 |
By Dave Burt, CPA - I’m not sure I get it. Does anyone know what happened to the workplace nowadays? I just don’t remember feeling I had any real bond with any of my employers. Am I just messed up? My first job out of college was at regional CPA firm. One day a senior partner said, with a voice that carried across the whole department, “Burt, you’re going to be a lousy accountant.” But then again, he had squat in billable hours and rarely brought in new clients. The other partners finally had enough of him three years later and dissolved the partnership.
I can’t really think, with warmth, of any one past employer. True, some bosses were better than others, some offices nicer, and some co-workers smarter, but all in all, no warm fuzzy feelings.
Are you supposed to, or can you afford to, have any attachment? After all, isn’t it true that, generally, the only way to get a real pay increase is to move after two or three years? And what about at-will employment? Who do you think started that? Employees? Not likely. And what about arbitration clauses that many employers require employees to sign? Are they trying to insulate themselves from the impact of legitimate charges of workplace discrimination?
What do you think about your experience as an employee? Or, as an employer? Am I just screwed up? A malcontent?
- 1826 reads
- login or register to post comments
- Send to a friend
- Add to a social bookmarking site
A Little Dale Wouldn't Hurt
Robert,
I’m glad that you can recall (or currently have) warm relations with an employer. They should warm up to their accountants. They (us!) are in high demand. I’ve seen several questions in this web site’s advice column wanting to find ways to recruit and retain accounting staff. An article on Yahoo today about why to look for a job near year end states, “As 2007 comes to a close, remember that employers are always on the lookout for strong professionals, especially in fields such as accounting and finance and information technology, where skilled workers are in short supply.” While the unions have shrunk by at least a third over the last 10 - 15 years, accounting and finance jobs keep opening up. CNN Money.com ranks Public Accountants in the top 20 jobs for the young and restless with a mark of 4 out of 5 on growth.Employers who wish to recruit and retain accountants would be well advised to consider Fundamental Techniques in Handling People in Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People first published in 1937:· "Don't criticize, condemn or complain." · "Give people a feeling of importance; praise the good parts of them." · "Get the other person to do what you want them to by arousing their desires."
A Malcontent
I have been fortunate to have continuing friendships with many bosses and colleagues.