work: did I just screw myself over?

[slackerinabox]

I've been working with this company for 8 months now and have been doing a good job. I got a raise recently and a great 6 month evaluation, so that's not the issue. Recently my workload has tripled because we took over two other divisions. I never complained but 2 months ago I asked my boss for a laptop or a faster desktop. I explained to him that a lot of time is wasted by me writing notes in a meeting and then having to type them out. we go over financial data as well at these meetings and often make changes to multi-paged excel documents. we mark them up and then I have to make the changes. It would be MUCH more efficient to work directly in excel.. But that's a minor quibble.

Now, this would be fine if the workload was minor. But I have an average of 2, 2 hour meetings a day and I have to prepare presentations for all of them. These presentations include creating powerpoint work, editing a filemaker database with pictures and pdf linkage, scanning documents and making pdfs, and lots of other stuff that causes the PII-233 that I'm forced to use to basically crash every 15 minutes. I can't be productive, it's that simple - I spend most of my time waiting for programs to load.

My point is, I have to do a lot of work on a computer that's woefully underpowered. I spoke to him 2 months ago and, being computer illiterate, he thought that he's able to do everything he has to do with his computer so I should be able to as well. Now, as the work piles on and I face computer crash after computer crash, I sent him a long email saying (without getting angry, of course) that I simply don't have the tools to do my job properly. I said that it's hurting my productivity and it's frustrating me because I'm working as fast as I can but the computer is not keeping up. Will this get me in trouble? He left early so he hasn't replied, now I'm all anxious and think that I made a mistake in sendding that letter.

 

[sniperruff]

nothing you can do about it so don't worry. your boss will know that you do care about the job.

 

[lokiju]

I NEVER send an form of electronic communication or voice mails that can bite me in the ass, all things like that are done in person only.


BTW I don't see why you should worry about your message, seems like you have a valid point, I was in a similar situation at my last job and also was asking for a laptop for all the meetings I had to do.


Good luck.

 

[laurenlex]

1. Infect his personal and/or business computer with nasty spyware.
2. Buy him a new computer.
3. Tell him you will be more productive with new rigs.
4. ??????????
5. Profit.

 

[imported_LoKe]

I can hardly browse the internet and listen to music on a P3, don't know how he expects all of that on a PII. If he values you, he should step up and get your work station a new system.

 

[sixone]

Kinda late to be second-guessing yourself.

How pissy were you? Can you post your letter here?

 

[erikistired]

i thought you were a famous movie director?

 

[tk149]

Nothing a quick BJ wouldn't fix.

 

[slackerinabox]

I'm no longer at work. I wasn't that pissy. The worst thing i said was:
"I'm here an hour and a half later than I need to be. I don't mind working overtime if it's necessary, but most of my day was spent watching my computer crash."

I was pissy there because he jetted at 4:30 and I was sitting there wasting time. The work I had to do could have been done in 1/3rd of the time if I had the right tools and, after a few weeks of needless and unpaid over time, I was a little pissy. I'm searching for an apartment and had to cancel an appointment yet again because I had to finish up work..So, yeah, i know that was harsh, that's why i'm scared.

 

[imported_LoKe]

If that's the worst thing you said then I suggest you not worry too much about it. Sure, it could be a lot more professional, but he's human (hopefully) and should understand.

 

[sixone]

Don't sweat it too much. Sometimes you have to get pissy with management to get their attention. I think you'll be alright.

Instead of spending your evening worrying over it, try to figure out some ways to sell him the idea of getting you a new machine. How much your overtime is costing the co vs. the cost of a new machine, new things you can't do now but could with a new machine, etc.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Just start getting paid fat overtime cheques. Eventually he'll figure out that cost of new rig for you < cost of paying you OT every day.

- M4H

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: sixone
Don't sweat it too much. Sometimes you have to get pissy with management to get their attention. I think you'll be alright.

Instead of spending your evening worrying over it, try to figure out some ways to sell him the idea of getting you a new machine. How much your overtime is costing the co vs. the cost of a new machine, new things you can't do now but could with a new machine, etc.

Thanks. My boss is a good guy but a bit of a wimp. All he has to do is sign a request for me to get a new computer, he's just new so he's afraid to make any big requests of the company. I hope my letter gets the reaction that I wanted. I hate having to get pushy and bossy with MY boss..

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Just start getting paid fat overtime cheques. Eventually he'll figure out that cost of new rig for you < cost of paying you OT every day.

- M4H

I'm not on the clock... I wish I was, I'd be making quite a bit!

 

[Pepsei]

hmm , a laptop would be cool as i'm at home typing on my work laptop on my bed using wireless connection. tell your boss to get you a standard Dell Latitude D600 or D800 (Wife got that from her work, I could put it to better than her)

 

[SouthPaW1227]

I wouldn't be pissy, but this day in time a PII-233 is barely more acceptable than pencil/paper. You've GOT to have that changes, if it means buying your own laptop.

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: SouthPaW1227
I wouldn't be pissy, but this day in time a PII-233 is barely more acceptable than pencil/paper. You've GOT to have that changes, if it means buying your own laptop.

I said I'd buy my own 2 months ago and he placated me "oh,we'll figure something out." Now I can't afford it since I'm apartment shopping and, well, I don't need a new computer at home- my p4 desktop is more than adequate for my use. I even thought about commuting with my desktop, that's how desperate I was.

 

[SilentZero]

I wouldn't worry about it. You should be fine unless he is a complete asshat.

 

[Platypus]

Post email

 

[m2kewl]

recall the email!! i can't believe you don't know how to use Outlook.

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: m2kewl
recall the email!! i can't believe you don't know how to use Outlook.

I'm not at work, I could and would if I was.

 

[ManyBeers]

Buy your own tools (computer) I do. Why not you. I work in the construction industry by the way

 

[m2kewl]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: m2kewl
recall the email!! i can't believe you don't know how to use Outlook.

I'm not at work, I could and would if I was.

well then i guess you'll be going in early before your boss

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: ManyBeers
Buy your own tools (computer) I do. Why not you. I work in the construction industry by the way

Is that really the norm? Are people actually expected to buy their work computers now adays or are you kidding?

 

[oogabooga]

if the op wants a laptop : i think it' might be something to consider to buy your own. But even then, your rig needs an upgrade. Unfortunatley a lot of people who (who are retarded) think of computers as 'durable goods' that last '10 years'. Though i'm pretty sure your rig is probally somewhere close to it's 10th birthday.

my laptop is a 1ghz and i would hate to do all that work on it, i can't imagine your pain

also about buying your own computer : Considering your employer doesn't take your electric sander, demand that the proper liscenses be had for it's sandpaper, and it be properly networked to your other coworkers nail gun, and the guy in china's screwdriver.... i think the situation is a wee bit different.