Worried
I'm worried about the arts world (and, to be honest, my own job) in this economy. Major arts organizations in the LA/San Fran/NYC areas are currently hurting big time, and although patrons in the DC area are usually pretty loyal and supportive in all sorts of economic climates, I'm worried this time around, what with endowments tanking right along with the stock market. The Washington National Opera laid off several people over the summer (even waaaay before Lehman Bros went bye-bye), but now there is serious talks of hiring freezes and layoffs at other major DC orgs. This is stressing me out!
At the same time, I'm completely burnt out at work. In my previous post, I mentioned having a hard time with work/life balance. It continues: I worked 6 long days last week and yesterday was another 12-hour day. When my team asks for help from the rest of our department, because we're overwhelmed with working days, evenings, and weekends, we have to plead for assistance. Surprise, surprise, nobody wants to come in on a Saturday when we have several programs happening simultaneously.
In my most recent performance review, I was told I was a "high performing employee." I had hoped this would mean a nice raise or bonus at the end of the year, but in this economy, I doubt that will happen. So if I get paid the same salary whether I am "high performing" or just an average employee, why do I choose to go the more difficult route?
Oh -- can I rant some more? -- I'm getting a little tired of poor project management. The department I work in is filled with passionate, smart people, but due to the nature of our work, some are just not used to project management. As in, assignments, tracking progress, deadlines, etc. I have a hard time working with colleagues/managers who aren't good with project management.
I think I need an attitude adjustment. Or more money. Or an attitude adjustment AND more money. Or the ability to juggle kittens. Or the ability to juggle kittens AND more money. Or just more money. Damn the economy!
At the same time, I'm completely burnt out at work. In my previous post, I mentioned having a hard time with work/life balance. It continues: I worked 6 long days last week and yesterday was another 12-hour day. When my team asks for help from the rest of our department, because we're overwhelmed with working days, evenings, and weekends, we have to plead for assistance. Surprise, surprise, nobody wants to come in on a Saturday when we have several programs happening simultaneously.
In my most recent performance review, I was told I was a "high performing employee." I had hoped this would mean a nice raise or bonus at the end of the year, but in this economy, I doubt that will happen. So if I get paid the same salary whether I am "high performing" or just an average employee, why do I choose to go the more difficult route?
Oh -- can I rant some more? -- I'm getting a little tired of poor project management. The department I work in is filled with passionate, smart people, but due to the nature of our work, some are just not used to project management. As in, assignments, tracking progress, deadlines, etc. I have a hard time working with colleagues/managers who aren't good with project management.
I think I need an attitude adjustment. Or more money. Or an attitude adjustment AND more money. Or the ability to juggle kittens. Or the ability to juggle kittens AND more money. Or just more money. Damn the economy!
posted by DC arts girl at 5:56 PM
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