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created by [deleted] on 27/09/2024 at 08:40 UTC
69 upvotes, 33 top-level comments (showing 25)
[removed]
Comment by CalamityClambake at 27/09/2024 at 16:49 UTC
94 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I have a substantial list of software I'd like installed, but I don't want to scare IT so I'm trying to moderate my requests. I've been trickling them.
Well that sounds annoying.
Just make a full list of the resources you think you need, run it past your boss, answer questions and get approval, then take the whole list to IT so they can handle the thing once instead of in a bunch of steps. They may come back with reasons why the list needs to be modified -- that's part of their job. You're making their job harder by turning a down-ticket problem into dozens of tickets.
When you run the list past your boss, you can also go over what tasks you are capable of doing while you don't have the stuff on the list. It isn't your job to determine whether your time is more valuable than IT's time. It is your job to make your boss aware of how you can contribute with the resources you have, how you can contribute more with the resources you want, and then do the job they tell you to do.
You sound like you have a giant ego and are more than a little bit petty. Cool it with the memes. You aren't as funny as you think you are.
Comment by DaddyBeanDaddyBean at 27/09/2024 at 12:25 UTC
74 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I think it's very likely you're not following the correct process for nonstandard software, and your attempt at injecting levity with the meme has clearly fallen flat - IT is likely ignoring you because it isn't their job to educate the FNG on the correct process. You may not have burned the bridge yet, but it's close. Stop sending memes and talk with your manager about the software you believe you need to do your job, and ask them for guidance.
Comment by StopSignsAreRed at 27/09/2024 at 14:53 UTC
30 upvotes, 2 direct replies
I mean no, if being able to send Shaq memes is important to you, and your employer thinks they’re unprofessional, then you would not be crazy to be thinking you should find a company that appreciates Shaq memes.
Comment by glitterstickers at 27/09/2024 at 09:46 UTC
237 upvotes, 0 direct replies
At 3 weeks in, you don't have the social capital to converse in memes. Memes are also a hazard in the workplace since many are multilayered in meaning and context.
Use. Your. Words.
Your CIO's age should never be used as a "he doesn't get my humor and hates memes." No, maybe he isn't impressed with the new guy who thinks cluttering up the tickets with memes is a good idea.
If you're requesting software to be installed that isn't part of the standard load out or is not on the approved list, waiting weeks or months for a response would be typical. Have you asked around for what they use? What the process for getting non standard software is? And so forth. You may not even be using the correct process or there may be some other issue.
Similarly, IT may not be the right people to authorize your access. They can flip the switch but may not have the authority. Again, this would be a question for your boss.
Comment by Clipsy1985 at 27/09/2024 at 15:08 UTC
25 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I love me a good meme but I know how to read a room. I know who I can and cannot joke around with. I’d make jokes all damn day with everyone if I had the time—but not 3 weeks in to someone I don’t even know yet.
Yes this is all silly and stupid in the grand scheme but dude, you’re new. They have more important things to do and policy/procedure to follow. Lay off.
Comment by thisisstupid94 at 27/09/2024 at 11:19 UTC
56 upvotes, 1 direct replies
You ask specifically if IT was ok with you including stupid memes on your software requests? That’s an unusual interview question.
If your extensive professional experience hadn’t taught you to wait until you could read the room until you did something “funny”, well, now you have more professional experience.
I’ll add onto that…don’t assume someone’s acting a particular way because of their age. Especially if they are over 40. Because that can turn unprofessionalism into illegal harassment.
Comment by Sitheref0874 at 27/09/2024 at 09:46 UTC
98 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Your failure to not get a temperature check and then falling foul of it says more about you than the org.
I got on very well with my IT team and I wouldn’t have done after 9 years with them, let alone month one.
Comment by [deleted] at 27/09/2024 at 09:01 UTC
87 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Yes you are crazy. I understand where you are coming from but people like keeping work environment professional and I see it will change eventually but not so soon. And about tickets taking time to resolve. 2 weeks isn’t long time for IT to work on tickets they have process and other tickets to work on. It would be faster if it was startup with no process
Comment by CabinetTight5631 at 27/09/2024 at 16:31 UTC
15 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Whilst you’re terrified you took the wrong job, the company is likely concerned they chose the wrong candidate. Funny and quirky comes after rapport has been built, and after you are more familiarized with your broader audience.
No one in HR wants to have to be dealing with something as trivial as memes. As other commenters have said… it’s juvenile. You aren’t a good fit for the company.
Comment by BananaPants430 at 27/09/2024 at 10:29 UTC
39 upvotes, 1 direct replies
A month in, you don't have the professional capital in this organization to start slinging memes around.
You should have escalated this to your manager if you didn't have the IT resources needed to do your job. Plus, I have to ask - why "trickle" your requests if you truly need immediate access?
Comment by Cubsfantransplant at 27/09/2024 at 12:11 UTC
64 upvotes, 1 direct replies
You’re an adult right? Act like one in a professional setting. It’s expected. When you are in a pub, act like you’re in a pub.
Comment by Admirable-Case-922 at 27/09/2024 at 11:09 UTC
24 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Most companies won’t take kindly to memes unless you are close with the other people
Comment by southpaws_unite at 27/09/2024 at 08:56 UTC
36 upvotes, 1 direct replies
You should start a new job search. And don’t send memes at the next new job.
