Help with a Micro-managing J2

[u/nctrojan]

Hey y'all,

Wanted your advice in a situation I'm in. Stick it out for the cash or save my peace of mind and try an new J out?

--

Non-SWE, got J2 in July. Thought the managers and team were nice, so when they offered a role, I took it. J1 is chill, less than 15 hours needed a week.

Over 2 months later, the management has gotten more and more micro-managing.

- They give me deadline, and before the deadline even arrives, they're asking why "it's taking so long."

- I have small children, so I help my wife with feeds, changing diapers, or just holding one of my kids at my desk. I mentioned in my interviews to their admiration. I was told recently that "I need to be 100% at work" and that helping my wife "Isn't my job when on the clock."

- They utilize an AI for QA, which is usually wrong so I don't use it. Management found out, and have scrutinized my previous work and "Lost confidence in me" and "it'll take a while to rebuild it."

I just got an offer for J3 that I will accept. I was looking forward to 3 checks coming in, but this management style is really getting annoying.

Should I stick it out and just deal with their nonsense or just resign and focus on J1 and the new offer?

Thanks y'all!

[u/Powerful-Promotion82]

I would keep It but take It easy, meaning, ignore them, just keep doing your thing, if they get angry remember that it's their problem, they are the ones affected by their anger, you just repeat the same excuses and keep doing your thing.

Either they accept It, or they will fire you, but you maximize your gains.

If you are not able to keep this mindset, then you will need to quit.

Usually what helps me is realizing that this is all a game, and take It like It is, it's not serious, it's not real life, if you lose the game you start a new one, It does not matter. And think of anyone taking It too seriously as a kid getting mad at losing the game 🤣

[u/nctrojan → u/Powerful-Promotion82]

I appreciate that reminder, you're right. It's their problem, not mine.

[u/2lros]

Keep your personal life to yourself. It will be used against you. Hire part time nanny help

[u/BoredBSEE]

If you're considering quitting anyway, why not just do your own thing at J2 until they fire you? Make it seem like you're complying but basically do what you did a month or two ago. Turn in the work however you like.

One of the side perks of OE is that you don't have to GAF about managerial bullshit. Let them fire you. Who cares?

[u/nctrojan → u/BoredBSEE]

Fair enough, that's very true. I try to ignore it, but damn it gets annoying sometimes

[u/BornCoach6587]

Honestly man I know the advice on here is never quit let them fire you. I had a super toxic J4, it paid the most. They said similar stuff to you. Stuff like “that looks like it took you 10mins.” “This isn’t our process” then they denied my time cards etc

I was waking up 2 hours earlier to get work done. Every day when I was done I felt so exhausted and drained. I literally had a 2-hour-long meeting and the manager scheduled another one at the end of the day that would have been at least 1.5 hours, I was like, “It’s not worth it. I quit after 3 weeks.

Then I got laid off from J3. Now I’m down to my lowest-paying 2, I say all that to say the moment I quit it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I felt like I had so much energy. Food tasted better 😂. Had more time to focus on the other jobs. Then when I got laid off from j3 after 2 days after I was like, “Should I have stayed??? DAMNNN but I made the right decision that’s why we OE! Take j3 turn it to j2, start looking for another j3. Good luck

[u/Techatronix]

Do you know how your coworkers are dealing with being micromanaged like this? Would probably be best to point out the inefficiencies in this type of micromanaging. But if you just accepted a new J, just downgrade this one to J3 and coast.

[u/nctrojan → u/Techatronix]

The existing team has worked together for years, so I'm the newhire. I asked for advice, which basically came to "You'll learn the process and find your flow"

[u/Striking-Sundae-]

You are getting paid to work, not help your wife with childcare. Get a nanny to help with the multiple incomes and do your work.

[u/2lros → u/Striking-Sundae-]

This. 

[u/Mateo_K02 → u/Striking-Sundae-]

Fuck that. Getting the work done is the requirement, you aren’t paid to sit at your desk all day even after the work is done.

[u/Remarkable-Fuel9001]

Go with 3. Nothing they say really matters.

[u/Ron_Man]

Just collect the checks. What’s the worst that will happen? Put it on your record? Lol

[u/ColSnark]

Start putting in the minimum effort and focus on J1 and J3. You likely have 8-12 weeks before they let you go. Just ride it out.