Please keep me from rage-quitting!

Stacey Dunleavy

March 8,2023 at 9:22PM UTC

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Please keep me from rage-quitting!

I am a Graphic Designer for a manufacturing and distribution company ( I won't say what they make for now).

I finally got fed up with the Sales Manager not reviewing drafts, not signing off on things, not answering questions, etc. that I finally told him that I am Not A Copy Editor and should not be expected to review everything. Yes, I missed something - because he was also adamant that printing was started after I had to update photos and color inserts in three drafts of a 350 page catalog in four days, doing the same work in triplicate, along with last minute additions from another department.

He also expects me to review his salesmen's spreadsheets and have them organized before they get added to a layout (shouldn't the salesmen do that?) He expects me to be a writer, he expects me to edit order forms, check pricing, etc. AND, cross check an entire product line's catalog against the company database. I'm surrendering on that one because I just want the book to finally be updated and finished and get everyone off my back.

EVERY other company I've worked at, even outside the publishing industry, the project manager reviews each draft before it goes to production. It's infuriating how this guy keeps complaining that he "doesn't have the time" to review his projects, but he has the time to complain and yell about everything else. And finally, I haven't had a raise in the almost SIX years I've been here. If it weren't for resume bots, I would have been out of here sooner...

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Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMarch 8,2023 at 9:28PM UTC
There are no resume bots.
AnonymousMarch 8,2023 at 9:48PM UTC
Why exactly are you still there?
Stacey DunleavyMarch 8,2023 at 9:58PM UTC
Because I haven't found anything else yet... But I'm willing to start substitute teaching in August...
AnonymousMarch 12,2023 at 1:22PM UTC
Have you tried a recruiter? Also, on your resume add in all these extra things you have been doing that are normally outside of the scope of your role.
AnonymousMarch 8,2023 at 11:36PM UTC
HUMANS, enter the minimum requirements into the ATS. HUMANS then also include knock out questions to eliminate some not meeting requirements. I just read this on LI before clicking over. The HUMAN is admitting it is HUMANS setting up the machines.
"Once upon a time I was the human Recruiter using the ATS to reject 80% of CVs without looking at them. I confirm there is no BOT just a busy lazy Recruiter using the ATS as it was designed to find quality candidates quickly to send for interview ? I did this for 15 years!!!!"
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMarch 9,2023 at 12:08AM UTC
Yes - and you may have noticed that she got blasted for being such a bad, lazy recruiter. IF she was actually a recruiter because I looked at her profile going back to 2011 (the earliest experience she has on her LI profile) and there's nothing showing she worked as a recruiter.
Because that's not how an actual ATS works and that's not how actual recruiters work.
AnonymousMarch 9,2023 at 12:01AM UTC
Amazing how bosses blame their subordinates for their own shortcomings. #1 reason I have to stop myself from rage quitting. Remember, they want you to leave on your own so they don't need to pay unemployment,
Today my boss said I'm responsible for working
with the local post office, because the person who normally did is no longer allowed near the postmaster.
Right. A person threatens a federal employee, but I'M to blame because I didn't clean her mess up fast enough.
Mare LevineMarch 12,2023 at 4:53AM UTC
Uhm, why are you still there? If this job and boss were your partner, you'd be divorced (or your friends would be arranging an intervention to get you out). Your happiness and peace of mind are worth more so update your resume and get seriously looking like your life depends upon it (certainly your work/life balance does).
Do you belong to professional graphics-related organizations? Have you lent your talents to any not-for-profit events? Put that in your resume! Do you have a professional website with samples of your work? Many jobs ask you for URLs to your portfolio.
Make job-hunting your side gig and parlay all the skills you've learned in the last six years into something you'll enjoy doing. Good luck!
AnonymousMarch 12,2023 at 12:22PM UTC
My advice is to start applying for jobs now, put in for your substitute teaching certificate, and leave as soon as you have it! Ugh I wouldn’t want to work in such an awful place for one more minute.
AnonymousMarch 12,2023 at 3:49PM UTC
I get that substitute teaching can be something that can at least bring in some money until finding another fill-time job in your field. But please don’t think it’s easy.
I am a full-time middle school teacher, and we are short of subs every day. The reason for the shortage is another post, but subs run all day for less money than you think. You need to know how to manage people, whether they are five years old or 15, whether they’re learning to read or learning to code. Subs get few breaks and often conflicting instructions. I know you’re not bringing your work home with you, but eventually you will worry about that kid who comes to school in the same clothes three days in a row, or the one who sits by themselves every day at lunch. Please don’t think it’s a walk in the park on a clear, sunny day.
I know this is my own rant, but nothing in education is easy.
AnonymousMarch 12,2023 at 7:07PM UTC
I am a sub and I know it’s not easy, BUT it’s flexible, day to day employment and you work the days you want. If it gets tough, you can switch schools or quit fairly easily. It’s the perfect look for employment type of job.
Stacey DunleavyMarch 15,2023 at 7:08PM UTC
That's what I'm hoping... along with a few hours in the afternoon to build my motion graphics reel ...
