Work Woes: Of Credits & What Seems Like A Demotion

Credits
We were taught that it is very important to recognize the work and contribution of each and every individual ever since we were in school. The first lesson we learn when we were doing our kajian tempatan, is to credit those who have helped you, and to acknowledge the references that you referred to. As a writer, it's an even bigger no-no to plagiarize one's work and call it our own.

In the course of producing the latest issue of my company's bulletin, this issue came up. I noticed that the name of a former writer of ours was being omitted from the editorial credits, so I requested that her name be placed in - considering the fact that she contributed to almost half of this month's issue. The reply I received was: "No need, as she no longer bears the responsibility of an editor." Of course, this reply came from the person who requested her to leave the company immediately, two days after she handed in her resignation notice.

It is working ethics that we acknowledge a person's work. Before this person came in, we have been acknowledging each and every contributor to our bulletin, even when the contributor has left. But to abuse one's power and not acknowledge a person’s work? Isn't this an equivalent to plagiarism?


Demotion?
Thanks to the dental surgery to extract my wisdom tooth, I was being excused from work. Think: bleeding, swelling and pain. Okay, so I got it wrong. It's not "pain", it’s "excruciating pain".

While I was away, I received an sms from this same person who sacked the Chinese Editor. In her sms, she stated that it is "to inform (me) of a new arrangement", that they will be shifting me (more like kicking me) out of my office and into the Multimedia Room. Since it's multimedia, you can tell that it's a more cramped-up (think: tools, tv, radio, tapes, etc.); and since it has limited space, they're giving me a smaller desk; and since there will be editing going on, it's noisier; plus there's no phone line and more people. There goes my concentration.

No, I did nothing to pissed her off. She's just a bitch, who while I was away, went on telling everyone that I agreed to the new arrangement. My question now is: Which part of "this is to inform you", does it sound like a question? It's not like I can choose NOT to move. It's already been decided and you are "informing me"! There's nothing I can do about it!

When I came back to the office this morning, my stuff was already at the new place. They've moved everything out and stacked it on the small desk.

To me, I really don't see the point of relocating my work space, as our office will be shifting to a new building soon. So why the fuss of making it looks like I'm getting a demotion?! Today, I spent half the day being asked by other colleagues of whether I am happy with the decision made and the new environment. Happy? No. Angry? No. I'm more pissed at this bitch right now than ever!

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