I repost this from r/MaliciousCompliance, because I was told that, even if there is compliance, it is not malicious.
They say that fate is a bitch – when you think you are prepared for anything, it throws you a curveball. What they don't say, is what happens next – when you are at your lowest, fate steps in and you hit a home run.
Some background info:
The past couple of years were really hard. I left a nasty job in 2019 as a technical support in a call center to return to my studies and become a merchant mariner. Initially everything went smoothly, then TheVarus hit and suddenly it became almost impossible to me to get my degree, because the University required a 3-month internship on a vessel in a time only a few ships could accept new recruits and all you needed were the right connections, something I didn't have.
Still, I managed to graduate and got my diploma, only to be hit with the next obstacle – a bureaucratic nightmare: merchant mariners require a large stack of certificates to even be able to go aboard, and that doesn't include the ones needed to do specific types of jobs. I had the experience, but lacked a couple of certificates, and after 6 months of going up and down, the final one and most crucial for the job I sought was declined due to “missing a few signatures” on my documents.
I felt like trash. This whole charade cost me a fortune. I wasted a lot of time and I was deep in debt from borrowing money from my best friends to deal with all of this. So, I decided to throw it all away and apply for a job, any job, that can allow me to get back on my feet.
Through Lisa, one of my best friends' cousin, I landed an interview for a desk job in a courier service. It wasn't anything special, I could get a better salary almost anywhere else, but I could start working immediately, so I went for it.
I was interviewed by the Head Honcho, Mr. Big Boss, who, as I was told, owned the real estate which the Service rented. He was this stereotypical “mob-muscle-gone-rich” type of person – the red eyes, the thick neck, the gold chain, the leather jacket and the latest model Mercedes S-Class screamed “Stay away”. What repulsed me the most, however, was that during the entire interview he refused to look me in the eyes even once, as if I was this worthless maggot who polluted his air with my presence.
On Day one I was told that the job was hard and demanding. But the job was easy, I picked up almost immediately and within 1 hour I was already behind a desk and dealing with customers, something that others usually didn't do from Day One, as I was told by Lisa, who was going to be my coworker.
I didn't like the job though. Aside from it being dull and monotonous, the customers made a lot of scenes and the air reeked of hypocrisy and intrigues between the coworkers. So, during a coffee break by the end of the shift, I joked with Lisa that I would probably leave after 6 months.
On the next day I had just started my day shift when Big Boss parked his S-Class on the lot before the office. He opened the door, said “Good morning” and told me to come outside.
Big Boss: How was your first day yesterday?
Me: It was very good, I even started dealing with customers.
Big Boss: I see. Look, OP, I've decided to let you go.
Me: Let me go? Why?
Big Boss: I was told that you didn't have the intention to stay here for long.
Me: What do you mean?
Big Boss: You were saying that you'd be here for 6 months and then you will leave. I can't have that. Besides, you're too risky.
Me: How come?
Big Boss: Your CV screams that you want to go on a ship. What guarantees can you give me that you won't go the moment they hire you?
Me: Look, I've been dealing with these morons for years. I am tired of their BS. I decided to settle down.
Big Boss: I don't believe you. So, I am sorry but things must end here.
This pissed me off. I know that I got myself into this, due to my big mouth, but I didn't expect to be ratted out by Lisa, who smiled at me and acted friendly, and yet appeared to be a disgusting hypocrite – the total opposite of my best friend, who is a real sweetheart.
Me: Fine, but it's your loss.
Big Boss: How come?
Me: You didn't even give me a chance to see how good of an employee I can be.
Big Boss: If you are so good, then you'll find something else.
So I left. I walked around the city, seething with anger, but was somewhat relieved that I wouldn't spend time working in that snakepit. And it motivated me: “Hey, I am better than this, I can find a better job in no time”.
And, as I was looking for job offers, I saw it. The one thing I have been searching for. The Job that would pay me three times more than the Big Boss offered me, and would allow me to be on a nice ship and not go through the rusty coffins that some companies in my country still used – a receptionist on a cruise ship, a position which I was the perfect candidate, because 6 years ago I took a summer job as such in a beautiful sea resort hotel, so I had the necessary experience. So I applied for it and passed my interviews with flying colours within a matter of days.
Now, as I am preparing my documents, I wonder whether I should go to the office where Lisa works and brag that I will be on a ship to the Canaries and probably the Caribbean while she broils in her pettiness. I'll probably pass by shortly before I leave.
If any of you gets in a similar situation, remember this – things will eventually work out. All it takes is patience.
TLDR – I find a sucky job, I get fired the next day, boss dares me to find something better, I do almost immediately.