Thursday 20 November 2008

Is your organisation like this?

There was a terrific short article in the current edition of the Australian Financial Review's Boss Magazine (page 18 of November 2008). The article quotes an email sent by an Executive departing GE Money's Australian Business. Here it is ...

Dear Co-Workers and Managers (whoops, 'LEADERS'), I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know what a great and distinct pleasure it has been to type: 'Today is my last day'.

For nearly as long as I've worked here, I've hoped that I might one day leave this company. Now that this dream has become a reality, please know that I could not have reached this goal without your unending lack of support.

In an age where miscommunication is all too common, you consistently impressed and inspired me with the sheer magnitude of your misinformation, ignorance and intolerance ... your demands were high and your patience short, but I take great solace in knowing that my work, as stated on my adhoc reviews, 'meets expectations'. That is the type of praise that sends a man home happy after a 10 hour day.

... If I could pass on any word of advice to the lower salary recipient (because it's good for this AAA+ rated company and their shareholders) in India or China who will soon be filling my position, it would be to cherish this experience because a job opportunity like this comes along only once in a lifetime.

Some people absolutely love slogging 80 hour weeks and get a big sense of achievement whey they get a blanket thank - you - all email from the project manager or a movie voucher for two to thank you for 10 weekends in a row work.

Wow. Do you know any organisations or managers like this?