Re: Ping CatNipped

CatNipped wrote:
Yes, finally!!

I think I may have mentioned that Sovereign Oil closed down. That was the job where they "counseled" me to wear skirts no higher than mid-calf and no hint of cleavage - and where I couldn't send birthday greetings to other workers since it was the mis-use of company equipment - and last but not least I was made to work til 8 or 9 at night quite often and had a 2+ hour commute. Needless to say I had mixed feelings about losing this job. I took a temp job that paid $10,000 less than what I was making and, like most temp positions, had no medical benefits (or time off or anything else).

Well, I found that I really, really liked working here. It is a very large, international HR firm. They have the whole 30th floor in a *very* plush downtown high-rise that connects, by enclosed walkways, to the nicest shopping and restaurants in Houston (it's right next to Minute Maid park). The amenities here are *SO* nice. They provide any type of soda and a huge variety of gourmet coffees for free, as well as "cup o'soups" and other snacks (and cater their meetings using gourmet chefs - ohmygawd am I going to gain weight here ;>). And I *LOVE* the relaxed but professional atmosphere and demeanor of the people who work here. There are plenty of people here who have been with the company for 20+ years, so there is definitely job security (and after all that time *they* still love working here) - the company has been in business since 1886!.

So... I applied for the position permanently and *I GOT IT* <happy dancing>. I'm still taking that $10,000 hit in salary, but the benefits are absolutely fantastic (as is logical since this is an HR firm). I get fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance with a company-paid deductible; death and dismemberment insurance; life insurance; disability insurance; retirement plan; company-matched 401K plan; 25 days of PTO the first year and increasing yearly; a yearly raise and bonus; and even though I'm on straight salary, I get paid time and a half for any overtime I work. All the benefits take effect the day I officially start (this Monday) - I don't have to be vested!!!

I've worked here as a temp now for 5 weeks, so I know all the people here and they are all so nice! This is the first time I've taken a job knowing exactly what I was getting into and loving every aspect of it (OK, the salary could be better).

And the icing on the cake - it's a *20 MINUTE COMMUTE WITH NO TRAFFIC*!!!!! [I actually just got a speeding ticket on the way home day before yesterday - can you imagine being able to speed in 5 O'clock traffic in Houston??!????!!] That sealed the deal. DH and I talked it over and decided we could tighten our belts a little bit more. Being free from stress and being happy and excited to get up and go to work in the morning is well worth having to cut our budget and buy generic instead of name brands!

Thank you, Victor, for your concern, and *WHEN* are you and Tom going to get your butts back this way again?!!! ;>

Hugs,

CatNipped

That's wonderful, I'm so very happy for you, CN! I'm sorry that the salary is so much lower, but everything else sounds marvelous.
Best wishes,
Polonca and Soncek

.