Gee, I hope I didn’t cause any heart attacks!

I began working at the Law Firm on October 7th.  That day, I mostly just got acquainted with people, and the company, etc.  A whirlwind of information went through my mind all day.  I wondered if I could retain any of it.  I don’t know that I did, because I truly don’t remember much of it. 

The second day, however, I know that I was beginning to feel more “at home” with my surroundings and my coworkers.  I believe it was on day two that I first started letting my inner smartass shine through.  Actually, I know it was, because I’ve been reminded of it ever since.  The best part of being reminded of it is that even on that second day, I was told that, with my smartass attitude, I would fit RIGHT IN! 

Fortunately, that has been proven true.  I really do fit right in with the group of people working there.  I have made some truly awesome friends working at the Law Firm.  Everyone in the office, save for the boss, formerly known as the interviewer, voted Democratic.  I honestly don’t know of anyone in the law firm who voted Republican, except for the boss.  (the boss is a former Marine, so I forgive him) 

I have been doing my job, and volunteering for as much as I possibly could, taking on any and all tasks offered to me.  We were in an IT group meeting one day and Boss asked for a volunteer to “project manage” a move for the people from one floor to another floor.  (long story short, the firm is moving to another building, but the move got moved back a couple weeks.  We had already put in notice in the current building, so they had already rented one of the three floors we occupy, so we are moving the people from that floor to the other two floors)

I spoke up and said I would love to do it (since it would look good on my resume), if it was okay with everyone on the team.  There were no vetoes, so I got it.  At this point, I felt the need to straighten things out with Boss, because things were so much different at this position than any other temp job I had ever worked at.  I asked him how much I was “able” to do.  This might sound like a crazy question, and I’m sure it did to Boss, but I explained to him that at every other job, I have always felt like the “permanent” people were given the preferential treatment, and the temps were just that, people to get you through the times you need them, to be let go at the end of the rough period.  I am there to fill the position of a female out on maternity leave.  She had her baby today!  I explained to Boss that I was confused, because with this job, I didn’t “feel” like a temp.  I truly felt like I was part of the team.  And that is very true.  I am not the only one left behind when there is something going on and someone has to stay behind to watch the phones.  When there is a group meeting, or event, I am included in it.  When there are decisions to be made, my opinion truly counts.  (or at least I THINK it counts!)  LOL  But that is the feeling I get.  I don’t feel like someone who is going to be “thrown out like yesterday’s newspaper”. 

The company has a program where if someone in a support role goes above and beyond, they are sent an “applause card”.  It’s just a little card to say that you appreciate what they’ve done for you.  At the end of each quarter, all of the applause cards go into a hat, and they have a drawing for prizes, usually $100, from what I’ve heard.  It’s not difficult to do, but apparently, applause cards are not easy to come by.  I was there 3 weeks, and I was awarded an applause card!  I couldn’t, but I almost wanted to cry! 

Another awesome thing about this company is that another guy on the team is gay, and he has his picture of him and his boyfriend up in his cubicle.  Everyone knows he is gay, and it is just a non-issue.  People joke with him about being gay, but truly not in a malicious way.  They talk about a time when the gay guy, and a big, black (just a description) football player type guy went to San Francisco for training together.  They decided that one guy would pick the place to eat one night, and the other would choose the next night.  The football player guy was in a gay bar for 45 minutes or so before he realised he was in a gay bar!  Of course, the next night, they went to Hooters!  LOL  But it is just a non-issue!  I love that.  Boss is a metrosexual, correcting people in their dress, but very straight.  He’s married with children.  I heard one time before he flew out to another office, he actually moved his flight back because the shirt he wanted to wear one of the days in the other office was in the cleaners!  (even I’M not THAT anal!)  LOL

So, as you can tell, I have been absolutely loving working for this firm, and with this group.  Everyone in the firm has been very nice to work with, and I’ve heard many, many, many people tell me that they hope I am able to get hired on permanently.  However, this, at this point, is up to the girl out on leave, who I’m replacing.  If she doesn’t come back to work after having the baby, I think I have pretty much got the job.  But, that is a big if.  Boss said he really can’t hire me until he finds out what she is going to do.  She has told other people in the firm that she didn’t really want to come back, and that she didn’t know for sure if she was going to come back.  At one point, Boss said that if I kept up the good work, he could guarantee me 6 months.  I think I’ve kept up the good work, but the strange part is, I’m not really pushing myself.  I’m just doing the work that is necessary.  I’ve been told that everyone in the IT department wants me to stay instead of PG lady.  The boss has made comments which make me feel he would rather have me on his team, too, but he can’t really come out and SAY it.  Legally, I don’t think he can fire her, although it sounds like he has enough ammo to do so. 

It seems that the more I work there, the more I seem to be told that people want me to stay.  This includes the people in the upper positions of the firm.  I am praying that PG lady wants to stay home with the baby when it comes time to come back to work.  That would make it so much easier for everyone involved.  But we won’t know that until January sometime.

Which brings me to my dilemma.  I’ve heard from a couple agencies who have positions available, and they want my resume to see if they can find me a permanent position.  Since this is my ultimate goal, I am torn, because I don’t want to leave this firm and this group.  As I was telling my Mom last night, I have to drive two hours in traffic in the mornings to get to this job, but I don’t mind it, because I absolutely love it when I get there.  The other guys on my team who have worked at law firms before have all told me that this is the best firm they have ever worked for.  So, I’m asking for opinions.  Do I hold out until at least January to find out if she comes back, or do I look for another position now, and possibly take another job, being permanent, with the risk of not liking the position as much?  Mom pointed out that I need to get benefits.  I replied with, “I’ve been without insurance for over 2 years, another couple months surely won’t hurt.”  She had to agree with that, but she is still concerned, as I would be in her position.  But she doesn’t know how good I feel when I am at work.  She doesn’t know how I can see myself working for this firm for years to come.  Enjoying your job can be worth so much more, I feel.  Another reason to stay for the chance would be the fact that the guys on the team say that this firm is not afraid to pay good money for quality people.  As it is, I am making pretty good money for a temp.  (Now, as soon as I get totally caught up on the bills, I’ll have a little money to buy Christmas presents)  I think I’ll be totally caught up next week, for the most part, and I’ll have a little bit left over after I pay the bills on most weeks. 

Anyway, do I wait for a chance of a job which I will love, or do I go for the security of a permanent job now?  Damn, why can’t life be easier?