Celena BartonMarch 12,2023 at 12:35PM UTC
I have so much sympathy for designers! You guys and IT have the most challenging roles! Is there someone you can elevate this to? I’m assuming if sales is coming to you directly that there is not a marketing function? I’m in marketing and what you are detailing would be 100% my role. I’m hoping you can elevate this to someone who will take it to the sales manager and let them know that editing and copy is NOT your role and needs to be done before it even hits your desk.
AnonymousMarch 12,2023 at 1:25PM UTC
I can feel you. I am a UX designer and have faced this situation myself in the past. In our team Design is still evolving so I used to end up sometimes taking up responsibilities of manager and scrum master. My solution was to conduct a Roles and Responsibilities workshop with the team and all the stakeholders involved in the project. The goal of this workshop was to reflect together and align on the responsibilities and tasks of each role, e,g manager will do task 1, task 2, task 3; designer will do task 4, task 5 etc. This helped the stakeholders be accountable for their tasks, and since it was something decided unanimously in a workshop and also well documented, people who earlier used to shrug off their responsibilities couldn't do that anymore. It really helped me maintain boundaries and just stick to my responsibilities and tasks as a designer. Maybe you can also try this in your project with concerned stakeholders. Cheers and all the best !
AnonymousMarch 12,2023 at 1:27PM UTC
I think you might need to review your job description. What is it that you were employed to do. After that list the extra tasks that have been added to your responsibilities. Now you are ready to go to your supervisor and ask for a meeting. In that meeting discuss these discrepancies and ask if these are extra responsibilities that are being added to your role. If yes, then you can ask for a raise. If not then inform your supervisor that someone else should do the tasks.
Mara Jevera FulmerMarch 12,2023 at 1:28PM UTC
Six years without a raise? And the expectations are far beyond the scope of a graphic designer who should be doing the design, not serving as fact checker and editor. The accuracy of the content is not your responsibility. And if they say it is, you’re being gaslit.
Longtime designer and educator here. My advice is to start looking elsewhere- asap! If you have good technical, design, and product management skills, you’ll have no problem finding a job elsewhere. Best of luck in your search! You won’t regret it!
GirlBossanova934974March 12,2023 at 1:29PM UTC
You have 2 big issues here. I have worked in the printing business for a total of 9 years both wholesale and retail. a) Your company is trying to rush too many changes into the final document at the last minute. Mistakes are going to happen. Solution is put a "Freeze Date" on the document after which time the final document cannot be added to or modified. There should be a few days of review time between the FREEZE Date and the date the document goes to the printer. The REASON your sales manager does NOT sign off on drafts is because he wants to keep the right to throw more changes in at the last minute. Good for him but terrible for the final product. b) your resume is not up to date or so it would appear. With all your skills as graphics designer and de facto copy editor you should be getting calls from other companies. BOTS only look for keywords. Recruiters look for details. If the details are missing, the recruiter has nothing to go off of. Boiler plate resumes don't get very far these days.
Ashley BoothMarch 12,2023 at 1:55PM UTC
I’m also a designer and I feel your pain. Unfortunately, you’ll find this in many companies, but this is extreme.
There’s been some solid advice so far. I also recommend joining your local AIGA chapter and learning how to manage up.
Bradford McCormickMarch 12,2023 at 2:11PM UTC
Don't contribute to your abuse. (This isn't Hatchette French publisher, is it?) Think what you want; keep it to yourself.
I'm sure you have already got a lot of good advice. Be careful you don't jump from a frying pan into a fire. I once got away from a bad job for one that ws 50% in one department and 50% in anothe!r department; I soon learned what the meant: full attention to each, and the work was complex.
Do you have any resources? A good lover? A good mother? A kid? A good pet? One or a few really good friends? A hobby you love? Anything to minimize the impact. Advice is cheap except insofar as it it contains action items.
If you are about to boil over, go to the ladies room and shut yourself in a toilet stall to cool down. If you can't do everytihing, then you can't do everything and if they want to fire you for not doing the impossible, you can't help it. Don't hurt yourself!
Rt WlMarch 12,2023 at 3:30PM UTC
I sure know what you're saying about being part time somewhere doesn't mean they don't think of you as full time!
Boy, do I wish I had a good lover for support! Where can I get one of those? Husband of 25 years isn't cutting it anymore.
Namrata BafnaMarch 12,2023 at 2:52PM UTC
Dear Stacy,
Thank you for sharing your story here. I can't say I feel for you because I have not been in that situation. I can give some advice/suggestions based on my experience from a different field. With one of my teams, it happened often that I was passed on work than that was expected of the task/scope. In that situation, I used prioritization as one of the tools. See if there's something that needs to be accomplished first. I understand this might be out of the scope that you are expecting but delaying the other non priority can give you some time, also are there any other resources that you can take help from or delegate this additional work to? It's a team work and you don't have to carry it alone. Please start looking for other options or even changing teams, that might give you some breather. Do not stress and count on your family members, and look at the positives of your life to deal with the negative emotions. You will also have to learn to say No. Hope you have a great weekend and take some time to reset. Tc.
