I was amazed at my Mom's job at the city. She works in the permits department of city hall and she's only supposed to be there as part of a special project for a two year grant.

She's been there almost two years now and they extended the project another year.

But I would think that City Hall would not be a great place to work, quite the opposite.

With my Dad's illness, they were incredible! Everyone was so nice and caring. When my Mom had used up her vacation time to care for my Dad they took up a "collection" of sorts and people from the office donated a vacation day or two each to her.

Then, when things got really bad she went to talk to her boss (a city bigwig) about taking a week or two off unpaid and he insisted she accept a week of HIS vacation time!

Everyone, I MEAN EVERYONE from the office showed up at the viewing, including the big wig.

The big wig even told us afterward that some of them would be at the church for the service the next day. My Mom told him they didn't have to do that and he joked that he was going to announce in the morning that it was computer training day (which everyone hates), so they would need to do computer training or they could go to the funeral :)

I don't think he actually did that, but he and about four employees did come to the Church.

Yeah Ruby, it was a nice reminder that there's still some TRULY good people out there yet.

Sometimes that's easy to forget.

I always end up with at least one good friend from whatever job I have, even if I hate the job. I guess it's just my personality. But I don't regret it. I don't try to make friends, it just kind of happens.

At this place I am pretty much strictly business. There are too many whiny a$$-clowns who would bend my ear all day if I cared enough to listen.

There are a few people I really respect tho, and I would call them work-friends. WHere I know I would get along with them outside of work, because we respect each others work ethic. We've ate lunch together, helped eachother out with like rides when needed etc.

& I would say the majority of friends that I have today, I've met in work situations. I met Riggs at a job.  

That is one redeeming social grace about work. It crosses race, sexual orientation, and gender baries, provides a meeting ground that might not otherwise take place. If you can respect one's work ethic, its like all else that might otherwise be a barrier falls away. I've learned tolerence and respect from work situations that other social situations might not have provided me.    

-- Edited by JD The Jazz Doctor at 09:39, 2006-01-09

I have managed to have two jobs that always had a small, friendly environment. Although we were the corporate headquarters, the finance department seemed good. More so where I am now. Some of us actually hang out together. Even the bosses would join us. I guess you can do that when you are more a bunch of women. The guys are severly out numbered - it used to be 12 women and 5 men. With the first round of lay-offs and stuff, we are currently down to 8 women and 3 men. My first full time job was good too, it was like I would go to work and have six or eight mothers. No matter how good the intentions, it can be hard to keep current with old co-workers.

I only have one or two people I would call work friends, we don't hang out but we talk alot.

Some of my best friends as an adult have been made from work.