggling a lot with my fibromyalgia lately, and last Thursday, I found that I simply could not move without grinding, terrible pain. I tried to complete my tasks, but all I could think about was lying down. This was noticed by the young woman training me, and she suggested I go home. I protested; after all, this was my first week on the job! She insisted, however, as did the office manager, who told me, "Go home and feel better. That's what's important. We'll see you tomorrow."
And when I went back the next day, refreshed and energized, everyone wanted to know if I felt better. I was rather touched, actually. It seems that I have found myself in an office full of intelligent, compassionate, professional people.
And here's the kicker: at no point in the last week and a half has anyone showed me their belly or bra, announced a bodily function, performed said bodily function in a noticeable way, or talked about their genitals. Nor has anyone discussed my sexuality or called me "File Monkey".
The difference between this position and my last is like night and day. I have always enjoyed legal work, but now that I am working with people who are professional and respectful adults, I rather look forward to going into work and facing a day of new challenges. A small part of me thinks that I've died and gone to heaven.
And I do enjoy the work. Right now, because my position has, in the past, been staffed by temps and those who were indifferent to the job, I am doing a lot of cleaning up; auditing and correcting files, filing, diarizing, etc. But I don't mind at all, because it gives me an opportunity to learn the filing system and the various matters we're dealing with. And it certainly goes a long way to satisfying my mild OCD tendencies, to have things put away in their places in proper chronological order.
Further, it's really kind of neat to drive around the city and see the various projects that we're working on in progress. "Oh," I thought to myself on Saturday as we descended the hill into the river valley, "I was filing on the Walterdale Bridge just this week!"
It's like playing SimCity, but with an actual city!
So I'm happy, and I kind of get the feeling that I'll stay happy. At least at work. God knows, there are plenty of douchebags shitting in the global punchbowl to inspire my ire, and therefore, more blog posts.
6 comments:
I am really, sincerely, happy for you.
Congratulations, Anne. It sounds absolutely wonderful. -D
Thank you both. I am very mindful every day of my good fortune. I suppose the one thing I can say about my past experiences is that I will never be tempted to take this one for granted.
Linda said: congrats on joining the sisterhood:) Sounds like you lucked in (AT LAST!!!). Civic government is just like outside - each area has its politics & who is in charge of the business unit makes a huge difference. You can have a crap, bullying manager/supervisor or a good, compassionate & responsive manager/supervisor. Treasure the good ones; I've had both & infinitely prefer door number 2. I enjoy going into my job in my current position too. One other perk of being a government hooker - once you are in & look around you may see other, even more enticing johns - loops, I meant jobs - that insiders get first crack at. Main benefit there is if your management team go south you can move w/o losing all your perks/benefits/gainful employment - you just have to hook that new job:)
Keith this time. "Night and day" Duh, you think?? More like the Stygian abyssal night at the bottom of the ocean, compared to high noon on a record breaking day in the Sahara.
Congrats and I hope you enjoy it a long time. Did the paralegal classes cover this special ointment that disguises the lawyer taint you're likely to pick up?
Hurrah! Long may you reign!
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