Stacey DunleavyMarch 15,2023 at 7:05PM UTC
I am the only designer in the company. There's also a product photographer in a separate office, but he doesn't look at layouts.
AnonymousMarch 12,2023 at 2:58PM UTC
if I can be so blunt, that said more about you than him. you must live on pluto with no options other than stay and eat shite. i am sure there is no advice here that you haven’t already heard. It’s up to you to take action or stay another six years complaining. stop looking for him to change it’s not going to happen. i know it’s easier to stay put but muster the courage to walk away. If you were only a year in the advice would be one a hundred percent different but six years tells me that you feel you have no choice but that is just an excuse to stay in your “comfort” zone.
Stacey DunleavyMarch 15,2023 at 7:04PM UTC
Believe me, I've been looking. I've had interviews, but always seemed to come in second... I did apply for my own insurance, so I won't be locked in here. And, I'm going to use my remote days to apply to substitute teach. It might be a pay cut, but at least I won't have a long commute and can be closer for my son (single parenthood on top of all this) .
Rt WlMarch 12,2023 at 3:28PM UTC
Man do I hate when managers ask more and more, maybe even if I have to work weekends too, but don't put in extra effort alongside.
ChrishoggMarch 12,2023 at 4:27PM UTC
If I may, based only on what you've shared here, it sounds like you need to do something very simple, very difficult, and very, very necessary.
Learn how to say no.
I wrote a book on this topic, but it is no longer available (sorry about that).
If you look me up on LinkedIn and get in touch, I'd be happy to send along some material that might prove useful.
Erin PettMarch 12,2023 at 4:40PM UTC
Can't you just give him the same excuse he gives you? no time so if he wants it reviewed thats on him and his staff...
misskelleypMarch 12,2023 at 7:05PM UTC
time to start looking for a new job - NOW
AnonymousMarch 12,2023 at 7:16PM UTC
I’d honestly update your resume and start looking.
In the meantime, you have to learn to say no, this will benefit you in the long run no matter where you are.
Also, in this role (and future roles), work to get clearly defined role expectations in writing. This will help you say no and it should help you keep your own internal peace.
AnonymousMarch 12,2023 at 7:25PM UTC
My suggestion would be for every expectation expected from you to list that to any and all who reviews these projects and or publications. Should you however reveal the kind of work or quantity of work you are doing I can't help but believe you will be viewed negatively for exposing that which others did not want you to expose. Before taking this action you might want to look at other opportunities, maybe even other workplaces.
AnonymousMarch 12,2023 at 7:56PM UTC
Why would you stay? What is holding you back from trying to find someone that is willing to develop a workflow?
You cannot change people, son you either have to accept it or try to move on, but know that there are crappy team players in almost every organization.
AnonymousMarch 12,2023 at 9:21PM UTC
Yelling is NEVER proper nor should be tolerated in the workplace! A lot of this is on you! If you have stayed six years without being rewarded or recognized. Sounds like a "Rage Quit" is in order! There are appropriate circumstances that is such action is warranted. Stop allowing yourself to be in such a toxic enviroment! Quit! Get letters of reference from a number of different people at your present company first!
AnonymousMarch 13,2023 at 3:09AM UTC
Wow, your skills and talents are a goldmine to another employer. You need to ditch this company and move on, for your own sanity and to get paid what you are worth. I recently turned 61 and moved on. I have a different story than yours, but I had to get out of there, and I’m never looking back. I’m also making a lot more money. Don’t waste any more time! Good luck!
Madam anon663March 13,2023 at 10:32AM UTC
I am 60, and would be curious to know how you found another position, I am working full time but would like to leave where I am.
AnonymousMarch 15,2023 at 7:53AM UTC
It took me eight months of applying and interviewing, through zoom, teams and by phone. I applied for all types of positions that I felt were in my range of skills. The main job board I used was indeed.com with various searches, by zip code, city, skill set, job title. The position I was hired for was in my “city range” which I would not have found if I only stuck to a certain job title or skill. It’s very competitive out there and age discrimination can make it harder to find a position. The main piece of advice is don’t give up on your job search and apply for positions outside of your normal job title.
April LineMarch 13,2023 at 12:09PM UTC
Yah, sounds like your job should be at least 3 people's jobs, and your manager is unreasonable. Plus, no raise? Yeah, gurl. Rage quit all day.
Carolyn HipkinsMarch 13,2023 at 12:47PM UTC
Unless you have good savings, don't rage quit. But do look for another job. Time to get out of there.
AnonymousMarch 13,2023 at 3:46PM UTC
I understand your rage. I also had a manager who expected me to do things that I didn't understand or did not know how to do. I felt like I was a target. Didn't matter whether I did my job right, she was going to find something that I didn't do. After months of what felt l was in a hostile environemt, I quit giving them just a day's notice. Unless you have ample savings, please don't quit. Find another job right away and use as many job agencies as you can and of course, your connections are also a resource. Wishing you the best.
Marcia SmithMarch 14,2023 at 12:00AM UTC
yes - it's time to find another job. If that company allows that manager to be so incompetent, it won't get any better