Dead Set On The Wrong Headset
One day at work, my headset — essential for all of my incoming and outgoing calls — just died. I couldn’t hear a thing out of it, but people could hear me. This meant I was having conversations via my laptop speakers and the headset’s microphone.
My manager was exceptionally good at being exceptionally useless. I told him that I needed a new headset, and as they were a required piece of equipment, I was told they should arrive within the week.
A week after my initial request, I followed up with my manager.
Me: “[Manager], I’ve been waiting for my headphones. Any updates?”
Manager: “Oh, I’ve requested them, but with budget cuts, they may be a while getting here.”
Me: “What am I supposed to do in the meantime?”
Manager: “Just keep muddling through!”
[Manager] was very fond of us getting through with the bare minimum, and he offered us nothing but a catchphrase or perky quote.
Three days after that, [Manager] approached me.
Manager: “Good news about your headset! If you can get me a medical certificate, I can get you the super-duper ones!”
These were specifically for our hard-of-hearing staff. They were wireless and had Bluetooth.
Me: “What? Why would I need a medical certificate? I’ve never had to have one before.”
Manager: “But these are the super-duper ones! They look really cool!”
Me: “But… I don’t need ‘super duper’ ones. I just need to be able to hear!”
Manager: “No, trust me. You need these. So just, like, get me the medical certificate.”
Me: “I just need a normal headset. Can you please put in a requisition for that?”
Manager: “Sure thing!”
Three weeks after my initial request and after several complaints, I was determined to get my headset!
Me: “[Manager], do you have any updates on my headset? I’m getting complaints, and it’s really frustrating.”
Manager: “Oh, yeah, I was supposed to tell you about that. They turned you down for a headset.”
Me: “What?! How am I supposed to do my job?”
Manager: “Well, they said you didn’t have a medical reason, so you couldn’t have the headphones worth $800.”
Me: “But I told you I didn’t want those ones! I just need the $85 set that everyone else uses!”
Manager: “But they look really cool!”
I just stared at [Manager]. He eventually sighed, opened a drawer, and pulled out a new headset!
Me: “Thank you! How long have these been here?”
Manager: “Oh, weeks, but I wanted to order the cool ones!”
He was such a hindrance, and I am glad I’m out of there!
