I’ve discovered in life that I must pick my battles wisely.  Every wrongdoing does not need my personal correction or comments.  In fact, I’ve found many things work themselves out on their own.  Though, I do believe that there is a time to step into a situation, to stand up for someone or something you believe in, and try to make things right.

I worked in a corporate office environment for about 2 years as an indoor salesperson.  There were many positive qualities about working for a large corporation, such as receiving good income and great benefits.  Unfortunately, I also experienced the negative qualities that seemed to plague my office.  Among the bad decisions the company was making as a whole, there came a trickle-down effect that worked it’s way into my office stating, “if demand doesn’t increase, employee’s jobs will be eliminated”.

I worked along side a guy who was in a tight spot in life.  He lived with his girlfriend and was raising 4 kids with her.  They did not have any money in savings and were experiencing problems paying their rent, because his current income was not sufficient.  He expressed to me that he could not lose his job or else serious problems would arise concerning his entire household.

At that time, my boss had decided that if he could cause someone to leave on their own will, then he would not have to lay off any employees and have the company face paying unemployment for the discharged person.  For some reason, that I still cannot explain, he chose my coworker.

Day after day my coworker faced verbal abuse, awkward confrentations that borderlined physical abuse, and daily tasks that were demeaning and embarrassing.  After a month of that ridiculousness, I stood up for my coworker while he was being pointlessly criticized.  I told my boss that I didn’t understand or like what was going on.  My boss then instructed me to mind my own business, because the situation did not involve me.  I realized at that point, I would have to take a serious stand or forever be submissive.

I knew what was right and what I had to do.  I proceeded to tell the boss that I knew what was going on and that it interfered with my work, as well as the productivity and morale of the office as a whole.  I was immediately brought into a private office where I was told to stop talking about such things and that I should be quiet and not question the bosses motives.

By the next day I had made my decision.  I brought the entire situation before the district managers and human resource department.  The boss was dismissed from his job, which I found humorously ironic.  I also took the initiative and left my job, allowing for my coworker to take my position and earn the higher income he and his family deserved.