Comment by PartiZAn18 at 27/09/2024 at 12:44 UTC
30 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Extensive professional credentials yet you act so unprofessionally.
Comment by AcheyShakySpoon at 27/09/2024 at 14:29 UTC
31 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I am a data analyst. And I’m shocked that you, a 35yo, are acting this way. You should know, given the experience you keep saying you have, that it is STANDARD for software requests to go through your supervisor unless you are EXPLICITLY TOLD by your boss or whoever onboarded you that you should take those requests directly to IT. And it doesn’t matter if your old IT guy made you baked goods or that at your old jobs everyone was totally cool with memes being attached to pushy requests. You are at a new company and company culture is COMPANY SPECIFIC. Maybe do some personal reflection on why you are comfortable acting like a 16yo while you look for a new job, since this one probably won’t last long.
Comment by BumCadillac at 27/09/2024 at 10:34 UTC
29 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Along with what u/glitterstickers said, you really need to be making these software requests through your supervisor. You don’t just get to decide what software you use.
Comment by Rustymarble at 27/09/2024 at 12:19 UTC
9 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Comment by sun_and_stars8 at 27/09/2024 at 11:33 UTC
20 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Memes are rarely a good idea at work and a definite ‘NO’ at a couple weeks on the job. Your behavior was unprofessional and a discussion with HR seems to be in order. Learn from this. Consider that the professional world isn’t for memes and humor far more often than it is appropriate
Comment by Lakelover25 at 27/09/2024 at 16:36 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Just admit you were wrong and move on whether you think you were or not.
Comment by clekas at 27/09/2024 at 16:38 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
What was the tone/tenor of the meeting with HR and your grandboss? During my HR career, I have had to have more than a few sit-downs with employees to let them know about missteps that I didn't think were particularly egregious (or even a problem at all), but that bothered higher-ups in the organization. I always tried to come at it from a place of coaching/letting the employee know about our culture, not scolding them. In your case, I would have let you know that, while I understand memes may have been regularly used in your past workplaces, they aren't quite a fit with our culture. Many people in HR loathe scolding people for minor things, but, at the same time, it's part of our jobs, and if someone high up in the food chain has a problem with something, we have to have a talk with that person.
With the trickling in your requests and the meme, it seems like you were worried about annoying IT/starting off your relationship on the wrong foot. Even though it didn't land, you were trying to be humorous instead of direct because you wanted to preserve your relationship and not immediately be thought of as someone who was bugging IT too much. Personally, especially at a new job, I've found it's generally easy to just directly ask IT (or, better yet, your supervisor) for access to the tools you need to do the job.
Either way, it sounds like this job isn't a fit. It's probably best just to move on.
Comment by Dead-Plant-Society at 27/09/2024 at 17:26 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
HR here. Unfortunately, you are in the wrong. Memes aren't professional communication. If you're in an established group of friendly coworkers, it might be alright. Your meme could be interpreted in different ways, some of which wouldn't be well-received.
If I'd received the notification from the CIO, I'd be addressing it with you without pause. Why does the CIO's age matter? I didn't realize humor was bound by age.
In the future, if you'd like IT to know you've been waiting for their response to your request, I suggest communicating with your manager.
Also, you're likely in the right position because you sound like you may deal better with data than with people. People don't care about your ideas regarding operational efficiencies when you don't work to establish a relationship with them. Your responses in this thread indicate you need to take a step back and ask yourself about how you carry yourself into your environment.
Congrats on the PhD. I suppose you were hoping to hear that from somebody. Maybe now that you've proven yourself to be a professional academic, you can focus on proving you can be professional.
Comment by Additional_Worker736 at 27/09/2024 at 17:28 UTC*
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Here's a thought, imagine being in a department where you are constantly getting "tickets" or work orders. What you clearly are not getting is that your ticket probably isn't a priority. You were hired to do a job. Memes are not part of direct communication in the job setting. Quite frankly, the way you communicate and use ageism comments shows your lack of professionalism.
The "old guy" has tons more work experience than you and is probably highly respected. You probably should have stayed at the company that made you baklava instead 9f getting bothered by the inability to communicate using memes or gifs.
What you shared was a gif, not a meme.
Comment by identicaltwin00 at 27/09/2024 at 17:44 UTC
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I send memes all the time and my role is a leadership position in both HR and IT. All that to say, your meme was in bad taste. It just wasn't appropriate. It was not sent as a fun conversation piece, it was sent as a passive aggressive joke that you are wanting something.
Comment by whataquokka at 27/09/2024 at 15:15 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
This sounds like a mismatch - your personality and this place don't vibe by the sounds of it. It might be best to cut your losses and move on. He's well within his rights to not like memes and give feedback/discipline you over it, but it's also your right to think that's ridiculous and find a new job. Sorry you're dealing with this, it is very silly.
Now, watch me get downvoted for this reply *insert Elmo fire meme here*
Comment by Candy_Certain at 27/09/2024 at 18:41 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I’m with you. I am a senior professional that is known throughout my organization (and my client orgs) for bringing memes and gifs to most Teams meetings. You can do very serious work and still enjoy a sense of humor in the moment. More often than not it builds a bond and reduces the stress.
You ask about looking for another job. I wouldn’t survive the vibe in that company, so would likely bolt. Too many opportunities where my talents add value and the teams actually enjoy working with me.
Wishing you luck in your next role.