The Temp - not the movie version...it's worse!

Some days are just better than others. Today was one of the "others."

MY economic meltdown began in early 2007. For the better part of two years I have been searching for a full time job. To pay the bills, or attempt to, I've been working for a temporary placement firm. I was lucky enough to be placed twice in long term assignments at fun places to work, where I actually made some new friends and made a contribution to the company. But, in between, there are the jobs that are more like working at Abu Ghraib . You know...torture and abuse...only legal.

These are jobs where you are not only bored out of your mind but you are in most cases invisible. You are "THE TEMP." "Give it to the temp...that's what she's here for." "I don't want to file, I'll just give it to the temp." "My car needs a good hand wash - did the temp wear jeans today?" "My wife needs flowers, candy, a boyfriend...let the temp handle it." "Is the temp assigned to you today because if she isn't, my desk is filthy." You think I jest.

I'm in a temp job now that is a blessing because it is long term and a curse because I have to go there every day. I have a 23 mile trip to this job each day - each way - so that I can get tossed from department to department, get ignored, not know from day to day who I report to, have to "clock in and clock out" in the morning, at lunch and when I leave, and am generally disrespected by the woman that gives me the majority of my work. She's from another country and I think some of it is cultural - BUT SHE LIVES HERE SO THAT DOESN'T EXCUSE HER BEHAVIOR! All of this joy for $17 per hour. I just got a $1 an hour raise from my agency. I sent a thank you note. Don't get me wrong - I'm grateful that I have anything right now...to a point. I can take being invisible but I can't tolerate being disrespected - especially at $16 +$1 an hour.

I like my agency and the two women I work with on these assignments. They say they have nothing else for me right now that pays as much or higher, and I pretty much believe them. My going rate was about $25 an hour until February of this year. I was lucky to pick up a two day receptionist job for $11 an hour then. Actually, that job was one of my favorites. The phone rang a total of three times the two days I was there. The third call was so unexpected that I almost hit the ceiling from fright and then I forgot what the greeting was and what company I was working for. I think I answered with, "Good afternoon............long pause..........operator." The "management" wouldn't give me anything else to work on and encouraged me to pass the time reading, surfing the Internet or playing games. There was one magazine on the reception table - a 2007 issue of Texas Monthly. I read it from cover to cover.

I'm probably one of the most overqualified temps that all of these companies ever get. Most of the other temps I've worked with are barely of drinking age. They usually end up taking the mindless jobs that are offered by these companies and accept the $28,000 a year salary. I think most of them moved back in with their parents after graduating or have three roommates. Good for them - I've been there, too. I just don't want to go back.

One day I'll have a full time job back in some sort of management. When I need "a temp" I will call her/him by their name, I will treat them with respect, I will look at them and say hello when they pass me and I will let them eat cake with us when we celebrate an employee's birthday.

Sidebar - my post last night jumped around a bit...it happens. I was tired and had many things going through my mind. I can't promise that it won't happen again - it's my blog.

BREAKING SHOUT OUT! Kudos to Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, President Obama and everyone in the State Department. Welcome home Laura Ling and Euna Lee!