J is for Jackasses

This started out to be a really rant-y post about how when you choose 'quality of life' and 'self employed' you get screwed over at every turn.  However, several vodkas and half a valium later I don't have the energy for rant-y.  I don't think.  

I'm treading a fine line here because I signed a master services agreement to not really tell or explain what I do in detail to the general public.  Why that is required?  No idea.  So here's the scoop.  I work for/with a company and they are the ones who make the direct deposits (twice a month, minus their service fee) based on invoices generated from the clients we service.  

I've already established that my client is a major electronics manufacturer and distributor and that I work a chat application.  I could probably get termed just for that bit of info, but that isn't going to stop me tonight.  I am pressing on. 

Not to bore anyone but you need to understand the situation and why I'm so troubled by the Jackasses that be (aka the Powers that Be).  I am responsible for a group of work at home chat agents.  I report to a PCL (Performance Compliance Lead) who works for the company that issues the direct deposits.  They are also responsible for the number of hours we are allowed to take.  Usually, when the week starts on Sunday you know what your cap is for your hours and you can ration your time and plan accordingly.  Even though that rarely matters because you end up working twice as many hours as you post and get paid for making your hourly wage roughly half of what it is 'supposed' to be.  

More and more they are micromanaging how we do our jobs.  More meetings that seem to have no purpose other than to make sure we are at our desks at a certain time every day, placing requirements on things that 'must' be done, and all within the time allotted.  Here's the rub.  Can't all be done in the time allotted.  Allow me to be super clear...no fucking way can it all get done in the time allotted.  But because I (and my co-workers who do the same as me) are dedicated we do it anyway.  FOR FREE.  Yeah, we're suckers and we know it.  

This afternoon we get an email from the PCL for our account that notifies us that we have taken another hit for hours and not just for next week. oh no!!!  They subtracted 5 hours from the week we are currently in!!!  Long and short....I'm out of time and thinking that I won't be working any more this week.  Yes, I know because I know myself that I won't be able to do that because I have a responsibility to my group (aka my peeps) but damn yo.  This working for myself thing, isn't working out so good.  Thinking I need to spread my eggs among some other baskets. 

PS - had to come back to say that overall I like not having to trudge into an office every day or even put on makeup every day for that matter.  We just have to choose how much abuse we are willing to take for that privilege.  It's all relative, I suppose.