I can't write about this on my Myspace because some of my coworkers (and my boss) have access to that and this situation is kind of hush-hush. So anyway. When I was working full time at the doctor's office, I was in the surgical coordinator position which I shared with another woman. In October of last year, I told my boss that I was going to school this summer, so I would be going to part time and would be gone for good in the summer. They had pleeeenty of notice if you ask me (not many people give an eighth month notice)! When I went to part time, she took on the position for herself and I became her backup. Well, they all realized that I was the one carrying most of the work when she began doing it all herself, and she started making a lot of mistakes (once with someone's surgery which I caught, too bad it was after the fact). She was the person that thought she had the office so intimidated that she could do whatever she wanted...came in late, left early, called in "sick" at the last minute all the time (meaning I ended up doing her job a lot). Well, when she left for vacation a day before a company-wide mandatory meeting, that was the straw that broke the camel's back with our bosses and they let her have it. She was devastated and felt so betrayed. She couldn't believe they blasted her for everything she had been doing that they were letting her get away with. She knew that I was going to school this summer but she didn't know when my classes started. Well, on Wednesday I went into work and told everyone that my classes started that day...and guess what...she turned in her resignation! BF and I think she was just waiting until she knew I was gone for good so that they might offer her more money to stay.

SO...when I get back from my first day of class on Wednesday, my supervisor told me that the girl had resigned and asked me, "How serious are you about going back to school?" They asked me to reconsider and come back to work full time. I told them I'd need a couple days to think about it.

Inside I'm going, WTF?!?!?

I've spent a LOT of time and money getting back to school and on the day that I start back, they ask me to come back to work! AGH!

Well, I've been working at that job for three years and I only make $19,000 a year, which is SERIOUSLY under the pay grade that someone like me is worth. People with my certifications and experience usually make $30 to $40k a year (my employer is notorious for grossly underpaying their employees). Well, due to how little I make and the fact that I'm always doing someone else's job, I really hate my job...

I think I've figured out that I'm going to tell them that I will come back for $30,000 a year. If they're not willing to do that, oh well...they'll just have to find a new surgery coordinator (and good luck finding someone qualified with experience who will do it for less than they could make at Wal*Mart!). I figure, I'm happy where I am, I've made all the arrangements and I'm on the path that I want to be on. If they really want me to change the rest of my life's plans for them, then they're gonna have to compensate me accordingly.

They'll probably say no, but I'll be happy either way (though I could REALLY use the extra cash!). I'm kind of on the top of this situation because no matter what, I still win!