There Is a Lot Wrong With My Job. But There's Just One Thing I'm Considering Bringing to the Authorities.

"I switched jobs last fall, looking to make more money. I hated the new job, and basically sabotaged myself to not pass my three month probation. My old (loved, but much lower paying, and had a great team) job decided to just cut my salary from the budget, so I could not return. They hired me back for a project gig, that went very well."

"Now they have hired me as a "contractor," but by my reading of the state and federal laws (IIAL) I am by no means an independent contractor-my hours are capped, I'm paid hourly, my expenses need to be approved, I have no opportunity to profit from this contract, etc. I am also working on projects mandated by the federal government to be done by a staff person (think ADA, etc.)"

"Worst of all, I am now treated like crap-not allowed at "all staff" meetings (because "you're not staff"); excluded from team meetings, slandered to the president (don't know who did that!); excluded from team gatherings, and basically feel like I am not part of the community at all, except by my direct supervisor. My formerly beloved "big boss" supervisor is retiring in two months, and his personality has changed drastically-he's mean! To all of us!"

The worker left a lower-paying but beloved job for a higher-paying position, intentionally failing probation and later finding the original employer had cut the salaried role. The worker returned as a project contractor and then was hired as a contractor whose hours are capped, who is paid hourly, whose expenses require approval, and who cannot profit from the contract. The contractor performs federally mandated staff-only projects yet is excluded from all-staff and team meetings, social gatherings, and is slandered to leadership. The direct supervisor is battling stage 4 cancer and a senior supervisor is retiring while becoming hostile. The worker considers seeking an IRS determination, waiting for interim leadership, reporting to accrediting bodies, or enduring the role while job searching.

Read at Slate Magazine